How to Spend the One Day in Granada, Spain

Planning to spend one day in Granada, Spain? You’re in the right place! As someone who walks Granada on the daily and has lived here for 3 years, I know this city like the back of my hand. Starting off with the Alhambra, I’ve crafted the perfect one-day itinerary for you – which also includes tapas, local favorites and insider tips.

Located on the northern side of Andalusia, Granada is a small but very important city that is particularly famous for its main attraction, the Alhambra Palace. If you’re visiting for just one day, you’ve heard of the Alhambra but not the rest of what this city has to offer.

To give a quick history run-down, Granada was the last city to be reconquered by the Catholic Monarchs, in the late 15th century. From its medieval streets and neighborhoods to landmarks, Granada’s beauty is like no other – it beautifully blends Arab and Spanish influences, and architecture.

Personally, one day in Granada is not enough. But with this local step-by-step itinerary, I help you experience the best this phenomenal city – including the best tapas and insider tips to help you make the most of your day!

Without further ado, get ready to discover La Alhambra, medieval neighborhoods, the best tapas culture – and so much more!😍👇

Disclaimer: This post has affiliate links that can help me earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. If you click through and buy with these links, thank you in advance for the extra support.💖😊

The Perfect One Day in Granada Itinerary

Start Your Day at the Alhambra (Book Early!)

Dating back as early as the 9th century, the Alhambra is a complex that played several roles throughout history: a fortress, palace, and Medina.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, this complex is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture that should genuinely be titled the 8th Wonder of the World.

La Alhambra rivals with La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona as the most visited attraction in all of Spain.

As the second-most visited attraction in Spain after La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, it’s crucial that you book your Entry Tickets or Guided Tour a month, or several weeks, in advance.

The main attraction of the Alhambra is the Nasrid Palaces, which are only included in the general entry tickets. While there’s other types of tickets, trust me when I say you DO NOT want to miss out on them. They are the highlight of the entire complex!

Built for the Nasrid Dynasty, these palaces are some of the most breathtaking buildings you will ever see. They showcase Islamic architecture at its most intricate and awe-inspiring, with ornate tilework, jaw-dropping stucco details, and serene courtyards that could entrance you for hours.

Given the size of this complex, the average visit of La Alhambra is 3 hours long. But no worries, there is so much beauty from the Nasrid Palaces to the Generalife gardens that the visit will fly by.

😋 Here are the 16 ESSENTIAL Tips for your Alhambra Visit | Read Before Visiting!

For this itinerary, I strongly recommend booking the Alhambra for the first thing in the morning. Why? Because you will have more energy and depending on the time of the year, better weather!

Here are the tickets for La Alhambra! Pick between the regular entry tickets or best-rated guided tour, and book before they sell out.👇

Explore Granada’s Historic City Center

Once you’re done visiting La Alhambra, start your way down to the historic city center – where you will take a relaxing stroll or find a spot to relax in.

Some places that are great to walk around are street Gran Via, street Reyes Católicos, and the beloved, Plaza Bib Rambla.

Lunch

Just like most, if not all, of Spain, lunch in Granada starts at 2 PM – with restaurants usually opening around 1 or 1:30 PM.

My best advice would be to eat closer to the local’s dining time to help ensure you experience proper, local cuisine.

😋 Discover all the BEST Gluten Free Restaurants in Granada

A personal favorite of mine is El Pescaito, part of the Restaurantes Carmela group. Pescaito is a 100% gluten free seafood restaurant where you’ll get to indulge in all the incredible Andalusian seafood and traditional dishes.

Being so delicious and right in the center, make sure to make your reservation asap! I highly recommend trying their Berenjenas Fritas (fried eggplants with honey) and their Pescaito Frito (fried seafood).

La Catedral de Granada

Welcome to one of the most beautiful and important cathedrals in Andalusia!

With almost 200 years of construction between the 16th and 18th century, this Cathedral showcases multiple architectural styles. The exterior façade is Gothic, while the interior is a masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance.

Depending on whether you’re using an audio guide or not, you can expect your visit to last between 30 minutes to, maximum, an hour. Book your tickets here!👇

Capilla Real of Granada

“Attached to the hip” of the Cathedral of Granada, is the Capilla Real, “Royal Chapel”. This is where the Catholic Monarchs, Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand II, are buried.

Because Granada was the last city in Andalusia, and all of Spain, to be reconquered, and the Catholic Monarchs wanted to be buried here.

Within this beautiful chapel you will find a large marble tombstone that sits right above the room that holds the Catholic Monarchs and a few other people.

There is also an area full of historic paintings and belongings of the Monarchs – allowing you to dive deeper into their past.

Note. Pictures and videos are strictly prohibited within the Royal Chapel. Please be respectful.

Alcaiceria Market

Found right next to the Cathedral and Royal Chapel of Granada is the last remaining part of Alcaicería Market – once a Grand Bazaar and Silk market.

Dating back to the Moorish years, the Alcaicería Market used to expand all the way to Plaza Nueva. It used to be where locals would buy everything from spices to silk, and beyond.

Today, the Alcaicería Market still exists but is much smaller than it used to be. Today, you will find everything from Arabic products, to traditional Spanish jewelry, and the usual tourist shops.

Los Italianos or Café Fútbol Pick-Me-Up (Seasonal)

If you’re visiting Granada between the day of San José, 19 March, and El Pilar, 12th October – you’re in for the BEST treat!😍

Los Italianos, “The Italians”, is the best and most beloved gelato shop in all of Granada. Dating back to 1936 it is also one of the oldest gelaterias in the city.

One of the must-try flavors here is Nata – I can best describe it as milk cream or Fiordilatte.

If you like sour cherries, make sure to try their Amarena gelato, which is basically Nata with incredible sour cherries added fresh on top! It’s to die for.

Visiting during colder weather? No worries! Treat yourself to the most delicious hot chocolate and churros (year round) at the oldest cafe of Granada: Café Fútbol.

Carrera del Darro

Welcome to one of the most magical places in Granada!🥹

As one of the oldest streets in all of Granada, Carrera del Darro is a street that remains true to its medieval origins. On this tiny cobblestone street you’ll find historic buildings with frescoes and enchanting stone bridges.

As a fun fact, Carrera del Darro receives its name from the Darro River, which flows right along this street.

As you walk this beautiful street, look around yourself – there is so much beauty to take in! On some buildings, you will even find beautiful frescoes.

Walk around Albaicin

Welcome to the most historic neighborhood of Granada and UNESCO World Heritage Site!😍

Dating back to the 11th century, Albaicín is the neighborhood to which the Moors and Roma moved when the Christian Monarchs reconquered Granada.

Due to this, in Albaicín you will find lots of Moorish influence, from shops to restaurants, tea shops, and architecture.

This neighborhood has the most gorgeous cobblestone streets and white-washed buildings decorated in vibrant flowers and decorations. While it is not a Pueblo Blanco, it strikes some similarities.

As you walk through the Albaicín, you will walk towards Granada’s most iconic viewpoint – Mirador the San Nicolas.

Responsible Tourism Note: The Albaicín is a residential area that is suffering from tourism and inconsiderate tourists. When visiting, please be respectful of the historic neighborhood you’re in and be mindful of locals – do not be disruptive and pick up after yourself.

Sunset at Mirador de San Nicolas

Located at the very top of the Albaicín, the Mirador de San Nicolas is the most famous viewpoint in all of Granada. From this cobblestone square, you will catch the most beautiful views over La Alhambra and Granada.

Furthermore, this is where you have some of the best vibes, as people gather to enjoy the views while street musicians play flamenco or iconic songs like Volare – the cover by the Gypsy Kings.

This area can get really crowded. While I haven’t heard of pickpocket issues in Granada, make sure to keep all your belongings next to you and in a safe spot!

Enjoy Free Tapas – Granada’s Famous Dining Tradition

You might not be expecting this, but did you know that Granada has the absolute BEST Tapas culture in all of Andalusia?👀😍

That’s right! In Granada, you get a FREE tapa, “small dish”, with every drink you order. That means you can drink until you’re full and call it a dinner, or simply enjoy it as a pre-dinner snack.

You’ll to get free tapas just about anywhere – including restaurants. However, if you’re looking to indulge in traditional tapas, it’s best to go to a Tavern or small pub! Even better? You learn the art of Tapear, and go bar hopping to try different tapas!

Local Tip. When walking around Granada, look for small crowded pubs or taverns where most people are standing. One of the best places for tapas, and a local favorite, is Ávila! Don’t go to places like Los Manueles – those have become tourist traps.

Flamenco Show Sacromonte Caves

With Flamenco originating in Andalusia, attending a show is simply a must!

There are a few different styles of Flamenco, and Granada is home to the Zambra-style, which was born in the Sacromonte Caves – the homes of the Roma community.

Flamenco is an art composed of different parts: singing, playing (guitar), and dance. At a Flamenco show, you will usually see all three parts being performed simultaneously and also individually.

This allows you to experience the full art, but also appreciate its incredible components.

💃 Discover all the BEST Flamenco Shows in Granada

How to Get to Granada

Granada has a small airport with limited, and often expensive or lengthy, flight options. Due to this, if you were planning to fly into Granada, feel free to check if there are any good flights into the airport.

The best option, 99.99% of the time, is to fly into the Malaga AGP airport and take an Alsa bus to Granada, which is about 1.5 hours long.

My favorite tool for traveling around Spain is checking Omio, which shows all options from buses to trains, flights, and beyond. Find your best travel option!👇

One Day in Granada FAQs

Is it better to go to Granada for 1 or 2 days?

Granada is a smaller city, but one full of endless, incredible things to do beyond the Alhambra. Personally, it’s best to visit Granada for at least 2 days, the perfect amount to see everything this city offers. If you spend 3 days in Granada, then it’s a sweeter spot because it allows you to see everything at a slower and deeper pace.

If for some reason your Andalusia itinerary does not allow you to spend more than one day in Granada, then go ahead! It’s much better to visit Granada for a day than not to visit at all.

Is Granada a walkable city?

Granada could not be a more walkable city, especially the city center which is mainly for pedestrian.

How to dress for one day in Granada, Spain?

Overall, you can dress however you’d like for Granada. For visiting La Alhambra there is no dress code, and for religious sites like the Cathedral of Granada, just be mindful and don’t wear super-revealing clothes.

The only thing I cannot stress enough: wear comfortable shoes, preferably sneakers. Why? Because La Alhambra is about 3 hours of straight walking and lots of Granada has cobblestone streets – especially the Albaicín.

If you’re traveling between the spring and fall, I also highly recommend wearing breathable clothes!

Is it safe to walk alone at night in Granada?

Out of all the places I have visited and lived in, I can easily tell you that Granada is one of the safest cities! It’s rare for me, as a young woman, to feel comfortable walking alone at night. Here in Granada, I’ve walked by myself at night plenty of times – in the city center, you’re perfectly safe!

Despite how safe it is, please always be vigilant of your surroundings!

Does Granada have pickpockets?

I personally haven’t heard of any issues with pickpockets, but it’s always best to put everything in a safe place just in case.

What you will often find in Granada though is women with a plastic bag full of rosemary. They will come up to you and offer you a stick of rosemary and/or “read your palms”. If these women approach you, simply keep walking and say “No” or “No gracias”.

As a general note, never accept “free things” like rosemary sticks, bracelets, and so forth – most of the time these will be scammers.

One Day in Granada Map

Want more help with your travels? Check out my Posts!

Here additional posts that will help you out with your upcoming Granada and Andalusia travels!👇

• How to Spend the Perfect 2 Days in Granada
• The Ultimate 7 Day Andalucia Itinerary with Local Tips
• Ultimate Guide to Granada’s Hidden Gems
• All the Best Things to Do in Granada, Spain
• 8 Best Flamenco Shows in Granada: All You Need to Know
• The Ultimate Guide to Granada Tapas & Andalusian Food
• 15 Best Day Trips from Granada
• Best Gluten Free restaurants in Granada

Grab my e-Checklist to make sure you’re properly prepared for Andalusia!👇

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I have to ask…

What are you most excited to see or experience on your one day in Granada? Did this itinerary help you feel more at ease? Let me know in the comments!😊👇

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