This guide to what to see in Granada in 3 days will help you prepare your itineraries on foot and by public transport so that you don't miss anything important in this incredible city.
During these three intense days you will get to know many charming corners of the last city reconquered by the Catholic Monarchs, which has preserved a harmonious blend of elements of Moorish and Christian culture and architecture.
Among the places you will visit and enjoy are the fantastic Alhambra, the Cathedral, the Royal Chapel, the Albaicín, Realejo and Sacromonte quarters, the best viewpoints, as well as the possibility of relaxing in an Arab bath and tasting its most typical dishes such as beans with ham, the "remojón granadino" or the Sacromonte omelette.
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Based on our visits to this well-known city in the south of Spain, where we have written this list of the must-see places in Granada, we have put together this itinerary of Granada in 3 days, making the most of your time. Let's get started!
Tips for travelling to Granada
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Following this list of tips will help you get off to the best possible start on a trip to Granada:
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The best time to travel to Granada is in spring and autumn, and it is advisable to avoid Easter if you don't want to pay extra for accommodation and want to enjoy the city with less people.
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The most comfortable way to get to Granada is by AVE train, although it is also common to land at Granada or Malaga airports, both of which have good bus connections to the city.
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If you arrive at Granada airport you can take the bus, taxi or book this comfortable private transfer to get to the city centre or hotel.
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Follow this list of the best restaurants to eat in Granada.
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Once you have booked your flight, you can book the Hotel Comfort Dauro 2 or the Barceló Carmen Granada, both located a few metres from the cathedral and with an excellent quality/price ratio. For more information, check out this post on where to stay in Granada.
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To get to know the history of the city, nothing better than booking this free tour, one of the best free tours in Granada for free!
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Remember to check if it is worth buying the Granada Card to save money and time on your visits to the city.
First day in Granada
The first day of what to see in Granada in 3 days starts with breakfast at the Café 4 Gatos or the Churrería Alhambra and then walk up to the Alhambra which opens at 8:30am, where you will have a tour of this huge complex which will take you to see palaces such as the Generalife, Charles V, the Nasrids and the old Alcazaba.
Remember that to make sure you don't miss anything interesting and learn about its history, it is advisable to book this guided tour or this offer which includes a guided tour of the Albaicín and Sacromonte neighbourhoods.
If you don't want a guided tour and you don't have a place, you should book your tickets in advance on this page or if there is no availability on this page.
After the tour, which will take up a whole morning, you can walk down the Cuesta Empredada to the Plaza Nueva, which has some of the best restaurants in the city such as Los Diamantes bar, Casa Julio, Bodegas Castañeda or La Buena Vida, where you can recharge your batteries to continue with the day's route.
Granada Cathedral
In the afternoon Granada in three days continues with a visit to the Cathedral and the impressive Royal Chapel, where the remains of the Catholic Monarchs are buried and where you can book a guided tour to learn more about the history.
After these two visits you can take a complete tour of the Albaicín neighbourhood, starting with the beautiful Carrera del Daro street and passing through places such as the Bañuelo, the Mirador de los Carvajales, the Casa Zafra, the Paseo de los Tristes, the Carmen de la Victoria and the Casa del Chapiz, the latter two with excellent views of the Alhambra.
If you prefer to know the curiosities and not miss any charming corner of this neighbourhood we recommend you to book this free tour of the Albaicín for free!
To end the day, nothing better than to go to the famous Mirador de San Nicolás at sunset, and then have dinner at Aben Humeya or El Agua, both with views of the illuminated Alhambra.
(More information on the route of the first day here)
Map of the first day in Granada
Map of the first day in GranadaSecond day in Granada
The second day of what to see in Granada in 3 days starts with a stroll through the handicraft shops of the Alcaicería, before visiting the beautiful interior of the Madrasa Palace which opens at 10am.
On leaving the Madrasa you can complete an itinerary through the narrow streets of the Realejo quarter starting with a visit to the Corral del Carbón and passing through places such as the Plaza de Isabel la Católica, the Casa de los Tiros, the Placeta Puerta del Sol, the Safardí Museum, the Church of Santo Domingo, the Bermejas Towers and the Rodriguez-Acosta Foundation, one of the most beautiful museums in the city.
After finishing your visits to this neighbourhood with the views from the gardens of the Carmen de los Mártires palace and a visit to the Plaza del Campo del Principe, you can recover your energy by eating at La Esquinita de Javi, the EntreBrasas or El Mentidero, some of the best restaurants in the city.
Don't forget that if you want to enjoy this neighbourhood in a more entertaining and educational way, we recommend you to book this free tour of the Realejo, free!
In the afternoon, the route through Granada in three days starts with a tea in one of the most famous tea shops such as Abaco Té, La Diwan or La Oriental, and then cross the Calle Calderería Nueva, which will transport you for a moment to Marrakech.
Street of tea shops
After tea, you can take the C34 bus from Plaza Nueva to the Abadía de Sacromonte, which marvels with its holy caves and a collection of plumbed books. To visit you can pay the 5 euro entrance fee or book this guided tour.
From the top of the abbey you can start a route through the Sacromonte neighbourhood that will take you past the Casa La Sevillana and La Chumbera, ending inside the interesting Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte and if you have enough time we also recommend you climb up to the Ermita de San Miguel, a spectacular viewpoint.
To put the icing on the cake of this second day of Granada in 3 days, nothing better than booking a table at the Cuevas Los Tarantos for a traditional flamenco show and dinner.
Another option is to book this tour of legends and mysteries and then have dinner at one of the restaurants in the Plaza Nueva.
(More information about the route of the second day here)
Map of the second day of Granada
Map of the second day of Granada in 3 daysWhat to see in Granada in 3 days
The last day of what to see in Granada in 3 days starts before 10am by taking bus lines 8, U1, U2 and U3, or book a seat on this tourist train to get to the Cartuja Monastery, located half an hour walk from the centre.
This religious temple, built from 1506 in the Baroque style, marvels with the ornate decoration of its chapels and rooms such as the Courtyard, the Refectory, the Chapel, the Chapter House and the Sacristy, although its great jewel is the Church of the Assumption, which stands out for its large altarpiece and the impressive main altar, which houses the sculpture of the Virgin of the Assumption.
After the visit you can take the U2 and U3 lines to the Monastery of San Jerónimo, a religious complex made up of a large church and two cloisters, in which the most important works inside the monastery are the main altarpiece, one of the most important works of the Spanish Renaissance, and the tomb, where the remains of "the Great Captain" rest, a soldier who stood out for his excellence in war.
Monastery of San Jerónimo
Granada in 3 days continues with a short walk to the Palacio Andaluz Teteria Almona, one of the best restaurants to try oriental food, or the Viva Maria, which specialises in delicious Italian food. After lunch you can have a coffee in the beautiful Plaza de Bib-Rambla or, as on the previous day, a good tea in the nearby Calle Calderería Nueva.
In the afternoon you can start a route through the lesser known part of the Albaicín neighbourhood, passing in front of the churches of San José and San Gregorio, and walking up Calle Oidores to the Palace of Dar-al-Horra, a Nasrid palace, built in the 15th century, which stands out for its large central courtyard with arches and Moorish details in windows, alfarjes and walls, as well as having a great viewpoint in the upper room. Another incredible viewpoint located just a few minutes walk from this palace is the San Cristóbal viewpoint, which overlooks the city and the Alhambra and is a must-see.
Alhambra of Granada
When you come down from the viewpoint we recommend that you pass by the Church of San Bartolomeo, cross the Arco de las Pesas, an ancient gateway to the walled city, and lose yourself in the narrow streets of the Albaicín until you reach the Carrera del Darro for a last stroll.
And to relax after this intense Granada in 3 days, we recommend you to book a bath and massage at the Hammam Al Ándalus, an Arab bath that will leave you feeling like new.
Another good option for the sunset is to book this night tour that passes by the best illuminated monuments and buildings in the city.
To say goodbye to the city in the best possible way, you can try typical dishes at Los Manueles restaurant or Bar La Riviera, two classics of Granada.
Map of the last day of Granada in three days
Map of the last day of Granada in three days
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