Top 5 attractions in Granada

Granada is a spectacular city located in the south of Spain steeped in rich history and culture dating back centuries when the Moors occupied various parts of Spain for nearly 800 years.

Granada has one of the most famous attractions in Spain, the impressive Moorish palace of the Alhambra. But also the Sacromonte cave district and the El Albaicín district provide hours of fantastic walking in this Spanish student city.

During your visit and city trip to Granada, these are the 5 most visited sites to see:

The Alhambra

The Alhambra is a Moorish fort and castle on the hillside of Granada and one of the most famous sites in Spain. You will probably need about half a day to see everything because in the Alhambra there is also the Generalife Summer Palace with its magnificent gardens, the Charles V Palace and the Alcazar Fortress.

As you would expect, the Alhambra attracts millions of visitors every year so it’s vital to book beforehand since entry is restricted on a daily basis.

But it’s worth every minute and as you will see, the Moorish architecture is probably the finest in the world.

The Cathedral of Granada and Capilla Real

Granada Cathedral is the 16th century cathedral in the city centre dedicated to the Virgin of the Incarnation. Right next to the cathedral is the Capilla Real, the funeral chapel of the kings which was built in 1517. Famous in Spanish history for having reconquered the city from the moors, the royal couple of Isabella and Ferdinand are buried here.

The El Albaicín district

The Albaicín is one of Granada’s real gems. It’s the old Arab quarter of Granada at the foot of the Alhambra hill. El Albaicín is a fairly small but feels surprisingly big due to the maze of narrow streets and small romantic squares where you can soak up the wonderful atmosphere, enjoying a perfect meal washed down with delicious Spanish wine. Also, you can admire the view of the Alhambra from the Mirador de San Nicolas, one of the best viewpoints in the city.

El Bañuelo

The 11th century Arab bath El Bañuelo is the oldest and best preserved of the Arab baths (also called a ‘Hamam’) across the whole region. Surprisingly, it’s complete free of charge and is one of the few Moorish buildings that was not demolished after the reconquest of Granada by the kings of Spain.

The Mountains of the Sierra Nevada

The Sierra Nevada is a mountain range with snow-covered peaks very close to the city and one of highest points in the whole country. The mountainous region is an excellent excursion if you want to leave the city for a full day. Go hiking in the countryside or enjoy the winter season with over 107 kilometres (66 miles) of ski slopes.

Travelling to Spain

Although there is an airport in Granada, direct flights from the US or any other major European cities are not very frequent. Most international flights fly to Madrid first and then there are domestic flights through to Granada after that which take about 45 minutes.

European citizens don’t have to worry about visas. Travellers from the UK don't currently need a visa, so long as they don't stay for more than 90 days. As far as US travellers go, Spain doesn’t require you to obtain a visa before travelling but starting on 1 January 2021 and since Spain belongs to the European Union (EU), new rules will come into place where US citizens will have to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver online.

This new ETIAS system is similar to the one the US has (called ESTA or Electronic System for Travel Authorization) where citizens from certain countries simply apply online to get an exemption from a formal visa to enter the country.