Is Granada Worth Visiting? How to Spend One Day

I’ll be honest with you. My interest in Granada started after watching the K-drama Memories of the Alhambra. And I swear it’ll answer, “Is Granada worth visiting,” just bear with me. It was early 2020, well before my trip to Europe was canceled, and I was on the hunt for films or TV shows set in Spain. I do that before a trip to get myself in the mood. And low and behold, on Netflix, I found Memories of the Alhambra.

I had only watched bits of K-dramas back in middle school with my Korean friend, and at that time, they didn’t have any subtitles on, so I was clueless.

Flash forward a few years, and I read, “While searching for the cryptic creator of an innovative augmented reality game, an investment firm executive meets a woman who runs a hostel in Spain.” All I heard was “hostel in Spain,” and I immediately thought, “I love hostels!” “I’m heading to Spain!” and was SOLD!

Having no idea the massive world of Korean dramas I had just dove headlong into, I devoured Memories of the Alhambra. I can recall staying up until 4 a.m. even though I had work the next day and needed to get up at 7 a.m. I remember rambling to my coworkers about how good this show was.

Yet sadly, due to COVID a few short weeks later, my trip was canceled. However, when rebooking the trip in the fall of 2021, I sure as hell added Granada and, of course, the Alhambra to my list as it hadn’t been on it before watching this incredible TV show.

What is Granada Known For?

Aside from my Memories of the Alhambra, Granada is more commonly known for its many notable architectural and artistic monuments. It is one of Spain’s most visited cities by tourists.

As the city is the seat of an archbishop, it is dotted with Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical churches, convents, monasteries, hospitals, palaces, and mansions.

The Albaicín (Albayzin) quarter is the oldest section of Granada. It features narrow cobbled streets and cármenes (Moorish-style houses). This area, as well as the Alhambra, were designated UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Granada’s most prominent sites are the famous Moorish palace, the Alhambra, the Alcazaba—the fortress that guarded it—and the Generalife, the summer palace of the Moorish sultans. Read on to find out why they’re the reason I answer yes to the question, “Is Granada worth visiting?”

How to Spend One Day in Granada Spain

Getting to Granada is Very Easy

You can get to Granada in several ways. You can fly in. If you also plan to visit Barcelona and Madrid, there are flights from those cities.

You can also take a train. However, this may only be a good option if you’re coming from specific areas, as some routes are still under construction. If you are coming from Cordoba, Madrid, or Seville, like I was, then it is possible to buy a train ticket.

Another option is to rent a car, which is only encouraged if you’re staying the night in Granada and have a hotel that’ll let you park there. Else, it’ll be difficult for you to deal with the car situation.

The last option, and the one I took, is to visit Granada via bus. There are several bus routes across Spain. The only downside is that they are the slowest option, but the upside is that they are also usually cheap.

• Madrid to Granada: 4 hours and 30 minutes
• Barcelona to Granada: 14 hours
• Seville to Granada: 3 hours

As I was coming from Seville, these 3 hours were nothing! I downloaded some podcasts beforehand and listened to music along the way. I also talked among my fellow travelers, and the time whipped by. However, had I been coming from Barcelona, I would have taken the train or flown to decrease the travel time.

You can find more details on how to get to Granada here.

Planning a Day Trip from Seville to Granada

I’m going to let you in on another thing about me. Sometimes, when I’m traveling, especially solo like I was through Spain, I like to book a tour that does ALL the work for me. And that’s just what I did here.

I decided that I’d done most of what I’d planned on doing in Seville and booked a last-minute tour of the Alhambra. That may be a bit surprising given how much I raved about Memories of the Alhambra in my response to “Is Granada worth visiting?” above, but I was a bit on the fence about how much I’d be able to pack in during my trip.

It was post-COVID, so it was less busy than blogs written before then stated, so I got through Seville much quicker. Also, I love visiting filming locations, so there was that pull.

The tour From Seville: Alhambra Palace with Albaycin Tour Option is not the one I went on. I’m pretty sure I booked it through my hotel in Seville since I can’t find an actual website for it. However, this one is very similar. It’s also through Get Your Guide, which is excellent as they have a fantastic and easy cancellation policy should you not be able to attend for whatever reason.

Spending One Day in Granada Spain

Again, as the tour I’ve listed above isn’t the exact tour, I’ll review what I did and provide general tips that should fit just about any day tour to Granada. Most of these tips should also work even if you aren’t taking a bus but are still spending only one day in Granada. And hopefully help answer “Is Granada worth visiting?”

The tour I went on had us meet at a location just outside the Jewish Quarter, where I was staying, early in the morning. I recall since it was still dark when I got there, I had just enough time to dash into a cafe and grab a coffee and pastry before the bus ride.

Almost any tour will tell you this is the same route marked by the American writer Washington Irving mentioned in his book “Tales of the Alhambra.”

Granada Cathedral

We were first dropped off in Granada and told we had a certain amount of time to explore and what were some local sites within walking distance. I had made friends with two older ladies on the bus ride, and they very kindly allowed me to tag along with them.

So, the three of us headed towards Granada Cathedral, a Roman Catholic church and seat of the Archdiocese of Granada. 

Viewpoint Over the Alhambra

I then went on my own and walked up to a viewpoint over the Alhambra. I recalled a viewpoint similar to this within the TV series, so I was keen to see it.

It’s not the exact filming location, but it’s somewhat similar. You can see I was even trying to mimic this shot from the show, haha! I didn’t quite get it, but I tried!

It was quite a hike up a hill, though, and on a time crunch, it would be rough if you aren’t in shape. But if you are, definitely add it to your list of reasons why the answer to “Is Granada worth visiting?” is yes!

Albaicín (Albayzin) Quarter

I then walked down through the Albaicín (Albayzin) Quarter. The streets here were so beautiful that I wish I had had more time to explore. Unfortunately, I was still very much aware of the time I had to get back on the bus.

However, I recommend exploring this area during your one day in Granada if you have more time.

Alcaiceria

And if you’re into shopping, check out the Alcaicería area. I only briefly found myself here, so I didn’t really get a chance to explore, but any shopaholic would love it.

I’m not a big shopper, so this is one area I could skip when answering the question, “Is Granada worth visiting?”

Churros and Chocolate in Plaza Nueva

I did stop back near the bus and grabbed some churros and chocolate for lunch! I know, churros and a cup of chocolate? Especially after you’ve been hiking up a hill?? When in Rome, my friend!

This crispy, freshly fried dough is also better than the stuff back in the States. And the mug of thick chocolate—well, I’ll never turn down chocolate while in Europe.

If you’re looking for recommendations, here’s a list of five places locals love (one of which is where I went, Café Fútbol). This alone will help you decide, “Is Granada worth visiting?”

Gardens and Palace of the Generalife

After lunch, we finally headed uphill towards the Alhambra, but first, we stopped at Generalife. This may sound like a health insurance company to you cause that’s what it does to me, but I assure you that Generalife was the summer palace and country estate of the Nasrid rulers.

The name has come to have several variations, some of which are “Garden of the Architect,” “Garden of the Artist,” “Garden of the Gnostic,” or even “Garden of the Flautist.” However, even those are up for debate.

Either way, there is enough garden here to make any ruler jealous! There’s also some lovely architecture that was very reminiscent of what I had seen at the Royal Alcázar of Seville, as well as fountains. It’s one of the reasons I say yes to “Is Granada worth visiting?”

I should note that we had a tour guide for this section of the tour. We were each given an earpiece and a listening device on a lanyard. I like it when tours do this, so I don’t have to be on top of the guide to hear.

The Alcazaba

Directly next to the Generalife was the Alcazaba, the oldest surviving part of the Alhambra. It was built by Muhammad I Ibn al-Ahmar, the founder of the Nasrid dynasty, after 1238.

The Alcazaba is the part of the Alhambra you can see looming over the city—the military fortress part. In the Nasrid era, a small residential district, known in Spanish as the Barrio Castrense (‘Military Quarter’), occupied the area within the walls of the inner fortress. The former structures no longer stand, but their foundations have been excavated and are visible today.

We didn’t spend much time here since there isn’t too much to see. But I should note that it is featured in one of the final episodes of Memories of the Alhambra.

The Nasrid Palaces

Next on the tour are the Nasrid Palaces, opulent Moorish-style courtyards, reception halls, and royal quarters in the heart of the Alhambra. And they mean opulent! I was super impressed with the Royal Alcázar of Seville, however, even more so with the Nasrid Palaces. The walls are intricately decorated with text.

It’s hard to find an inch that is free from inscription in the Alhambra

José Castilla Brazales, researcher

Propaganda has always been a potent tool for the powerful. In the 13th century, the Nasrid dynasty made full use of it, spelling out its messages in ornate engravings on the walls, columns, arches, fountains, and ceilings of the magnificent Alhambra Palace and Gardens.

Thanks to the painstaking work of a Spanish academic, most of the 10,000 inscriptions adorning the city are now known to be not just snippets of poetry or extracts from the Koran but also references to conquests and other feats.

Although the buildings that have survived to the present date date mainly from the 14th century. These palaces enclose within their walls the glory of the last Hispanic-Arab governors of Al Andalus, the Nasrid.

Simply seeing the Nasrid Palaces is enough to answer yes to the question, “Is Granada worth visiting?”

Ending One Day in Granada

After touring the Nasrid Palaces with our tour guide, we returned to Granada’s main center. My two friends I’d met on the tour bought me an Alhambra beer after we toured the Alhambra—very fitting.

I’m not a big beer fan, and unless it’s part of the culture, like Guinness in Ireland, I don’t drink it, so take my opinion that it was just okay lightly.

After our drink, we hopped back on the bus and off to Seville.

Tips for Visiting the Alhambra

Bring Your Passport or ID Card

Now that I’ve recapped my one day in Granada and hopefully helped answer the question, “Is Granada worth visiting?” Here are some tips for visiting the Alhambra that you can use whether you’re taking a tour or not.

When booking the tour, they told us to bring our passports. I’d never heard of this on a tour before, so I made sure to bring it. It’s a good thing that I did, as they were checked when we entered the Alhambra as it is mandatory to present the original ID card or passport to access the complex.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

During your one day in Granada, you will be walking a lot, even if you are solely visiting the Alhambra, so do wear comfortable shoes. You’ll thank me later.

Some of the roads here are very old and, while beautiful, are more challenging to walk on than paved roads, so arch support is vital.

Wear Comfortable Clothing

When I visited in September, it was warm. I can only imagine it gets warmer during summer’s peak season.

No matter what time of year you’re going, loose and comfortable clothing is key as there is a lot of walking, and being uncomfortable will not serve you in any way.

Skip the Line/Entrance Fees

One of the many pluses of booking a tour like the From Seville: Alhambra Palace with Albaycin Tour Option is that they are inclusive, usually except for lunch. So you don’t have to pay additional fees to enter the Alhambra.

Tour groups also get skip-the-line access, so even if it is peak season, you’re passing by all those poor souls in line.

Live Tour Guide

Another bonus was we had a guide with us almost the whole time. I didn’t have one from the Cathedral to Plaza Nueva, but that’s because it was our free time to explore on our own. The guide was, however, locatable if needed as we were told where the bus would be parked.

Unlike the tour I took, the linked tour does not provide headphones, so make sure to bring those with you. If you pick another tour, please check what they provide.

Pickup Included/Roundtrip Transportation

Lastly, having been picked up near my hotel in Seville, driven to Granada, up to the Alhambra, and then back to Seville made it very convenient for me. The only inconvenience is that you’re on their schedule. You miss the bus, that’s on you. However, if you’re punctual, this should not be a concern.

I was able to relax more than I usually am as I was not concerned with what train I was hoping on or what Uber I needed to find. It was all provided for me, which was a load off when traveling solo. So, is Granada worth visiting with a guide? For these reasons, I say yes.

FAQ About Visiting Granada

Final Thoughts on Is Granada Worth Visiting?

I hope this recap of my tour helped you answer the question, “Is Granada worth visiting?” because I believe it very much is! If you have any questions about how to plan your one day in Granada, feel free to comment below.

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