Inspired By Travel

It may not be on everyone’s travel radar, but we are here to tell you that a trip to Granada is totally worth it! This was not only Zoe’s favorite city in Spain, but one of her favorite places that we have traveled to anywhere. The history, walkability, charming small city feel, and price range are just some of the reasons we enjoyed it so much. We are looking forward to our next visit, and we have put together a list of the things you definitely don’t want to miss when you’re in town!

1. The Alhambra

One of the biggest reasons we came to Granada in the first place was the opportunity to explore the Alhambra, a world heritage site featuring a gigantic fortress and palace, still standing amongst additions made through the years. There is so much to see within the walls of the Alhambra as well as the surrounding gardens and Generalife grounds. This incredible place is so unique and exemplifies the changes and dynamics of the region through history as well as providing some of the finest examples of Islamic architecture still remaining in Europe. You could spend days exploring and still want to come back for more!

In what can be a hot and dry environment, the thoughtful design and architecture around the Alhambra and particularly the Nasrid Palaces does a masterful job of incorporating fountains, courtyards and fruit trees along with a variety of other techniques to create a cooler and more comfortable environment even within a gigantic stone fortress. The use of water flowing downhill from the mountains throughout the entire grounds is incredible.

The Alhambra is surrounded by vast gardens growing a huge variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers and all sorts of greenery. As you walk the grounds up to the Generalife you can enjoy the incredible views amongst lush plant life and flowing fountains which fed the people living there and provided a retreat for centuries. Amongst the heat that can be found in Southern Spain, this is a great opportunity to recharge on a long day of exploration, find some quiet space to take it all in and let your imagination wander.

The Generalife sits above the grounds of the Alhambra and was used by royalty long ago as a retreat from the heat and hustle that could be found at times within the grounds of the fortress. From there you can take in incredible views of the surrounding areas while walking through gardens, fountains and an environment that evokes a breezy, peaceful vibe. From kings, to private owners, the grounds are now finally open for all visitors to come and enjoy!

LOGISTICS:

There are a few ways that you can see the Alhambra. We recommend getting a General ticket, which covers the Nasrid Palaces, Generalife, Fortress, and the Gardens. The Nasrid Palaces have timed entry slots, and since they limit the amount of visitors into this section, tickets can sell out quickly. If you’re looking to explore this part of the Alhambra, we highly recommend booking your tickets well in advance of your trip, as they can fill up months ahead of time! Also, make sure to be on time for your entry. The general ticket is 20 Euros and definitely worth it!

When we visited we rented an audio guide for 6 Euros and were so thankful we did! The Alhambra and surrounding grounds are huge, there are so many different sections and places, all with so much history. Getting to learn a bit more about each location helps to give some context to what you are seeing and makes it so much more enjoyable. You can also look into hiring a tour guide, although if you do, we would recommend a private guide or a small group tour, as it can get very crowded in some places and being in a large tour group might not be the most comfortable experience.

The Alhambra offers visits at night too! We didn’t have the opportunity on this trip, but it seems like a magical experience!

2. Sacromonte & the Albaicin

On our first day in Granada, after checking into our Airbnb near the Alhambra, we did a free walking tour with Walk In Granada through the Sacromonte and Albaicin neighborhoods. These two distinctive and historic parts of the city are such crucial pieces in the story of Granada (and also happen to be UNESCO World Heritage sites) and this was a great way to learn a bit more about the area and start to figure out our way around.

We would end up revisiting these neighborhoods on our trip, and thanks to our tour, would feel much more comfortable finding our way. The Albaicin is the historic Muslim neighborhood featuring architecture and design in that style, while Sacromonte had become a place for people, mainly Roma, to settle on what was the outside of the old city, and features homes that have been created in the hillside. It was so enlightening to learn more about how this city has formed and changed throughout the years, and it was also incredibly unique and beautiful. After a drink from the fountain of youth, the tour concluded with spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Alhambra and Generalife as well as an overlook of the whole city of Granada, which on this day, was having quite a sunset!

3. Flamenco Performance

The Flamenco performances of Granada and Sacromonte are world renowned, offering a traditional way of experiencing this folk music and dance in the very place it was created. The history of Flamenco is deep and rich in this area, and we were so excited to attend a performance by Zambra la Maria Canastera, who have roots in the city and perform in one of the oldest caves of Sacromonte! We had an incredible time!

Our tickets were 24 Euros and included a drink, which was passed out for a group cheers before the show began. The way the music and energy echoed and reverberated throughout the intimately seated, rounded walls of the cave was a visceral experience. The show included singing, guitar, and rhythmic clapping, interwoven with dance. There were a few performers, dressed in beautiful, traditional clothing, some playing castanets while they danced, others using their bodies for instrumentation. It was such a unique cultural and artistic experience that was definitely a highlight, we absolutely recommend it!

4. The Tapas!

We had so much fun eating out and about in Granada! Of all the places we visited in Spain, we experienced the most generous tapas culture here, where you can eat well alongside the purchase of a few drinks. We joined in this custom and found some favorite spots (shout out to Bar Los Altramuces and Picoteca 3Maneras) to try delicious and at times unexpected dishes, and made some great memories! We love to try local eateries and it helped that JK can speak some Spanish. At Bar Los Altramuces, which became one of our go to spots, we had a hilarious waiter who ended up having a drink with us.  He was intrigued when we decided to try an order of Pajarillos fritos con ajos, which lead to a wonderfully unique meal and experience!

As we were able to relax and share in our daily adventures, each drink order would bring with it an unknown treat from the kitchen. The longer you stayed, the more you could try. It was a great way to enjoy the company, the food and the city! 

If you’re looking for a local sweet treat, you could try a pionono! Named after Pope Pius IX, it’s a special desert Granada is known for. Our group had mixed reviews for them, but it’s definitely worth trying!

5. The City Center

On our last day in Granada we did another free walking tour with Walk In Granada. This was the “Essential Granada Tour” which met nearby at the Plaza Nueva and took us around some of the most popular spots in the city. We learned more about how Granada featured so heavily in the battles for power and control of the region throughout history. We could feel, and see, and hear how that complex backdrop has created such a unique and interesting blend of style, architecture and traditions that can only be found here.

We hope you have the opportunity to visit and explore Granada. In what some may considered a smaller city, there is so much to do, and see, and eat, and can be so reasonably priced, that we are eagerly looking forward to our next visit. The atmosphere is completely unique, and even though, like many others we were first drawn in by our intrigue with the Alhambra, there is so much more to this city that will keep us coming back!