Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Granada?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Granada?
Many visitors spend two to four days in Granada during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The city offers the chance to spend time at the museums, browse around the old town, take in the beautiful scenery, and go hiking.
Granada is a beautiful and historic city in the Andalusia region of Spain. The city has a beautifully maintained old town with medieval architecture and charming plazas. It is most known for the truly impressive Alhambra, which is a palace and fortress complex that includes stunning gardens, detailed palaces, and breathtaking city views.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Granada? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Granada?
Three days in Granada is often considered ideal, as many tourists spend approximately two to four days here. This amount of time is perfect to spend time at the museums, browse around the old town, take in the beautiful scenery, and go hiking. Further down, you'll find our recommendations to kick off your adventure.
How to spend 3 days in Granada
When visiting Granada, you can't miss the Alhambra as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy it.
Granada is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. It's a truly beautiful city that maintains a lot of its historical charm. There are beautiful views and charming neighborhoods that are fun to explore.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Golden Hour in Granada: Sunset Walking Tour with Play Granada ($21)
- Granada's Hidden Treasures: Albayzin and Sacromonte Walking Tour ($21)
- Albaicín & Sacromonte Walking Tour ($18)
Granada is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. Most of the touristy areas are easy to explore on foot, but there are some steep hills so put on your walking shoes.
Granada is famous for it's world-class attractions, museums, and landmarks. You'll want to spend at least a day exploring one or more that you're interested in the most. Many visitors head to Granada specifically to visit the famed Alhambra. The palace and fortress complex will not disappoint. The gardens are beautifully maintained and the palace is filled with intricate details. It's easy to spend hours wandering around. In addition to The Alhambra, the Granada Cathedral is also impressive to visit. If you have kids or extra time to fill, head to Parque de las Ciencias, which is the city's Science Park.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Alhambra with Nazaries Palaces Private Tour ($148)
- Private Tour to The Alhambra with Nasrid Palaces in Granada ($94)
- Alhambra Skip-the-line Private Tour including Nasrid Palaces ($153)
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The nightlife scene kicks off around 11 pm, when most people have finished up a late dinner. There's a laid-back atmosphere with pubs, live music, and dance clubs that stay open late into the night. There are several popular streets at night including Calle Elvira, Calle Reyes Católicos, and the Realejo District.
Public transit in Granada is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. There is a comprehensive bus system around town that many tourists take advantage of. Taxis are also very affordable, so for many visitors, that is an easy option.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The Old Town spills out around the Granada Cathedral and is filled with charming pedestrian streets, lively plazas, and many great shops.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Jewish History Tour ($230)
- Golden Hour in Granada: Sunset Walking Tour with Play Granada ($21)
- Granada's Hidden Treasures: Albayzin and Sacromonte Walking Tour ($21)
You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. It's a very touristy city so restaurants can be hit or miss. There are some amazing local eateries, but you'll also find a number of places with lower quality, overpriced food. Classic local dishes include Churros, Plato Alpujarreño, and Habas con Jamón. Tapas are very popular and many restaurants provide free tapas with drink orders. There are also a number of Moroccan restaurants around town.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Granada Tapas and Wine Small Group Tour ($82)
- True Taste of Granada Old Town & Albaicin Tapas Tour ($141)
- Granada and Albaicin: Wine and Tapas Tour ($120)
Is 4 days enough time in Granada?
Four days is more than enough time to see everything that Granada has to offer. Many visitors prefer to spend two to four days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, the gorgeous scenery, and the hiking at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then you can take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
Granada, Spain
How to spend 4 days in Granada
If you have more than 4 days in Granada, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
Known for it's hiking, Granada sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. Ruta de Los Cahorros is a great hike about 25 minutes outside of Granada that begins in the town of Monochil. It crosses many bridges and weaves through dramatic canyons. There are places where you can wade in the water or check out a hidden waterfall. It's well worth the time and can be reached by taxi or public bus.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Hiking through Los Cahorros de Monachil (Granada) ($46)
- Snowshoe hiking in Sierra Nevada (Granada) ($53)
- Water trekking on the Chillar River from Granada ($71)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in Granada?
Five days is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in Granada. You can move at your own pace and relax in your hotel. You could also use Granada as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region.
How to spend 5 days in Granada
Having 5 days in Granada will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
Shopping in Granada is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The town is filled with souvenir shops and places to buy local items. It's fun to wander through the old town and pop into the many different shops.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Granada, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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