Granada 2 Day Itinerary: Best Sights, Food, and Views

Trying to plan the perfect Granada 2 day itinerary? You’re in the right place!

I live in Spain and have spent time exploring Granada’s top sights, local food spots, and unique neighborhoods.

Granada is a city full of history, character, and some of the best views in Andalusia, and two days is just enough time to experience its highlights without feeling rushed.

In this complete 2 day Granada itinerary, I’ll walk you through exactly how to spend your time, from exploring the Alhambra and Albaicín to enjoying churros, flamenco, and unforgettable tapas.

Here’s how to spend two amazing days in Granada, Spain.

Spend your first day discovering Granada’s historic center, ancient hillside neighborhoods, and finishing with a guided food tour in the evening.

Granada Day 1 Itinerary at a Glance:

• Visit the Granada Cathedral and Royal Chapel
• Shop at the Alcaicería Market
• Walk around Mercado de San Agustín
• Sip tea at a traditional tea house
• Take in the views from Mirador de San Nicolás
• Wander the streets of the Albaicín
• End the day with a food tour

Start your first day in Granada checking out the impressive Granada Cathedral, a massive Renaissance landmark in the city center with soaring ceilings and ornate chapels.

Next door, you’ll find the Royal Chapel, which is the burial place of the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella.  

They each require their own entrance tickets if you want to go inside, or you can simply walk around and admire them from the outside.

Tip: Be cautious near the entrance as there’s usually women selling rosemary and they may try to hand you some and then ask for money.

Just a short walk from the cathedral, you’ll find the Alcaicería, which is Granada’s old silk market.

Today it’s a maze of narrow lanes filled with shops selling lanterns, ceramics, scarves, and other souvenirs. 

Some stalls feel a bit touristy and junky, but if you take your time you can find unique gifts and Granada souvenirs. 

Even if you don’t buy anything, wandering through the shops is a fun experience.

Continue exploring the city center with a stop at Mercado de San Agustín, which is Granada’s main food market. 

You’ll find fresh seafood, produce, and jamón ibérico, though I’ll admit it’s not the most impressive market I’ve seen in Spain. 

Still, it’s a good stop to get a taste of everyday life while visiting Granada and maybe try some snacks or jamón from one of the vendors. 

Granada has a strong North African influence, and one of the best ways to experience it is at a tea house. 

Head to Calle Calderería Nueva, a street lined with “teterías” (tea houses) serving tea, baklava, and other sweets. 

The interiors are decorated with tiles, lanterns, and colorful fabrics, and the tea usually comes in a silver or ornately-decorated kettle.

It’s a good spot for lunch or a break before heading uphill.

Granada is known for its “miradores” (viewpoints), and Mirador de San Nicolás is the most famous. 

From here you’ll get a postcard-perfect view of the Alhambra with the Sierra Nevada mountains in the background. 

I went at sunset and pretty much had to elbow my way to the front just to get a photo, but the view was worth it. 

For fewer crowds, I’d recommend visiting earlier in the day.

From the mirador, spend some time walking through the Albaicín, Granada’s old Moorish quarter. 

The neighborhood is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (along with the Alhambra and Generalife) and is full of cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses, and hidden plazas. 

It’s easy to get lost, but that’s part of the fun as you discover small shops, local bars, and more views of the Alhambra. 

Just be prepared for some seriously steep hills and cobblestone climbs—it’s one of the hilliest parts of the city!

Wrap up your first day in Granada with the Taste of Granada food tour by Spain Food Sherpas. 

I did one of their food tours in Málaga and had such a fun experience with the mix of food, wine, and local stories. 

On this tour, you’ll stop at a handful of spots for traditional tapas and drinks while learning about Granada’s unique food culture. 

It’s the perfect way to experience the city’s famous tapas scene without the guesswork.

On your second day, start with churros before exploring the Alhambra, then enjoy a leisurely stroll through the city before ending with flamenco and tapas.

Granada Day 2 Itinerary at a Glance:

• Start the day with churros at Café Fútbol
• Explore the Alhambra
• Check out Carmen de los Mártires
• Stroll along Carrera del Darro and visit Plaza Nueva
• Have lunch at Bodegas Castañeda
• See a flamenco show in Sacromonte
• End with traditional tapas

Kick off your second day with churros con chocolate at Café Fútbol, one of Granada’s most iconic cafes. 

This historic spot has been around since 1903 and the churros here are perfectly crisp, and the hot chocolate is thick enough for dipping. 

It’s the perfect place to try one of the most famous foods in Spain before a big morning of sightseeing.

No trip to Granada is complete without visiting the Alhambra, which is one of the most famous monuments in Spain. 

The sprawling hilltop complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is basically made up of four main parts: the Alcazaba fortress, the lush Generalife gardens, the Palace of Carlos V, and the Nasrid Palaces. 

The Nasrid Palaces are the highlight, with their ornate arches, courtyards, and intricate tilework. 

Tickets sell out really quickly, so make sure to book them on the official Alhambra website weeks or even months in advance. 

When booking tickets online, you have to choose a time slot, but this only applies to the Nasrid Palaces.  You’re free to explore the rest of the complex from the time that it opens at 8:30AM.

I’d recommend booking your Nasrid Palaces time slot for 9:30 or 10:00AM and then arriving about an hour before to start at the Generalife.

And if tickets are sold out or you’d rather skip the hassle, booking a guided tour is a great option and adds a lot of context to what you’re seeing.

It’s a huge site so you’ll probably be there for around 3 hours or more.

Near the exit to the Alhambra you’ll find Carmen de los Mártires, which is a historic home with peaceful gardens. 

The grounds are filled with ponds, fountains, shady walkways, and even peacocks roaming around. 

Entrance is free, and it’s usually much less crowded than the Alhambra. 

It’s kind of a hidden gem and a great spot if you want to slow down after your visit to the palace complex.

Next, head back down in the city center along Carrera del Darro by walking or taking a taxi.

The cobblestone path is one of the prettiest streets in Granada and runs along the river with views of historic buildings on either side. 

It leads straight into Plaza Nueva, which is a lively square lined with cafes and restaurants. 

For lunch, head to Bodegas Castañeda.

Granada is famous for its free tapas (if you order a drink), and this is one of the best places to experience this tradition. 

This historic bar has walls lined with wooden barrels of vermouth and other local drinks, and it’s always busy with both locals and visitors. 

I ordered a vermouth, croquetas, and a sandwich, and got an extra hot pork dish as my free tapa. 

Inside, it’s mostly standing room only, so be prepared for a crowded but lively atmosphere.

In the evening, head to Sacromonte, Granada’s cave neighborhood known for flamenco. 

Here you can watch a show inside a cave venue, which makes the experience feel even more authentic. 

I went to Cuevas Los Tarantos and loved the intimate setting, but other good options include Cueva Los Amayas and El Templo del Flamenco. 

Flamenco is part of Andalusia’s identity, and seeing it here is unforgettable.

Finish your two days in Granada by hopping between local tapas bars. 

Calle Navas is a popular tapas street for bar-hopping, while Bar Los Diamantes is another well-loved spot that’s a bit closer to Sacromonte. 

Granada is one of the last cities in Spain where tapas still come free with your drink, which makes eating out fun and affordable. 

Order a glass of wine or vermouth along with small plates and enjoy the night like a local.

Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your 2 days in Granada Spain:

• Book your Alhambra tickets well in advance: Tickets to the Alhambra can sell out weeks (or even months ahead) so make sure to book on the official website well in advance.  You can also consider booking a guided tour to skip the hassle and learn more about the history of the site.

• Take a taxi to the Alhambra: I’d definitely recommend taking a taxi to the Alhambra because the hill is extremely steep and walking up can drain your energy before you even start.  Taxis are cheap and easy to find.

• Bring your passport or ID card to the Alhambra: The passport or ID card you used to book your Alhambra tickets is required upon entry.  Don’t forget to bring your passport with you on the day of your visit.  They will scan it multiple times around the site.

• Be prepared for lots of hills: Granada is an extremely hilly city, so be prepared for lots of steep climbs, especially in the Albaicín and Sacromonte neighborhoods.  The city center is pretty flat but you’ll have more hills if you venture into these historic areas.

• Head to Sacromonte for a cave flamenco show: If you’re going to see a flamenco show, I’d recommend going for a cave flamenco show (like this one) rather than one in the city center just because it’s unique to Granada.

• Be prepared for the heat in summer: Granada can get extremely hot in the summer months so make sure to carry water, sunscreen, and even an electronic hand fan. It’s not uncommon for summer temperatures to reach 100°F+ (38°C).

• Pack layers for cooler months: Alternatively, Granada can get very chilly in the mornings and evenings, even if the days are sunny.  I’d recommend packing layers you can take off as the day heats up.

I hope this Granada 2 day itinerary helps you plan an amazing trip to southern Spain!

The must-see highlight is of course the Alhambra, so be sure to book your tickets on the official website well in advance or consider a guided tour for extra context. 

Beyond that, make time for the Granada Cathedral and Royal Chapel, a stroll through the Albaicín neighborhood, and the views from Mirador de San Nicolás.

And of course, no visit is complete without enjoying the city’s famous tapas culture and seeing a flamenco show in a Sacromonte cave.

I think you’ll quickly see why Granada is one of the most unforgettable cities in Spain!

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