20 Fun Things to Do in Granada Spain for First-Timers

Looking for the best things to do in Granada on your first trip? You’re in the right place! 

I live in Spain and have spent time exploring Granada’s top spots, from world-famous landmarks to tapas bars you won’t want to miss. 

This list covers all the must-sees in Granada plus some of my personal tips, so you can enjoy the city like a pro.

Here are some of my top picks for activities in Granada:

#1 Tour the Alhambra

Explore Granada’s most famous landmark with a guided tour of the Alhambra and its stunning Nasrid Palaces and gardens.

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#2 Cave Flamenco
Show

Experience an authentic flamenco performance inside a traditional cave venue in Granada’s Sacromonte neighborhood.

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#3 Granada Food Tour

Taste your way through Granada’s food scene with a guided tour that includes traditional tapas, wine, and insider stories.

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The Alhambra is pretty much the crown jewel in Granada, one of the most famous monuments in Spain, and a stop you absolutely can’t skip. 

The hilltop complex is basically made up of four main parts: the Alcazaba fortress, the Generalife gardens, the Nasrid Palaces, and the Palace of Carlos V. 

Each has its own vibe, but the Nasrid Palaces are the real highlight with their intricate arches and courtyards.

The biggest thing to know about visiting the Alhambra is you must book tickets online in advance. They often sell out weeks (sometimes months) ahead, so don’t leave it to the last minute. 

You can book regular tickets on the official website and you’ll need to pick a time slot for the Nasrid Palaces, but you can see the rest of the site at your own pace. 

And if you want to get more out of it, I recommend booking a guided tour since the basic ticket doesn’t come with an audioguide.

Andalusia is where flamenco was born, so watching a performance here feels extra special. 

In Granada, you can see shows inside cave venues in the Sacromonte neighborhood, which makes the experience even more unique. 

I went to Cuevas Los Tarantos and loved how intimate the setting was.

Other well-known spots include Cueva Los Amayas and El Templo del Flamenco. 

You’ll also find flamenco shows in the city center, but if you’re only here once, go for a cave venue since it’s so unique.

A food tour is one of my favorite ways to get to know a new city, and Granada is no exception. 

Spain Food Sherpas runs a Taste of Granada Food Tour that stops at four different local spots. 

You’ll try wines, tapas, and other Andalusian specialties while hearing stories from a local guide about the food scene.

I’ve done one of their tours in Málaga and it was such a fun experience. It also takes away the stress of figuring out where to eat, especially on your first night.

Right in the heart of the city you’ll find the Granada Cathedral, a massive Renaissance building with soaring ceilings. 

Next door is the Royal Chapel, where the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella are buried. 

The two sites have separate entrances but are must-sees when visiting Granada and give you a feel for how much the city changed after the Christian conquest.

Inside the chapel you’ll also find royal artifacts and a small museum worth checking out. 

Tip: Watch out for the women selling rosemary near the entrance. They’ll often try to hand you some and then ask for money.

After climbing hills and sightseeing all day, nothing feels better than soaking in a hammam. 

These Arab baths date back to Granada’s Moorish past and are now recreated in modern spa-like spaces. 

The most famous one is Hammam Al Ándalus, which has candlelit pools in different temperatures.

You move between hot, warm, and cold baths, with the option to book a massage too. It’s a relaxing way to reset your body and enjoy something that ties back to the city’s history.

Because Granada is so hilly, there are “miradores” (viewpoints) scattered all over the city, where you can take in the views. 

The most famous one is Mirador de San Nicolás, which looks straight across at the Alhambra with the Sierra Nevada mountains behind it. 

It can get extremely crowded around sunset–I went around this time and pretty much had to elbow my way to the front! 

If you want a calmer visit, go earlier in the day when the plaza is less busy. You’ll usually find musicians or flamenco performers there, which adds to the atmosphere.

The Albaicín is Granada’s old Moorish quarter, with winding cobblestone streets and whitewashed houses. 

It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage site (along with the Alhambra and Generalife), and walking through it really feels like stepping back in time. 

The hills here are no joke though so be prepared for some steep climbs!

It’s easy to get lost, but that’s part of the fun. Along the way, you’ll come across little plazas, corner bars, and stunning viewpoints.

Granada is famous for being one of the few cities in Spain where you still get a free tapa with your drink. 

It’s a really fun way to sample different foods while bar-hopping around town. 

One of my favorites was Bodegas Castañeda, a historic spot with a standing bar that is lined with barrels of vermouth, sherry, and other local drinks.

I ordered a vermouth, some croquetas, and a jamón sandwich and ended up with a hot pork dish as my free tapas. Every bar has its own system, so it’s always a bit of a surprise.

Mercado de San Agustín is Granada’s main central market. 

To be honest, it’s not the most impressive market I’ve seen in Spain, but it’s a practical place to grab a bite or just see what locals are shopping for. 

And the cool part is the food stalls around the middle and edges where you can sit down for a meal.

From seafood to tapas to fresh produce, there’s a little of everything. It’s a good stop if you want a casual lunch without going far from the cathedral.

The Alcaicería is Granada’s old silk market area, now rebuilt as a narrow bazaar filled with souvenir shops. 

It’s a mix of Middle Eastern-style stalls selling lanterns, mosaics, ceramics, leather slippers, jewelry, and more. 

Some things can feel junky and touristy, but you can find nice gifts if you look around.

It’s also fun just to wander the alleyways and imagine what this part of town was like centuries ago.

Plaza Nueva is one of the main squares in Granada and a spot you’ll probably pass through more than once. 

It’s surrounded by restaurants and cafes and sits right at the base of the Albaicín. 

From here you can also walk along the Carrera del Darro, one of the prettiest streets in the city.

In the evenings it’s a nice place to grab a drink before heading up toward Sacromonte for a flamenco show.

If you’re looking for the top things to do in Granada at night, Calle Navas is the place to go. 

This narrow street is lined with tapas bars and outdoor tables, and it’s always lively in the evenings. 

You can hop from bar to bar, ordering a drink at each and seeing what tapas show up.

It can get crowded, but that’s part of the fun. 

The Sacromonte Caves Museum gives you a real sense of what life was like in Granada’s cave houses. 

The exhibits show kitchens, workshops, and bedrooms set up as they would have been in the past. 

I saw something similar when I studied abroad and thought it was interesting to learn more about the history of these cave interiors.

It’s a bit outside the city center but a unique spot if you have extra time.

If you’re outdoorsy and have more time in Granada, a day trip into the Sierra Nevada mountains is a great option. 

You can join a small-group Sierra Nevada Safari Tour that takes you by 4×4 into the national park along old routes. 

Along the way, you’ll stop at mountain huts, hear about the area’s history, and even see Mulhacén, the highest peak in Spain.

It’s an easy way to experience the outdoors without having to worry about maps or driving. Plus, the views are amazing.

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

Calle Calderería Nueva is a street that’s lined with them, each with patterned tiles, lanterns, and long menus of teas and sweets. 

Order a pot of Moroccan tea and maybe some baklava or other pastries. It’s a great spot to slow down for an hour and rest your legs.

Sacromonte Abbey sits above the city and combines religious history with great views. 

Inside you’ll find a church, underground chapels, and catacombs, along with artifacts tied to Granada’s past. 

Tickets cost less than 10€ and include an audio guide and help make sense of what you’re seeing.

It’s a bit outside the city center, but the quieter setting makes it worth the effort.

With Granada’s steep streets, an Albaicín and Sacromonte Segway Tour is a fun and practical way to get around. 

Tours usually last a couple of hours and take you through Albaicín, Sacromonte, and up to viewpoints like San Nicolás. It’s a lot less tiring than climbing the hills on foot.

The groups are small, and guides share stories along the way. 

And even if you’ve never been on a segway, you’ll get a quick intro before starting out.

Churros con chocolate are one of the most famous foods to try in Spain, and Granada is a great place to sample them.

Café Fútbol is one of the most popular spots and their churros are perfectly crisp with thick hot chocolate for dipping.

Churros are traditionally eaten in the mornings, but you can order them any time of day.

There’s both indoor and outdoor seating, and there might be a line at busier hours.

Carmen de los Mártires is a historic home with beautiful gardens near the entrance to the Alhambra that feels like a hidden gem. 

There are ponds, shady paths, orange trees, fountains, and even peacocks wandering around. 

Entrance is free, so it’s an easy stop to add to your day.

It’s less crowded than the Generalife gardens, which makes it a nice spot to take a breather. 

If you’re looking for things to do in Granada with kids, head to Parque de las Ciencias. 

It’s an interactive science museum with exhibits on everything from the human body to space exploration. There’s also a planetarium, aquarium, butterfly house, and outdoor areas with birds of prey.

It’s easy to spend a few hours here, and tickets are pretty affordable. 

Even if you’re not traveling with kids, it’s still a fun change of pace from the historic sights.

I hope this list gives you a solid plan for the best things to see in Granada Spain! 

From exploring the Alhambra and Albaicín to enjoying tapas and flamenco, the city has so much to offer first-time visitors. 

If you’re short on time, start with the Alhambra, a flamenco cave show, and a walk through Albaicín. 

Then add in a food tour, a tea house, and a couple of miradores for great views. 

With a mix of ancient history, incredible food, and local culture, Granada is a city you won’t forget.

READ NEXT:

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