Centre and Cathedral
The most convenient base for a first visit: everything on foot, with tapas, shops and the Cathedral close by. In the evening the area around Gran Vía and Plaza Nueva gets quite lively.
Itinerary · Granada
Granada in 7 days: day-by-day itinerary
A 7-day itinerary for Granada: the Alhambra, the Albaicín, Sacromonte, Guadix, the Costa Tropical and the Alpujarras, with tapas and Arab baths along the way.
- 7days
- 23stops
- 7Areas
This 7-day itinerary is for those who want to get to know Granada in depth. It combines the classics, the Alhambra, the Albaicín, the Cathedral and Sacromonte, with different kinds of days: Guadix and its cave houses, the Costa Tropical at Salobreña and Almuñécar, and a mountain day in the Alpujarras. Bear in mind that the excursions can be done in whichever order best suits the weather.
From Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén Airport you can take the Granada-Airport bus line, which reaches the bus station and Gran Vía de Colón in about 45 minutes. The taxi leaves from the rank at the terminal door, charges an intercity fare and takes about 20-25 minutes to the centre.
Tips
- Book the Alhambra, the flamenco and the Arab baths well in advance.
- For Guadix and the coast, check the bus or train times the day before; some services run infrequently.
- With a hire car the excursions are more comfortable, especially the Alpujarras.
- In the Albaicín and Sacromonte the hills are tough: comfortable shoes and water.
- With seven days you can shuffle the order according to the weather: leave the coast for the sunny days.
Day 1
Alhambra and Generalife
Alhambra
Sabika Hill
The great Nasrid complex includes the Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba and the Palace of Charles V. Book well in advance and go in the morning.
Generalife
Sabika Hill
The summer palace of the Nasrid kings, with courtyards, water channels and gardens. Take your time over it; it is a breather after the palaces.
Walk through the Alhambra woods
Sabika Hill
Walk down the Cuesta de Gomérez through the trees to Plaza Nueva, with shade even in summer.
Day 2
Albaicín and Carrera del Darro
Albaicín
Albaicín
An old Andalusian quarter of steep streets, whitewashed houses and carmenes with courtyards. Get lost, unhurried, in its little streets.
Mirador de San Nicolás
Albaicín
The Alhambra with the Sierra Nevada behind it. Arrive before sunset, which is when it is busiest.
Carrera del Darro
Albaicín and Centre
A walk along the bank of the River Darro, beneath the Alhambra, with stone bridges and terraces, as far as the Paseo de los Tristes.
Arab baths
Albaicín
A soak in warm water in a Nasrid-inspired building is a good way to end the day. Book in advance.
Day 3
Cathedral, Royal Chapel and the historic centre
Catedral de Granada
Centre
A large Renaissance cathedral, with a bright interior and a very tall nave.
Capilla Real
Centre
The Catholic Monarchs rest here, right next to the Cathedral. It is a short but key visit.
Alcaicería y Corral del Carbón
Centre
The little streets of the old silk market and a former Nasrid caravanserai, now surrounded by craft shops.
Tapas in the centre
Centre
In Granada the tapa comes with your drink. Go round the bars near Plaza Nueva or Calle Navas and have dinner that way.
Day 4
Sacromonte and flamenco
Sacromonte
Sacromonte
The district of cave houses, with views over the Darro valley. The Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte shows how people lived there.
Abadía del Sacromonte
Sacromonte
An abbey on top of the hill with good views over the city.
Flamenco show in a cave
Sacromonte
The Granada zambra is performed in small, atmospheric caves. Book in advance.
Day 5
Guadix and its cave houses
Troglodyte quarter of Guadix
Guadix
A little over an hour from Granada, Guadix has one of the largest cave-house districts in Europe. You get there by train or bus, and some caves can be visited.
Catedral de Guadix
Guadix
A cathedral in a mixed style between Gothic and Baroque, in the middle of the city.
Alcazaba de Guadix
Guadix
A fortress of Arab origin with views over the old town and the arid hills around.
Typical meal in Guadix
Guadix
Finish the day with a relaxed meal in the centre before heading back to Granada.
Day 6
Salobreña and Almuñécar, on the Costa Tropical
Salobreña
Costa Tropical
A white village perched on a hill, with a castle overlooking the coast. A little over an hour from Granada by road, it can be reached by bus.
Castillo de Salobreña
Costa Tropical
Climb the little streets to the Arab castle to see the sugar cane fields and the sea.
Almuñécar
Costa Tropical
A coastal town with Roman remains and a castle on top. The climate here is subtropical and avocados and custard apples are grown.
Beach and chiringuito
Costa Tropical
Spend the afternoon on the pebble beach and eating fish at a chiringuito before heading back.
Day 7 · Day trip
Las Alpujarras
Las Alpujarras
The Alpujarras, on the southern slope of the Sierra Nevada, can be reached in a little over an hour by car or on an organised tour. Pampaneira, Bubión and Capileira are white villages of Berber-style houses and slate chimneys. Stop at Lanjarón, famous for its water, and leave time for lunch and walks.
Granada
Where to stay in Granada
Albaicín
To sleep among houses with courtyards and steep little streets, with views of the Alhambra. It is charming but very hilly, so travel light.
Realejo
A district with a local feel and tapas bars, next to the centre and at the foot of the Alhambra. A good option if you want something quieter and more authentic.
Itinerary · Granada
More Granada itineraries
3 days
Granada in 3 days
- Day 1 Alhambra, Generalife and the Albaicín
- Day 2 Cathedral, Royal Chapel and the historic centre
- Day 3 Sacromonte and flamenco
5 days
Granada in 5 days
- Day 1 Alhambra, Generalife and the Albaicín
- Day 2 Cathedral, Royal Chapel and the historic centre
- Day 3 Sacromonte and flamenco
- Day 4 Cartuja, San Juan de Dios and the Realejo
- + 1 day
Frequently asked questions
Are seven days too many for Granada?
Not if you want to combine the city with day trips. In a week you can see the city at a relaxed pace and go out for three days to Guadix, the coast and the Alpujarras.
Where is it best to stay for this plan?
A single central base is enough: the bus station and the train station are well connected to the centre for the excursions.
What if I want to see the Sierra Nevada or Córdoba?
The Sierra Nevada, with its ski resort, is about 45 minutes away by car or bus. Córdoba is a longer excursion, of more than two hours.
Photo credits
- Alhambra: Jebulon, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- Generalife: Palickap, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Albaicín: Jebulon, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- Catedral de Granada: David suárez Benítez 2, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Sacromonte: Palickap, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons