Granada is one of the best cities in Spain in our opinion and a trip there is best planned out well in advance and spread out over 3-5 days.  However, sometimes you just get the opportunity to make an impromptu trip there on your way through.  So it was with us this time and we decided to make the most of it!

If you just show up you’re unlikely to be able to get tickets to big attractions like the Alhambra but there is still plenty to do in Granada without advance planning.  Here’s what our itinerary looked like!

Where to Stay

First up, you want to get on the Hostelworld App and book yourself a room at the famous El Granado Hostel.  This is an award winning Hostel known the world over for being one of the most social places around!  Young travelers from all over the world congregate here, take excursions together and hang out over meals and Vino for music, conversation and fun.  We’ve stayed there several times and it’s always the highlight of the trip!

In addition, they have numerous contacts with locals for some of the best excursions available.   Make sure to see if their Caves Dinner is running that night and for 15 Euros you can have a 5 hour excursion which includes a hike to the Sacramonte district and an authentic meal and social time in an authentic gypsy cave!  It is remarkable!

Where to go and what to see

The Hostel is right in the center of the city so just step out the door and you’re in the old streets.  You can walk around for hours and see all sorts of things for free (or cheap), and just walking the old streets is a beautiful excursion in itself!

Start off by walking over to the Plaza de Bib-Rambla which is the main square in the shopping district.  This is a busy square with street performers, beautiful old world architecture and narrow cobblestone streets with markets and shops.  Stop at one of the terrace bars for some coffee and try the churros with chocolate and then make your way to the Alcaicería, the Arabic market. In the past, this was the silk market, nowadays it is a maze of narrow streets and stalls that mainly sell souvenirs, bright colored dresses and clothes and leather materials.  It’s a fun day and remember…  you can haggle on prices!

Through this area you will see (and SMELL) the multitude of Moorish Spice Stalls.  They are everywhere and the smell is intoxicating!

Next up is the Granada Cathedral and San Juan de Dios.  These are very close to each other and you can walk from one to the other with a quick stop for a Vino Tinto and some tapas at one of the many bars and restaurants covering the area!  We loved the Cathedral and the history of it was amazing. It is the first Renaissance church in Spain and one of the best examples of this architectural style and was built on the Mosque after the Catholics defeated the Moors in the city.  It took over 200 years to build and is the burial place of the Royals.  It was absoutely stunning!

Mirador San Nicholas

This is one of my favorite places in all of Granada! You can take a taxi (or walk if you’re brave) up to the Albaicin area and then head toward the Mirador.  You’ll see street performers playing and dancing Flamenco, artisans selling their wares but best of all you have an amazing view of the Alhambra!

Word to the wise… skip the tourist section!  As you are standing on the Mirador, head left and go down the flight of stairs.  From there you will find a pretty non-descript restaurant also called “Mirador San Nicholas.”  Head down the stairs into the restaurant and you find a hidden patio where you can have a drink and gaze right at the Alhambra.  It’s a magical place!

Catch a Flamenco Show

Finish out your night with a Flamenco show!  We went to an amazing one at Cueva de la Rocio.  It was a fantastic night and it’s run by a wonderful family!