The ultimate 3 days in Granada itinerary – with best things to do, stay and other insider tips

The Alhambra and the Nasrid palaces will have you spellbound 
The Albaicin and Sacromonte neighborhoods has tons ot treasures to be found. 
Day trips, tapas treats and Flamenco dances promise to leave you in a daze 
That’s how you can cover Granada in 3 days. 

A mega Granada travel guide to plan your trip to this lovely Spanish city. Discover the best things to do in Granada and get my insider tips on where to stay, how to go around and where to eat. Get a 3 days in Granada itinerary as well as suggestions on what to do if you just have 2 days or one day in this city. 

I admit that it was the Alhambra that first drew me to Granada. As I researched, I discovered there was more to this Andalucia town in Spain than just the UNESCO World Heritage site. From the winding streets of Albaicin, the quaint gypsy caverns of Sacromonte, stunning miradors, mouth-watering food, thrilling day trips and adventure tours – my 3 days in Granada captivated me enough to earn itself a top spot in my list of places to visit in Spain. 

If you are planning on visiting Granada, then you have landed at the right page. You can just steal my Granada 3 days itinerary and head out. If you are just looking for suggestions on what to do in Granada in 2 days or even one day, I have you covered in this mega travel guide. 

In this blog post, besides the best things to do in Granada, Spain, I have included useful travel tips and suggestions based on my own Granada trip. From where to eat, how to get to Granada, how to go around the city – I have covered it all. The suggested Granada itinerary has options that you can consider for crafting a longer trip. Or you can substitute some in your Granada itinerary for 3 or 2 days. 

Disclaimer: This article includes affiliate links. This means that at no cost to you, I will receive a small commission if you purchase through my link. Thank you for supporting me with this.

History of Granada

Granada is located in the Andalusia region of Spain and has a very colorful history. Situated by the Sierra Nevada mountains, it was the capital city of the Al-Andalus region in 711 A.D. However, even before that, the Romans lived here around 27 BC. Much of this history has been lost but what has been extensively preserved and documented is the time when the Zirid dynasty took over and founded the original city by the base of the mountains called Garnata, which means the “Hill of strangers”. 

Over time, the city became a very important part of the Al Andalus region but was susceptible to a lot of attacks. When the Nasrid dynasty took over in the 1300s, they moved their protective base to the top pf the same Sabika hills. Here, they created a legacy that we now know as the Alhambra. 

The Nasrid rule gave way to the Catholic one. With the change of hands, came a new era of architecture and culture. There were some devastating events like the Spanish Inquisition and the Alhambra decree that gave birth to the Moriscos (muslims converting to Christianity) and the landmark Moorish touch in the landscape and architecture. Churches replaced mosques but with elements from the original building, Morisco houses became the signature white carmens and a new locality of gypsies emerged. 

Given this rich and colorful history, it is not surprising to find a rich set of heritage Granada attractions in and around the city. During your Granada trip, your list of places to see in Granada will include many of these heritage landmarks as well as a few others. 

With this brief history lesson, let’s plan how to visit Granada, Spain. 

How to get to Granada in Spain?

Being one of the major cities of Spain, travel to Granada is quite simple. You can get here by air, rail or road. 

By Air

Granada airport is located just 17 km from the city and is perfect for both international as well as domestic travelers. Numerous low-cost airlines are operating to Granada from the key cities of Europe. You also, have frequent flights from Madrid and Barcelona – all within an hour to hour and half duration. 

From the airport, you can get to Granada city center by any of these means – 

From Granada airport to Granada city by bus

You will find numerous buses, especially ones operated by ALSA that get you into Granada city. The general fare is around €3 per person and the average time taken is one hour. Of course, you have to account for the various stops and that might increase the time. 

Airport shuttle tickets can be bought at the airport kiosk itself. Note that the airport shuttle buses are not included in the bus services offered on the Granada city card. (More on that coming up).

Granada airport to the city center by taxi

If you are a larger group or family visiting Granada by air, then you might find the taxi from Granada airport to city center convenient. The average fare is €30 depending on which cab service you opt for. I would recommend the app-based ones like Uber and Cabify. You can even book your transfers here. 

Taxis will even out the cost per head plus luggage and get you straight to the doorstep of your booked accommodation in Granada.

P.S: There is no direct metro from Granada airport to city center. 

By Rail

I had planned my Granada trip from Seville and hence, decided to go with the most convenient option of a train. Granada station is fairly well connected to the key cities of Spain.  The average journey time from some of the key cities is as below-

• Malaga to. Granada – 1.5 hours
• Seville to Granada – 2 – 2.5 hours
• Madrid to Granada – 3 hours
• Barcelona to Granada – 6 – 7 hours

RENFE – AVE  is where I got my train tickets from. This is the main train service in Spain and you can either book the tickets online or go to the station to get one. One important tip and learning from my experience is that you need to book your train tickets well in advance to get the best fares. These ticket fares are dynamic and tend to rise when you are closer to the date of travel. 

That said, there is a bit of a catch when it comes to the RENFE official website. It is known to be buggy and tends to be down often. I almost lost one of my bookings owing to this. You could use this other website or try Iryo– the alternate train option to book a train to Granada. 

There are around 3 – 5 trains to Granada from most of these cities. The timing and prices definitely make this one of the best options for your 3 days in Granada (and even better for a weekend in Granada).

Granada railway station is right in the center of the city and from here you can either opt for a taxi or a bus to your location.

By Road

A drive to Granada from any of the Spanish cities is also, a good option. You can always self-drive by hiring a car through these services or opt for one of the many bus services available from all the key cities that I mentioned above. You can even book these buses using OMIO.

The official bus station in Granada is  Estación de Autobuses de Granada and any of the ALSA buses stop here. The average road trip duration to Granada is similar for most of the cities that I mentioned above – except for Barcelona which could take anything between 10 – 11 hours. 

Next step of our Granada itinerary planning  – stays!

Which are the best areas for accommodation in Granada?

These are the key areas that I considered when planning my Granada itinerary for three days. I, however, ended up with the one that was a little away from the center – primarily owing to reservation issues and budget. 

• Granada historic center – With Plaza Nueva and the main places to visit in Granada, this is the ideal location. All the top things to do in Granada are within walking distance. However, it is also, one of the pricier options. This area is also, termed Centro. 
• Albaicin – Bordering the Centro, this is one of the most charming neighborhoods of Granada. Think white-washed Moorish houses, with elegant patios and cobblestone pathways. There are plenty of food options and secret Miradors (viewpoints) in the area – making it a convenient option. Many of the carmens (Moorish houses) have been converted to a hotel or offer BnB services. I, unfortunately, got a little late in booking my first choice here. 
• Realejo – This is what I would term as the base of Alhambra. It is a Jewish neighborhood that is walkable from Centro. 
• Chana – Close to the university, this is a different side of Granada – a little contemporary yet culturally vibrant. Staying here requires a short bus ride ( 3 – 4 stops) to central Granada. It is quite fancy with lots of good Tapas bars and cafes and the view of snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains. This is where I stayed.

Each of these areas have BnBs, hotels and hostels that can meet any kind of budget that you might have.  Here are quick links to my shortlist that you can now use when visiting Granada, Spain. Note that these are spread across the locations I have mentioned above and offer easy access to the top things to do in Granada. 

Apartments – Smart Suites Albaicin, Corral del Carbón GG Apartments, BiBo Suites Real Chancilleria, Fatinafar House

Boutique hotels – Hotel Plaza Nueva, Casa del Capitel Nazarí, Checkin Camino de Granada

Hostels – Toc Hostel Granada

Planning a 3 days in Granada itinerary

If you are visiting Granada for the first time, whether you are planning 2-3 days in Granada or even a day in Granada, you will have to center it around your Alhambra tickets. I have shared my Granada itinerary in a manner that will help you shuffle the days around based on your Alhambra bookings. 

I have also, included suggestions and alternatives on what to do in Granada if you have more time. Later in this Granada travel guide, I have also, included my recommended Granada two-day itinerary as well as one for just a day. The handy map here will help you plan your custom itinerary.

Time to get started with Day One.

Day One of the Granada 3-day itinerary 

Key highlights: The Alhambra and Plaza Nueva

Fuel up at Plaza Nueva

Granada is full of tapas bars and cafes and you will be spoilt for choice as to where you should have your breakfast. I recommend heading to Plaza Nueva – a central point from where you can easily get one of the red mini buses to the Alhambra. I recommend getting into these buses over walking up for reasons that I have cited in this post. 

It is not just the location of Plaza Nueva that makes it significant. There is quite a history attached to the square – one that is still evident in its heritage buildings like the Royal Chancellery building. It is a great shopping and food hub too. You will find plenty of time and opportunity to enjoy this square during your 3 days in Granada. 

For now, just head to one of the many cafes and fuel up for the day. I recommend Artenos de Granada for its delightful coffee and sandwiches. The classy cafe is located right on the main road and is just a few meters away from the Plaza Isabel la Católica bus stand, from where you can get your ride to the Alhambra. You will get one bus every 10 -15 minutes.

Take a tour of the Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces – one of the best things to do in Granada

The Alhambra is one of Spain’s top tourist attractions, visited by millions every year. Therefore, I recommend getting there early if you wish to avoid queues. In fact, you should book a visit as soon as you plan your Granada itinerary and visit. I tried booking it more than a month in advance and found that the tickets were sold on the 3 days in Granada that I had planned. However, I did manage to get to it using these tips for the Alhambra. 

This UNESCO World Heritage site will take up almost half a day of your Granada itinerary. The main attraction here is the Nasrid Palaces, which have a timed entry. You must queue before and enter at that time, otherwise, they won’t let you into the palaces. Inside you will find some of the most intricate marble carvings and these run around the buildings  – from floor to ceiling. The fountains are powered by an impressive feat of ancient engineering that draws water from a canal – one whose source is several miles in the hills.

Your Alhambra ticket will also include a visit to the beautiful Generalife gardens as well as the Alcazaba (citadel), the latter offering some of the best views over the city.

My tour was at around 9:30 and by the time, I finished, it was way past lunchtime. You can always grab a bite at the smaller cafes in the Alhambra but I chose to just munch a few bars and fruits that I had with me. 

Walk down the Alhambra forest

Once done with the Alhambra, if you can, you should walk down through the Alhambra woods. The path is well-lined for pedestrians and have a few hidden things to see in Granada along the way. I got a glimpse of their old watch towers called Torres Bermejas (Crimson towers) – which possibly were the first watch towers of this historic citadel.

The walkway is pleasant with a lot of greenery and takes you straight down to an old arch – Puerta de las Granadas. From here, you will see a charming alley full of souvenir shops that finally ends at the Plaza Nueva. 

If you are not keen on walking, you can just skip this part and take the same red minibus from Alhambra back to Plaza Nueva. 

Enjoy shopping and tapas around Plaza Nueva

After the Alhambra visit, your senses would be on fire. With so much to see and absorb, it is best to end your day with one of the fun things to do in Granada – shopping and a tapas crawl. 

I recommend you venture into the small alleys around the square to enjoy the souvenirs of Granada. From mosaic lamps to pretty clothes, ceramic plates, keychains and fridge magnets – there is plenty to take home as memories. 

You can also, sign up for one of these food walking tours that introduce you to authentic Spanish cuisine and give you a good culinary history. The Spanish food here also, has shades of Moroccan spices – which is why I recommend Zeitoun Cafe for its Falafel pita rolls, hummus and salad. Non vegetarians will love the Shawarma too. 

And that will end your Day One of your Granada itinerary. 

Day two of your three days in Granada

Key highlights: Granada Cathedral, Royal Chapel, Dobla de Oro, Walking tour of Albaicin & Sacromonte

Start with a coffee at the Plaza Isabel la Católica

It is time for breakfast at another historic square. I know that if you have followed my day one of the Granada in 3 days itinerary, you would have passed this square to catch your bus to the Alhambra. 

However, what I did not tell you then is why this square is significant. Built in 1962, the iconic statue at the center of Queen Isabella and Christopher Columbus is one of the main reasons. The art piece was brought here from another location and was sculpted by Mariano Benlliure in 1892. The sculpture tells you the story of Christopher Columbus proposing his expedition to the Indies to Queen Isabella. The gigantic statue commemorates the Capitulation of Santa Fe which was a sign-off on Columbus’ proposal and how he finally discovered America. 

The central square is surrounded by stunning Neo-classical buildings like the Ayuntamiento de Granada or the city hall.  There is also, a beautiful church that once was attached to the Carmelite monastery of 1582. 

You can just grab a take-away and sit on the benches there to enjoy the sights. I recommend Cafe Futbol here for a good coffee with churros. I would not say no to their hot chocolate either. 

Explore the Granada Cathedral and the Royal Chapel

Almost like a rival to the Alhambra – a masterpiece and legacy left behind by the Nasrid dynasty, the Christian kings built the stunning Catedral de Granada in the 1510s. Attached to it was the Royal Chapel which later became the resting place for Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand II. 

Both the cathedral itself and the Royal Chapel on the side of the cathedral are adorned by incredibly ornate stonework. You can see the classic Renaissance architecture throughout these monuments. With high vaulted dome ceilings, vibrant stained glass windows and grand altars, these places are a must-visit even if you are spending just two days in Granada.

 The square outside the cathedral doubles up as a gathering place for local events. Both these places to visit in Granada have separate tickets. However, if you have a Granada City pass like I did, the entrances are included with the card. Otherwise, you will have to shell out €5 for each ticket. Both these Granada attractions have a free audio tour available – one that you can download on your phone.

Another option is to opt for a guided tour of the Royal Chapel and the Granada Cathedral, like this one. It might be well- worth it as there are plenty of things to see inside these two places. The Royal Chapel even has a museum where you can see the Spanish Royal family’s belongings including the crown and scepter of Queen Isabella. 

Discover the Alcaiceria – the Moorish market of Granada

You cannot miss this one if you visit the Royal Chapel. Right outside it is this eclectic alley full of Moroccan goodies – from lamps to perfumes, clothes, souvenirs, mosaic lamps, art pieces ….and the list goes on. It is hard not to get drawn to this place. It is quite an experience walking through those shops and a few friendly faces are happy to chat about their Moorish roots. 

Have lunch near the Cathedral

There are plenty of cafes and restaurants around the Royal Chapel and Cathedral. I recommend Los Manueles Restaurante Catedral – which is within walking distance of Alacaceria and the chapel. I loved the ambience of the place. The Paella is high recommended here. I would not say no to a glass of wine with some pasta. 

Enjoy the Dobla de Oro

Dobla de Oro is a set of four buildings that also date back to Granada’s Islamic period. While they are well known individually, not many visitors add these to their 3 days in Granada itinerary. 

These four buildings include El Bañuelo (an ancient Hammam),  Casa Horno de Oro (a typical Moorish house), Palacio Dar al-Horra, once home to the mother of Granada’s famous former sultan, Boabdil and Corral de Carbon (a heritage trade center).

The first three buildings require a ticket which you can buy at the Alhambra or the electronic ticket booth in El Bañuelo. You can even book them online or opt for an exclusive tour of Doblo de Oro through here. They are, of course, included in the Granada city pass if you have one. 

Visiting Corral de Carbon is one of those free things to do in Granada. You can hop over to it when you are doing a tour of Albaicín.

Pro tip: You do not have to do all these buildings together. You can do it whenever you have the time. I in fact, split the visit between Day One , Two and Three of my Granada trip.

Having got carried away by my accidental discovery of the Arab market, I lost some time and could only do El Banuelo. I had to forgo Casa Horno de Oro.

Do a sunset walking tour of Albaicin and Sacromonte

Whether you are doing Granada in two days or even a day, you should include a walking tour of Albaicín and Sacromonte. With its long winding alleys, white Moorish homes and tons of miradors (viewpoints), this locality is a delight to explore. 

I joined one of these guided tours of Albacin and Sacromonte and discovered so much about the history and culture of Granada. I have shared my experience here in this blog post along with a map and key attractions that will help you plan your self-guided tour of Albaicin.

Albaicin is the famous hill that rises over the northeast of Granada. It is a Moorish neighborhood with interesting carmens (Moorish homes), old churches that have been built over mosques and popular Mirador squares like the Mirador San Nicolas – where you will find locals selling souvenirs along the street and live Flamenco performances. Of course, there are some hidden spots that I have shared in my blog post on a self-guided tour of Albaicin.

Sacromonte on the other hand, is known as a gypsy locality where the classy carmens are replaced by gypsy caves. Don’t miss the Sacromonte Cave Museum which showcases the history and culture of the area. It also has some reconstructed cave houses that show how people used to live then and now in the whitewashed abodes.

I spent over three hours in these two neighborhoods and went back again on Day three to discover more. These two areas are one of the top things to see in Granada. 

End the evening with a Flamenco show

Granada is known for one of the most authentic forms of flamenco in Spain. And if you are following my suggested itinerary for Granada, you will already be in Sacromonte. This is where you should book a table in a cave restaurant and enjoy Flamenco. 

Try Cueva de Santa Marina or the Cueva de San Agustín in Sacromonte. Remember though that you need to pre-book your slot. You can try and book one here.

With that, I am sure you would be exhausted. Sleep well and get ready for day three of my Granada plan. 

Day three of the Granada itinerary for 3 days

To be honest, how to spend the last day in Granada was a hot debate between my hubby, Dottie and me. I voted to do one of the many day trips from Granada while the other two wanted to relax and spend more time in the city. As they say, majority wins and well, I had to let go of my suggestion. That said, I have no regrets as I spend my last day discovering my favorite part of Granada – Albaicin and catching up on a few missed sights. 

Let me first share how I spend my one day in Granada and then share my shortlisted day trips from Granada that you should consider for your day three here. 

Grab a lazy breakfast at Albaicin

I admit I was charmed by Albaicin and it was the only seeming compromise to my well-laid day trip plans. Naturally I had to start my day here with breakfast in one of those delectable cafes that I had seen during my Albaicin -Sacromonte walking tour. Our guide from the previous evening had recommended a few places – including Restaurant Carmen El Agua. The cafe had a gorgeous view of the Alhambra is located right in the heart of Albaicin. The food was decent too.

The other place that I was eyeing was Casa Gabriel – a few meters from this restaurant. I was quite attracted to its ambience and that too, came recommended by the locals. 

Walk around and get to Palacio Dar al Horra

Take the alternate walking route from San Nicolas mirador in Albaicin towards one of the Dobla de Oro monuments – the Palacio Dar Al Horra. The alternate walking route has been detailed in my self-guided tour of Albaicin post. 

I have indicated the various other sights that you can see along the way in the same post. Though partially destroyed, this palace will delight you with its Nasrid architecture. The palace once belonged to the mother of last Nasrid King popularly called as Boabdil. Make sure you climb to the top and see the earliest remains of Granada – the 11th century Zirid wall. 

Next to the Palace is a monastery which once originally part of Palacio Dar Al Horra. Now called the Convent of Santa Isabel La Real, it was taken over by the Christians after the fall of Nasrid dynasty. You can wander in and pick up some pastries made by the nuns here. Definitely one of the offbeat parts of the Granada Spain itinerary. 

Ride the hop-on-hop-off train

With the Granada city card that we had, we could do the Hop-on-hop-off train in Granada without any additional charge. One of the stops was close to the Palace Dar Al-Horra and that is where we boarded the train. 

The train has an audio guide which is free and it was quite relaxing and enlightening to explore Granada on it. The ride took us to places that were not on my radar and were frankly, too far to walk. It even took us through the narrow streets of Albaicin and finally, we deboarded at Realejo district in Granada.

You can book this train online through this link.

Explore Realejo district 

This was one of the discoveries that I made on the Hop-on Hop-off train. It was the intriguing street art of Granada that prompted me to halt and explore this area on foot. A Jewish quarter, this neighborhood has more than street graffiti to hold your attention. 

You can start at the erstwhile celebration square – Campo del Príncipe and head to Church of San Cecilio which was once a synagogue. Right opposite that is the statue of Christ called Cristo de los Favores. This translates to Christ of favors and folklore has it that on Good Friday, if you come here at 3 in the afternoon and make a donation, then three of your wishes are granted. I am pretty sure that the legend warrants a crowd on that day – after all, we all want our wishes granted!

You can also, see the palace or home of the admiral of Aragon as well as a few other churches. 

Realejo is a great place for shopping too. 

End the day with a tapas crawl

You can sign up for one of the tapas crawl tours that take place in and around Realejo. Some of these highly rated tours give you a good insight into the food traditions of Granada – which is a mash-mash of cultures. Of course, the guides never hesitate with other stories of Granada too. 

With that, I ended my tour of Granada in 3 days. 

Alternate suggestion for Granada with Kids – Science Park

If you are visiting Granada with kids, you might want to skip one of the places in my suggested Granada itinerary and add the Science Park for them. I believe, it is quite a fun place where the kids also, get to learn interesting things. The Science park or Parque de las Ciencias has a museum as well as a planetarium.

Suggested day trips from Granada 

As mentioned earlier, my original Granada trip plan included a few things to do near Granada. Based on my research, these are the five day trips that I had planned on day three of my Granada tour. The first one still remains on my wish list and I hope to return for it. 

Day trip to Cordoba from Granada

Cordoba with its floral patios and the Mezquita had me captivated for long. The heritage bug in me definitely wanted to cover this place as it was once the power hold of the muslim kings in Andalucia.

Just 2.5 hours away from Granada, this makes an ideal trip by road or train. You can get to Cordoba at your convenience and sign up for one of the many walking tours or cycling tours here. I had shortlisted this one for my visit. 

Alternatively, you can just sign up for one of these guided tours that start from Granada to Cordoba. 

If you plan to do this Cordoba day trip from Granada on your own, make sure you have the Mezquita tickets booked in advance. Like the Alhambra, it is hard to get. 

Granada day trip to Sierra Nevada

The snowy peaks of Sierra Nevada are hard to miss when you are in Granada. I could in fact, see them from my AirBnB. There are plenty of things you can do with a trip to these mountains. The activities range from hiking to snowboarding and sledging. There are plenty of guided tours from Granada to Sierra Nevada that take you there in the morning and bring you back in time to enjoy almost half a day in the city. 

Granada to Alpujarra villages 

This is one of the white villages of Andalusia that you should definitely consider visiting. The guided tours from Granada not only introduce you to the traditional lifestyle in these villages but also, treat you to unique dishes made by the locals. 

This too, was very high on my list as I really wanted to see one of the Pueblo Blancos that I had read about. Thankfully though, I was able to accommodate Frigiliana and Nerja as a day trip from Malaga. 

Consider booking this tour of these villages from Granada.

Granada to Nerja and Frigiliana

Named as the “prettiest village of Andalusia“, Frigiliana is another beautiful white village of Spain. I managed to visit it from Malaga and can assure you that it was one gorgeous place. The blue and white buildings framed by colorful blossoms are a delight to discover as is its history – all of which you can check on this blog post.

Almost like a twin town is Nerja with its prehistoric caves and a taste of Spain’s Costa del Sol. Nerja caves is home to the world’s largest stalactite while the Mirador called Balcony of Europe gives you scintillating views of the Mediterrean that you will never forget.

You can book this day trip to Nerja from Granada here.

Caminito del Rey day trip from Granada

Caminito del Rey is not for the faint hearted. It is known as one of the most dangerous walkways in the world and trust me, if you do not like heights, you should avoid this one. There are tons of hikes that you can get from Granada as well as Malaga. Check this one out for its high ratings 

What to do in Granada in two days?

If you just have 48 hours in Granada, then just follow my Granada trip plan for Day one and two. These include the must do in Granada – including the famous Alhambra. Make sure your Alhambra tickets are booked in advance and you do not take a chance – especially if you are spending a weekend in Granada, Spain. 

What if I just have 1 day in Granada?

If you plan to visit the Alhambra, then go as per day one of my itinerary and replace the 2nd half with a tour of Albaicin or the historical center. Alhambra easily takes one full day.

If you are not looking at the Alhambra, then you can start your day as per Day two of my Granada itinerary – do the historical center and head to Albaicin. There are other alternatives that you can see if you browse through entire itinerary and you can always replace one of the Granada activities based on your preference.

Just as a recap, without the Alhambra, you can opt for these things to do in Granada in one day – 

• Explore the historical center – Granada cathedral, Plaza Nueva and the Chapel
• Discover Albaicin and Sacromonte with a walking tour.
• Take a tour of Dobla de Pro – especially since you are missing out on the Nasrid elements of the Alhambra

How to get around Granada?

If you notice in the map that I have shared, most of the Granada attractions are close to each other. They are quite walkable. The only downside is that in some neighborhoods like Albaicin, there is a fair bit of uphill and downhill walking. 

If you do not wish to walk so much, you should opt for the city buses. You will see them in various sizes – mini to a regular size. These are to accommodate the narrow alleys and the steep slopes in the city. On an average, a bus journey costs you €1.40 for a trip. However, if you are spending 3 or even 2 days in Granada, opt for a Granada travel card (different from the Granada city card). This reduces your overall trip spend to cents instead of Euros and you can always recharge it, if you run out of balance. 

The Granada bus pass is called credibuses and the minimum price for it is €5 which gives you around 11 trips. You can get this pass at the bus ticket machines at the key bus stops like the one opposite Granada chapel. Remember to click on the UK flag on the machine for English as it otherwise displays Spanish. 

You can also, get your credibuses pass from the bus driver for cash. Once you have the pass, you can just board the bus and swipe the card at the machine kept behind the driver’s seat. 

Taxis are always available but they are quite expensive. Self driven cars are an option but quite cumbersome as there is very limited parking around the main streets of Granada and the public parking spaces require some walking. Most of these parking space are paid and the fees vary as per the locality. 

Should I buy a Granada city card?

In my Granada travel guide, I make several mentions of a city card – which I came across accidentally. Despite my early planning, I could not get the Alhambra tickets on their official website and had to book a guided tour to ensure I don’t miss the UNESCO monument. This is what got me a 72-hour Granada city card. 

I found it highly beneficial as entrances to most of the Granada sightseeing places were included in this card. In addition to that I got 9 bus trips free and one ride in a tourist train. There were a few other benefits too in terms of discounts at a few cafes and restaurants. 

When I calculate the entrance tickets and bus fares to the places I visited, then the card becomes quite a saving. The one time cost for this card is €56.57. The 48 hour and the 24 hour cards cost €49 and €46.92 respectively. You can get these cards through this website and activate them on your mobile on arrival.

Common FAQs about Granada itinerary 

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Ami

Popularly referred to as a Restless Ball of Energy. My Mom refuses to entertain my complaints about my equally restless daughter & assures my husband that I was born with a travel bug.

I am a Post-Graduate in Marketing by qualification and a travel blogger by passion. Besides travel, I enjoy photography and if you don’t find me at my desk, I would be out playing badminton or swimming or just running. I believe in planning for every long weekend through the year. And when I cannot travel physically, I travel virtually through this travel blog. My travel stories have also, got published on various websites and magazines including BBC Travel, Lonely Planet India and Jetwings. I have recently published my first book – When Places Come Alive – a collection of stories that are based on legends, landscapes, art and culture of a place which is available in both ebook and paperback format.

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