Location: Granada
Top Things to do in Granada
The 10 Best Points of Interest & Landmarks in Granada, Andalucia
The Alhambra citadel of Granada is one of the most famous buildings in Spain: a Moorish fortress with grand archways and delicate ornamental mosaics. Step backwards in time as you wind through the ascending cobblestone streets of Albayzin. You’ll be rewarded with beautiful views from the Mirador San Nicolas. Granada’s nightlife is vibrant and varied, thanks in part to its student population. Hit the bars of Calle Elvira or, for a quieter outing, the traditional tea rooms of La Calle de Las Teterias.
Restaurants in Granada
1. Court of the Lions
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 236 reviews
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
No doubt you are at the "Palacios Nazaríes" (Nasrid Palaces) and inside its "Palacio de los Leones" (Palace of the Lions). At its center, the most famous and unforgettable courtyard of Granada's "La Alhambra" - "The "Patio de los Leones" (Court of the Lions)! The finest Moorish artistic styles are immortalized in this courtyard! Its construction by Sultan Muhammed V occurred between 1362 and 1391 and the awesome open-air courtyard became immediately the center of the Royal Family's life and the very heart of "La Alhambra". The beautiful central fountain was a symbol of fine taste and of the power exercised by the Nasrid Sultans of the Emirate of Granada. "Patio de los Leones" is probably one of the most fascinating and photographed sites in the whole world! There is no way one can miss it at any trip to Granada. Very fond and loving memories to take home. Enjoy!
2. Sala de las Dos Hermanas
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Mairwen1
This is one of the small but beautiful rooms within the Alhambra complex. It is a part of the Court of Lions which was the private living space of the Sultan and his family. The most striking feature is the ceiling. When you stand in the middle of the room and look up, you are overwhelmed by the stunning 8 sided star dome. Light comes through sets of small lateral windows and the whole effect is like standing under an exploding star. Over 5000 small prism shapes (musqarnas) were used to create this unique effect. They are arranged in such a way that the light reflects and bounces off them and creates abstract patterns that suggest ideas of creation, divinity and the cosmos. Absolute precision and mathematical equations were needed to construct such a dome and this was a field in which the Moors were very advanced. Other features include the enormous and elaborately carved wooden doors and the small fountain in the centre of the room which connects vis a little channel to the lion fountain in the central courtyard. The walls are covered with extremely fine stucco plasterwork and inscriptions and verses from the court poet, Ibn Zamrak. The name ‘Two Sisters’ sounds intriguing but it’s the least interesting part of the room and only refers to the two large, marble flagstones on the floor (which I failed to notice at the time because I could barely take my eyes away from the dome).
3. Carrera del Darro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,795 reviews
Reviewed By shoestrung - Liverpool, United Kingdom
Picturesque cobbled street running alongside the Rio Darro, lined with some lovely little bars and restaurants. Well worth a meander.
4. Plaza de San Nicolas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,269 reviews
Reviewed By paulwL4646YD
This is like Mallory Square in Key West- musicians, "hippies", locals and tourists mingle and watch the colors play on the Alahambra as the sun sets. Great vibe.
5. Carmen Del Aljibe Del Rey Centro de Interpretacion del Agua
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By desertcrow
Get there a few minutes before noon. The guide is delightful and knowledgeable, but he is just one guy and often has tours before and after. The tour and most of the signs are in Spanish. There is a good model that shows the old water system and all the old cisterns. The stairs to the old cistern are VERY steep, more like a ladder than stairs.
6. Fundacion Rodriguez Acosta
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 436 reviews
Reviewed By GandG16 - St. Albans, United Kingdom
We came here purely because it was a joint ticket with our Alhambra entrance and although we have been fortunate to go there a number of times over the years we had never been to the Fundacion.Our visit turned out to be a “private and personalised “one(around 50 minutes)as apart from a separate educational visit by a Spanish group we were the only visitors and had an excellent visit with “William “who spoke perfect English and was extremely knowledgable.The building,gardens and underground tunnels coupled with information about the artist’s life and culminating with an all too brief visit to the art collection is definitely worth the trip.Surprisingly few people seem to have cottoned on to this.
7. Cripta de Fray Leopoldo de Alpandeire
8. La Silla Del Moro
9. Paseo de los Tristes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,002 reviews
Reviewed By iluvholibobs
Another area you can view the Alhambra from below. It's a nice area with seating and restaurants that do menu of the day for €12 euros. There is a bakery nearby if you are feeling peckish but don't fancy a full meal or tapas. From this area you can walk on with the wall/river to your right and the road bends to the left and goes uphill. Just as you walk up there is a nice garden on the right Palacio de los Cordova and further on to the right you can walk up to Museo de Las Cuevas which also gives a good viewpoint of the Alhambra. Tip: wear sensible shoes as you do a lot of walking in this city and most is either up or down hill.
10. La Ermita de San Miguel Alto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 165 reviews
Reviewed By wingsonwheels - India, null
This little closed church is at the top of the hill overlooking the Alhambra and Granada. Came up here as part of the Walk in Granada Sacromonte tour. It took over an hour from Plaza Nueva and the way up was mostly twisting, very narrow roads and then the last part was a series of steps with lots of interesting graffiti messages on them. There are cave houses all over the hill but few people still live here now. Plenty of places on the way up to have a picnic but the views from the top are the best. The Alhambra in the setting sun looks beautiful. Bring binoculars to spot city landmarks. You can see the mountains in the distance and little villages outside the main city too. Some folks were selling beer but best to bring your own drinks and food and have a picnic up there. Great place for people to bring their dogs too. Then you can walk down the hill on the other side.
