[Music] Are you going to Granada in southern Spain?
Based on our own trip we're going to show you some of the very best things you
can see and do on a 3-day visit. Along the way we'll incorporate valuable tips
and at the end of the video we'll add extra practical information to help you feel
well prepared for your own Granada trip. Let's start with the star
attraction of Granada which is of course the Alhambra. This magnificent complex
of palaces, gardens and fortifications towers high above the city and is no doubt
at the very top of your Granada to-do list. It was originally built in the 13th century
by the Nasrid Dynasty which was the last Muslim Dynasty to rule the Iberian Peninsula and today
it's proudly holds the distinction of being a UNESCO world heritage site. Imposing on the outside
and total paradise on the inside, the Alhambra's incredible beauty lures visitors from all across
the globe. Most people spend around four or 5 hours at the Alhambra although some visitors
do spend a full day there. As there is so much to see we'd suggest putting aside the morning
and afternoon of your first day in Granada for your visit to the Alhambra. We definitely don't
want to encourage you rushing through! There are three main ticketed areas of the complex.The
Alcazaba, which is the military area that used to guard the Alhambra. You will of course get some
great views over the city from the watchtowers. There's the Generalife, which was
the summer palace getaway for the Nasid rulers, where you walk through lush
gardens filled with flowers and water features. And of course there is the
Nasrid Palaces. This has to be the most beautiful part of the Alhambra and certainly the part of
the complex that you really don't want to miss. There are a few things you'll want to know before
visiting the Alhambra so we've included a section on the Alhambra in the practical information
section at the end of this video. I've also created a map of all the attractions mentioned in
this itinerary and linked it in the description below and when it's ready I'll also include a
free written travel guide for bonus planning information. After spending several hours walking around
the Alhabmra we would suggest having a break and what better way to do that than going for
some tapas. Here you'll find that tapas are typically offered for free with your drink.
A glass of beer or wine will typically set you back around €3 and then throw in a plate
of delicious tapa and that makes this really great value for money. if you're craving
something specific or you want something a little heartier then you can always order
additional dishes off the menu but you will need to pay for those separately. Our favorite
tapa spots were all conveniently located just a short roll away from each other. I've
included them on the map of attractions and in the travel guide linked below.
Extend your leisurely break by heading to one of Granada's bustling plazas. Give your tired feet
a rest, enjoy the moment and watch the world go by. As the day gradually mellows into evening
head towards the Mirador Des San Nicholas which is renowned for offering one of the
best views of the Alhambra. Time your visit just right to catch the red stone bathed in
the warm ethereal hues of the setting sun. However the Mirador de San Nicholas is not just about
the view. Street performers and musicians flock to this small square creating a really fun and
lively atmosphere as you watch the sun go down. Another awesome sunset point is Mirador de San
Miguel. It does take a bit more effort to reach compared to the Mirador de San Nicholas but trust
me the effort pays off handsomely. From here you'll get far reaching views across the entire city
including the Alhambra. There's also more space up here so if you prefer somewhere a bit less
crowded then this might be the perfect lookout for you. A quick tip is that as you reach the
top the paving stones can be pretty slippery so make sure you wear shoes with a decent grip or be
prepared to shuffle back down on your bum. Let's start day two exploring the Albaicín, which is Granada's picturesque Moorish quarter. Stroll up and down the
hilly cobbled streets where every turn reveals hidden treasures, from
Islamic houses and gardens to cafe-lined squares. For us one of the best things
about exploring the Albaicín was unexpectedly stumbling across numerous viewpoints
along the way so keep your camera to hand. I'll add all the places I'm showing you
to the map of attractions that is linked in the description but the highlights for us were
probably the 11th century baths, Palacio Dar al-Horra (I'm sorry I really can't pronounce that
one) which is a 15th century residence of a Nasrid queen, and Casa del Chapiz, which is a
Moorish style house with really pretty gardens. Some of the attractions are
included in the Andalusian monuments ticket which you can either buy online
when you purchase your Alhambra ticket or in person from any of the monuments
on the day. Make sure you check opening hours as many attractions close for
a few hours during during the afternoon. While you're exploring the Albaicín
make sure you take a leisurely stroll along the picturesque River Darro. Follow
this cobbled streets from Plaza Nueva to the idyllic Paso de los Tristes, arguably one of the
most beautiful streets in Granada. Take a walk down Calle Elvira. Start at the Gate of Elvira
and follow the sweet aromas down a street lined with tea rooms. Take a break to sample fragrant
teas and delicious Middle Eastern dishes. We stopped at a cozy Tea Room that was on a lively
pretty street just off Calle Elvira. We tried fresh mint tea and a selection of of desserts:
baclava, a chocolate nest, as well as pionono, which is a sweet sponge cake from Granada - it's really good! One thing to know is that the tea rooms tend to not open until at least
12:00 so don't try to visit a tea room in the morning. Head to Sacromonte Caves Museum where
you can walk around several unique caves each meticulously recreated to show how
Granada's Roma Community once lived. These man-made caves each have different themes
and are filled with items from people who actually lived there. Walk
through the bedroom, kitchen, stable and workshops, and browse the old black
and white photos on the walls. That night experience the
raw emotion, soul stirring music and passionate dance of a live flamco show. As part of the cave museum is dedicated to
the origins of flamenco we would recommend visiting the museum before attending a live performance
as we found it really helped us appreciate the flamco show even more. There are several places
you can go in Granada to watch your performance but we went to Zambra Maria la Canastera; a small theater
set in a cave just down the hill from the museum. The venue was really intimate and the walls
were absolutely covered with old photographs so take a moment before or after the show to
have a closer look. We paid €24 which included a drink but there are other options if you want
to pay for a ticket that includes dinner or transport. [Music] Start your morning with what has to be
our favorite local breakfast: pan con tomate, which is bread with tomato. This beloved Spanish
classic is a simple yet flavourful dish that consists of toasted bread rubbed with garlic and
tomatoes, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with a pinch of salt. You can get different
toppings like cheese and ham and tuna which might cost you a little bit more but the classic
tomato was our personal favorite. Two cafes we would recommend for breakfast are Mummo Cafe near
the cathedral and Cafe 4 Gatos in the Albaicin. After breakfast visit the enormous Granada Cathedral. Built in the 1500s on the site of
a mosque, this Renaissance-style Cathedral took over 180 years to complete. The high ceilings
and white marble makes the inside feel really spacious and airy. Take your time walking
around and look out for the amazing gold pipe organs. There is a free audio guide that you
can download to your phone so make sure you bring headphones. After the cathedral you can
visit the neighbouring Royal Chapel of Granada which serves as the final resting
place of the Catholic monarchs King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella the first. Just
a brief stroll from from the cathedral and Royal Chapel is Corral del Carbón, a
historic monument from the 14th century that once served as a merchants warehouse and
lodging. Do spare 15 minutes to wander through the grand horseshoe entrance and into
the cobbled courtyard shaded by a leafy canopy. Across from Corral del Carbón is the
Alcaiceria. Once the epicenter of Granada's silk trade now transformed into a lively
market teaming with crafts and very touristy souvenirs. To be honest the shops do start to
get pretty samey and not all the items are made quite as well as others so we didn't linger for
too long. Still, I think it's worth a quick look around. We enjoyed exploring the
Realejo district, which is the former Jewish neighborhood of Granada. Here you can find
the works of the famous street artist Raúl Ruiz who is known by the nickname El Niño de las Pinturas. While you will probably come across some street art without even trying one of
our favourite areas was around a small square named after Joe Strummer from The Clash. Next
to the square you'll find an abandoned house adorned with huge murals. If you look just past
the square and walk along the neighbouring street you'll also see some truly impressive artwork
on the corner house and along the walls below. Calle Molinos is also an excellent spot to view
remarkable murals both on walls and shutters. Conveniently it's also on the way to our next
destination on the itinerary. We researched plenty of things to see and do in this neighbourhood
that we just did not get around to so I'll add those to the attractions map in case you
want to visit any of these yourself. A couple of the attractions are included in the Granada
city card which I'll be covering later in this video. Carmen de los Mártires is a romantic
set of gardens filled with plants, trees and flowers as well as elegant fountains and
ponds. It's really quiet here so perfect if you're looking for a bit of tranquility on
your otherwise busy city break. The Gardens close in the afternoon and reopen at 6:00 p.m. so
depending on the time of year if you aim to get there around 6:00 then you can experience how
pretty they look in the early evening light. I'd like to add a suggestion for
a dinner that we really enjoyed on our last night in Granada which which
was at a restaurant called Betula Nana. We shared cod ceviche on a bed of guacamole
followed by curried pork cheek with roast potatoes. Our meal wrapped up with a lemon mousse and cinnamon
cheesecake on a biscoff base. It's only a small place which is great because it's really cozy
but it is popular so I would recommend booking in advance which you can do through WhatsApp. We had a few more sites on our maybe list that we didn't visit which I haven't mentioned yet so
I'll make sure to add them to the attractions map as well. Now it's time to cover a few more bits
of practical information that I haven't mentioned yet. When you're planning your visit to the Alhambra
it's crucial to get your tickets well in advance. This iconic attraction tends to sell out fast
especially during the peak tourist season, so as soon as you're certain about your trip to Granada
don't hesitate to book your Alhambra tickets. It's not worth the risk of missing out. There are
several ticket options to choose from but for a first time visit I'd recommend the general
ticket. This one covers all ticketed areas within the Alhambra complex including the Nasrid Palaces.
Alternatively you might consider the Dobla de Oro General ticket which not only includes access
to the entire Alhambra complex but also four other monuments in Granada. When you're booking your
Alhambra ticket they will ask you to choose a specific entry time for the Nasrid Palaces. If you're
staying in Granada I'd suggest booking your Nasrid Palaces tickets for the earliest morning time
slot. Although we arrived well before 9:00 a.m. at the Alhambra we only booked our Nasrid Palaces
tickets for mid morning and we regretted it when we saw all the early birds entering ahead of the
crowds. Booking an early slot also means you can relax and enjoy your day without constantly clock
watching. But if you're not confident in making it in time for a morning slot due to travel from
another location or simply because you're not a morning person then consider a later time to
ensure you don't miss out on the Nasrid Palaces. Missing your time slot unfortunately does mean
no entry. Don't forget to bring your photo ID which for international visitors like us means
your passport. Make sure it is the exact document you used for booking your tickets because no ID
means no entry. Apart from the Palaces feel free to explore the different parts of the complex
at your own pace on the day your ticket is valid. However I'd recommend following one of the routes
I'm showing you on the screen as they're more efficient considering the size of the complex
compared to going backwards and forwards. While you're there don't miss the Palace of
Charles the fifth. In here you'll find a Museum of Fine Arts and a small Alhambra Museum that's included in
your ticket. Also know that you can only enter each ticketed part of the complex once so make sure
you've seen everything you want to see in that particular area before you exit. You can leave and
return to the actual complex if you want though so if for example you want to visit the Palaces
and the Alcazaba, leave for a midday break to take a snooze or fill your face with tapas, and then
return to visit the Generalife later in the day then that is perfectly fine. Be aware of opening
hours of attractions and restaurants. While most major attractions are open all day smaller ones
may close for a few hours in the afternoon so do double check their schedules. As for restaurants
and tapas bars they typically open between 1 and 4:00 p.m, close during the late afternoon and then
reopen around 8:00 p.m. or sometimes even later. Also keep in mind that in August some shops and
restaurants might close as business owners take their own holidays. Your main options for getting
around Granada are walking, bus or taxi. Apart from the taxi we took from the main bus station to our
apartment in the lower Albaicin we walked everywhere that we've shown you in this itinerary. So if
you typically prefer to walk between sights on a holiday then you can do this in Granada. However
we do like to walk a lot on holiday and Granada is pretty hilly so if you would prefer to take things
a little easier then the buses are your best option. If you have the Granada card this can be
used for up to nine bus journeys including the tourist train. You could consider the Granada card
but make sure you do proper research into what you actually want to see and whether it really will
save you money. This pass could be worth it if you plan on visiting multiple attractions over
the course of a few days and you plan on using public transport, but it's important that you work
out whether your visit to Granada is long enough to take in enough attractions to get your money
worth versus buying tickets individually, whether the pass covers enough attractions that you plan
on visiting and whether you plan to book guided tours which may make the pass redundant. If you
only have a day or two in Granada I think it's unlikely that you'll visit enough attractions
to justify the cost but do take a look. I won't cover all the different areas to stay in Granada
but I did want to mention that we stayed in an apartment in the lower Albaicin which we really
liked because we were close to a lot of the main sights, but we were also in our favourite
bit of Granada because the Albaicin is really pretty. If you do stay in the Albaicin though
then remember that there are a lot of stairs and steep lanes. If you're going on a bigger
trip to Spain that's covering more places than just Granada then we do have some more videos
from Spain that you might want to watch so I'll link them here and in the description below.
Thank you for watching our Grenada travel guide.
