Free walking tours in Granada and what to see

Must-sees

The Alhambra is the main reason for the trip. The complex includes the Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba, the Palace of Charles V and the Generalife gardens. Entry to the palaces has a fixed time slot and sells out early, so book weeks in advance. Allow at least three hours to see it properly and carry water in summer.

Facing the Alhambra is the Albaicín, the old Moorish quarter, with steep streets and houses with orchards and gardens called cármenes. The San Nicolás viewpoint has the best-known view of the Alhambra, especially at sunset. Higher up is the Sacromonte, with cave houses and flamenco. In the centre are the cathedral and the Royal Chapel, where the Catholic Monarchs are buried. Calle Calderería has tea rooms and Arab-style shops.

Free tours and guided visits

The most common free tours cover the Albaicín and sometimes the Sacromonte. They explain Nasrid Granada, the coexistence of cultures and life in the cármenes, and usually end at a viewpoint. Others cover the centre, the cathedral and the Realejo, the old Jewish quarter. They last about two hours and you tip what you like. Wear comfortable shoes for the slopes.

The guided tour of the Alhambra is the one most worth paying for. A guide helps you understand the inscriptions, what each room was used for and the history of the last Nasrid kingdom. Another option is a flamenco show in a Sacromonte cave. As for day trips, Sierra Nevada in winter and the villages of the Alpujarra are the most popular.

How long to spend

Two days is the minimum. One goes almost entirely on the Alhambra; the other on the Albaicín, the Sacromonte and the centre, with the cathedral and the Royal Chapel. With three days you can take it easier, go back to the viewpoints at different times of day and go out for tapas, which many bars serve free with your drink. A fourth day is enough to see the Alpujarra.

Where to stay

The centre, between Plaza Nueva, the cathedral and the Gran Vía, is the most comfortable: it’s flat and well connected. The Albaicín has places to stay with views of the Alhambra, but the slopes and car access can be tricky. The Realejo is quiet and close to the way up to the Alhambra. If you’re driving, look for somewhere with parking or leave the car outside the old town.