Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this post about ten things to do in Granada in Spring.
Granada is a vibrant and beautiful city in the region of Andalusia in southern Spain. With its rich history, culture and natural beauty, Granada is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a unique experience. From ancient ruins to stunning architecture, Granada has something for everyone, and is a great base for exploring, relaxing and enjoying the Spanish way of life.
It is often said that Granada is a city of many faces and each season brings something different to the city. In spring, the city comes to life with a vibrancy and energy that can be felt in each of its streets, squares and parks.
Granada’s climate during spring is usually mild and sunny, with temperatures rarely dropping below 15°C during the day. During the mornings, the air is fresh and crisp, and the sun rises early, bathing the city in a golden glow. This provides the perfect conditions for enjoying Granada’s many outdoor activities and attractions.
Ten things to do in Granada in Spring
1. Visit the Alhambra
The Alhambra is an ancient palace and fortress that was built in the 9th century by the rulers of the Nasrid dynasty. It is one of the most iconic monuments in Granada and a must-see for any traveler.
The palace is a stunning example of Moorish architecture and offers breathtaking views of the city. You can explore the grounds, the gardens and the stunning Nasrid Palace.
Wander through the intricate courtyards and halls, and take in the stunning views of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
The Alhambra Palace is open throughout the year, except the 25th of December and the 1st of January. The weekend is pretty crowded and you’ll be waiting in queue for some time. To avoid this, visit the Alhambra during a weekday if possible
Spring and summer make for the best times to visit the Alhambra. The flowers are in full bloom during these seasons and you can also take a break from the Mediterranean sun inside the fortress.
There are guided tours as well as audio guides available for visitors to explore the palace.
Due to the great demand for tickets and the restriction in the number of visitors per day, advance booking is recommended, and you will only be able to access the Nasrid Palaces in the time slot indicated on your ticket.
Recommended visit: 3 – 5 hours
2. Stroll around the city’s parks and gardens
One of the best things to do in Granada during spring is to explore the city’s many parks and gardens.
It probably comes as no surprise that one of the most stunning parks in Granada belongs to the magnificent Alhambra itself.
Another park that is close to the city centre is the Parque Federico García Lorca. This charming green space is just a stone’s throw from Calle Recogidas, yet feels a world away from the crowded heart of the city.
3. Relax in the main square, Plaza Nueva
Historic buildings, pavement café’s and a position in the heart of the old city make Plaza Nueva a popular place for visitors and locals alike.
Despite its name (which translates as “New Plaza”), the square is in fact one of the oldest in the city. It was built in the 16th century to cover up part of the River Darro and create more space.
The square is home to a number of interesting attractions, including a large fountain, the Church of Our Lady and the Palace of Charles V. It is centrally located and a great place to start your tour of the city or to begin your walk up to the Alhambra
It is also a great place to people-watch, as it is often filled with people enjoying the mild spring weather.
4. Visit the 16th century cathedral
Built in the 16th century, the Cathedral is a stunning example of Renaissance and Gothic architecture. The Cathedral also houses a museum with a large collection of religious artifacts.
Price: 5€
Hours: Open From 10:00 am to 18:30 pm Monday to Friday and 15h00 to 18h00 Sunday and Bank Holidays
5. Visit one of the many museums for a cultural experience
Granada is also a great destination for art lovers, and spring is the perfect time to explore the city’s many museums and galleries. Among the most popular attractions are the Museum of Fine Arts and the Sacromonte Caves Museum.
The Fine Arts Museum in Granada was the first public museum in Spain, and houses over 2,000 items. It was founded in 1839 and was temporarily located in different places until 1958, when its collection was finally brought to the Palace of Charles V, in the Alhambra.
You may also want to visit the Sacromonte Caves Museum, where ten caves have been recreated as they were 100 years ago, so visitors can learn about the living conditions and trades of their inhabitants, as well as the origins of flamenco in the Sacromonte.
The Science Museum, Parque de las Ciencias, is the first interactive science museum in Andalusia and a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike.
It was inaugurated in May 1995 and occupies some 70,000 square meters. In addition, it is an open-air museum with 25,000 square meters of green areas, with exhibition spaces such as the Botanical gardens, the Observation Tower, the Tropical Butterfly House, the Astronomical Observatory, the Plant Labyrinth and more.
6 Explore Sacromonte
Sacromonte is an old neighborhood in the eastern area of Granada, just opposite The Alhambra, on the banks of Río Darro. It is home to the Romani gypsy community, and is a unique and vibrant area with a mix of traditional and modern buildings.
Visitors can enjoy the traditional flamenco performances or explore the narrow alleyways to get a glimpse of the Romani lifestyle.
The Sacromonte cave houses are a complex of whitewashed caves dug into the side of the hill, and these caves, which provided safety for their inhabitants not only from the scorching Andalusian sun and winter rains but also from religious and ethnic prosecution, are now a museum.
7 Wander around the Albayzín
The Albayzín is the former Moorish quarter of Granada, and is the perfect place to wander and get lost in the old cobblestone streets, and take in the stunning views of the city and the Sierra Nevada Mountains from the Mirador de San Nicolás.
8 Stroll through the Markets and Shop at the Bazaars
Granada is home to some great markets and bazaars, where you can find everything from local crafts and souvenirs to fresh produce and spices.
Make sure to check out the Alcaicería and the ancient Realejo markets for the best deals. The Alcaicería street is located next to the Cathedral, running from the Plaza Alonso Cano to the Ermita street. It is a commercial area full of small shops, mostly dedicated to the sale of souvenirs and handicrafts from Granada.
Mercado de San Agustín is a popular food market and a great place to try local tapas
9 Take advantage of the café culture and the food
Of course, no visit to Granada is complete without exploring its traditional tapas bars. Spring is a great time to sample some of the city’s best dishes, as the bars are often filled with locals and tourists alike enjoying the mild weather.
And of course, don’t forget to try some of the famous local wines.
10 Take in a traditional Flamenco show
Andalusia is often referred to as the birthplace of flamenco, so where better to take in a flamenco show? There are many shows throughout the city, although many of Granada’s best flamenco tablaos are located in the old Roma gypsy district of Sacromonte (popularly believed to be the birthplace of Spanish flamenco), where you can see Flamenco shows performed in some of these natural caves, making for a more intimate and authentic performance.
Finally, if you’re lucky enough to have beautiful weather, then you can take a day trip to the beach as Granada is located close to some beautiful beaches on the Costa Tropical.
The 73 km of beaches along the coast of Granada have clean and clear water as well as a pleasant temperature practically the entire year.
We visited Nerja (just over 1 hour drive), which is actually just at the eastern tip of the Costa del Sol. It boasts nearly 10 miles of powdery beaches and offers all the nautical activities you would expect, such as water skiing, scuba diving and sailing.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a unique and exciting travel destination, Granada is the perfect choice. Located in southern Spain, the city is a mix of old and new, with a vibrant culture that is sure to leave you captivated.
Obviously, this is not an exhaustive guide to Granada, but I hope it has given you a few ideas as the basis for planning a trip to this beautiful European City.
I hope you enjoyed this post on ten things to do in Granada in Spring and you might also want to have a look at this post on What to See in Madrid, and this post on the ten best things to do in Seville, which are other Spanish cities to add to your bucket list.
I will be back soon with more style, lifestyle and travel inspiration and don’t forget to subscribe to make sure you never miss a post,
Look good, feel good, live your best life 🙂
With love,
It was fun to visit Granada with you.
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it x
This place looks so dreamy Julia! I am so bummed we won’t make it to Spain on our Europe trip this summer. Excellent guide!
xo
Val
http://www.mapleleopard.com
Thanks Val, and it’s such a shame you can’t stay longer as I’m flying back to Spain on the day you fly back to the US xo
Granada sounds wonderful! So many great things to do, I would especially love to visit museums and try different foods there!
Hope you’ve had a wonderful weekend so far! 🙂
Make Life Marvelous
Thank you Ashley! Granada is a wonderful destination, and the whole of Andalusia is beautiful 🙂
Granada is such a beautiful city, love these photos!
Thank you Kinga, and I agree that Granada is beautiful xo
Everything you listed is intriguing enough, it makes you want to visit. I love how beautiful it looks especially from your lovely photos you shared here. I hope your having an amazing weekend.
https://www.bauchlefashion.com/2023/03/donna-karans-spring-selection-orange-is.html
Thank you Heather! Hope you had a great weekend xo
Oh this was so enjoyable. I would love to travel here one day. You really did a lot and captured so much with these wonderful photos and all the great neighborhoods in Granada. So jelly!
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
Thanks Allie! I hope you get to Granada one day, as it’s definitely worth it xo
Granada looks beautiful and vibrant! Thank you for sharing these top tips on what to do and see!
Hope you’ll swing by my new post 🙂
-Ashley
Thanks for stopping by Ashley! Granada is a beautiful city x
I’d love to visit Granada one day. All of these places look like great things to do and see! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Laura, and I definitely recommend adding Granada to your bucket list x
What a wonderful holiday destination! You have showcased this area so beautifully xx
Janet
Thank you Janet x
How stunning! And I’m in love with that marigold dress on you. Such a beautiful color choice!
Shauna
http://www.lipglossandlace.net
Thank you so much Shauna 🙂
There’s so much history there. What a fabulous place to explore,
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks Jodie! Yes, there is a lot of history and stunning architecture too x
Thank you for this list!
I’d love to visit Granada.
The moor palace is stunnning.
I visited Spain a long time ago.
Hope I get a chance to revisit.
I hope you get the chance to revisit too, Ivana! xo
I would def. be checking out the The Alhambra! What a vast place and the gardens surrounding it look lovely too.
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Thank you Carrie! Yes, the gardens are beautiful too xoxo
Granada looks lovely, especially the gardens and markets! 🌴👜
It’s a beautiful destination and I definitely recommend adding it to your bucket list 🙂
LOoks beautiful there
It really is Christine! I’m already planning a trip back x
What an incredible place Granada is to visit! I studied Spain in high school and we talked a lot about this wonderful city. I love the mixture of cultures. The weather looks perfect there!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks Kathrine! Granada is a beautiful place to visit – great weather and stunning architecture xo
Looks fabulous.
I definitely recommend it as a place to visit! I’m already planning a trip back in the Autumn xo