How to spend 2 Days in Granada: The Best Itinerary + Where to Stay

You’re planning to spend 2 days in Granada and you’re looking for the best itinerary?

You’re at the right place!

In order to help you plan your stay, I have prepared for you the perfect 2-day itinerary in Granada.

During your trip, you will discover all must-see attractions of the city such as the Alhambra, Granada Cathedral, the Albaicin District and a lot more!

In addition to the best places to visit and activities for each stage of your itinerary, I will also give you all my best tips and accommodation suggestions depending on your budget.

So, what are the best places to visit in Granada in 2 days? Where to stay?

Let’s find out!

My Tips to Avoid Queuing in Granada

Granada is among the most touristic cities in Spain, just like Seville, Madrid, Barcelona, or Malaga.

In this beautiful Andalusian city, you will find the famous Alhambra, the attraction that everyone wants to visit in Granada.

And if you have planned a 2-day visit to Granada during your itinerary in Andalusia, it’s probably also to visit this fabulous palace! And you can well imagine that you won’t be the only one who had this idea…

This unfortunately means that there are always very long waiting lines to get in. And by very long, I mean several hours!

Hopefully, you can avoid this with a bit of planning!

Yes, by purchasing one of the city passes or skip-the-line tickets, you’ll get priority access and will be able to optimize your weekend in Granada. It would be a shame to waste hours waiting instead of visiting, right?

So, here are the best way to save time (and money!) in Granada:

1. The Granada City Pass: Granada City Pass

The first solution to save a lot of time during your 2-day trip in Granada and enjoy entry to the Alhambra is to buy the Granada City Pass.

If I’m suggesting it, it’s because it’s simply the best pass for visiting Granada in 2 days.

With your Granada Card, you get:

• Skip-the-line ticket to visit the entire Alhambra complex: the Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba, and the Generalife
• Access to the hop-on hop-off tourist train: convenient for easily discovering all the city’s points of interest!
• An audio guide of Granada, to learn all about one of Spain’s most beautiful cities
• A 10% discount on all other attractions and activities in Granada

Purchase your Granada pass now for your 2-day stay in Granada by clicking the green button below:

And if you also want to visit the Granada Cathedral, I recommend opting for the combined ticket for the Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces + Granada Cathedral by clicking here.

2. The Andalusia Pass

If you’re planning a trip to Andalusia and before or after your 2-day visit to Granada, you want to see Seville and Cordoba, the Andalusia Pass can be a great deal.

It includes:

• A skip-the-line entry ticket for the Alhambra in Granada and the Nasrid Palaces
• Priority access ticket for the Alcazar of Seville
• A guided tour of the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba
• An audio guide for Granada and Seville.

This pass is 100% digital, meaning that once you have booked it by clicking the button below, you will receive all your tickets by email directly.

All you will need to do is present them on your smartphone at the entrance to all 3 sites.

You need to book your Andalusia pass by clicking here:

3. Skip-The-Line Tickets for Granada’s Tourist Attractions

You don’t want to get a pass for your 48-hour visit to Granada?

No worries, you always have the option to book skip-the-line tickets individually for the sites that match your interests.

In addition to the entrance tickets for the main attractions, you will also be able to book guided tours and activities for your 2 days in Granada, such as a flamenco show or a food your showcasing authentic Spanish products!

To check the prices and to book, just click on the links below (you’ll also find them throughout the article):

2 Days in Granada: Must-see Attractions

• Skip-the-line Ticket for the Alhambra, including the Nasrid Palaces + the Generalife + the Alcazaba
• Guided Tour of the Alhambra Complex
• Guided Tour of Albaicin and Sacromonte
• Ticket for “Cuevas del Sacromonte” Museum
• Guided Tour of the Cathedral and Royal Chapel
• Flamenco Show at Jardines de Zoraya
• Flamenco Show at La Alborea
• Flamenco Show at Casa del Arte Flamenco
• Massage and Hammam at Hammam Al Andalus
• Guided Gourmet Tour of Granada.

One Last Tip for a Perfect 2-Day Stay in Granada

If you already know your travel dates (or as soon as you will have them!), you should really book your accommodation.

As Granada is one of the most touristic cities in the world, the hotels offering the best value for money are often fully booked months in advance.

As a seasoned traveler, I can assure you that it’s always by planning as far in advance as possible that I’ve found the best hotels or apartments deals.

You agree that it would be a shame to somewhat ruin your stay in Granada by ending up in a not-so-great hotel that costed you a fortune, right? 😅

So your best bet is to take 5 minutes now to have a look at traveler’s favorite hotels in Granada.

And if you like one of the hotels you find, book it!

It’s fast, it’s easy and most accommodation offer free cancellation. That’s the best way to protect yourself from the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the best hotels deals in Granada, simply click on the green button below:

After securing your dream stay, it’s time to continue reading this guide!

Visiting Granada in 2 Days: The Best Itinerary

Let’s now start to plan your 2-day itinerary in Granada!

For each day, I will give you all the details you need to plan your visits + a map that will allow you to visualize the itinerary a bit better.

I’m assuming you will be staying in Granada for 2 full days and that you will be using a City Pass (Granada City Pass/ Andalusia Pass) or have purchased Skip-the-Line tickets. It’s the best way to save time and money during your stay!

If you still have questions after reading this 2-day itinerary in Granada (or need help organizing your holiday), don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section located at the very end of this article.

I will be glad to help you plan your trip .

Day 1 of your Itinerary in Granada – The Must-Visits

Visits for Day 1:

A. The Alhambra of Granada
B. Sacromonte
C. Albaicin
D. San Nicolas Viewpoint
E. Flamenco Show

A. The Alhambra of Granada

There is no better way to start your 2-day itinerary in Granada than by visiting the Alhambra, one of the most famous tourist sites in Spain.

I must stress that this visit is only possible if you have booked your tickets in advance. There’s a daily quota for visitors allowed and slots are often sold out weeks ahead.

Even if you go at the opening time, you have a 99.9% chance of not getting tickets without prior reservation.

In order to visit the Alhambra during your weekend in Granada, you’ll need to have booked one of the following tickets:

• The Granada City Pass that I’ve already talked about
• The Andalusia Pass which I’ve also mentioned before
• A skip-the-line Alhambra ticket with a visit to the Nasrid Palaces included – Available here!
• A guided tour of the Alhambra (click here!). The best way to learn more about this fantastic palace!

Any of the options above will give you the opportunity to discover this magnificent palace complex now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The visit includes:

• The famous Nasrid Palaces consisting of the Mexuar, the Comares Palace, and the Lions Palace where you can visit several rooms and courtyards.
• The Alcazaba: this military fortress is the oldest part of the Alhambra
• The Generalife with its magnificent gardens adorned with fountains.

B. Sacromonte

You should then continue your visit of Granada with a stroll in the Sacromonte district, to see the cave houses of this former gypsy neighborhood.

Some of these “cuevas” as they are called in Spanish, are now used as venues for flamenco shows (an activity planned for the evening!).

If you want to learn more about the history of the neighborhood and discover its traditions, you should visit:

• The “Cuevas del Sacromonte” Museum. (You need to get your ticket here)
• The Sacromonte Abbey and its catacombs.

C. The Albaicin District

Right next to Sacromonte, there is another district you must visit during your 2-day trip to Granada: the Albaicin.

With its whitewashed houses and cobbled streets, I found it to be very authentic and picturesque.

And since Albaicin was Granada’s old Moorish quarter, you’ll also find numerous little shops selling dry fruits or spices, in a manner reminiscent of a souk.

If you appreciate history, the guided tour of Sacromonte I mentioned above also includes the visit to the Albaicin neighborhood.

D. San Nicolas Viewpoint

You simply can’t visit Granada in 2 days without stopping at least once at one of the city’s viewpoints!

Since you are in the Albaicin district, you should head to the San Nicolas viewpoint.

Located on plaza de San Nicolas, it offers a magnificent view of Granada and the Alhambra. If the weather is clear, you can even catch a glimpse of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

To take the best photos, try to be there around sunset time.

E. Flamenco Evening in Granada

You have discovered some of the best places to visit in Granada today (pretty cool first day for your 2-day stay in Granada, right? 😎).

And that’s not all, as the evening promises to be very typical too!

You will attend a flamenco show, an art that’s quintessentially Spanish and said to have originated in Granada.

I especially recommend 2 places:

• La Alborea, for a traditional one-hour show in the purest Andalusian tradition:

• Les Jardines de Zoraya, where in addition to the show, you can enjoy a delicious three-course meal:

Day 2 of the weekend in Granada – What to do and see?

Visits for Day 2:

A. Basilica of San Juan de Dios
B. Cathedral of Granada and Royal Chapel
C. Bib-Rambla Square / Alcaiceria Market
D. Arabic Baths
E. Hammam Al Andalus
F. San Cristobal Viewpoint

A. The Basilica of San Juan de Dios

Today, you’ll continue your two-day itinerary in Granada and start by visiting the Basilica of San Juan de Dios.

Don’t be fooled by its rather plain exterior, the baroque-style interior is richly decorated with numerous sculptures and paintings. I was really impressed by the abundant use of gold that covers many of the pillars, walls and ceilings.

Moreover, you can admire the magnificent altar and large organ.

It may be surprising and admittedly a bit “overdone”, but it’s an absolute must-see during your 48 hours in Granada!

To illuminate the interior of the Basilica and enjoy the play of light on the gilding, you can insert €1 in the box located next to the altar (if someone hasn’t done it before you).

B. Granada Cathedral and the Royal Chapel

Staying within the realm of the religious, let’s continue your 2-day itinerary in Granada with a visit to Granada Cathedral.

It’s located less than 10 minutes on foot from the basilica, and entrance is included in the combined Alhambra + Cathedral ticket.

Built from the 16th century and finished 200 years later, it’s dedicated to the Virgin of the Incarnation. Featuring a mix of Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance styles, inside you’ll be able to explore the chapels and see the organs.

Next to the cathedral, you should also visit the Royal Chapel, the burial place of some of the Spanish monarchs.

The Granada Pass also includes access to the Royal Chapel.

An audio guide is available for the visit, but if you want to learn everything about the place, including some interesting ancdotes, you should rather opt for a combined guided tour of the cathedral + chapel. You need to book your guided tour by clicking here!

C. Bib Rambla Square / Alcaiceria Market

Next on your your 2-day Granada itinerary, head to Bib Rambla Square for a bit of shopping.

You will for sure love wandering in the bustling alleyways lined with shops surrounding the square. There are also many cafes for a short break.

If you’re looking to bring back some souvenirs from your trip to Andalusia, you should also visit Alcaiceria market, which is actually Granada’s grand bazaar.

There, you’ll find the typical items: magnets, keychains, t-shirts, as well as beautiful ceramics or colored glass lamps (which might be a bit more complicated to transport back home, I admit!).

D. Arab Baths

If you’re interested in history, you can visit the Arab baths or “El Banuelo.” This complex, comprising 3 rooms, is the best preserved in all of Andalusia.

Dating from the 11th century, they are also the oldest. Very few Arab baths remain, as most were considered places of debauchery and were destroyed when the Christians regained power.

The visit only takes about ten minutes.

E. Hammam Al Andalus

After visiting the ancient Arab baths, perhaps you’re now in the mood for some modern relaxation and downtime!

In that case, you should head to Hammam Al Andalus, which is conveniently just a 2-minute walk from El Banuelo.

There, you can relax in the hot and cold baths as well as the steam room. Switch off with short interludes in the relaxation room where delicious mint tea is served (included in the price).

You need to book your Hammam session by clicking on the button below (it also includes a massage!):

It’s definitely a great activity idea if you’ve decided to spend 2 days in Granada as a couple.

F. San Cristobal Viewpoint

To enjoy one last beautiful view of Granada, end your day at San Cristobal Viewpoint before heading out to dinner.

And there you have it, all my tips for visiting Granada in 2 days! Spend one last night at the hotel before catching your return flight the next day.

Where to Stay in Granada

And speaking of your hotel, it’s really important to know where you’ll be staying during your 48 hours in Granada.

Now that you know how to visit Granada in 2 days, I will give you my selection of the best hotels, ranging from hostels to 5-star hotels. I have handpicked for you the ones that offer the best value for money depending on your budget!

To check the exact rates for your travel dates, you simply have to click on the hotel names (in orange) just below.

Since the best hotels get booked up quickly, you should book your hotel room as soon as possible!

So, where to stay for a weekend in Granada?

• Toc Hostel Granada: Youth hostel located in the center of Granada. Dormitory bed from 20€ per night, breakfast at 7€. Strong points: the location, the really friendly staff, the modernity of the place. An excellent choice for budget-friendly accommodation in Granada!
• Hotel Universal: Located 400 meters from the cathedral and 700 meters from the Albaicin district. Comfortable and clean double room from 65€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the welcoming staff, the downtown location, close to shops and restaurants. Great value for money at this Granada hotel!
• Granada Five Senses Rooms & Suites: Located on Gran Via Avenue, 200 meters from the cathedral. Designer and modern room from 100€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the rooftop pool, the room design, the hearty breakfast.
• Alhambra Palace: This 5-star hotel is located a 10-minute walk from the Alhambra or the Albaicin, next to Carmen de los Martires garden. Spacious and cozy room from 200€, breakfast at 19€. Strong points: the hotel’s Moorish-inspired decoration, the superb view of the Alhambra from the terrace, the comfort. My choice for a romantic weekend in Granada.
• Parador de Granada: This luxury hotel is located within the Alhambra itself! The rooms feature a blend of modern and ancient elements, from 420€, breakfast at 21€. Strong points: the exceptional location, the setting, the staff availability, the restaurant with a view of the Generalife. My recommendation for a luxury stay in Granada!

Visiting Granada in 2 Days with Family

Is this 2-day itinerary in Granada suitable for a family trip?

Yes, there’s no problem in following this itinerary in Granada with children.

If you want to add a visit just for them, you should take your kids to the Science Park, a huge museum with a planetarium, observatory, and even a botanical garden.

More Things to Do and See in Granada in 2 Days

If you want more idea of things to do during your 2-day itinerary in Granada, you can also read my dedicated article about the best places to visit in the city.

You’ll find other fun activities such as a Granada food tour or day trips.

A great way to enhance your 2-day trip in Granada!

To read it, just click on the following link: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Granada.

Map of Your 2-Day Itinerary in Granada

To help you visualize your routes during these 2 days in Granada, I’ve created a map listing the places to visit day by day. You can display the legend of the map by clicking on the button at the top left with a little arrow.

This will allow you to view the routes for each day.

Traveling to Granada for 2 Days: Flight Prices

The price of flights to Granada varies a lot, so it’s a good idea to compare them as soon as possible. To do this, you can use our flight comparison tool, in partnership with Skyscanner. It’s the way to ensure you get the best fare.

Now you know how to visit Granada in 2 days!

If you need help organizing your 2-day itinerary in Granada, feel free to ask me your questions in the comments.

Andalusia travel Guides

• Buy the DK Eyewitness Andalusia guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the Lonely Planet Andalusia guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the Rick Steves Snapshot Andalusia guide on Amazon.com

You’re traveling to Andalusia? These articles will help you!

Discover all my articles about Spain: All my articles to help you plan your trip to Spain are listed there.

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• Cadiz: The 12 things you must-see in town!
• Cordoba: Top 15 best things to do and must-see attractions
• Malaga: The 15 best places to visit
• Ronda: The 10 best things to do
• Seville: Top 15 best things to do and places to visit

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