What to see in Granada in 2 days?

Granada is a city full of history, art and culture, where every corner has something special to offer, from monuments to viewpoints or unique neighbourhoods. For this reason, we have put together a guide so that you know what to see in Granada in 2 days.

If you're planning a city break in Granada, stay and read our article, we'll show you all the places you should visit!

Granada Cathedral

The first day of our trip to Granada will be spent exploring the city centre, and a visit to the spectacular Cathedral is a must.

This temple was ordered to be built by the Catholic Monarchs after the reconquest of the city and is one of the most important works of the Spanish Renaissance. Important figures such as Enrique Egas, Diego de Siloé, Juan de Maeda and Alonso Cano took part in its construction.

Inside, you will be amazed by all the elements that make it up, such as its impressive vaults, the luminosity it receives thanks to its large windows, the majesty of its columns and organs and the great high altar in the form of an isolated block.

It should also be noted that this site has more than 15 chapels, holds the mortal remains of Alonso Cano and Mariana Pineda and displays a replica of the Virgen de la Antigua, brought by the Catholic Monarchs to accompany the Christian armies in the reconquest of the city.

With regard to its façade, we can see a contrast of light and shadow as a result of the different tones of its stone and marble. Its bell tower reaches 57 metres and is divided into three sections, each with a different architectural order.

Royal Chapel

Next to the Cathedral of Granada we find the Royal Chapel, where the Catholic Monarchs are buried. It also contains the tomb of their grandson Miguel de la Paz and their daughter Juana together with her husband Felipe.

It was built between 1505 and 1517, making it one of the best examples of late Gothic architecture. Its great main altarpiece, the work of Felipe Bigarny, is one of the first and largest Plateresque altarpieces carved in Spain.

Inside the church we are also surprised by its grilles and sculptures, as well as the sacristy-museum where part of the legacy of Isabella and Ferdinand is kept. Here we find objects as valuable as the crown and sceptre of the queen and the king's sword, as well as countless articles of goldsmith's work, textiles and paintings belonging to the Catholic Monarchs.

Monastery of San Jerónimo

We continue our first day in Granada by visiting the Monastery of San Jerónimo, as it was the first Catholic monastery to be built in the city after the reconquest.

Many people have praised the beauty of this monument for the spectacular mural paintings that cover its church, the tranquillity of its cloisters and the characteristics of the rooms used by the monks in their daily life.

It is worth noting that the wife of the Gran Capitán decided that this monument would be a family pantheon, so this key Spanish soldier in the army of the Catholic Monarchs was buried here, along with other members of his family.

Likewise, the Empress Isabella lived in one of the cloisters of the monastery after marrying Charles V, becoming pregnant in this beautiful place with her first-born son.

Albaicín neighbourhood

You cannot travel to Granada without visiting the Albaicín, one of the oldest quarters of the city and known for its beautiful alleyways and views of the Alhambra.

It has references to all the historical periods of the city, from the Phoenicians to the Arabs, and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984.

Its cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, the smell of jasmine and the colour of bougainvillea make a stroll through this neighbourhood a real luxury.

Tower of San Nicolás

As we are in the Albaicín, we recommend climbing the tower of the Church of San Nicolás, where you can enjoy the best views of the city without the crowds and bustle of people.

This temple is one of the first Mudejar churches in Granada and has had to undergo several restorations after suffering incidents such as a lightning strike or fire. It has also included artistic decoration in its interior.

Bill Clinton said that he had witnessed the most beautiful sunset in the world from this viewpoint. And no wonder, since we can see the whole of Granada with the Alhambra and Sierra Nevada in the background.

Sacromonte neighbourhood

For the second day of your visit to Granada, we recommend you to visit another of the most particular neighbourhoods of the city. It is undeniable that Sacromonte is emblematic, standing out for its cave houses, its location and its history.

It preserves the flamenco duende in its purest form, as in its beginnings, there was a combination of gypsy and Moorish culture. This gave rise to the zambras, world-famous dances that originated in Granada's Sacromonte.

Sacromonte Abbey

When visiting the Sacromonte neighbourhood, you are sure to be struck by its abbey, another of the city's most remarkable monuments and one that should be included in our guide on what to see in Granada in 2 days.

It was built after the remains of Saint Cecilius, patron saint of the city and martyr, were found along with a series of lead plates known as leaden books, which contained symbols and writings in Latin and Arabic.

This discovery caused many people to make pilgrimages to the site, and the decision was taken to build the Sacromonte Abbey.

Inside this monument you can access the Holy Caves, where you can see numerous chapels and remarkable elements such as the cross of San Juan de Dios. There are also the remains of the disciples of San Cecilio.

The Abbey complex also consists of its courtyards, a museum with remarkable documentary and artistic pieces, such as the portrait of Francisco Saavedra painted by Goya and the 17th century college.

Cartuja Monastery of Granada

Finally, to know everything about what to see in Granada in 2 days, we could not forget to mention the Monasterio de la Cartuja de Granada.

Its construction took up to 3 centuries to be completed, which has resulted in the convergence of several architectural styles. Moreover, from the 15th century until 1835 it was inhabited by the Carthusian monks.

Although its exterior has a sober appearance, the great surprise is received on entering the interior, with a church that has beautiful paintings and statues. Special mention should also be made of its sacristy and tabernacle, considered true jewels of art.

Why buy our Combined Ticket?

As you have seen throughout this article on what to see in Granada in 2 days, the city has an endless number of places to visit, giving you the opportunity to enjoy a unique getaway that you won't forget.

If you would like to visit the most important monuments of the city or take a tour, you can buy your tickets on the official website of the Archdiocese of Granada.

Let the city of Granada surprise you and envelop you with its charm!