From seeing more of the Alhambra to checking out new off-the-radar sights, there’s a lot to do on a second trip to Granada
Lucky you: you’re heading back to Granada, which might very well be Spain’s most beautiful and spectacular city. But gosh, there’s a lot that makes this Andalucian city so very special, which means you shouldn’t be short on activities for your return. With that in mind, here’s a list of what to see and do on a second trip to lovely Granada.
Take a Day Trip
On a day trip to Seville, visit the Royal Alcazar, which served as a set for Game of Thrones
You’re back in Granada, and while you could spend all of your time there, you could also venture beyond the city by going on a day trip. If you’re keen to escape the big(ish) city and experience a more rural setting, then head to the nearby Alpujarra Mountains, which are packed with beautiful scenery and sweet, small pueblos. On an Alpujarra day trip from Granada, you’ll spy these wanderlust-worthy spots, passing through villages such as Lanjaron, Pampaniera, Bubion and with a lunch in the picture-perfect white village of Capileira.
You could also scope out another big Andalucian city by taking a day trip from Granada to Seville. This zesty southern city is bewitchingly Spanish, featuring its ultra-characteristic white buildings adorned by golden-yellow trim and flower-filled window boxes. While there, make stops at the must-see Seville sights, including the Royal Alcazar (a recent Game of Thrones filming location), the Jewish Quarter, and the giant cathedral especially noted for its sky-high Giralda.
Hot-Air Balloon Ride
See Granada from another angle in hot air balloons.
See the city and surrounding region on a Granada hot-air balloon ride. On this high-altitude excursion, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and escorted out of town, where you’ll float up into the Spanish skies and watch the Granada sunrise over the Sierra Nevada mountains, Alhambra Palace, and neighboring sights such as the Albaicin and Sacromonte neighborhoods. The trip finishes off with breakfast accompanied by sparkling wine.
Parque de las Ciencias
There’s loads to do at the Park of Sciences, including getting up close with butterflies.
All the historic stops are fascinating, sure, but on your second trip, you might want to pay a visit to the Parque de las Ciencias, or the Park of Sciences. Consider this the ultimate playground for learning and discovery via interactive exhibits and sections that span the evolution of the earth, perception as it relates to sound and light, and even a butterfly house. Perhaps the best discovery is the epic view to be seen from the space’s observation tower. Though it isn’t super-centrally located (it requires about a half-hour walk), the journey will be well worth it.
More Alhambra
Revisit the Alhambra to check out the city’s Museum of Fine Arts.
The Alhambra is a lot to take in, so on a second visit plan to get acquainted with a sight that you probably didn’t pay much attention to the first time around: the Museum of Fine Arts. The expansive collection – featuring over 2,000 paintings and sculptures from the 15th to 20th centuries – is situated in the Carlos V Palace, located next to the Nasrid Palace. Meanwhile, take advantage of your visit to the Alhambra to explore it again, because one – even a handful of times – is never enough. Save some time and learn more in the process by joining a skip-the-line tour of the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens.
El Carmen – Fundación Rodriguez Acosta
Visit Fundación Rodriguez Acosta to check out its art and architecture, and also its views
The Alhambra isn’t the only structure that makes its mark on the Granada skyline: so does the Carmen — Rodriguez-Acosta Foundation. Say what? The building (called “carmen,” a type of Granada house), which is located on the same hill as the Alhambra, was built in the early 20th century in order to serve as a studio for its namesake artist, a native granadino. These days, you can visit the dreamy property, beloved for its architecture, ethereal gardens, curious underground caves, and an extensive collection of artwork that ranges from ancient to more modern times.
Granada Charterhouse
Though the Charterhouse appears humble on the outside, the interior is anything but
Granada has another enticing structure up its sleeve, and this one comes in the form of a Carthusian Monastery. Often called the Granada Charterhouse, La Cartuja of Granada was founded in the early 1500s but not actually finished until the 1800s. For that reason, it went through an evolution of styles, starting as medieval and finishing as baroque. As such, once you get past the humble exterior, you’ll find ornate interiors complete with colorful frescoes, gilded detailing and intricate stonework. You might be wondering why you missed this on the first trip. Well, that’s probably because it’s about a 25-minute walk from the center – so be sure to put on some comfy shoes before setting off to see it.
Relax at the Hammam
Relax and explore a little history and culture at the same time with a visit to the hammam.
Step back in time and do a little relaxing by immersing yourself in the old Moorish tradition of enjoying the bathes and getting a massage at a hammam. Though Granada’s hammam, whose structure dates back to the 13th or 14th century, wasn’t used as such during Muslim rule, it is believed that one once existed on this very site. Today’s hammam – a stunning recreation of the ancient ones – consists of all the same features, including various rooms with different-temperature pools (warm, hot and cold) as well as a steam room, and a rest room where you can sip on traditional Arabic mint tea. During an Arabian Baths Experience at Granada’s Hammam, you can explore the complex and its different baths, as well as unwind during a 15- or 30-minute massage. Not a bad way to finish off your second visit to Granada!
- Contributed by Erin Ridley
More Granada: What to See and Do on a Second Trip from Andalucia & Costa del Sol Things to Do