5 ideas for a romantic getaway in Granada

Granada works very well for couples for one practical reason: Everything is nearby and you can get there on foot. The Alhambra, the Albaicín, the Arab baths and the viewpoints can all be visited in a weekend without taking the car.

Five plans, so you need to book in advance and decide when to go.

1. Sunset at the San Nicolás viewpoint

It’s the picture-postcard view of Granada: the Alhambra silhouetted against the Sierra Nevada, its stone taking on a reddish hue as the sun sets. It is in Plaza de San Nicolás, right in the heart of the Albaicín.

And that’s exactly why it fills up. There’s a guitar, people and not much space left on the wall.

Two tips that make all the difference:

• Please arrive 45 minutes early at sunset if you want a front-row seat.
• Or look for an alternative: the San Miguel Bajo Square, just a few minutes away, has lovely views and far fewer people.

2. The Alhambra at a leisurely pace

The big plan – and the one you need to book first. The Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife and its gardens are enough to fill half a long day.

What you need to know first and foremost:

• Book several months in advance. It’s no exaggeration: places are limited and are selling out.
• Entry to the Nasrid Palaces is at a designated time and it’s strict. If you lose it, you won’t be let in.
• Please bring your original national identity card from each person: they ask for it at the checkpoint.

And here’s an idea that’s perfect for couples: the night-time visit. The illuminated Nasrid Palaces, with far fewer visitors and a different temperature. Bookings must be made separately.

Full details at How to visit the Alhambra y how long does it take. For the walk, its legends y its sources.

3. Arab baths: which one to choose

Here, a distinction must be made, because they’re constantly being confused with one another, and they’re different places with different concepts. All three work by prior booking only.

• Hammam Al-Andalus (16 Santa Ana Street). The classic and best-known one: 4.6 with over 6,300 reviews. Steam rooms at different temperatures, a steam bath and tea. The advantage: it’s open from 9.00 am to midnight every day, so you can sort it out after a day’s walking. Tel. +34 958 91 31 25.
• Al-Haram Hammam (25 Santa Paula Street). Highest rating: 4.8. And for couples, it has What you’re looking for: a private room with its own bathroom and sauna, as well as the three communal swimming pools. It is open in the afternoons on weekdays and from midday on Thursdays to Sundays. Tel. +34 858 71 50 34.
• Nazarí Palace Hammam (San Miguel Alta, 41). Smaller and more affordable, with mixed reviews: Some people say that the water isn’t hot enough. Tel. +34 958 60 87 16.

If it’s a special occasion, the private room on the second floor is the most intimate option. If you’re short on time, the first one because of its timetable.

4. Lose yourself in the Albaicín and along the Carrera del Darro

This is the plan that doesn’t need planning. The Albaicín is a labyrinth of cobbled slopes, garden-filled townhouses and hidden squares, A World Heritage Site since 1994.

The route that works:

• The Darro Race, running alongside the river between the Albaicín and the Alhambra. For many, the most beautiful street in the city: stone bridges, the Bañuelo —11th-century Arab baths— and historic façades.
• Continued in the Paseo de los Tristes, with the Alhambra towering above it.
• And from there, uphill, tea shops in the neighbourhood.

Best first thing in the morning or at sunset, when there are no groups.

To finish with: the typical sweets from Granada, of Arabic origin and associated with convent baking. And for dinner, with the Alhambra lit up in front of us, where to eat in Granada.

5. Head up to Sierra Nevada

It’s just a half-hour’s drive and you’ll be in the snow. That’s what makes Granada so special: the city and the high mountains, all in a single day.

• In winter: a ski resort, with courses for beginners if you’ve never skied before. And an affordable alternative: hire a sledge at La Hoya de la Mora, a freely accessible area at the top.
• The rest of the year: walking trails and viewpoints overlooking the Granada plain.

And an option that almost nobody considers: In spring, you can skiing in the morning and visiting the Alhambra in the afternoon. Few cities allow this.

📅 When to go

• Spring (March to June) and autumn (September and October): The best. Perfect weather for a walk and the gardens of the Alhambra at their best.
• Summer: It gets very hot during the day. Visit first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon, and The Alhambra looks much better at night here.
• Winter: The Alhambra with fewer visitors, and the mountains right next to it.

Whatever the season, tickets for the Alhambra must be booked just as far in advance. Places are limited all year round.

Travelling from Málaga

We are a local tour operator based in Málaga with over 50 years’ experience organising trips around Andalusia. If you’re coming from the Costa del Sol, the tour organises transport and —most importantly— the tickets:

The first option includes admission and a guided tour; the second option is to explore the city at your own pace, for those who already have a ticket.

And if you’d like to find out more, Other destinations for a romantic getaway in Andalusia y What to see in Granada.

Frequently asked questions

What can couples do in Granada?

The five best things to do are watching the sunset from the San Nicolás viewpoint, visiting the Alhambra and the Generalife, enjoying a session at an Arab bath, wandering through the Albaicín and along the Carrera del Darro, and heading up to the Sierra Nevada. All of them, except the last one, can be reached on foot from the city centre, which means you can fit them all into a weekend.

What are the best hammams in Granada?

There are three main options, all of which require advance booking. Hammam Al Ándalus, on Calle Santa Ana, is the best known and is open until midnight. Al-Haram Hammam, on Calle Santa Paula, is the highest-rated and offers a private room with its own bathroom and sauna, making it ideal for couples. Hammam Palacio Nazarí, in San Miguel Alta, is more affordable but has received mixed reviews.

Can you visit the Alhambra at night?

Yes. There is a night-time tour of the Nasrid Palaces, which is booked separately from the daytime tour and allows you to explore them whilst they are lit up and with far fewer visitors. It is a particularly good option in summer, when it gets very hot in the middle of the day.

When is the best time for a romantic getaway to Granada?

Spring, from March to June, and autumn, in September and October: mild temperatures perfect for a stroll, and the Alhambra’s gardens at their best. In summer, it’s best to book your visit for first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon, whilst winter offers the advantage of a less crowded Alhambra and the chance to combine a visit to the city with a trip to the snow-capped Sierra Nevada.

Are there any alternatives to the San Nicolás viewpoint?

Yes. The one at San Nicolás is the best known, which is why it gets quite busy before sunset. The little square at San Miguel Bajo, just a few minutes’ walk away in the same neighbourhood, offers good views with far fewer people. If you want a spot on the wall at San Nicolás, you should arrive about forty-five minutes before sunset.

Is it possible to go skiing and visit the Alhambra on the same day?

In spring, yes. The Sierra Nevada is just over half an hour’s drive from the centre of Granada, so it’s possible to go skiing in the morning and visit the city’s historic sites in the afternoon. It’s a combination that very few European cities offer.