A guide to help take the day trips from Granada and enjoy the nearby attractions.
This majestic city is known for grand examples of medieval architecture dating to the Moorish occupation, especially the Alhambra.
Granada’s location makes this even easier: it only takes an hour to get to the mountains or to get to the beach, meaning you could spend the morning skiing and the afternoon swimming in the Mediterranean.
Here are some of the best day trips from Granada for an unforgettable experience after doing all the things to do in Granada!
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Pssst…??!! You can’t get enough Granada? Have a look at my other posts:
Best Day Trips from Granada
- Ronda: One of the most romantic cities in Andalucia – Get a guided tour here
- Sierra Nevada: Stunning views of villages and forests – Check out guided tours here
- El Caminito del Rey: Aerial path suspended 100 meters above the gorge – Here’s the guided tour
- Seville: Home to the Alhambra and General Life Gardens – Get your guided tour here
- Malaga: The city is an excellent choice for those looking for a big town – Check out more guided tours here
Best Day Trips from Granada
1. Sacromonte Caves
The gypsies created houses by making cave homes on the hill. Sacromonte district owes its fame to these houses.
Originally, it was the Arabs of Spain who discovered that the soft stone of Sacromonte was easy to carve in.
They (Gitanos, Jews, and Muslims) built the caves that later became homes. Lively flamenco dancing performances, along with a Spanish dinner, are offered in these whitewashed caves.
In Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte, ten caves have been recreated as they were 100 years ago, so visitors can learn about the living conditions and trades of its inhabitants.
The visitors will gain an understanding of the culture, history, and natural environment.
A part of the museum is dedicated to nature, offering information about the flora, fauna, climate, landscape, and agriculture of the area.
So, if you’re planning day trips from Granada, the Sacromonte should be top of your list. – Check out the flamenco show at the caves here.
Entry Ticket with Audio Guide in Multilingual
Opening hours: Daily 10:00 am-6:00 pm
Price: 5 euros
2. Sierra Nevada
Sierra Nevada is one of Andalucia’s most fascinating cities. On a day trip from Granada Spain to Sierra Nevada, there is no doubt that you’ll discover beautiful scenic landscapes.
Explore one of the most recognized sites in the Sierra Nevada National Park. It was declared a national park on 14 January 1999.
The Lavaderos de la Reina in the Sierra Nevada is a must-visit as well.
The tour lasts 7 hours and it’s one of the best day trips from Granada, especially during winter months when you can ski as well in Sierra Nevada.
Here are some great restaurants in Sierra Nevada: Alquería de Los Lentos restaurant; Vivac Sierra Nevada; and La Bodeguita Bar.
Taking a bike tour is also a great idea for exploring and you can even join an e-bike tour.
How to get from Granada to Sierra Nevada: by car, via one of the best Spanish road trips in Europe. The journey takes between 30 and 40 minutes.
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3. Nerja
Nerja is worth visiting and is one of the loveliest towns in Andalusia.
It offers visitors plenty of things to see and do and when it comes to day trips from Granada that are a must-do, this city is it.
Nerja is a very relaxing city surrounded by paradisiac beaches. Torrox Costa also has a nice beach and it’s between Malaga and Nerja.
Cueva de Nerja is a nearby cavern with unusual stalactites and stalagmites. It’s also known for its paleolithic paintings, viewable by guided tour.
How to get from Granada to Nerja: you can pay 23 euros for a local driver service
Related article: Unique Things to do in Nerja
4. Alpujarras
Las Alpujarras, as it is popularly known, is a famous region of mountain villages that has a unique mini-ecology.
It is ideal hiking terrain for adventurous travelers and one of the best villages in Andalucia.
Declared a Natural Reserve by UNESCO, it is worth taking day trips from Granada in order to enjoy this city’s wonders.
You can go on hikes that take you through breathtaking unspoiled landscapes and traditional villages.
How to get from Granada to Alpujarras: You can get there by car, bus or taxi. There are no trains.
5. El Caminito del Rey
Declared by the Junta de Andalucía as a Natural Area in 1989, it had already been classified as a Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA) in 1987, and since 2006.
It has been part of the Andalusia-Morocco Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean.
It is a great idea to have a tour guide as El Caminito del Rey is an exciting road that embraces the slope of the mountains and crosses incredible gorges.
The whole pathway is 7 km of walking. We suggest you wear appropriate shoes and have a bottle of water.
The Caminito Del Rey isn’t overly long, and if you’re walking fast, you can complete the hike in around an hour and a half.
This famous attraction, Caminito del Rey, is one of the best day trips from Granada Spain, and it will take you only one hour to get there.
Don’t forget, once you’re on the walkway of Caminito del Rey, there are no toilets or bins, so keep any trash on you until the end of the walk.
How to get from Granada to El Caminito del Rey: The cheapest way to go to Caminito del Rey from Granada is by bus. The company is called ALSA. The departure is from Granada Station.
6. Ronda
A 2 day trip to Ronda will enable you to take in all it has to offer. Ronda is a university city and one of the prettiest white villages in Andalucia.
There are a lot of things to do in Ronda. Garcia Lorca Park is named after one of Granada’s most famous sons, the poet, and dramatist Frederico Garcia Lorca.
The New Town of Ronda (El Mercadillo) is more functional and marginally less picturesque than the Old Town but is still easy on the eyes and retains a relaxed charm.
Start your explorations of Ronda by strolling the park. The walk is beautiful if you visit in the spring when pink and white blossoms cover the trees.
Join a sightseeing walking tour here to make it more fun.
How to get from Granada to Ronda: By car is the fastest (2 h) way to travel from Granada to Ronda.
7. Malaga and Marbella
There are plenty of things to do in Malaga, like discovering an authentic flamenco show at Flamenco Alegría.
See traditional dancing and hear beautiful singing and guitar playing from Málaga with a guided flamenco and tapas tour.
If you’re going on day trips from Granada to Malaga, there are some great stops along the way —Benalmadena, Nerja, Torremolinos, Antequera, and Almunecar.
Malaga is usually listed among the top places to visit in Granada. Marbella is famous for its beautiful beaches, luxury hotels, resorts, and lively nightlife.
For air travel to Marbella, from any Spanish or foreign city, the Pablo Ruiz Picasso International Airport is the best choice.
How to get from Granada to Malaga: It takes 1h 30 minutes to drive from Granada.
There are several daily bus schedules from Granada to Malaga. One can also take a bus from Granada’s bus station to Malaga’s bus station.
Another way to travel from Granada to Malaga is by train. One can take the train from Granada’s train station to Malaga Maria Zambrano.
RENFE offers several day schedules between the two cities and the trip can take up to 1h 20min. – Get a ticket in advance here.
Related articles:
- Best Paella in Malaga
- Hiking Trails near Malaga
- Best Boutique Hotels in Malaga
- Where to stay in Malaga
8. Seville
Seville is one of the most interesting day trips that you can make from Granada.
There are a lot of places to see in Seville. Real Alcazar is a gorgeous complex of the Royal Palace of Seville.
The Alcázar started to be built in the 10th century as a fort and it was revamped many times over the 11 centuries of existence.
There are many things to do in Seville. The Plaza de España is a bombastic place where you can hire row boats to cross the canal. Price: 6 euros (35 minutes).
You can do day trips from Seville to Granada if you are staying in Seville as your base.
How to get from Granada to Seville: the fastest journey time by train from Seville to Granada is 2 hours and 33 minutes.
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9. Almeria
Another one of Granada’s best day trips is the enchanting coastal city of Almeria.
If you go to Granada, you should visit Almeria. It’s a great day trip and you can do unique things in Almeria.
Almeria is home to the only desert in Europe – Tabernas.
Tabernas desert has been the location of hundreds of films, including the Game of Thrones.
How to get from Granada to Almeria: It takes an average of 2h 30m to travel from Granada to Almería by train, over a distance of around 68 miles (109 km).
The first train leaves Granada around 10:00 in the morning. The last departure is usually at 22:15 PM.
Trains are typically more frequent on weekends when we find around 18 departures.
10. Salobreña and the Costa Tropical
It’s really worth going to Salobena. You can buy a Spain tour to visit the Arab Castle or you can go in by yourself. There are very good Spain tours packages!
In addition to the Castle, you can visit the Historical Museum, where you will discover the roots of this town with more than 6,000 years of history.
This is one of the most beautiful villages in Granada’s Costa Tropical. A walk through its steep and narrow streets reveals its Arab past.
Thousands of years ago, the Arab sultans used this castle for the forced ’retirement’ of the members of the Nazari royal family who lost their trust.
How to get from Granada to Salobreña: The quickest way to get from Granada to Salobreña is by taxi. It costs $75 – $95 and takes 44 min.
The cheapest way to get from Granada to Salobreña is to rideshare which costs $6 and takes 1h 10m.
11. Frigiliana
There are many festivals throughout the year. The Three Kings in January, the Carnival in February, and the Fiesta de San Antonio, in June.
Things to see in Frigiliana:
- Cueva de Nerja (there are a series of chambers with impressive stalactites and stalagmites). Opening times: 9 AM to 4:30 PM – 12€
- Nerja Aqueduct (Considered as a historic jewel of Spanish architecture)
- The Garden Restaurant is an excellent option for lunch
How to get from Granada to Frigiliana: The distance from Granada to Frigiliana is approximately 32 miles (51 km).
The quickest way to get from Granada to Frigiliana is getting a taxi, which costs $110 – $140 and takes 1 hour.
12. Montefrío
Visiting Montefrío is an amazing experience as the magnificent Arab fortress and the Church de la Villa boldly sit on top of a rock. This is accompanied by beautiful scenery in the surrounding area.
That is a great trip to Spain. The church of La Villa was built on top of the old fortress between 1486 and 1507.
Montefrío is in the northwest of the province of Granada. There is a direct bus departing from Granada and arriving at Montefrio.
Services depart six times a week and operate Saturday. The journey takes approximately 1h 30m.
Top sights in Montefrío: Mirador del Paseo; Castle of Montefrío; Iglesia de la Villa.
How to get from Granada to Montefrio: The cheapest way to get from Granada to Montefrio costs only €11, and the quickest way takes just 48 min
13. Cadiz
On a day trip in Cadiz, you can see many things. This magnificent baroque and neoclassical cathedral by the southern seaside of Cádiz overlooks its own quaint plaza.
There are tapas bars and ice cream shops with terrace setups around Plaza Catedral, with the imposing landmark in view.
Enjoy a hop-on and hop-off sightseeing tour to enjoy all the best things to do in Cadiz.
Places to go: Mercado Central; Torre Tavira the highest point in the city); Real Plaza de Toros de El Puerto de Santa Maria (a building dating from the 19th century).
How to get from Granada to Cadiz: The direct drive from Granada to Cadiz has 330 km and should take 3 hours 35 minutes.
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14. Cordoba
If you visit Cordoba on day trips from Granada, you will be able to see churches and historical and natural sites.
Cordoba is characterized by its world-famous mosque-cathedral, picturesque Jewish Quarter, and pretty patios.
Córdoba’s beautiful Mezquita, or mosque-cathedral, is clearly the city’s top attraction, the one thing you just must see while in the city.
The Palacio de Viana is a palace museum in the Santa Marina neighborhood of Cordoba, about 15 minutes by foot from the Mezquita.
One of Cordoba’s upper-class families once lived in the palace from the 15th century.
Other things that are worth doing in Cordoba are the ruins at Medina Azahara, the Roman Bridge, and of course, Cordoba’s famous patios.
How to get from Granada to Cordoba: Granada to Cordoba bus services, operated by ALSA, depart from Granada station. – Get tickets in advance here.
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15. Lecrin Valley
Lecrin Valley is usually listed among the top places to visit in Granada. The valley is a group of small villages set amongst a backdrop of olive groves and almond trees.
How to get from Granada to Lecrin Valley: There are 3 ways to go, by bus (40 min), taxi, or car (around 20 min)
16. Antequera
One of the best day trips from Granada by train is Antequera offering a captivating blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.
The city boasts a rich heritage dating back thousands of years, evident in its fascinating ancient sites.
Among its notable attractions are the dolmens, prehistoric megalithic tombs that stand as testaments to Antequera’s ancient past.
Additionally, Antequera is home to Roman ruins, such as the Roman baths and a Roman bridge, further adding to its historical significance.
Antequera is blessed with breathtaking natural landscapes, most notably El Torcal National Park, known for its unique limestone formations, sculpted over millions of years by wind and water erosion.
How to get from Granada to Antequera: The train is the best way and takes about 49 minutes to 1 hour with tickets ranging from €10 to €35.
ALSA operates a bus route between the two cities twice daily with a travel time of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes with tickets ranging from €8 to €13. – Get tickets in advance here.
17. Jaen
Jaen, a historic city, beckons visitors with its rich cultural heritage and gastronomic delights making it one of the best day tours from Granada.
One of its most striking landmarks is the impressive Renaissance cathedral, a masterpiece of Spanish architecture.
It also boasts a well-preserved network of medieval Arab Baths, offering a fascinating glimpse into the city’s Moorish past.
No visit to Jaen would be complete without indulging in its most famous product: olive oil.
Known as the “World Capital of Olive Oil,” Jaen is renowned for producing some of the finest olive oils in Spain, so sample this liquid gold at local olive oil mills and shops.
How to get from Granada to Jaen: You can take a direct bus operated by ALSA. The journey typically lasts about 1 hour and departs frequently throughout the day. – Get tickets in advance here.
Related article: Things to do in Jaen, Spain
18. Guadix
Guadix, a town steeped in history and unique charm is another place to enjoy day trips to Granada.
The fascinating cave dwellings dot the landscape, providing a glimpse into centuries-old traditions of cave dwellings.
Exploring these troglodyte homes offers a fascinating journey into the past, revealing the ingenuity of the residents who carved out their lives in the soft rock formations.
Amidst the labyrinth of cave dwellings stands the stunning Guadix Cathedral, a testament to the town’s rich religious heritage and architectural prowess.
This magnificent Renaissance-style cathedral boasts an imposing facade adorned with intricate carvings and a towering bell tower that dominates the skyline.
How to get from Granada to Guadix: By bus, it takes around 45 minutes and costs €5-€8. Trains depart a few times a day and take about an hour. You can get tickets in advance here.
19. Baza
Visit the ancient town of Baza with its Moorish fortress, Renaissance cathedral, and archaeological sites such as the Dolmen de Baza.
Dominating the skyline is the imposing Moorish fortress, a testament to Baza’s strategic importance throughout the centuries.
At the heart of Baza lies its Renaissance cathedral, a majestic symbol of faith and architectural splendor. It is adorned with elegant facades, intricate carvings, and soaring spires.
Dolmen de Baza, a prehistoric burial monument dating back thousands of years, provides a window into the rituals and beliefs of Baza’s early inhabitants.
It’s truly one of the best day tours from Granada Spain.
How to get from Granada to Baza: There are two main ways by bus or by car. The trip takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes by bus and 1 hour and 3 minutes by car.
20. Motril
Enjoy the beaches, promenades, and seafood restaurants in the coastal town of Motril.
Nestled along the sun-kissed coast of the Costa Tropical, visitors can indulge in its seaside delights and rich cultural heritage.
Beyond its idyllic beaches, Motril offers a taste of Andalusian history and culture in its historic center.
Wander through winding streets lined with whitewashed buildings adorned with colorful flowers, immersing yourself in the town’s timeless charm and architectural beauty.
At the heart of the historic quarter stands the majestic Moorish castle, a testament to Motril’s rich past and strategic significance.
Motril is also renowned for its culinary delights, particularly its fresh seafood making this one of the best day trips from Granada.
How to get from Granada to Motril: By bus takes about 50 minutes to 1 hour and 10 minutes, with buses departing hourly from Granada’s main bus station. – Get tickets in advance here.
Bottom Line on Best day trips from Granada
Granada was rich and affluent during the Arab rule in the Iberian Peninsula and nowadays is a city that more closely resembles an open-air museum.
Another great advantage of visiting Granada is the day trips. You can visit neighboring cities and nearby regions surrounded by history and natural beauty.
If that isn’t enough, it will charm you with the world-famous Alhambra attracting millions of visitors yearly.
You also will have the beautifully preserved historic old town (Albaicin), centuries-old monasteries, authentic flamenco shows in the Sacromonte district, and stunning views anywhere you go.
It’s no secret that day trips from Granada offer gorgeous views, impressive history and culture, and accessibility.
FAQ about Best Day Trips from Granada
Are 3 days in Granada too much?
For 3 days in Granada, you can visit the icons of this city. The Alhambra; Granada Cathedral; Generalife Palace; you can dine on tapas; go to the beach
Can you do a day trip from Granada to Seville?
A full-day excursion from Seville to Granada includes a visit to the Alhambra palace complex.
Tour the Moorish Albaicn neighborhood’s historic salons, courtyards, and pavilions. stroll through flower-scented narrow streets.
How many days in Granada is enough?
If you only plan to spend one day in Granada, the plan for your itinerary might be a little bit more intense than usual.
It is best to spend at least two or three days in Granada.
What are places to visit near Granada, Spain?
Places to visit near Granada Spain you can explore are the historic city of Cordoba with its mesmerizing Mezquita and the coastal city of Malaga, birthplace of Picasso.
What to see around Granada?
Places near Granada you can visit the enchanting Alhambra Palace, the picturesque Alpujarra region, and the stunning Sierra Nevada National Park.
What are the best daytrips from Granada?
The best day trips from Granada include exploring the fascinating Sacromonte Caves, discovering the charming town of Nerja with its stunning beaches, or experiencing the thrilling El Caminito del Rey.
Hola, I’m Paulina! Together with my team, we are passionate about Southern Spain. Here we share all you need to know for great times in Southern Spain with the best places to visit, stay and, of course, the best food to eat.
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