One Day in Granada from costa tropical – With or Without Alhambra Tickets
Just around a one-hour drive from the sunny beaches of Almuñécar and La Herradura (15 minutes more) on Spain’s Costa Tropical, Granada is one of Andalusia’s most beautiful and fascinating cities.
Whether you come for the majestic Alhambra, or simply to wander through its historic streets, Granada is the perfect day trip from Costa Tropical.
In this guide, we share two versions of a perfect day:
- One with Alhambra tickets, and
- One without tickets (based on our own recent experience).
Both include a magical afternoon in Sacromonte, famous for its cave houses and flamenco.
🕖 Getting There and Parking
Leave Almuñécar early, around 7:00 a.m., to make the most of your day.
The drive to Granada takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes via the A-44 motorway.
It’s best to leave your car for the whole day at the Alhambra parking.
It’s safe, shaded, and perfectly located — you can easily reach the city center or Sacromonte using local buses (lines 34 and 35) that run every 10 minutes.
You can pay directly on the bus by card or cash.
👉 Alhambra parking information
OPTION A – Granada with Alhambra Tickets
Morning – The Alhambra Palace
Start your day exploring the Alhambra, Granada’s most iconic monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visit the Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife Gardens, and the Alcazaba fortress for breathtaking views over the city and the Sierra Nevada mountains.
🎟 Book tickets in advance (I mean 4-5 WEEKS! ) – they sell out quickly:
👉 Official Alhambra Ticket Website
Allow at least 3 hours for the full visit. Bring comfortable shoes and water — it’s a large complex with uneven paths.
Lunch – Tapas with Alhambra Views
After your visit, take the scenic path down to the Albaicín quarter.
Stop for lunch at one of the traditional “Carmen” restaurants with views of the Alhambra:
- Carmen de Aben Humeya – romantic terrace and local food
- Mirador de Morayma – classic Granada tapas and Alhambra panorama
OPTION B – No Tickets? Discover Granada Beyond the Alhambra
When we arrived in Granada early one morning, even at 8:15 a.m. there were no more Alhambra tickets available.
So we spent the day discovering Granada without entering the palace, and it turned out to be unforgettable.
Morning – Walk Around the Alhambra Walls
From the parking area, walk downhill past Restaurante La Mimbre and follow the peaceful path below the Alhambra walls, along Cuesta de los Chinos.
It’s a beautiful route surrounded by nature, offering great views of the palace towers and walls.
Visit the Archaeological Museum
Around 9:00 a.m., we visited the Archaeological Museum of Granada, located in the Albaicín district.
Entry is free for EU citizens, and the collection gives a fascinating look into Granada’s Moorish and Roman past.
Explore Granada’s Christian Heritage
Next, we walked through the city center to visit three major monuments:
- Granada Cathedral (Catedral de la Encarnación)
- Royal Chapel (Capilla Real) – the burial place of the Catholic Monarchs
- Monastery of San Jerónimo (Real Monasterio de San Jerónimo)
It’s best to buy a combined ticket that includes all three — it’s cheaper than buying them separately (discounts up to 20%).
You can purchase it easily online here:
👉 ticketsgranadacristiana.com
After the visits, enjoy coffee and churros at a local café, then have lunch at Palacio Andaluz, a lovely restaurant with a traditional Andalusian patio.
Shared Afternoon – Sacromonte and Flamenco
Museo de las Cuevas del Sacromonte
After lunch, take bus 34 from the city center to Sacromonte, the historic hill famous for its cave houses and gypsy culture.
Visit the Museo de las Cuevas del Sacromonte to learn about traditional cave living and enjoy panoramic views over the Alhambra and the city.
Evening – Flamenco in a Cave
Stay in Sacromonte for the evening to experience a flamenco performance inside a cave — an unforgettable cultural experience full of emotion, rhythm, and history.
You can book shows in advance here:
💃 Flamenco Shows in Granada
After the show, take bus 34 or 35 back to the Alhambra parking.
Practical Tips for the Day
- Do not drive through the old town or Sacromonte — streets are extremely narrow and steep.
- Use local buses — frequent, cheap, and easy to pay by card or cash.
- Wear comfortable shoes — expect a lot of walking and some uphill paths.
- Bring water and sun protection, especially in summer months.
- Download Google Maps offline before your trip — GPS works even without data.
Useful Links
