Malaga is one of the highly preferred locations for tourists and mainly because of the rich history associated with it. The city of Pablo Picasso has created its fandom with this factor and many others.
If you are looking for a day trip from Malaga, visiting Granada would be the perfect option. Granada is a city full of hope and beauty alongwith many things that can be done. This charming city in Andalucía is loaded with marvels and interesting infrastructures, the tapas culture is quite evident and that is why Granada is definitely an interesting destination to visit.
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Things to do in Granada in one day
Table of Contents
Planning Your Trip
We use the below booking platforms to plan our trips. We hope you find them useful too!
Where to Stay during your Malaga Trip
There is a wide range of accommodations available during your Malaga Trip, so you will not be short on options. Book your stay in the box below.
Alhambra
The mysterious city of Alhambra attracts globetrotters every year and presents them with the best it could. Alhambra literally translates to the ‘The Red Castle’ and that is why one of the magnetic attractions here is the castle itself.
Considered by many, the palace resembles a love letter to the Moorish culture. This Islamic palace has its own version of history. As per the legends, the palace was built to be a walled citadel. But, with time it became the opulent seat of Granada’s Nasrid emirs.
The stunning architecture showcases some of the carefully done and beautiful stonework. The palace has played its role in building the history of this place. As per history, there is still commotion of its first presence but it is debated to be between Roman times and the 9th century. But it is also believed that few parts of the building were built before the Muslims conquered Spain. Also, another fact states that the Alhambra was rebuilt by Mohammed ben Al-Ahamar, the Emirate of Granada, during the middle of the 13th century. The palace eventually turned into a royal residence after being an army base for a long time.
The beauty attracts a huge lot of tourists every year and that is why it has become one of the best things to do in Granada in one day.
Granada Cathedral
One of the historical spots that need to be included in your Malaga To Granada Day Trip is a visit to the magnificent Granada Cathedral.
The marvel is a hotspot for history freaks and those who have a fire enraging in them to unfold each historical infrastructure possible in the world. When the cathedral was built, it included a long waiting time, approximately from 1523 to 1704. It is believed that the cathedral was built upon the site of the Great Mosque and is supposed to hold stained glass windows, a grand altar, artistic innovations that come from Italian Renaissance art and architecture, and multiple side chapels.
Standing tall and giving grandeur vibes, the cathedral has managed to house tourists each year. Be sure to pay a visit to this amazing marvel.
Pro tip: A total fee of 5 euros is contributed wherein an audioguide is included. Entry for children under 12 years is free.
Albaicín
If you wish to include a visit to one of the UNESCO sites in the world, try paying a visit to Albaicín.
Albaicín or Albayzín is a district of Granada and is considered to be as old as the 11th century. It is believed that this Muslim construction might have been next to the river Darro, which passes through the city.
While cruising on different locations during your Malaga To Granada Day Trip, your presence at Albaicín is much more than mere luck. This city is filled with breathtaking narrow lanes which lead you from one historical chapter to another, making you more interested in the history of this magnificent destination.
Apart from the interesting lanes, the city offers a lot more like the City walls of the Zirid Taifa, Puerta de la Moneita, a medieval city gate, and many churches.
After the exploring and investigating tours, you might want to take home a souvenir to remember this place by. If you feel so, you can simply head to Calderería street. This location hosts lanes full of souvenir shops with unique gifts and tea houses to enjoy local beverages and food.
Mirador de San Nicolás
If you wish to bask in warm sunsets and look at breathtaking views, then visiting Mirador de San Nicolás would be the right choice.
Perhaps one of the most famous stops, The Mirador de San Nicolás is a viewing point in the historic Albaicín neighbourhood of the Spanish city of Granada, in Andalusia. Famous for the views of sunsets from here have already grabbed enough attention but there is more than that. There can be so much more seen from here like the Alhambra Complex and its gardens, with the Sierra Nevada as the backdrop, the Generalife on the left and the Palacio Nazaríes and the Alcazaba on the right. Also, of the Nasrid palaces, the Torre del Peinador de la Reina is prominent and visible clearly from this point.
Mirador de San Nicolás is considered one of the turning points in the Malaga To Granada Day Trip and nothing defies this notion.
Sacromonte Caves Museum
If you have heard about the traditional Spanish dance- flamenco, you might be interested in knowing that Sacromonte Caves are the sole region of its existence.
As per the historical legends, Sacromonte is the birthplace of Spanish flamenco, a dance created by Spain’s gitano, or Romani, community.
Dedicated to the Sacromonte tribes, Sacromonte Caves Museum was established. Located in the Barranco de los Negros, in the Sacromonte district, it offers stunning views of the Alhambra and the Darro Valley (Valparaiso) and gives a subtle glimpse of the time that has managed to pass and show its impact.
The basic idea behind establishing such a museum was to let people become aware of the history, culture and nature of such a unique neighbourhood in Granada. One of the major reasons to include it in your Malaga To Granada Day Trip.
There are a total of 10 different caves, designed as they might have been 100 years ago. The idea behind such recreation was to let people understand the living conditions then fighting within their own restrictions at that time.
Pro Tip: The entry fee is 5 euros but differs if you go as a group, engage in Guided tours or enjoy Walking tours.
Food Trail
One of the essential tips to enjoy any trip is to get a taste of the food. If you wish to enjoy your Malaga To Granada Day Trip to the fullest, indulge in a food trail that covers every little aspect of the grand tour.
When in Granada, you can devour some local favourites as well as some global favourites. You can easily spot tourist favourite restaurants and food stops as there will as be groups of globetrotters relishing lip-smacking food and thirst-satisfying beverages!
Before You Leave for Malaga
Before you set off on your way, there are a number of things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey. These include what to pack, where to stay and what is the best insurance for your trip to Southern Spain. All of this is discussed in detail below.
How to Get to Malaga and Granada
Getting to Malaga and Granada, two captivating cities in the Andalusian region of Spain, can be easily achieved through various transportation options. The most convenient way to reach both cities is by flying into Malaga Costa del Sol Airport (AGP), which is well-connected to major cities in Europe and beyond. From the airport, you can take a direct train or bus to Granada, with the journey taking approximately 2-3 hours. Additionally, there are train connections available between Malaga and Granada, providing a comfortable and hassle-free travel experience. Regardless of the mode of transportation you choose, both Malaga and Granada are easily accessible, ensuring a memorable and immersive journey through stunning southern Spain.
Where to Stay in Malaga
There is a wide range of accommodations available in Malaga, so you will not be short on options. Here are our top suggestions for the best places to stay in Malaga for any budget.
Luxury –Only YOU Hotel Málaga is a luxury hotel in the city centre of Malaga. The hotel has a restaurant and an outdoor swimming pool and a bar with fantastic views. All rooms are air-conditioned with wifi and a coffee machine.
Book your stay at Only YOU Hotel Málaga here.
Mid-Range – When you visit Malaga, how about staying at AC Hotel Málaga Palacio by Marriott, a beautiful hotel in the city centre of Malaga. The hotel has a rooftop pool with views over the port, as well as a gym and free wifi.
Book your stay at AC Hotel Málaga Palacio by Marriott here.
Budget – We recently stayed at AAC Málaga – Con luz propia, amplio y nuevo! , a beautiful self-catering apartment in the city centre. The apartment is very spacious with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, a large balcony, a kitchen and a washing machine. Located a 15-minute walk from the city centre.
Book your stay at AAC Málaga – Con luz propia, amplio y nuevo!here.
What to Pack for Your Southern Spain Trip
What you need to pack for Southern Spain will rely highly on when you make your trip there. During the Spring and Autumn months, temperatures and weather patterns vary wildly between beautiful sunny skies and rainy days. During the Summer, you are pretty much guaranteed nice weather with temperatures ranging from 20-35 oC. The hottest months are July and August, so these will be the most popular for a Summer holiday.
During the winter months in Malaga, the rain will become more frequent and the temperatures will drop to between 10-20 oc. If you need more inspiration on what to pack for your trip, check out our full packing guides for all-weather conditions over here.
When it comes to toiletries, we recommend that you don’t forget to pack sunscreen. The sun in Malaga is very strong, especially during the summer months. Apply a lot of sun cream regularly to prevent a nasty burn from ruining your trip. We use this specific sunscreen to protect us as it is not as oily and irritating as other sunscreens.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you will see in Malaga, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
What is the Best Travel Insurance for Spain
I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
So there you have it, your Malaga To Granada Day Trip Guide. If you are visiting this incredible city and have any other questions on what to expect, leave us a comment down below. We love to chat about this stuff! Let us know in the comments below!
Also, remember to share this with your friends and family that you are going to share this amazing experience with. Sharing is caring and we want to ensure that everyone is fully prepared to maximise their experience completing this stunning walk.
If you are planning a Spain trip soon then check out our other Spanish content right here. Come and find us on social media to see where we are currently exploring. Tag us in your photos from your stay and we will share them with the rest of our community of explorers and backpackers.
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