The Ultimate Day Trip From Malaga to Granada
Is a day trip from Malaga to Granada worth it? My answer is yes.
I’ve travelled many times from Malaga to Granada. Although I’d spend more than a day there, it’s possible to see and experience some of the highlights of this charming city – its main monuments and historical buildings, tapas culture and lively atmosphere.
On top of this, the day trip from Malaga to Granada is very easy to go on as there are many transport options, and regardless of which one you take, it won’t take long to get there.
In this blog, you’ll discover how to travel from Malaga to Granada, the best things to do in Granada in one day, traditional food you may want to try and accommodation options if you decide to stay longer in this beautiful Andalusian city.
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How to get from Malaga to Granada
Travelling from Malaga to Granada is simple, whether you choose to drive there, take public transport or take a guided tour.
Here is a list of the different ways to get to Granada, from the quickest to the slowest option.
How to travel from Malaga to Granada by train
The train is one of the most convenient travel options from Malaga to Granada. Take the train from Estación de Málaga-María Zambrano, which is only a 20-minute walk from Larios Street.
The average train journey is 1 hour and 10 minutes, but bear in mind that there are only four services per day.
🚉 Check out train fares with Omio here
How to travel from Malaga to Granada by car
Travelling by car to Granada isn’t necessary as many public transport options are available, and some are faster than driving.
However, travelling by car to Granada is a good option if you would like to make some stops, visit nearby towns on the way from Malaga to Granada, and avoid relying on timetables and unexpected delays.
The average drive from Malaga to Granada is 1 hour and 35 minutes.
🚗 Don’t own a car in Spain? Rent a car with Discover Cars.
How to travel from Malaga to Granada by bus
Head to Estación de Autobuses de Málaga, Malaga’s coach station, to travel from Malaga to Granada by bus. ALSA buses take you approximately from Malaga to Granada in 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Having travelled by bus a few times, I can say that ALSA buses are comfortable and have air conditioning on board, which is essential during the summer months.
An advantage of taking the bus instead of other means of transport is that you can often find very economical prices.
🚍 Check out cheap bus fares with Omio here
Take a guided tour from Malaga to Granada
Another great way to go from Malaga to Granada is by taking a guided tour.
This is for you if you love learning as much as possible from the places and attractions, and don’t want the hassle of figuring out where things are and how to get to places.
Many day tours from Malaga only include visiting The Alhambra since you can easily spend half a day, but if that’s the only place you’d like to visit during your time in Granada, then this guided tour is perfect for you.
📌 Check out this 8-hour tour from Malaga to Granada
How to spend one day in Granada
Spending one day in Granada isn’t enough time to visit everything, especially if you go to the Alhambra Palace, which you don’t really want to miss.
However, if you have limited time, it’s still worth visiting the city in one day and seeing one of Andalusia’s most beautiful historical buildings.
Here’s a list of must-see attractions in Granada you can realistically visit on a Malaga to Granada day trip.
1. Visit the Alhambra Palace
If there’s something that you can’t really miss during your trip to Granada, it’s the Alhambra. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is Andalucia and Spain’s most beautiful Moorish masterpiece.
Compared to other fortress palaces in Spain, the Alhambra is a complex with numerous palaces, gardens, courtyards and much more.
Learning about the Alhambra and how this palace changed over the years is very interesting.
A few parts of the building were built before the Muslims conquered Spain, but the Alhambra was rebuilt by Mohammed ben Al-Ahamar, the Emirate of Granada, in the middle of the 13th century. The palace went from being a military base to a royal residence.
It’s mesmerising to walk through the different parts of the Alhambra. Its detailed Moorish architecture and excellent panoramic views of Granada make it a very special place to visit.
It’s one of the most visited monuments in Spain, so my top recommendation is to book in advance to secure your spot. You can book your tickets through their website or Get Your Guide.
If you’re wondering whether you can turn up and get tickets, the chances are very low. There are some people who don’t book tickets and go really early (trying to be the first ones) to get in, but this doesn’t guarantee entry to the palace.
2. Check out Generalife Palace and Gardens
Don’t miss the opportunity to check out Generalife Gardens and Palace within the Alhambra.
Generalife Palace was the recreational house of the sultans of Granada, and it’s here where you’ll find beautiful lush green gardens with bright flowers, fountains and pebbled paths.
Visiting Generalife and the gardens can take up to an hour, but it’s a great place to relax and enjoy the beauty of this area.
📌 Insider Tip: Consider the time of entry to the Nasrid Palaces before heading to Generalife. You also need to respect the time of your visit (morning or afternoon).
3. Learn about Granada Cathedral
The Cathedral of Granada is another historical building that you need to add to your list.
The cathedral was built upon the site of the Great Mosque, and its construction was a work that took many years, from 1523 to 1704.
Nowadays, you can appreciate the beautiful architecture of this building as well as many artistic innovations, most of which come from Italian Renaissance art and architecture.
There is an entry fee of 7 euros, which includes an audioguide, and children under 12 years old can enter for free.
4. Wander the streets of Albaicín
Wandering around the neighbourhood of Albaicín, also written as Albayzín, is an experience.
This historical area has beautiful narrow winding streets and many places of interest, like the City walls of the Zirid Taifa, Puerta de la Moneita, a medieval city gate, and many churches.
Once you’ve seen some of these attractions, head to Calderería Street, a street full of souvenir shops with unique gifts and tea houses to enjoy a Moroccan mint tea or a sweet.
Walking on this street, you’ll feel like you’re going back in time to the Moorish period in Granada.
5. Enjoy the sunset and live flamenco at Mirador de San Nicolás
Mirador de San Nicolás is an incredible viewpoint in Granada and the Alhambra. This is the perfect place to finish your day trip in Granada, as there’s no better location to watch the sunset.
In addition to the beautiful warm colours of the sunset and views, the viewpoint is very lively as there are many people around, and locals often play flamenco.
It gets very busy then, so it isn’t for everyone. I also advise you to keep an eye on your belongings.
Do you have more time in Granada? Then check out these activities:
6. Watch a live flamenco show
Watching a live flamenco show is an experience that ticks off a box on your Spain bucket list. Although you can do this in different cities across Andalusia, Granada and Sevilla are some of the best cities to experience it.
The most popular place to watch a flamenco show is Sacromonte. However, Tablao la Soleá and Tablao Flamenco la Alboreá are great places, too.
7. Visit the Sacromonte Caves Museum
An interesting activity for culture lovers is visiting the Sacromonte Caves Museums, located in the neighbourhood of Sacromonte, not very far from Albaicín.
This ethnographic museum shows you how life used to be in this unique neighbourhood. Walk in 10 different caves that recreate how they were 100 years ago. The caves take you back in time, and you’ll learn about its inhabitants’ living conditions and trades.
See kitchen utensils, beautiful rustic decorations and other objects used at the time, and incredible views of the Alhambra and Darro Valley.
If you visit the Sacromonte Caves Museum in the summer, you’ll have the chance to experience a live flamenco show or go to their summer cinema.
There’s an entry fee of 5 euros, and you can take the C2 bus to Camino del Sacromonte to reach the site.
8. Relax in the Arabic Baths
If you have plenty of time in Granada and are up for a relaxing experience, go to Hammam Al Andalus Granada.
These Arab Baths offer the ultimate relaxation with a combination of cold and warm pools, sauna, massages, treatments and Moroccan tea.
Not only is it the best place to disconnect, but the Moorish architecture is mesmerising.
📌 Insider tip: If you don’t have time to visit these Arabic Baths during your trip to Granada, check out these Arabic Baths in Malaga. I absolutely loved my visit there.
Map of Granada with must-see locations
Click on the map below to open it in Google Maps. You can access directions to each of the locations mentioned in this article.
What to eat in Granada
In between your activities, grab some authentic Andalusian traditional food by visiting the tapas bars, restaurants or bakeries.
If you aren’t sure about the traditional dishes in Granada, these are some you may want to try:
Plato alpujarreño
This is a traditional dish in La Alpujarra, a historical region situated between Almeria and Granada.
The dish consists of patatas a lo pobre (Poor Man’s Potatoes in English), serrano ham, black pudding, sausage and fried eggs, so if you’re hungry or fancy something hearty, this is the perfect meal for you.
Patatas a lo pobre
Patatas a lo pobre, whose name is translated as Poor Man’s Potatoes, is a delicious side dish that consists of sliced fried potatoes, onions, peppers, garlic and parsley.
It can also be a main dish since it’s quite filling, and you can add a fried egg on top.
Habas con jamón
Habas con jamón consists of broad beans fried together with Spanish ham cubes and spring onions. It’s a simple but delicious recipe.
This dish is often served as a tapa or as a side along with a meat or fish dish.
Remojón granadino
One of the most popular traditional dishes in Granada is Remojón granadino, a dish which originated during the Moorish period in Southern Spain.
It’s a salad made with salted cod, oranges, black olives, hard-boiled eggs, onions, olive oil, salt and pepper.
This refreshing and light dish is especially eaten during the summer months, but you can find it all year round because it’s said that the vitamin C of oranges are ideal for combating a cold.
Piononos
Do you have a sweet tooth? You’ll love piononos, a small cake in the shape of a cylinder with custard and sweet syrup on top.
My favourite place to eat piononos is Ysla Bakery. Not only do they have mouthwatering piononos, but also other sweet pastries and cakes!
Restaurant and bar recommendations
Los Manueles Reyes Católicos
One of the best places to enjoy tapas with a tinto de verano, wine or soft drink is Los Manueles Reyes Catolicos.
My partner and I enjoyed the paella-style rice and huevos rotos, a dish made with potatoes, eggs, and Iberian ham. The food was delicious, and the service was quick.
I recommend going as early as it opens to get a seat, as it gets very crowded.
📍 Address: Reyes Católicos, 61, Centro, 18010 Granada
Restaurante Chikito
If you’re looking for a restaurant rather than a tapas bar, Restaurante Chikito is the go-to.
Located in the heart of Granada, this lovely restaurant offers authentic traditional food.
You’ll be able to enjoy some of the dishes I’ve mentioned above, like broad beans with Serrano ham and Granada orange and cod salad.
The restaurant also has an alfresco terrace where you can enjoy your meal on a summer evening.
📍 Address: Pl. del Campillo, Nº9, 18009 Granada, Spain
Casa Ysla
Whether you’re looking for somewhere to have breakfast or a sweet bite, you won’t regret going to Casa Ysla.
Have a milkshake, coffee or tea with a delicious pastry or cake. Here you can try the famous piononos or other Andalusian cakes.
📍 Address: Reyes Católicos, 57, 18010 Granada, Spain
Where to stay in Granada
Finding the right accommodation is key if you’re staying longer than a day in Granada and want to make the most of your time there.
The best place to stay in Granada for a short stay is in El Centro, the city centre, since you’ll be within walking distance of most attractions and not very far from the Alhambra.
Although this area is unexpectedly more expensive than others, you can still find good deals, especially during off-peak season.
These are my two hotel recommendations:
- Hotel Casa 1800 Granada – My partner and I stayed there for his birthday, and we really enjoyed the cosy room, beautiful courtyard, complimentary afternoon tea and overall atmosphere. The location is also great! It’s a short walk from the main attractions and restaurants. Check out availability and prices here.
- Hospes Palacio de los Patos Hotel is set in a 19th-century palace very close to the Cathedral of Granada. The hotel offers spacious rooms and suites with everything you need (air conditioning, free WiFi, and a private bathroom with a hairdryer, bathrobe and slippers. The hotel also has an on-site restaurant where you can enjoy healthy and traditional dishes from Granada and a spa. Check out availability and prices here.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Granada in one day
When is the best time to visit Granada?
The best time to visit Granada is spring, as the temperature is pleasant (not too cold or hot), days become longer, and the flowers blossom. Winter and autumn are good for sightseeing, too; however, avoid summer. The temperature reaches 40 degrees in the summer, making it very difficult to wander around the city.
Do you need a car in Granada?
No, you don’t need a car in Granada. The city centre is very walkable, but it’s good to know that there are some hills, such as the one that leads you to the Alhambra. For this, you can use public transport as it’s very affordable and convenient.
If you plan to visit other places near Granada, then you need a car, as not all the places you may want to visit can be accessed by public transport, or the public transport timetables are limited.
Renting a car to travel outside Granada is the best option for enjoying the freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want.
Conclusion on a day trip from Malaga to Granada
Is it possible to visit Granada in a day? Yes, it is. One day in Granada is ideal for visiting its main attractions and enjoying the lively atmosphere of this city.
Other excursions and days out you may want to consider are a day trip to Seville from Malaga and a day trip from Malaga to Cordoba. These two Andalusian cities have plenty to offer, from beautiful Andalusian courtyards to cathedrals and other historic buildings.
Safe adventures!
Cristina x
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Things to do before visiting Granada
- Check out cheap flights to Granada with Skyscanner here.
- Book the best accommodation for you with Booking.com.
- Rent a car to travel with ease around Spain.
- Are you looking for other Andalucian cities to visit? Have a look at this travel guide about the most beautiful cities and towns in Andalucia.
- Book travel insurance, this is a must for any trip!
Other travel guides about Granada
- Granada or Seville: Which City is Best to Visit?
- How Many Days in Granada Should I Spend?
- Is Granada Worth Visiting?
- Pampaneira, Granada: A Guide to the Alpujarra’s Pretty Town
- Soportujar, Granada: Ultimate Guide to the Haunted Village
- Fun Things to Do in Almuñecar With Insider Tips
- Unmissable Things to Do in Salobreña
I would love to spend an afternoon in the spring wandering around the gardens at the palace when all the flowers are starting to bloom. Great guide!