Day Trips from Granada

Granada can fill many days, but if you’re staying a week it’s worth spending a day outside the city. Within one or two hours you’ll find cave-house towns, Renaissance cities, the Mezquita of Córdoba, the mountains and the sea. These are our favourite day trips from the house. Distances and times are approximate and by car; if you don’t drive, check the options in our getting around guides.

Guadix

About 55 km east (around 50 minutes on the motorway), Guadix has one of the largest cave-house quarters in Europe. If you enjoy staying in the Sacromonte, here you’ll see caves on a different scale, with their white chimneys poking out between the hills. It also has a monumental cathedral, an alcazaba of Moorish origin and a very pleasant old town. You can also get there by bus and train.

Montefrío

About 55 km north-west (around an hour), Montefrío is famous for its views: the white village at the foot of a great rock crowned by the Iglesia de la Villa, on top of the old fortress. The best photo is taken from the viewpoints on the road into the village. It’s a quiet place, ideal for a stroll and an unhurried lunch.

Alhama de Granada

About 55 km south-west (around 50 minutes), Alhama de Granada sits on the edge of the tajos, a gorge carved by the river Alhama with the old town right on the brink. There’s a walk along the cliff edge, churches and Moorish remains. The town takes its name from its thermal baths, used since Roman and Moorish times and still running at the spa on the outskirts.

Loja

About 55 km west (around 45 minutes on the A-92), Loja has an alcazaba overlooking the plain and an old town with churches and fountains. Just outside are the Infiernos de Loja, a spot of waterfalls and pools on the river Genil. It pairs well with Alhama or Montefrío on the same day.

Úbeda and Baeza

Over in the province of Jaén, a little under 2 hours away, Úbeda and Baeza are two neighbouring towns declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites for their Renaissance architecture. With their squares, palaces and churches of golden stone, surrounded by a sea of olive trees, you can see both in a long day: they’re only about 10 km apart.

Córdoba

About 2 hours by car, Córdoba is the most ambitious trip, but the Mezquita-Catedral is well worth it. Add the Jewish quarter, the Roman bridge and, in May, the courtyards. The train is comfortable and quicker than driving: check times and fares on the Renfe website and in our guide to the train to Granada.

Mountains and sea

• Sierra Nevada. About 45 minutes away, with skiing in winter and hiking in summer. It’s all in our Sierra Nevada guide.
• The Alpujarra. White villages clinging to the southern side of Sierra Nevada, just over an hour away. We tell you about it in our guide to the Alpujarra.
• The Costa Tropical. Granada’s coastline, with Almuñécar, Salobreña and La Herradura, around an hour away. More in our guide to the Costa Tropical.

Tips

• Set off early. You’ll make the most of the day and, in summer, avoid the midday heat.
• Take a car if you can. For the small villages it’s the most practical option. If you hire one, remember that car access to the neighbourhood is restricted: read arriving by car first, and our guide to car hire in Granada.
• Check monument opening times on the official tourism websites before you go, especially on Mondays and public holidays.