What NOT to Do in Granada, Spain

[@joostverra9130]

Me and my girlfriend were here last winter, and one of our highlights of the trip was an unexpected one. On a freezing weekday we spontaniously decided to go a hammam (turkish baths and massage) called Al Andalus and the whole experience was amazing! The baths were beautifully built like they we're 500 years old, there were candles and scents everywhere and the whole atmosphere was just extremely relaxing. It felt like stepping back in time. The people working there we're so nice and professional and the massage afterwards was the cherry on top. We liked it so much we went again a few days later but at the Malaga location. Unfortunately here we felt rushed and the people working there were not so nice. Perhaps because of all the drunk tourists in that city. But 1000% recommend the one in Granada to anyone who needs to wind down and relax! Especially on a cold winters night. 😉

[@alexpervanoglu7420]

The Baths of Hammam Al Ándalus were built in the 13 century, this is why they looked old to you. Glad you enjoyed your visit here in Granada and Andalucia in general. It's beautiful here. All the best from La Alpujarras.

[@BinishAhmed-e4l]

❤❤

[@tamaramadelin4831]

We went to Granada and LOVED it all...But, the Mirador San Nicolás is not to be missed and we discovered it only by chance! We loved the freestyle music and dancing!! Tapas every evening and it's a must!!

[@cgr4817]

Another place worth visiting in Granada is the "Monasterio de la Cartuja". Totally recommended and not very crowded.

[@JuanWayTrips]

Hot take: the Alhambra and the Nasrid Palace might be the most beautiful palace in Europe.

[@lauramartin-bk9nr]

The Royal Palace in Madrid is the largest in Europe, and the Palaces of Aranjuez and La Granja are beautiful.

[@IhtishamNawaz-o1t]

Beautiful❤

[@franciscopc4279]

Here's another tip about the Alhambra and Mirador de San Nicolás: don't go there in the centrals hours of the day. Instead, wait until the sun is about to set, when the temperatures are less suffocating, and you'll see possibly the most beautiful sunset ever.

[@anthonyhind1308]

Visited Granada in March last year.It's amazing, from the Alhambra, the Albacin neighbourhood,Sacromonte Abadia and caves,the food,and the people.I also love Lorca,so to visit his house and the Lorca Centre to see his handwritten poems and drawings was brilliant.I went to see the Civil War execution wall by the cemetery which I found quite moving.

[@MarkDarnell-cq2wy]

Yes...LORCA! He is seldom mentioned in travel videos! - possibly, THE Greatest Poet of the Spanish-speaking World!!!

[@Karetvv]

Studied abroad there and yes so chill! Supposedly the enchantment is if you went once you'll go again, hopefully, because I loved it!

[@bclement85]

Spot on as always! Spent a few days in Granada a year ago (between Seville and Madrid), and loved it! I can’t emphasize enough that you need your passport at the Alhambra - i think they checked 3 times.

[@xqueenfrostine]

I went to Granada last November and had an amazing time. Such a gorgeous city with amazing food. Also between the fruit trees (both orange and pomegranates), the flowers and the various shops shelling teas and spices, the city just smelled wonderful. I wish I had allowed more than 2 nights here. Also yes, the Alhambra is not to be missed. So magnificent!

[@historical_lisa315]

One of my favorite places! We showed up thinking we could buy tickets on the day of our visit, but they were sold out. We went to a little tour operator at a little gift/shop/store outside the entrance and had to pay a couple hundred for a tour, but it was well worth it.

[@juliamallon2948]

You were lucky. Most tour groups sell out

[@molinaafo]

Mark, your videos are the best. I find other travel videos are either nice, fun, or okay. Yours are informative, engaging, and you alude expert vibes

[@davidcolin6519]

You missed out; DON'T miss out the Generalife Gardens. I didn't see them the first time and realised afterwards my mistake. And if you speak Spanish, the workers will LOVE to talk to you. They are underapreciated but very knowledgeable.

[@IshmalFatima-v2b]

Wonderful view

[@hassanalihusseini1717]

The Alhambra is the must place to see when visiting Spain. Have been there many many years ago before social media and overtourism. No problem thgat time to get a ticket. Actually I was so impressed that I decided to go again the next day. If I want to go again? I don't know.... Too many people with "Bucket lists".....

[@fuenmonzo]

Las Alpujarras are so beautiful

[@garrettargenti5909]

Mark!! I’m going to Granada in a couple months.. perfect timing on your video 🤝

[@pascalolivier4458]

Don't miss the Alpujarras when you go to Granada. It's worth the trip.

[@juliamallon2948]

I hope you are staying a few days!! It is a great place to visit.

[@Lazzarros]

I wish I had seen that before going to Granada. Last year we did just that. Didn't have tickets and couldn't go in 🤦‍♂😥 We will definitely visit again, and this time, we will be better prepared. Thanks Mark!

[@woltersworld]

That sucks :( sorry i didnt get this out sooner to help you out

[@WDH59510]

Another great video Mark. When we went to the Alhambra (in 2011) it was part of a guided visit from our hotel on the Costa del Sol. So that might be a way of getting hold of those precious tickets (obviously the tour operators buy huge blocks of tickets in advance).

[@yami.jx13]

Granada ❤❤❤ uno de los mejores recuerdos que llevo en el corazon

[@juliamallon2948]

We were in Spain April 2023. The Alhambra should be on everyone's bucket list. We spend 3 days in Granada.

[@zdc8914]

@@juliamallon2948 we are going there this year for about 6 Days and i think thats a little bit to long🥲 but im excited anyway

[@euroschmau]

I just spent four days in Granada back in late April. As mentioned, there is so much more to the city than Alhambra. I agree, the San Juan Dios Basilica is amazing. Another lesser-known but beautiful church is the Basílica Virgen de las Angustias. Also dont forget Granada's two great monasteries: San Jerónimo and La Cartuja. Additionally, a trip to Abadía del Sacromonte, it's well worth it. Take a taxi up and the you can easily walk down from there through the Sacromonte neighborhood (the one with the cave houses and flamenco). The road is peaceful down from Sacromonte and you have great views of the Alhambra. My four days were packed and I was rather exhausted each day, there is a ton to see! Four days to cover it all, five or six to do it and be more relaxed.

[@iqrafatima4739]

Unforgettable experience of being there 😮

[@garypurcell7183]

For any doubters, I watched three Japaneses women get flatly turned away from the Nazarene Palace because they arrived nearly an hour late. They're strict about it. Also, regarding the views, Mirador San Nicolas may be the best indeed, but also wander up Sacromonte, there are some little cave bars there with seats out the front (if you can get one!). One of the best afternoons of my life was sitting outside cafe Pibe in mid-March, a good 30 degrees in the sun, drinking cold beer to the backdrop of La Alhambra across the valley.

[@bradleycooper3190]

Oh man i love you and youyr family! im bindge watching your channel. Love it!!

[@stannieholt8766]

One "don't" for anyone planning their first visit to Granada: Don't get confused by references to the "Nasrid" vs. "Nazaríes" Palaces in the Alhambra. Both names refer to the same place -- which is the incredibly grand architectural complex everyone wants to see. But sources in English tend to use the -SRID spelling vs. -ZARIES in Spanish (signs, websites, some guidebooks). I was quite confused in my travel planning until I realized that.

[@annieferoz4146]

Informative video 👍👍

[@Timetraveler1111MN]

Hey dear, how are you doing? Really great to see your video and your face and having a good time getting some sun doing a lot of white walking up hills that’s great. Been really wanting to go to Spain I feel spiritually drawn there. They’re supposed to move there past life, so this popped up perfect timing. ❤❤

[@jennyoshea1958]

Granada looks amazing. Such wonderful architecture ✨⭐🙏

[@brianmcallister114]

Thanks for this great video. It brought back memories of my trip there a couple of years ago. I visited in early October and the weather was beautiful. In the low 80's but with relatively low humidity. If I may I would like to add a couple of pieces of advice for anyone who might be contemplating a trip to Granada. You most certainly have to arrive on time for your entrance to the Alhambra but you can forego the long walk if you enter the grounds by the Puerta de la Justicia rather than the main entrance. From there it is only a short walk to where you enter the palaces. Then stroll down to Generalife and from there to exit from the main gate. Secondly, you mentioned tapas. You must not leave Granada without getting a good sample of tapas. And the street to go for tapas in Granada is Calle Navas. This is a pedestrian walkway full of tapas bars and among one of the most well known is Los Diamantes a bar specializing in seafood tapas. It is closed in the afternoon but when it is open it is usually packed. But there are plenty of other tapas bars with excellent food.

[@paulkoza8652]

One big don't that you left off. If you are driving, don't think you can just drive to your hotel or B&B. Street cameras are everywhere and driving in the old city is highly restricted. We stayed at a B&B and had our host meet us on the outskirts of town. He got into the car with us and we drove into the old town avoiding the cameras. GPS is really useless. The streets are narrow and windy. I stress the narrow part. If you are a large group with a large vehicle, parking is a nightmare. Another don't, really a do. Keep your eye and hands on your money. We ran into a tourist who had their wallet stolen - inside of the Cathedral. Churches are notorious spots for pick pockets. Glad you mentioned the public buses. A great way to get to the top of the Sacromonte without the hike. Easy to walk down. Great restaurants up there with views of the Alhambra. Worth the price of a dinner. Make reservations.

[@angechrissy]

I agree that the GPS is useless. The hotel that I stayed at Granada last winter sent us direction in PDF to get to the hotel. We stupidly didn't put that into our Google map. What we learned is that Google doesn't pick up road closures in Spain as quickly as it is in North America. We were going around circles for at least half an hour before we arrive at the hotel's parking garage.

[@cryan004]

BOOK!!!! Alhambra Way in asdvance. I'm here in late September looking to get in early October. Fully booked. One guided tour will take me in for $250 (robbery). Book well in advance. I'm bummed, but will look to visit next time. Opportunity to see other things the tourists miss.

[@tayyabakamranwasimiqbal9176]

Good information

[@punchtravelchannel]

Spot on video, like always! I visited Granda, mainly the Alhambra in 2023; and really loved the city.

[@debbiedennison]

We stayed 3 nights in Albaicin, an apartment next to the San Nicolas Mirador with an insane view from the terrace. Could’ve stayed much longer, we loved Granada!!

[@FewTechOfficial]

Excellent

[@garyrandall7364]

I have lived in Granada many years and this is great video!!

[@HelenShaghaghi]

I'm so going here in November ... Nice, diving into this video

[@paulkoza8652]

You are going at a good time of year. Cool weather, fewer crowds. My daughter and I were there in Nov just before Covid hit. Reference my other comment. If you are going to other spots in Spain, don't pass up Toledo. It is a short train ride from Madrid and very walkable and beautiful.

[@HelenShaghaghi]

@@paulkoza8652 we did the Madrid Toledo and I think segovia a few years ago ... This time Granada and Morocco !!! I can't wait

[@xqueenfrostine]

I was in Granada last November! Great city. Absolute highlight of my time in Spain

[@AfterCoffeeWithJess]

my favorite city in the world ❤

[@joho9815]

Hey Mark. Very informative video. How many days would you recommend to spend in Granada? And is it expensive say compared to Barcelona?

[@marshac1479]

Ooh I'm going next month.

[@ginaflynt3515]

Thank you for video...very informative, especially about buying the entrance ticket way aheas of time!

[@fuenmonzo]

Flamenco in el Sacromonte is a must

[@aaronhurst4379]

I can imagine fishy, salty and sweet working together quite well in its own way, when considering that cod, orange and olive salad

[@MisbhaParveen-n5r]

Wow wonderful

[@RehanSaab-v4v]

Nice work

[@mmms1979]

Just went. I had a 5pm Alhambra ticket. I left my hotel at 4 pm to walk up to the entrance. Took a wrong turn and ended up in a garden with no exit and had to backtrack and run up the hill to the main entrance which I arrived at 4:45 and the women said "you need to go directly to the palace". I would recommend everyone plan on getting to the main entrance an hour before your timed entry, not leave the hotel an hour before like I did. Also, I booked my trip late and had to buy the Granada Card in order to get an Alahambra timed ticket. When I was at the palace entry they scanned my passport, and NOT my printed out Granada Card ticket, so you need to bring your passport with you when you visit the Alahambra.

[@lindylee1139]

Such a beautiful city!

[@lauramartin-bk9nr]

Try the variety of gazpacho which is healthy, and careful with some tapas that have a lot salt and fat.

[@joannunemaker6332]

Beautiful area. Thank you for sharing. 😊❤

[@CJWJR]

I went on a weekend excursion to Granada when studying in Sevilla on Thanksgiving weekend of '07, and it was beautiful, especially with the fall colors and the snow-capped mountains in the background! There are so many gardens in the Alhambra, and I still have pictures of them as screensavers and desktop backgrounds on my computers to this day. Are you going to visit Ronda, too?

[@shozabmirza5054]

Amazing

[@rodericmitchell8496]

I made the mistake of spending too little time in Granada in March this year, only enough to visit the Alhambra. I'm back again in March 2025 and spending four nights there. For this longer visit I plan to buy a top-up card for the local public transport. This includes the minibuses which serve the Alhambra and immediate neighbourhood. The narrow winding streets preclude the use of bigger buses, so these minibuses are often rammed with tourists, which I guess must be a problem for local inhabitants attempting to go about their daily business. I agree with your advice about visiting the Alhambra: allow a whole day, take your time, and take a water bottle.

[@alexpervanoglu7420]

A DO for the Alhambra is definitely book a private guided night time tour. These tours go in one direction only and the views of the interior are incredible. And yes, as long as you use no flash, you can take photos. All the best from Granada province Andalucia. And yes our summers are hot, up in the 40s ⁰c and some. As for free tapas, it is actually still law here in Andalucia to serve free tapas with certain drinks. Enjoy. Ps there are small buses that go up to Albacin where Mirador de San Nicolas is. But the walk through the little cobbled streets is much more worth it. And yes winters are cold here, with snow, which is why we have skiing. Ah yeah and the dish with beans and ham. Habas y Jamon. It is absolutely gorgeous, don't miss it, you'll be very surprised.

[@MrKoyama2004]

lol there's no law regulating tapas. Glad you had a good time in our city, hope you come back soon.

[@alexpervanoglu7420]

@@MrKoyama2004 not my understanding but fair enough.

[@MrKoyama2004]

@@alexpervanoglu7420 I promise you. Maybe somebody said it as hyperbole and you took it literally?

[@alexpervanoglu7420]

@@MrKoyama2004 Quite possibly, thanks though.

[@angiebee598]

Thanks for the "heads up" about John the Baptist's ;)

[@anrn5303]

awesome video!

[@Angela-t7y]

Wow amazing 🤩

[@CricketTVHD]

Great place ❤

[@muhammadrazzaq3086]

Awesome

[@tobiojo6469]

Hey Mark, great video

[@MagnificentGermanywithDarion]

What an awesome video Mark !!!!

[@LearningSpanishwithDrL]

Great video!

[@drazeemofficial2147]

Wao good job

[@ibrahimilyas7685]

Great

[@AtifKhan-fw5jd]

Nice 👍

[@dantheman8279]

Good tips here, thank you! The food looks, um, well, not good. I like your honesty about the moroccan food!😂

[@shawwak]

Any recommendations for accommodation for families? Hotels vs Airbnb?

[@Mussaratashfaq-m6q]

Spain❤

[@nomigondal3590]

So nice 👍

[@javierortega879]

Lo mejor de Granada somos los granadinos que somos muy guapos y divertidos🤪

[@MrKoyama2004]

Somos de lo que no hay 🙂

[@jojolafrite9265]

Si guapos de espalda 🤣🤣

[@TomWatsonB1]

Before even watching, one don't is don't go to Granada or Andalucia in the summer. Just don't.

[@Toobaurooj-u6h]

I see your vlog

[@virtual_travel_worldwide]

what a great video and content creator :)

[@MuhammadHashim-j6j]

Nice

[@subparnaturedocumentary]

the placeta joe strummer is in granada also

[@mariajoseserranodecontrera6803]

The BEST time to visita Granada is may.

[@AyeshaArslan-j1w]

nice

[@javiermartingonzalez4759]

Granada is much more in winter there is a sky station and summer the re is a beach 30 minutes away.

[@esseferio]

Ironically, the very first "don't" is: "don't pronounce the H in Alhambra" :)

[@ahmd5]

I don't know how it is pronounced in Spanish but actually in Arabic, it is not to pronounce the B

[@esseferio]

@@ahmd5 in spanish we just say "alambra". I'd even go as far as to say that real locals say "l'alambra" instead of "la alambra" :)

[@hassanalihusseini1717]

@@ahmd5 Yes, it is "Qasru l-hhamra'" (with the strong Arabic "hh").

[@marshac1479]

I was thinking that too!!!

[@amberalihamdani3278]

❤❤❤

[@estudiantes68]

Please, cite temperatures in Celcius. Nobody outside the United States knows how much 110 degrees Fahrenheit is.

[@karlacarballo9899]

Love your videos

[@Tramptraveller]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@waiman5886]

I am planning my first trip to Spain in end of Sept. 2024. Will be flying to Granada, then Seville and my last stop is Madrid. Would you recommend taking the train or bus from Granada to Seville? and from Seville to Madrid? I read that the bus station at Seville is very dirty and has a lot of beggars. Also read that taxi drivers are notorious at the train station. Can I get Uber at the train station?

[@ignacioheredia9599]

@@waiman5886 train. Punctual, fast and efficient.

[@stannieholt8766]

I visited Spain in October. I took trains everywhere -- fast, on time, and affordable. I took the train from Cordoba to Granada, and then from Granada back to Madrid. The train stations are often several miles from cities' historic centers; luckily, taxis are inexpensive by U.S. standards (especially because drivers don't expect tips beyond an extra Euro or rounding up). As a woman traveling alone, with only junior-high Spanish, I never had a bad experience with a taxi driver. One plus of taking the AVE train (high-speed, state-run) to Madrid and straight on to the airport is that AVE tickets include a free connection to the commuter trains (cercanías) that go straight to Terminal 4 (international flights). But it's not at all self-explanatory which cercanía to take from Madrid. (At least, I had a hard time finding it and almost missed my flight.) I'd recommend a taxi or the Exprés Aeropuerto bus instead.

[@wendyurquia4034]

Controversial opinion: The best way to see the Alhambra, hands down, is from the mirador looking back at it. Better yet, book a table at any restaurant with a view to it, and enjoy a long, leisurely meal with someone you love. Unless you really, really want to see the architecture, I wouldn't bother with a tour. It's a big time commitment and the crowds are awful so the return on your investment might not be the best.

[@aestheticvibes1517]

❤

[@martinmaynard141]

¡joder! a video about Granada which doesn't mention Federico Garica Lorca!

[@timlang7203]

Just a don't: Don't park your car near the Albaicín and leave bags, etc, visible. Put them in the trunk. Always keep your passport on you. I visited Granada in late 1987 between Xmas and New Years. Our car was broken into and my passport stolen. Major trip disruptor! Also, there were a lot of Roma people at the time in touristy areas trying to get money off of you...grab your hand, tell your fortune, then ask for money. Groups of kids would try to surround you holding up cardboard to hide their hands going to puck your pocket. Saw this in Italy too. Just use common sense. Tell them no thanks, leave me alone. Granada was beautiful. No linesxat that time to get it to the Alhambra. Just got a ticket at the entrance. But that was in the mid 80s. Looks like tourist sites have changed with the times and technology. Go to eat in the Albaicín.

[@ignacioheredia9599]

Long long time ago. Has passed away only just Almost half a century. You've only lacked the warnings for stagecoach robberies from Richard Ford's travel books.

[@tashafoxx17]

😸😸

[@Ibraheemmalik-kj1do]

😊😊😊🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤

[@RichardUllman-y1x]

The must-reserve-sometimes-months-in-advance tickets at Alhambra are only for the Palacios Nazaries section, correct?

[@rodericmitchell8496]

No, you have to pre-book for the whole-site visit, and then nominate a fixed time slot for the Palacios Nazaries. A late morning/early afternoon slot is suggested. You need a full day to do the Alhambra properly.

[@miriamzajfman4305]

In many European countries "brains " are their specialty ! 🤔😋😅😘

[@mcrheaume7137]

yes ! i was surprise Mark put it in the ''don't''. Must be ameraican culture ! lol

[@diegoflores9237]

What's your hometown?

[@HenrikWind]

You often talk about security, like blend in, dont look to much as a turist, etc. A big man with a backpack and a silly hat hmm.... sorry I could not resist 😄😄

[@hassansabeehmufti4191]

1

[@stefansoder6903]

Or you can go in December and there are no ques at all to the Alhambra...

[@javiermartingonzalez4759]

Tipical guiry 😂😂😂😂

[@jimdellavecchia4594]

"Is it Granada I see or only Asbury Park?" Frank Sinatra

[@etherdog]

Weren't the "Moors" Mauritanian?

[@brunolima7402]

No.

[@christophehorton1070]

I'm delusional.

[@claragomezsanchez8210]

Well if you eat a burguer in the US you might be eating tongue or heart without even aware, so not that different from brain...