Day 1: Arrive Granada, evening Albayzin
- Morning flight or train to Granada.
- Hotel check-in in Realejo or Plaza Nueva.
- 17:00 Walk up through the Albayzin, explore Calderia Nueva teterias.
- 19:30 Sunset at Mirador de San Nicolas.
- 21:00 Tapas crawl on Calle Navas.
Day 2: Full Alhambra day + flamenco
- 9:00 Nazaries Palaces slot.
- 10:30 Generalife gardens.
- 12:00 Alcazaba fortress.
- 14:00 Lunch at the Parador or La Mimbre.
- 16:00 Granada Cathedral and Royal Chapel.
- 18:00 Coffee at Carmen de Aben Humeya with Alhambra view.
- 22:00 Sacromonte flamenco cave.
Day 3: Transfer to Seville + afternoon Santa Cruz
- 9:00 ALSA bus Granada to Seville (2.5 hours, 25-35 EUR).
- 12:00 Arrive Seville Plaza de Armas. Taxi to hotel.
- 13:00 Lunch in Santa Cruz (Bar Alfalfa, Las Teresas).
- 15:00 Walk Santa Cruz quarter, Plaza de Santa Cruz, Callejon del Agua.
- 17:00 Plaza de Espana and Maria Luisa Park.
- 20:00 Tapas at La Brunilda or Eslava.
Day 4: Real Alcazar + Cathedral + Triana
- 9:30 Real Alcazar (book timed entry).
- 12:30 Seville Cathedral and Giralda.
- 14:30 Lunch in Triana.
- 16:00 Walk Triana market, ceramics shops, crossing Puente de Isabel II.
- 18:00 Metropol Parasol sunset walk (Setas).
- 21:00 Farewell dinner at El Rinconcillo.
Alhambra versus Real Alcazar
Both are must-sees, each with a different character. The Alhambra is 13th-14th century Nasrid: austere, poetic, mountain-top, Islamic with Mudejar continuations. The Real Alcazar is mostly 14th century Mudejar: Christian king Pedro I commissioning Moorish craftsmen, with later Renaissance and Gothic additions on top. Seeing them in one trip is one of the best comparisons you can do in Spain.
| Aspect | Alhambra | Real Alcazar |
|---|---|---|
| Period | 13th-14th c Nasrid | 14th c Mudejar + |
| Setting | Hilltop | Urban, center of city |
| Style | Islamic, pure | Islamic-Christian mix |
| Gardens | Generalife, outstanding | Beautiful but smaller |
| Time needed | 3-4 hours | 2 hours |
| Ticket | 18 EUR | 14.50 EUR |
Transport between the two
- Bus (ALSA direct): 2.5 hours, 25-35 EUR, most reliable.
- Train: 3 hours with 1 connection in Antequera, 35-60 EUR.
- Drive: 2.5 hours on A-92, flexible but parking is a pain in both cities.
- Blablacar: Sometimes 10-15 EUR, but schedule-dependent.
Where to stay
- Granada: Realejo or Plaza Nueva area. Hotel Casa Morisca, Palacio de Mariana Pineda.
- Seville: Santa Cruz or Alfalfa. Hotel Casa 1800, EME Catedral, Hotel Amadeus.
Budget (per person, 4 days)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Alhambra guided tour | 55-75 EUR |
| Real Alcazar + Cathedral Seville | 25 EUR |
| Flamenco Sacromonte | 32 EUR |
| Intercity bus | 30 EUR |
| Food (4 days) | 120-200 EUR |
| Hotels (3 nights mid range) | 240-420 EUR |
| Total | 502-782 EUR |
Book your Alhambra visit for the Andalusia combo
Book early, Alhambra tickets sell out fast. Skip-the-line tours guarantee your Nazaries slot.
See Fast Track ToursFrequently asked questions
250 km by road, about 2.5 hours by direct bus (ALSA) or 3 hours by train (high-speed service takes 3 hours with 1 connection). Driving takes 2.5-3 hours on the A-92.
Granada first, Seville second. Reason: the Alhambra Nazaries has a strict timed entry that anchors your dates. Book it, then build Seville around it. Also, Seville is bigger and you can arrive more flexibly.
Yes, it is tight but workable. You get the main monuments of both cities and one good evening in each. You do not get Cordoba, Ronda, the Alpujarras or a beach day. For those, add 2-3 more days.
No. Both cities are walkable and have expensive parking in the center. The bus between them is cheap (25-35 EUR), reliable and drops you in the center. Save the car rental for countryside extensions.
