AUTHOR
Two Passports Away
CATEGORY
Europe
POSTED ON
24 July, 2026
Spain has never disappointed us, but our recent trip to Granada and Málaga was particularly memorable. Combining breathtaking history, beautiful architecture, excellent food and plenty of sunshine, it gave us the perfect taste of Andalucía. If you’re considering a similar itinerary, here’s how we spent our time exploring two of southern Spain’s most captivating cities.
Arriving in Granada
Our adventure began at Málaga Airport, where we got a pre-booked ALSA bus to Granada, this was booked directly via the ALSA website and cost around €13 each. The bus station is located just outside the terminal, easy to find and the journey took around 1 hour 15 minutes. It couldn’t have been easier and proved to be a simple and affordable way to travel between the two cities.
After arriving in Granada, we took a leisurely 25-minute walk from the bus station to our hotel, giving us our first glimpse of the city along the way.
For our five nights in Granada, we stayed at Hotel Puerta de las Granadas, which turned out to be the perfect base for exploring the city. The hotel was spotlessly clean, comfortable and wonderfully quiet despite its central location. What really stood out, however, was its unbeatable position. We were within easy walking distance of the Alhambra, only steps away from Plaza Nueva, plenty of restaurants and two of Granada’s most fascinating neighbourhoods, Albaicín and Sacromonte.
The Alhambra: The Highlight of Our Trip
No visit to Granada would be complete without experiencing the Alhambra, and it more than lived up to its reputation. We booked our tickets from the official website, costing around €18 per person, which included access to the magnificent Nasrid Palaces and the beautiful Generalife Gardens.
Perched high above the city, the Alhambra is a masterpiece of Moorish architecture, with intricate carvings, elegant courtyards, tranquil gardens and breathtaking views across Granada and the surrounding countryside. Every corner seemed to reveal another stunning detail, making it easy to understand why it’s considered one of Spain’s most treasured landmarks.
For us, it was unquestionably the highlight of the trip. While photographs capture its beauty, they simply can’t convey the scale, atmosphere and craftsmanship of the place. Walking through the palaces and gardens, surrounded by centuries of history, was an experience we’ll never forget.
Getting Lost in the Albaicín
While the Alhambra may be Granada’s most famous attraction, the Albaicín also stole our hearts.
This historic Moorish quarter is a maze of narrow cobbled streets, whitewashed houses and hidden plazas that seem untouched by time. Wandering through its winding alleyways felt like stepping into another era, and despite being just a short walk from some of the city’s busiest tourist spots, it often felt remarkably peaceful and authentic.
The real joy of the Albaicín is simply exploring without a plan. Around every corner you’ll find charming streets, traditional architecture, colourful doorways and breathtaking views across the city.
The Best Views of Granada
One of Granada’s most famous viewpoints is Mirador de San Nicolás, arguably one of Granada’s best viewpoints, where you’re rewarded with an incredible panorama of the Alhambra set against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s a view that perfectly captures the magic of Granada and one that’s impossible to forget. The panoramic views of the Alhambra with the Sierra Nevada mountains in the background are absolutely stunning and well worth the walk.
That said, we also found that a short stroll further into Sacromonte rewarded us with equally impressive views and far fewer people. This historic hillside neighbourhood proved to be another great discovery, offering a more relaxed atmosphere while still providing incredible photo opportunities.
Another fantastic viewpoint that shouldn’t be overlooked is the Generalife Gardens within the Alhambra complex. Beyond the beautifully maintained gardens themselves, the elevated position offers wonderful views back across Granada, with the Albaicín stretching across the hillside opposite. Seeing the city from this perspective gave us a real appreciation for Granada’s unique setting.
Ending Our Trip in Málaga
After five unforgettable days in Granada, it was time to continue our Andalusian adventure. We travelled to Málaga by train, having pre-booked our tickets through Trainline for around €13 per person. Despite some initial confusion caused by a last-minute train change, which rendered the seat reservations meaningless, the journey itself was comfortable, scenic and took just over an hour.
For our final two nights, we stayed at Hotel Guadalmedina, which proved to be an excellent base for exploring Málaga. The location was ideal, within easy walking distance of both the historic old town and the marina. Our room was spacious, comfortable and spotlessly clean, with a particularly comfortable bed that was much appreciated after busy days of sightseeing. Although the hotel’s décor felt a little dated, the combination of comfort, cleanliness and friendly, helpful staff more than made up for it.
Memorable Food & Andalusian Hospitality
Food was a big part of our Granada experience, and one meal in particular stood out above the rest. After a disappointing dinner elsewhere on our first evening, we were delighted to discover Palacio Andaluz Almona, a wonderful Moroccan restaurant that ended up serving what was probably the best meal of our entire stay.
Tthe service was warm, friendly and attentive. The food was exceptional, with every dish beautifully prepared and packed with flavour. Highlights included the creamy hummus served with freshly baked homemade bread, a perfectly cooked lamb and vegetable couscous, and delicious chicken skewers that were tender and full of spice.
While exploring Granada, we also tried piononos for the first time, for us, they fell firmly into the “love it or hate it” category. Either way, they’re an essential Granada experience and worth trying at least once.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Where Granada captivated us with its rich history, Moorish influences and atmospheric hillside neighbourhoods, Málaga offered a completely different experience. With its palm-lined waterfront, vibrant cultural scene, excellent restaurants and relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere, it was the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the final days of our trip.
Together, Granada and Málaga proved to be the perfect Andalusian pairing. One delivered breathtaking history and some of the most beautiful streets we’ve ever wandered, while the other provided sunshine, coastal charm and a wonderfully finish to our holiday. As we headed to the airport and reflected on five fantastic days in southern Spain, one thing was certain: Andalucía had completely won us over, and we’d happily return to explore even more of this incredible region.
