7 best day trips from Granada | Top Granada day tours

La Mezquita

The great mosque of Cordoba is the prime attraction in the city, a magnificient complex featuring Islamic architecture with remarkable hints at a time when Muslims, Christians, and Jews used to coexist in the community. Tickets to the mosque sell out soon, so make sure you buy them online before heading to Cordoba.

Alcázar de Los Reyes Cristianos

The Alcazar of Catholic Kings is another stunning structure in Cordoba. It was once used as a fortress and a prison. The castle has been transferred to numerous dynasties after its construction, leading to its gradual loss of glory. We recommend buying tickets for the Alcazar online to skip the hassle of standing in long queues.

Calleja de las Flores

Calleja de las Flores is a quaint neighborhood that lies close to La Mezquita. You can spend hours looking at the beautiful houses designed in the most tasteful fashion while you walk the tiny cobbled alleyways. Taking a guided tour of the patios with a local expert is highly recommended - to know the story behind each patio's decor.

Palacio de Viana

Palacio de Viana is a white walled palace, set againt pastel doors and windows most commonly known for showcasing a courtyard of Arab and Roman tradition. The sculpted garden here is a stand out feature, a definite must-see while in the courtyard.

Jewish Quarter

Cordoba has a historic Jewish Quarter within the city limits. It has characteristic narrow lanes that have retained their original structure from its glory days. One of the three original synagogues of Spain lies at the center of this Jewish Quarter.

Medina Azahara

The Medina Azahara is the ruins of the palatine city build by the Umayyad Caliphate of Cordoba in 929 AD. In these UNESCO World Heritage ruins, you can see grand ceremonial halls, spectacular mosques, and a number of workshops, homes, baths, gardens, and offices. Getting tickets for a guided tour online is advisable for a hassle-free experience.

Sierra Nevada

The Alpujarras are located on the Sierra Nevada slopes and if you visit from December to April you can enjoy skiing on the snow slopes. The Pradollano ski resort has the best skiing facilities and slopes.

Balneario de Lanjarón spa

Balneario de Lanjarón spa in the town of Lanjarón has natural mineral water springs and exquisite facilities like bubbling pools, mud baths and steam rooms. The mountain air and water is bound to do wonders to your body!

Villages of the Alpujarras

Among the 50 odd villages, you must visit atleast 4-5 villages for a true taste of the Alpujarras region. Here are our top picks for the best villages in Alpujarras - Trevélez, Lanjarón, Orgiva, Pampaneira, Bubión, Capileira, Portugos, Bérchules and Cádiar.

Alcazaba of Malaga

The Alcazaba of Malaga is one of the best preserved Moorish fortresses in Spain and dates back to the 11th century. Built by the Hammudid dynasty, this striking fortress stands tall atop a hill overlooking the city of Malaga. Well manicured gardens, porticos and buildings reminiscent of Nasrid and traditional Moorish architecture graces the compound.

Gibralfaro Castle

The Gibralfaro Castle is iconic to Malaga as its image is imprinted both on the Malaga province’s flag and seal. The castle is located on the namesake Gibralfaro hill, a part of the Montes de Malaga mountain range and is surrounded by thick forest of Eucalyptus and Pine.

Malagueta Beach

La Malagueta Beach is a man-made beach with dark sand located near the Playa de la Caleta and is a part of the Malagueta neighborhood that was earlier known for its industrial buildings, but has since been transformed into a happening beach destination.

Malaga Cathedral

The Malaga Cathedral was built between 1528 and 1782 and referred to as ‘La Manquita’ which translates to ‘One armed woman’ - a fitting moniker because of its single tower. The real charm of the cathedral is in the interiors which are Renaissance and Baroque, and in its 40 wooden statues carved by the famous Pedro De Mena. Climb up 200 stairs to catch spectacular views of Malaga from the rooftop!

Ataranzas Market

Watch the history and culture of Malaga in action at the Ataranzas Market. The building itself is an amalgamation of 14th century Moorish architecture and 19th century industrial design. The market has restaurants, fresh produce stalls and souvenirs stalls where you can shop, eat and people-watch!

Paseo Marítimo

Paseo Marítimo – or beachside promenade is the perfect place for a long stroll, taking in the views, soaking up the ambience enjoying one of the best sunsets you've ever set eyes on. Head to the paseo on a Sunday when all the locals come out in their Sunday best for a stroll and chat.

Casco Antiguo

Marbella’s historic and picturesque Old Town is a hidden gem, just up from the Avenida Ricardo Soriano – the main street which runs through Marbella. With its picturesque, historic architecture and maze of cobbled streets peppered with boutique shops, funky art galleries, bars and eateries - the Old Town is almost like a separate village within Marbella.

Puerto Banús

Puerto José Banús is a marina located was built in May 1970 as a luxury marina and shopping complex. It has since become one of the largest entertainment centres in the Costa del Sol, with 5 million annual visitors. The area is surrounded by expensive shopping malls, restaurants and bars around the marina.

Plaza de los Naranjos

Plaza de los Naranjos dates from 1485, after the Christian conquest of the city from The Moors. The plaza is framed by typical white Andalusian houses and three historic buildings - the Casa Consistorial, the Casa del Corregidor and the Ermita de Santiago. Find a Renaissance fountain surrounded by orange trees, right in the center.

Alcazar Seville

With more than a millennium of history dating back to Moorish times, the Alcazar of Seville has earned a claim to fame as the oldest royal residence in Europe still in use. This UNESCO protected royal palace is an outstanding examples of Mudéjar architecture. Getting tickets to the Royal Alcazar of Seville is quite the task, so we recommend grabbing them online before you go.

Seville Cathedral

The Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, and after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil it is the 3rd largest church in the world! It dominates Seville's skyline and you'll be magnetically pulled towards it the minute you step foot in the city.

Flamenco Shows

Flamenco is an art form, native to the Andalusian area of Spain. A typical Flamenco performance includes high paced musical strumming by a guitarist, hand-clapping and foot-stomping dance, and high-pitched emotional singing often improvised on the spot. Make sure to immerse yourself in this contagious passion that is Flamenco and experience it first hand in all its glory.

Plaza de España

The Plaza de España is a plaza in the Parque de María Luisa, in Seville built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition. This landmark example of the Regionalism Architecture, mixing elements of the Baroque Revival, Renaissance Revival and Moorish Revival styles of Spanish architecture is a defining symbol of the region.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz was the former Jewish quarter of the medieval city, bordered by the Jardines de Murillo, the Real Alcázar, Calle Mateos Gago, and Calle Santa María La Blanca/San José. You'll find Seville's oldest churches and the Cathedral of Seville, including the converted minaret of the old Moorish mosque Giralda in this part of town.

Nerja Caves

This cave system had been used by Neanderthals and early civilisations up to the Bronze Age. It lay unseen to modern eyes until 1959 when a group of friends stumbled upon it while out catching bats. Step through a sequence of chambers, which leads up to the magnificent Sala del Cataclismo, which is 100 metres long and reaches heights of 32 metres, officially the largest in the world.

Balcón de Europa

This seafront veranda at the top of a headland is a huge part of local life in Nerja. King Alfonso XII called it the “balcony of Europe” and when you contemplate the sea from here, it’s hard to disagree. Everyone gathers at the plaza for New Year’s Eve, during the Holy Week processions and the Feria de Nerja which takes place in mid-October.

Río Chillar

This hike journeys against the course of the Chillar River as it winds through a gorge and cascades into a perfectly clear pool. It takes around 3 hours and is suitable for all age groups. You may even catch sight of Ibexes balancing on the ravine walls, as well as lizards and snakes sunning themselves on the rocks.

Church of El Salvador

This whitewashed church was built at the end of the 17th century and has a baroque and Mudéjar (Moorish-style) design. The bell-tower beside it is a little newer and was completed in 1724, rising above Nerja’s skyline.

Playa de la Cala el Cañuelo

Around 10km east of Nerja there’s a peaceful little cove with a shale beach. You have to park up by the road and catch a minibus down the shore, and once you do, you can unwind in front of rocky, pine-dappled hills or take a dip in the serene waters, which offer some of the best snorkelling.

Castle of San Sebastián

This 18th-century fortification is at the end of Paseo Fernando Quiñones, a long sea facing stone causeway. The views from here are scrapbook-worthy, and you can pause to dangle your legs over the wall and watch the Atlantic. Having been detached from the mainland, the Castle of San Sebastián was used as a prison or for quarantines for much of its lifespan. Today, you can catch exhibitions and concerts held here.

Playa La Caleta

This postcard setting for a beach comes with huge historical importance as Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans all moored their ship in this natural harbour in ancient times. Take some time out for salty beach fun!

Gran Teatro Falla

This fine 19th-century concert hall is constructed in the Neo-Mudéjar style, and is one of the city’s top landmarks. If you really want to get to know Cádiz’s bawdy folk culture, a visit during the carnival in February or March is a must.

Cádiz Cathedral

For another stellar panorama of Cádiz, scale the cathedral’s Poniente Tower. From here you can look out over the port and far into the sea. This 17th century cathedral combines baroque, rococo and neo-classical architectural styles - a treat for the eyes.

Parque Genovés

This gorgeous waterfront park with paths made from the same sand used in Andalusia’s bullfighting arenas is worthy of a few hours from your tight day trip itinerary. The whole park is a big botanical garden, with tree and plant specimens from all over: Maple trees, poplars, Indian laurels, Canarian pine and Cycads from southern India, to name but a few.