Granada is a superb base for day trips, because within two hours you can reach mountains, white villages, cave towns, a Roman and Moorish capital and the Mediterranean coast. Most of these trips are easy to arrange, either with a guided tour that handles transport or by hire car, and they pair well with the city's more intensive sightseeing. Here are the best, with notes on who each suits.
The Sierra Nevada
The mountains behind the Alhambra are the highest in mainland Spain, and they are less than an hour from the city. In winter, the ski area above the village of Pradollano is the southernmost in Europe, and the snowy peaks are a spectacular backdrop to Granada. In spring and summer, the high meadows and lakes are good for hiking, and the tour from Granada takes you to viewpoints and trails. It is an excellent choice for a day of fresh air after a few days in the city, and it suits active travellers and families with older children. Bring layers, because the temperature at altitude can be many degrees colder than in town.
Los Cahorros de Monachil
A half-day adventure in the foothills, this gorge walk has hanging bridges, a canyon path with ladders and cables and a waterfall. It is close to the city, which makes it easy to combine with a late lunch in Monachil or a soak in the hammam afterwards. It suits fit, adventurous visitors and children from about eight. Avoid it after heavy rain and in icy weather.
The Alpujarras
On the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada lies a region of white villages clinging to steep hillsides, among terraced gardens fed by Moorish irrigation channels. Pampaneira, Bubión and Capileira are the best known, and Trevélez is famous for its mountain-cured ham. The journey takes around one and a half to two hours each way on winding roads, so a day trip is full but worthwhile, and a guided tour saves you the drive. It suits travellers who love villages, food and landscapes, and it is a gentle day with plenty of short walks. Many tours include a ham tasting.
Córdoba and the Mezquita
For history lovers, a day in Córdoba shows the early flowering of Moorish Spain, to set against the late flowering of the Alhambra. The Mezquita-Catedral, with its forest of red-and-white arches, is the highlight, and the old Jewish quarter and the Roman bridge fill the rest of the day. It is a long day of about two hours each way, so start early. Spring and autumn are the best seasons, as Córdoba is very hot in summer.
Guadix and the cave houses
East of Granada, the town of Guadix has a district of cave dwellings that people still live in, with white chimneys poking out of the hillside, and a Moorish fortress above the town. It is an easy trip of about an hour each way and combines well with the Sacromonte caves in Granada. It suits curious travellers who want to see another side of Andalusia.
Nerja, Frigiliana and the coast
To the south, the Mediterranean coast is about an hour and a half away. Nerja has beaches and the famous caves, and the hill village of Frigiliana is one of the prettiest white villages in Spain. This works best as a summer or spring trip when you want sea air and a swim, and as a break from monuments.
Ronda and Málaga
These are longer trips, and are better if you have extra days. Ronda, with its dramatic gorge and bridge, is about two and a half to three hours away, while Málaga is around an hour and a half and offers museums and the seafront. Many travellers combine them with a transfer on to the coast or Seville instead of making a day trip.
Planning tips
Decide whether you prefer to drive or join a tour. Driving gives freedom, but parking in Granada is difficult and mountain roads can be demanding. Tours cost more but remove stress and add commentary. Book your Alhambra visit first, then fit day trips on the free days. Check what each tour includes, such as entrances, lunch and pick-up points, and ask about cancellation terms. Spread long days among shorter city days to avoid fatigue.
A suggested week
Three days in Granada, one day in the Sierra Nevada or Los Cahorros, one day in the Alpujarras, and one long day in Córdoba make a balanced week with a pleasing mix of culture, nature and food.