How to Spend the Perfect Day in Granada

The IES Abroad Granada program boasts a variety of activities every weekend, both within the program and in the city, leaving abundant opportunities to create the most enjoyable day possible. After three months, I’ve found that the perfect day includes exploring the Sierra Nevada, indulging in the local cuisine, and attending a city-organized event. 

Two weeks ago, my friends and I hiked in Monachil, ate a picnic lunch, attended a local film festival, and got churros afterward. Here’s our day, in detail:

• Hike Los Cahorros de Monachil

My roommate and I woke up at 9am, ate breakfast, and left our homestay by 9:50 to get the 183 bus at 10:15 from central Granada to Monachil. The bus only accepts cash or bus cards, not debit, credit, or UGR student cards.  We hiked Los Cahorros de Monachil, an easy hike with some random technical challenges. Although the trail was man-made, the designers installed 10-inch walkways at some points, with an eight-foot drop-off to the left and a rugged cave wall to the right. It’s very safe, with metal holds hammered into the wall, and it feels like a mini obstacle course. We traversed swinging, red wooden bridges across little ravines and got onto all fours at one point to squeeze through the cave and the sidewalk. After sharing a picnic lunch in the mountains while watching the sunlight illuminate the orange and gold trees, we finished our loop and took the 183 bus back home. 

• Thrift

We stopped by Mosaico and Oh Oh July, my two favorite thrift stores in Granada, on our walk back from the bus stop. We found some beautiful leather belts and jean jackets!

• Homework

This may be an unpopular opinion, but doing a small homework assignment in the middle of a fun day helps me feel productive and grounded. Overall, this took less than an hour and helped me stay present for the rest of the day.

• Short Film Festival

For several weeks in November, Granada hosts a short film festival. My friends and I purchased potato chips, chocolate pocky, and other snacks beforehand. However, watching films with treats may be an American thing, because absolutely no one there was eating, and you could hear every single bite of a chip we made with painstaking clarity. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the film festival. 

I strongly advise against watching the 60-minute, black-and-white, silent German film. Even the older, most devout cinephiles were checking their watches by the end. The rest of the films were beautifully made and wonderfully weird, which captivated the audience spectacularly. Our crunchy chips became a mere murmur swept away by their romping, lively music. 

• Cafetería Alhambra

And now, we have finally reached the crown jewel of the perfect day: eating churros con chocolate with friends at Cafeteria Alhambra. I wrote about these glorious churros in my latest blog post, The Best Churros Order in Granada, and I can’t emphasize enough how exquisite they are when dipped in leche rizada, a horchata-like milkshake. Cafeteria Alhambra is warm, the tap water is the best Granada has to offer, the staff are friendly, and they’re open until midnight.

• Mae West

And if you want to continue your day… go to some late-night tapas bars with friends, then go clubbing at Mae West! Girls get in for 12 euros, guys for 20, and I can assure you it’s worth the money. Have fun!