Spain 5 days adds Sierra Nevada (Dec-Apr ski OR Jun-Sep hiking) + Córdoba day trip (Mezquita-Cathedral UNESCO) + extended Albaicín exploration.
Five days hits the sweet spot for Granada — three days for the major districts, plus two days for nearby destinations that show a different side of the country. The pace stays relaxed, you get more variety in your photo album, and the day trips break up the urban intensity nicely.
5-Day Total Budget at a Glance
Budget
$360
Per person, flights excl.
Mid-Range
$760
Per person, flights excl.
Luxury
$1,630
Per person, flights excl.
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Day-by-Day Detailed Schedule
Alhambra Full Day
Day 1 from 3-dayActivities
Meal Recommendations
Same as 3-day Day 1.
DAY 1 Estimated Spend (per person, flights excl.)
Albaicín + Cathedral + Mirador Sunset
Day 2 from 3-dayActivities
Meal Recommendations
Same as 3-day Day 2.
DAY 2 Estimated Spend (per person, flights excl.)
Sacromonte + Flamenco + Tapas
Day 3 from 3-dayActivities
Meal Recommendations
Same as 3-day Day 3.
DAY 3 Estimated Spend (per person, flights excl.)
Sierra Nevada Day (Ski OR Hiking)
Mountain day (30 min bus)Activities
- 08:30 Bus to Sierra Nevada from Palacio de Congresos 1 hour each way
Bus to Sierra Nevada Estación 30 min (€8-10 RT). Dec-Apr ski; Jun-Sep hiking; May/Oct quiet.
Cost: €8-10 RT bus TIP: Buses every 1-2h. Sierra Nevada Estación is small ski resort town with cable cars. - 10:00 Ski season: Lift pass + skiing OR Summer: hiking trails 5 hours
Dec-Apr ski (€45-55/day lift pass + rentals €30-50). Jun-Sep: Mulhacén hike (highest peak Iberia, 3,478m) OR easier Sierra trails.
Cost: €45-55 ski / €0 hiking TIP: Skiing: experienced skiers required for Mulhacén area. Hiking: bring water + sun protection + jacket for higher altitude. - 15:00 Lunch at Sierra Nevada Estación 1 hour
Mountain restaurants + tapas at Sierra Nevada Estación or Granada return.
Cost: €15-30 TIP: Mountain prices premium. Return to Granada for cheaper options if time. - 17:00 Bus return + Sierra Nevada-side bar crawl evening 3 hours
Bus return to Granada. Evening tapas crawl at Realejo neighborhood (less touristy).
Cost: €8-10 return + €15-25 tapas TIP: Realejo bars: Bar Aliatar + Bar Lopez Correa. More authentic local tapas. - 21:00 Late dinner — Restaurant Carmela (paella + raciones) 1.5 hours
Modern Granada restaurant for paella + raciones. Central location.
Cost: €15-35 TIP: Reservation Fri-Sat. Paella minimum 2 people. Order raciones to share.
Meal Recommendations
Breakfast
Hotel + grab-and-go
Granada · €5-15
Lunch
Sierra Nevada Estación
Sierra Nevada · €15-30
Dinner
Restaurant Carmela paella + raciones
Plaza Nueva area · €15-35
Bus to Sierra Nevada 30 min each way + 5 hours ski/hike.
DAY 4 Estimated Spend (per person, flights excl.)
Córdoba Day Trip (Mezquita-Cathedral UNESCO)
Andalusian Moorish heritage day tripActivities
- 08:30 Train to Córdoba (1h30 each way, AVE high-speed) 1h30 each way
AVE high-speed train Granada → Córdoba 1h30. Andalusian cousin city — Moorish + Christian + Jewish heritage.
Cost: €25-40 RT (AVE) TIP: Pre-book at renfe.com 7+ days ahead for discounts. Right side outbound for Sierra Nevada views. - 10:30 Mezquita-Cathedral of Córdoba (UNESCO) 2 hours
Mezquita-Cathedral — 856 mosque + Cathedral built inside (UNESCO). Famous red-white striped arches. Iconic Moorish architecture.
Cost: €11 entry / Free entry Mon-Sat 08:30-09:30 TIP: Free entry Mon-Sat morning slot 08:30-09:30. Otherwise €11. Cathedral inside mosque is unique. - 13:00 Lunch — La Bodega de Córdoba or salmorejo specialist 1.5 hours
Salmorejo (Córdoba's signature thick cold tomato soup) at heritage restaurant. €12-25.
Cost: €12-25 TIP: Salmorejo is uniquely Córdoba (thicker than gazpacho + ham + egg topping). - 15:00 Jewish quarter (Judería) + Synagogue + Calleja de las Flores 2.5 hours
Córdoba Jewish quarter (Judería) + 1315 Synagogue + Calleja de las Flores (famous flower-decorated alley).
Cost: Synagogue €0.30 (free EU) TIP: Synagogue is one of only 3 medieval synagogues in Spain. Calleja de las Flores most-photographed Córdoba street. - 17:30 Train back to Granada + farewell tapas crawl 3 hours
Train back 1h30. Final tapas crawl: Bar La Riviera + Bar Los Diamantes + Bodegas Castañeda.
Cost: €15-25 tapas TIP: Cash only. Farewell experience. 4-5 bars = full evening meal.
Meal Recommendations
Breakfast
Hotel + grab-and-go for train
Granada · €5-15
Lunch
Salmorejo specialist Córdoba
Córdoba · €12-25
Córdoba's signature thick cold tomato soup.
Dinner
Free-tapas crawl farewell
Plaza Nueva area · €15-25
AVE Granada-Córdoba 1h30 each way.
DAY 5 Estimated Spend (per person, flights excl.)
Book Granada Tours & Tickets
Packing Checklist
- ✓ All 3-day items
- ✓ Skiing gear if Dec-Apr (or rent at Sierra Nevada)
- ✓ Hiking shoes for summer Sierra Nevada
- ✓ Empty space for Spanish wine + olive oil + sherry souvenirs
Granada 5-Day Itinerary FAQ
Sierra Nevada vs Córdoba — which day trip? ▼
Can I do Granada + Seville + Córdoba in one week? ▼
Mulhacén hike (Iberia highest peak)? ▼
Looking for Different Trip Lengths?
Why you can trust 5-day itinerary
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.