Air is filled with intense aroma of spices and the sweet, tangy smell of bulk tea named 1001 nights. A long narrow street with colorful house facades and a small bookshop at the end with a handwritten sign in front of its door saying: “Only this week - books for 1 euro.” Another street similar to the previous one but broader and this time full of vintage clothes shops. In the distance, there is flamenco music coming from an underground dance school. Ladies and gentlemen welcome to Granada! Or at least to one part of its city center.

A culturally rich city with emblematic history, Granada has inspired the literary works of numerous Spanish and foreign writers in the past and is one of the many must-visit cities for first-timers in Spain. At present, being true to its roots, the city continues to inspire creative, free-thinking people, and, to no surprise, there are lots of them in Granada. This is why it can proudly receive the title of the hippie capital of Spain. Here are 10 epic places tourists should visit to experience Granada to the fullest.

10 El Bañuelo

The ritual of physical and spiritual cleansing. One of the best-preserved public Arab baths on the peninsula, el Bañuelo, or the Arab bathhouse in Granada, dates back to 11th-century Muslim rule. At that time, it was an important place to bathe and maintain social contact. Most of the bathhouses were demolished by the Christians after the reconquest, which makes this building unique. The bathhouse was built on top of a house, which saved it.

  • Location: Carrera del Darro, 31, 18010 Granada
  • Hours: 10 AM - 5 PM

9 The Lookout Point Of Saint Nicolas

The last rays of sunshine illuminate the ancient walls of Alhambra, the sky is orange-rosy, and the typical flamenco sound of tapping high-heel shoes on cork and rhythmic clapping echoes in the air. Catching the sunset from the square of Saint Nicolas is something every tourist should do. This lookout point is the perfect spot for amazing photos of the Alhambra and enjoying a free flamenco show in the evenings. This is the reason why it is always so overcrowded with tourists.

  • Location: Plaza Mirador de San Nicolás, 2, 18010 Granada

Travelers should be careful about pickpocketing. All the crowded places with a lot of tourists are also infamous for a lot of pickpocketing.

Related: 25 Places To Achieve A Once-In-A-Lifetime Sunset View

8 The Lookout Point Of Saint Miguel Alto

Looking at tourist photos of Granada, travelers will always encounter that one with a group of friends, sitting on the edge of a wall, having a drink, and enjoying the illuminated Granada at night. This place is not Saint Nicolas, contrary to popular belief. The picture of a spectacular top view of the city, almost as if made with a drone, is from the observation deck of Saint Miguel Alto.

  • Location: Cam. del Sacromonte, s/n, 18010 Granada

Going to Saint Miguel Alto is quite a hike, so tourists should bring hiking essentials and be prepared with water and comfortable shoes.

Related: 10 Best Observation Decks In The World

7 The Elvira Gate

The Elvira Arch (Báb Ilbím) was the main entrance to Granada during Islamic domination. Built in the 11th century, it is one of the oldest fortress gates in the city from that period. It is the point of access to the oldest part of Granada, namely Albaicin and Alhacaba. Next to the Elvira Gate is a small square with benches, perfect for a rest before the hike to the uphill neighborhoods.

  • Location: Pl. del Triunfo, 19, 18010 Granada

6 Basilica Of San Juan De Dios

The evocative smoky smell of candles in this basilica can make one feel as if the outside world doesn’t exist. The Basilica of San Juan de Dios is one of the most important works of Granadian baroque architecture. Its mesmerizing dome with impressive artwork and gold decoration makes this Granadian landmark a must-stop and one of the most beautiful day trips in Granada.

  • Location: C/ San Juan de Dios, 17, 18001 Granada
  • Hours: From Monday to Saturday from 10 AM to 7 PM; Sunday from 1:30 PM to 7 PM

5 The Sacromonte Neighborhood

El Sacromonte is a picturesque and idyllic place on the outskirts of the urban center of Granada. It is the traditional suburb of Granada gypsies who arrived in Spain in the fifteenth century. They lived in the famous caves of this neighborhood and were masterfully portrayed by the poet Federico García Lorca in his book "Romancero Gitano." Eleven of these caves are preserved in their original state and are open for a public visit in exchange for a symbolic price. By visiting at least one of them, tourists can learn much about the way of life in the neighborhood in the past centuries.

It is highly debatable whether the flamenco originated in one of those caves in the Sacromonte neighborhood or in Seville, but what is for sure is that the passion of Spanish gypsies can be felt in it.

4 The Cartuja Monastery

Located around two kilometers from the Granadian center, the Royal Monastery of Cartuja is a religious complex that housed Carthusian monks for three centuries. Similar to the Basilica of San Juan de Dios, this is another significant work of the Spanish Baroque. The decoration of the monastery chapel is impressive, but the Church of the Assumption is what the monastery is famous for.

  • Location: P.º de Cartuja, s/n, 18011 Granada
  • Hours: From Sunday to Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM; Saturday from 10 AM to 12:45 PM and from 3 PM to 6 PM

Getting the Granada card can save tourists a lot of money from visiting landmarks in Granada.

3 The Albaicin Neighborhood

Sacromonte and Albaicin neighborhoods are some of those places where one can feel enchanted. Think white houses, narrow streets, flowers on some old balconies, ancient doors, and marvelous views. Once there, tourists have a high chance of losing themselves, literally. However, even with Google Maps, finding the correct way through the Albaicin is hard. The whole district has so many small streets that it feels like a labyrinth. In the end, however, there is nothing more pleasant than wandering through a beautiful place where one can be surprised by what one finds.

2 The Cathderal Of Granada & Plaza De Las Pasiegas

The Cathedral of Granada is just as impressive as the nearby Plaza de las Pasiegas. The cathedral is an art in its purest form. The fusion of styles and its incredible façade captures the attention at first sight. Plaza de las Pasiegas, on the other hand, has a life of its own. This sunny square of Granada is one of the places where one can enjoy the rays of sunshine to the fullest. Adding on the late afternoon performances of the numerous street musicians, it is a place where every tourist should spend some time.

  • Location: C. Gran Vía de Colón, 5, 18001 Granada

Visiting the Cathedral of Granada is free of charge every Wednesday and Sunday from 14:30 to 18:30.

Related: 10 Most Beautiful Cathedrals In The World

1 The Alhambra & Generalife

The most famous monument of Granada, the Alhambra, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Originally conceived as a military zone, the Alhambra became a royal residence in the mid-13th century. It was an alcazaba (fort), an alcazar (palace), and a small medina (city), all at the same time. It is an impressive monument of Islamic architecture. Besides the Alhambra, one should also visit the Generalife gardens that the Nasrid kings of Granada used to enjoy the tranquility of nature in the 12th and 13th centuries.

  • Location: C. Real de la Alhambra, s/n, 18009 Granada
  • Hours: For day tours one can visit from Monday to Sunday from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM (October 15 - March 31) and from Monday to Sunday from 8:30 AM to 8 PM (April 1st - October 14th). For night tours, the hours are respectively 8 PM to 9:30 PM for autumn and winter and 10 PM to 11:30 PM for spring and summer.

Each November 16, visiting the Alhambra and Generalife is free. One only needs to make a registration on their website.