Places to Visit in Granada

When traveling to Granada, Spain, embark on the city's most visited destination, Alhambra, to explore the rich history of the Moorish kings. Constructed between 1238 and 1558, it is an architectural beauty that can help awestruck visitors with its rich culture and history. Take a stroll through massive halls and intricately designed corridors for a wholesome experience.

The Church of San Nicolas is one of the most important religious buildings in Granada and is one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in Spain. The exterior of the church is decorated with numerous sculptures and reliefs, and the interior contains beautiful altarpieces. The Church of San Nicolas is a must-see for anyone interested in Spanish art and architecture.

Known to be one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Granada, Catedral de Granada offers an impressive design due to its simple facade, tinted glass windows and two enormous towers standing at a height of 81 metres. Catedral de Granada is considered the first-ever Renaissance church in Spain that features intricate architectural design, making it one of the most significant buildings in the city.

Isabel of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon, two Catholic monarchs, are buried at the Royal Chapel of Granada also known as the Capilla Real. Enrique Egas constructed it between 1506 and 1521. Due to its masterful fusion of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles, the monument is of exceptional artistic importance. Because of the religious significance of the City of Granada's metamorphosis, it is of enormous historical significance. It was originally intended to connect to the Cathedral of Granada, with which it shares a site.

When travelling to Granada, mark your presence at Generalife, a historical garden which dates back to the age of Nasrid Sultans. Take a quick stroll through the lush gardens, beautiful courtyards, magnificent fountains, water channels, myrtle hedges and orchards featuring orange trees. Since it is one of the last examples of Islamic architecture, this place is a must-visit when travelling to Granada.

The earliest Arab bath in Spain was reopened in 1998, five centuries after it had been closed, as the Hammam Al-Ándalus Granada. The design of the architecture was influenced by Roman and Greek bathhouses. It had a set arrangement of rooms, including a room for undressing, a cold room, a warm room, and a hot room.

Abadía del Sacromonte is one of the most emblematic museums in Granada that exudes the perfect blend of history, art, and religion. It is situated on Valparaiso hill and comprises the Abbey of the XVII-XVIII century, the Holy Caves, Collegiate and Dionisio church, the Star Courtyard and a training college for priests or jewish scholars of old times. 

Famously known as Parque de las Ciencias, it is a science museum in Granada based on the outskirts of the city. Dating back to 1995, Parque de las Ciencias is the first-ever interactive museum in Andalusia. The museum is spread over more than 70,000m2, making it one of the biggest parks in the city, and is categorised in various zones for smooth exploration.

The museum of the Sacromonte Caves in Granada, Spain, tells the story of the Gypsies and bohemians who first lived in the caves in the 18th century. Bohemians and nomads of the present day still make up a sizable portion of the neighborhood's residents. It is also called the Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte Centro de Interpretación del Valle del Darro.

La Alcaicería was the central marketplace in the Moorish city of Granada. It was built in the 14th century and, at its peak, was one of the largest and most prosperous markets in all of Europe. In addition to its myriad of shops, La Alcaicería is also home to some of Granada's most iconic landmarks such as Plaza Nueva, the grandiose Cathedral of Granada, and the stunning Alhambra Palace.

The museum chronicling the Inquisition can be found in the Palacio de Los Olvidados (Palace of the Forgotten). The museum features a collection of torture, public humiliation, and execution implements used by inquisitorial, ecclesiastical, and civil courts across Europe. There is a display of interactive flamenco at this palace as well. In this exhibition, visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the multifaceted sensations that flameco has to offer.

Palacio de la Madraza was a madrasa founded in the mid-fourteenth century by the Nasrid monarch Yusuf I. It was dedicated to the study of languages, mathematics, and medicine. The building was later converted into the Town hall of Granada and is currently owned by the University of Granada. It does not retain its original character since it has been the subject of various interventions.

A monastery that formerly housed Carthusian monks in Cartuja is the Monasterio de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción ``La Cartuja". The town's famous baroque church serves as its main draw. Construction on the monastery began in 1516 under the direction of Córdoba architect Don Gonzalo Fernández, and monks occupied the site until 1835.

El Bañuelo is a historic museum in Granada that was originally an Arab Bath dating back to the 11th century. It is one of the oldest and best-preserved hammams of the city as an allusion to the Islam dominance in Spain. El Bañuelo is now a cultural heritage site and a popular tourist attraction that can be explored for free.

A well-liked city square in the center of Granada is called Plaza Isabel La Católica. It is located at the crossroads of Reyes Catolicos Street and Gran Via de Colón. To commemorate the signing of the Capitulation of Santa Fé, the square features a monument to Queen Isabel and Christopher Columbus.

Designed to resemble the palaces of the Spanish city of Granada at the time, Museo Casa de Los Tiros is a popular museum visited by tourists from all around the world. The guns that were previously stationed between its battlements gave rise to the building's nickname, "house of the shoots." It had a fortified, military look because it was a part of the Los Alfareros neighborhood's defense wall. 

Patio de los Leones or the Court Of The Lions is a historical palace in Granada that is touted to be the architectural pinnacle of the Alhambra. Flaunting a traditional Moorish architecture, the palace features an iconic marble fountain in the centre. The fountain has 12 lions that channels the water coming out of the lions’ mouths thus signifying the hydraulic system.

Alcázar Genil is a Muslim-era Almohad palace that served as a recreational house for the Nasrid dynasty during the 13th century. It features a royal Moorish architecture with an ornate qubba, a fountain and a flower bed on the exterior and a beautifully decorated interior with sculptures and carvings. The palace is now an important cultural site that also houses the Francisco Ayala Foundation.

Biodomo Granada is a science museum located in Parque de las Ciencias science centre that aims at the conservation and research of the world’s biodiversity. It is an educational space that exhibits the relationship between human beings and environment and the mechanisms facilitating life. The park houses 250 different species of flora and fauna nurtured in replicas of their natural habitats.

Fundación Rodríguez-Acosta is a Carmen villa renowned for its extraordinary architecture and all-white interiors. In 1916, painter José María Rodríguez-Acosta constructed this traditional house as a studio. It has beautiful rooms filled with historic-artistic objects that give a glimpse of the painter's cosmopolitan and refined taste. There's also a work studio and beautiful gardens with columns, sculptures, and fountains.

Mirador de San Nicolás is a popular viewpoint in Granada that offers stunning views of the city, the Alhambra, and the Sierra Nevada. This hilltop plaza mesmerizes its visitors with a lively atmosphere that includes performances by street musicians, delectable tapas in the nearby bars, and shopping at the artisan stalls. The Church of San Nicolás and San Cecilio shrine are the other highlights of Mirador de San Nicolás.

Puerta de la Justicia, also known as the Gate of Justice, is a historical landmark in the Alhambra Complex in Granada. It is a city gate on the southern wall of the complex with an entrance leading to the Palace of Carlos Quinto. The lovely architectural design and the magnificent silhouette of the gate together make it an iconic symbol of Alhambra which tourists from all over the world come to visit.

Basilica of Angustias is a 17th-century Parish church in Granada that is dedicated to the city’s venerated patroness, la Virgen de las Angustias or Our Lady of Sorrows. It is one of the most beautiful churches of Granada that flaunts regal Baroque architecture and an ornate interior. The major altarpiece and the dome of the church are exquisite pieces of art that exhibit splendor and charm.

Built between 1530 and 1592, Palacio de Los Cordova is one of the key architectural attractions of Granada. This historic building was commissioned by Luis Fernández de Córdoba and is renowned for its beautiful gardens and vegetable plots. The building is used for hosting banquet dinners, cocktail parties, and wedding celebrations.

Huerta de San Vicente was the summer residence of the Spanish playwright, poet, and theatre director, Federico Garcia Lorca. On April 6, 1985, the City Council of Granada acquired it and converted it into a museum. It offers insight into the poet’s lifework by showcasing his original objects, furniture, drawings, manuscripts, and paintings.

Standing atop a hill, Ermita de San Miguel Alto is one of the most prominent attractions of Granada. It is a small church that functioned as a Muslim tower in the seventeenth century. It is renowned for its Gothic interiors and breathtaking architecture. The chapel is a popular pilgrimage site that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area. You'll have to climb up the hill to reach Ermita de San Miguel Alto.

Casa del Chapiz is a fifteenth-century historic house that represents the best of Moorish architecture. It comprises two buildings that are interconnected by a plaster arch. Since 1932, the building has been used as the School of Arab Studies of the CSIC. It also features a lovely garden that offers breathtaking views of the Albaycin and Alhambra.

Nasrid Palaces are three magnificent royal palaces that were built during the fourteenth century by the Nasrid rulers. They represent the best of Islamic culture and art, through the rooms that are brimming with an extensive collection of historical antiques. The vast reception hall was used to organize many events, such as banquets, dinners, and weddings.

Convento de San Francisco is a former medieval Nasrid palace that has now been transformed into the luxury Parador de Granada hotel. It is housed in a fifteenth-century convent and is renowned for its Arabic and Christian-style interior. The lavish rooms offer calm views of the sea and the gigantic mountains.

The Patio de Los Arrayanes or Court of the Myrtles is the central courtyard of the famous palace, the Palacio de Comares in Granada, Spain. It was originally intended for Comares to serve as the seat of executive government. Myrtle shrubs, whose vibrant green color stands out against the white marble of the patio, are responsible for the area's current nickname, Patio de Los Mirtos.

Built-in 2003, Mezquita Mayor de Granada holds the distinction of being Spain's first new mosque since the Reconquista, which was constructed more than five hundred years ago. The mosque, which can be seen in the old Arab neighborhood with views of the Sierra Nevada mountains, is a symbol of the civilization-altering impact of Islam.

The Moorish house of Zafra, built between the years 1400 and 1500, also known as the Casa de Zafra, is one of the many architectural marvels we can see in the Albaicin district. In this early example of Islamic architecture in the area of Granada, you'll find various properties owned by Hernando de Zafra, secretary to the Catholic Monarchs.

A museum of fine arts can be found in Granada, Spain, called the Museo de Bellas Artes de Granada. Situated in the center of Alhambra's palatial city, it is housed in the Palace of Carlos V, a crowning achievement of the Spanish Renaissance. The Mendizábal Confiscations of 1839 provided the artwork for its opening, which had been taken from the Granada religious orders.

Cuarto Real de Santo Domingo is a 13th century Nasrid palace in Granada that was used as a royal country estate residence by the Arab queens. It later became a part of the Dominican convent after the conquest of the city by Catholic monarchs. The qubba of the palace is an architectural icon and is now used to house temporary exhibitions.  

The Carmen de Los Mártires is situated on a hill above the city and overlooks the entire region. It was built in the 19th century as a monastery for Carmelite monks. However, it was converted into military barracks during the Napoleonic Wars. It was also used as a prison for years in the past around the 12th century. Today, it is a popular spot for tourists to visit.

El Partal is one of the few remaining examples of Nasrid architecture and is considered to be of great historical importance. The palace was built using traditional Islamic techniques and materials, and its design reflects the paradise gardens of Moorish legend. It is also one of the few Moorish buildings that still exists in its original form.

Located on the grounds of the Alhambra, the Palacio del Generalife was once the summer palace of the Emir of Granada. It is best known for its gardens, which are considered to be some of the most beautiful in all of Spain. The gardens are divided into three sections: the Flower Garden, the Water Garden, and the Labyrinth Garden. Visitors can stroll through the gardens and enjoy their peaceful atmosphere.

The Palace of Charles V is a well-preserved example of Renaissance architecture that is definitely worth a visit if you are ever in Granada. The palace is unique in its octagonal shape and central courtyard, and its history is fascinating. It is also conveniently located near other attractions such as the Alhambra and the Generalife.

Puerta del Vino is the name of one of the twelve gates located in the old city walls of Granada, Spain. The gate, which is also known as the Wine Gate, was built during the rule of Sultan Muhammad III (1302-1309) and is one of the best-preserved examples of Moorish architecture in Granada.

Palacio Dar al-Horra, located in the historic city of Granada, Spain, is a must-see for anyone interested in Moorish architecture and history. The palace was built in the 15th century and later served as the home of Moorish ruler Muhammad XII of Granada. Today, it houses a museum that chronicles the history of Muslim rule in Spain.

Zambra María la Canastera is a renowned flamenco performance venue located in the heart of Granada. Founded in the late 1900s, Zambra María la Canastera has been a driving force in the preservation and evolution of Andalusian flamenco music and dance. Today, the venue continues to showcase some of the best flamenco performers in the world, while also serving as a meeting place for aficionados of this beloved art form.

The Church of the Sagrario is a beautiful baroque church located in the heart of Granada, Spain. The church was built in the 18th century on the site of the former major mosque of Granada. The church is a beautiful example of Spanish Baroque architecture, and it houses several important historical artifacts including the 18th-century neoclassical organ.

Sala de Los Reyes is a room located in the Royal Palace of Granada, in Andalusia, southern Spain. The room got its name due to the portraits of ten men in a sitting position, who are believed to be the first 10 rulers of the Nasrid dynasty. From the 18th century, the place was also referred to as the hall of justice.

Plaza de San Nicolás is one of the most popular squares in the city of Granada, Spain. Located in the center of the city, this square is a hub of activities such as dancing, playing music, and drinking, day and night. During the day, locals and tourists alike come to the square to enjoy the cafes, shops, and art galleries. At night, the square comes alive making it one of the best places in Granada to experience the city's vibrant nightlife.

Built in the 16th century by Diego de Siloé, the most renowned artist of the time, the Iglesia de San Gil y Santa Ana is a Gothic-style church located in the city of Granada, Spain. The church is famous for its beautiful architecture and stunning views of the city. Built in the Mudejar style, the church has a marvelous Plateresque doorway and a stunning interior coffering to gaze at.

The magnificent Salón de Los Embajadores, located in the Palacio de Comares, was once the grand reception hall for the Kings and Queens of Spain. This incredible room, with its high ceilings and ornate decoration, is one of the most impressive examples of Moorish architecture in Spain.

The Mirador de San Cristóbal is located on a hill in the city of Granada. The mirador, or viewing platform, provides breathtaking views of the city below and the surrounding mountains. The viewpoints at Mirador de San Cristóbal are reached by a short walk from the city center, or by taking a bus or taxi up to the mirador itself.

The Plaza de los Aljibes is located in the heart of the Alhambra complex in Granada and its construction began in 1494 as decided by Iñigo López de Mendoza, Count of Tendilla. The plaza gets its name from the Aljibes, or water reservoirs, that are located here. It was originally used as a garden and a place for entertainment but today, it is one of the most popular places to visit in the Alhambra.

From its origins as a Moorish fortress to its present-day role as a museum, the Castril Palace has a long and fascinating story. In the 16th century, the Castril palace was commissioned by Diego de Mendoza, 1st Count of Santisteban del Puerto, as a seat of grenadine nobility. The house is located in the old Arab district of Ajsaris, in the Race of the Darro, with a central courtyard and extensive gardens.

Carmen de la Victoria is a university residence with lush green gardens and regal rooms. It is situated in the Albaicín neighbourhood of Granada and is an ideal destination to relax, take in the beautiful views and appreciate nature. It has been acquired by the University of Granada and can be enjoyed by the public and students.

Aquaola Water Park Granada is a place where you can soak up the sun, have some fun, and cool off all at the same time! With a wide variety of attractions, there's something for everyone to enjoy. From the thrilling slides and rides to the relaxing lazy river, Aquaola has it all. It is the smallest water park in Granada and is located near the capital itself.

Nestled within the enchanting labyrinth of Granada's historic streets lies a timeless gem of Moorish architecture, the Puerta de Elvira. Steeped in centuries of history and cultural significance, this majestic gate stands as a testament to Granada's rich and diverse heritage.

Dating back to the 11th century during the reign of the Moors in Spain, the Puerta de Elvira has witnessed the passage of time, bearing witness to the ebb and flow of civilizations. Named after the wife of the Moorish king, Yusuf I, the gate served as one of the principal entrances to the city, granting access to travelers and traders traversing the ancient Silk Road.

The gate's intricate design reflects the sophisticated craftsmanship of its creators, with its horseshoe arches, ornate carvings, and geometric patterns reminiscent of Moorish architectural style. As visitors pass beneath its imposing arches, they are transported back in time, enveloped in the mystique of Moorish Spain.

The Palacio de Dar-al-Horra, nestled in the historic Albaicín neighborhood of Granada, Spain, stands as a testament to the rich cultural fusion of Islamic and Spanish traditions. Originally constructed in the 15th century, this palace served as the residence of the powerful Nasrid dynasty's last sultana, Aixa, and her son, Boabdil. Its name, Dar-al-Horra, translates to "House of the Honest Woman," reflecting the noble lineage and dignified stature of its former occupants.