➡The 21 Most Important Monuments in Granada + Alhambra

If there is something that defines Granada, it is its historical past. In particular, the Nasrid stage and the stage of the Catholic Monarchs. In this sense, it brings together a great and very rich legacy that today we can visit and that helps us better understand the identity of the city.

Churches, convents, monasteries, Renaissance palaces, museums, buildings, historic houses … Do you know which are the most important monuments in Granada?

Let’s get to know them!

The most interesting monuments in Granada

Surely with the Alhambra there are no doubts, right? Well, it is its main monument and most visited place (also one of the most visited monuments in Europe!)

But really, the city preserves an enormous historical, monumental and artistic heritage that enchants all its visitors.

Without exaggerating!

Here are the most important historical monuments in Granada plus Alhambra:

1.Granada Cathedral

It is one of the main monuments of the city of Granada. It is impossible to walk through the old town and not see it raised above the Plaza de las Pasiegas. (By the way, one of the most beautiful squares!)

We have to go back to 1523 to talk about the beginning of the construction of this building directed by Enrique Egas and ordered to be built by Queen Isabel la Católica many years before. But it took 200 years and different architects to see the work as we know it today!

Several generations and several project changes to achieve one of the most important and visited monuments in Granada, one of the largest cathedrals in Europe and a masterpiece of the Spanish Renaissance.

As many other cathedrals in Andalusia, it was built on top of the city’s main mosque.

Inside the temple a spectacular interior awaits you, a mixture of Renaissance, Baroque and Plateresque, where the Main Chapel and the High Altar are located, as well as an exhibition room and a rich collection of pictorial and sculptural pieces.

And, how to visit the Cathedral of Granada?

You can buy the ticket at the door of the monument, the price of the individual ticket is € 5. But keep in mind that this ticket does not include a visit to the Royal Chapel, despite the fact that they are two annex buildings.

Here you have all the info to visit the Cathedral of Granada😉

2.Royal Chapel

If you want to know what historical monuments visiting in Granada in addition to the Alhambra and the Cathedral, sign up for the Royal Chapel, one of the most important places in the history of the city, because this is where the remains of the Catholic Monarchs, Isabel and Fernando rest. , as well as those of Felipe el Hermoso and Juana la Loca.

Inside this building you can also enjoy a very rich collection of paintings and sculptures, highlighting the main altarpiece, the work of Felipe Bigarny.

The Royal Chapel, in Gothic style, was built many years before the Cathedral (between 1505 and 1517). However, at the moment it is a side chapel of this one.

Although both monuments have different tickets, the ideal is to visit them together.

You can buy the Royal Chapel online ticket and visit it on your own with an audio guide or you can book a Cathedral, Royal Chapel and Madraza of Granada private guided tour.

3.The Madrasa

Right in front of the entrance to the Royal Chapel and in one of the busiest streets in the Historic Center of Granada, Calle Oficios, is the Madraza.

This Nasrid, Mudejar and Baroque style building corresponds to what was the first Public University of Al-Andalus and today it is an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC).

Its origin dates back to the year 1,349, thanks to Yusuf I, when it was consolidated as a center for higher studies dedicated to theological teachings, jurisprudence, medicine and mathematics. So it was a symbol of the importance of Granada as the capital of Andalusian culture.

After the conquest of the city and until the mid-nineteenth century, the Madrasa served as the City Council, later it was moved to its current location, the Plaza del Carmen.

At present, it is the headquarters of the Center for Contemporary Culture of the University of Granada, and here exhibitions, seminars, conferences, book presentations, literary readings and workshops are held.

It is also possible to visit this historical and symbolic Granada building throughout the week, the most notable being its XXIV Knights’ Hall, where a splendid Mudejar armor from the early 16th century is located.

4.Sacromonte Abbey

The Sacromonte Abbey is considered another of Granada’s monuments that must be visited.

Its construction (in 1609) is the result of a massive pilgrimage movement to this place that began after finding here the relics of San Cecilio, disciple of the Apostle Santiago. Also the remains of his followers, San Hisicio and San Patricio, as well as the famous lead books, lead plates written in Arabic that tell legendary stories about the apostolic and Arab origins of Christianity in Granada.

Unlike almost all abbeys, this one never housed a community of monks, but was an institution of spiritual, intellectual and educational life, with great projection in society. In fact, from the beginning, the Abbey of Sacromonte has promoted numerous activities of a social nature, founding one of the first university colleges in Europe, in 1610.

Therefore, today it has become a fantastic monumental, cultural, artistic and religious complex to visit in Granada capital and in the emblematic Sacromonte neighborhood.

In addition, in this place the popular Cristo de los Gitanos is guarded, one of the most important figures and processions of Holy Week in Granada.

On the other hand, once you get here, you cannot miss its wonderful views of Granada and the Alhambra from the viewpoint 😍

5.Corral del Carbón

In the heart of the capital is the Corral del Carbón, an Andalusian alhóndiga dating from 1336.

And what was a corn market?

It was an establishment where grain and coal were sold, bought and stored. It also meant accommodation for merchants and even over time, it became a neighborhood corral and a Comedy Corral.

It currently houses the office of the Granada International Music and Dance Festival, but it is also used as a space for cultural activities in the city, such as shows, music and dance recitals or theatrical performances.

Most of the activities take place in summer!

Corral del Carbón is the oldest Arab monument in Granada and the best preserved alhóndiga on the peninsula.

6.Bañuelo

Have you heard about the ancient Arab baths that existed in our country?

Specifically in the city of Granada and in one of its most beautiful streets, El Paseo de los Tristes, is one of the best-preserved public Arab baths on the peninsula.

Do not get carried away by the sobriety of its facade, because the wonderful interior architecture will surprise you!

The Arab baths or hammam were public baths and a social meeting place for the Muslims of Al-Andalus. Here men and women came separately, regularly to wash, cut their hair, receive massages, or simply relax.

El Bañuelo of Granada was built in the 11th century and is considered the oldest civil building in the city.

After the conquest of Granada by the Catholic Monarchs, all the Arab baths began to decline, many being destroyed or converted. For that reason, we have so few today. But El Bañuelo is an exceptional case, since it was destined to be a public laundry, leaving its old structure intact.

It is currently a well visited and valued Asset of Cultural Interest and National Monument in Granada.

Therefore, El Bañuelo is one of the most recommended monuments in Granada, both for tourists and locals. A historical place, easy to visit and that will help you better understand how our ancestors lived.

7.Cartuja Monastery

Away from the historic center of the city and in the Cartuja neighborhood, you will find another of the most beautiful monuments in Granada.

The Cartuja Monastery is one of the most characteristic works of the Spanish and Andalusian Baroque, considered a Site of Cultural Interest and a Historic-Artistic Monument. Here the Carthusian monks lived until they were expelled in 1835.

Its construction began in 1506, when Don Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, the Great Captain, donated the land. Although the works would last, nothing more and nothing less than almost three centuries!

Thanks to this, the Late Gothic, Renaissance and Spanish Baroque styles now coexist.

During the visit, you cannot miss the church with its impressive main altar, the sacristy and the dazzling Baroque decoration.

To learn more about the history of this monastery and Granada, we recommend the documentary film directed by Óscar Parada. Check out the trailer!

8.Horno del Oro Arab house

It is a Moorish House located on Calle Horno de Oro, in the Albaicín.

This small one-story Nasrid house, to which a second floor was added in the 16th century, revolves around a patio centered by a small pool and with views of the Alhambra.

After the expulsion of the Moors, the house was a neighbor’s corral until the 20th century, being then acquired by the state and restored.

It is currently open all year round for your visit.

9.House of the Chapiz

The Chapiz house in Granada is also located in the Albaicín neighborhood.

It is the most important Moorish house in Granada, which actually houses two houses that belonged to two people from Granada who became Christians after the reconquest.

House of the Chapiz is currently the headquarters of the Arab Studies School and one of the most visited tourist attractions in Granada.

A highly recommended visit for only € 2.

10. Zafra House

Another of the Nasrid houses built in the Albaicín neighborhood is the Casa de Zafra, built in the 14th century by an important family of the kingdom.

After the conquest of Granada, Isabel la Católica ceded its land to her faithful secretary, Don Hernando de Zafra.

When Don Hernando and his wife died, the Santa Catalina de Siena Convent was built as ordered. Thus, the Casa de Zafra was preserved almost intact within the convent’s premises.

Centuries later, it was publicly valued when in 1931 the Zafra convent complex was declared a historical-artistic monument. From that moment on, various restorations have taken place, and in 1985 the house became an Asset of Cultural Interest.

Today the house of Zafra is the Interpretation Center of the Albaicín, a project of the Granada Tourism Plan with which it is intended to value the house and turn it into the entrance door and letter of introduction to the Albaicín.

11.Dar al-Horra Palace

This building located in the heart of Granada’s Albaicín was the first residence of the founder of the Nasrid dynasty, Muhammad I.

Later, Aixa la-Horra, Muley Hacen’s wife and mother of the last Granada emir, Boabdil, would live here. Hence the name of the palace.

After the conquest it was ceded by the Catholic Monarchs to Hernando de Zafra, who made it his residence. And later, Queen Elizabeth turned it into a Franciscan convent. Thus, from 1507 until today, it is still inhabited by Poor Clares.

Without a doubt, a building in Granada with a lot of history that you should visit.

12.San Jerónimo Monastery

The Monastery of San Jerónimo is another of the main monuments of Granada.

This architectural complex of the Renaissance, made up of a church and a monastery, is considered an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC), and its foundation is due to the Catholic Monarchs.

Most of the work is attributed to Diego de Siloé, although other architects and artists participated in its construction.

Currently, you can have the privilege of making a cultural visit throughout the year, except during hours of worship and other religious celebrations.

The individual ticket has a cost of € 4 and you can buy it through the Granada Cristiana website.

13.Royal Room of Santo Domingo

In Granada’s Realejo neighborhood, the old Jewish quarter, you can visit the Cuarto Real de Santo Domingo, a palace from the Almohad period.

Built during the reign of Muhammad II (1273-1302), it is considered one of the buildings with the greatest artistic interest in the city.

At the same time, it is also one of the most unknown of Granada’s cultural heritage, because until the Granada City Council bought it in 1990, it had always been in private hands.

It is currently declared an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC) and it can be said that it is a direct antecedent of the architectural and decorative solutions that the Alhambra palaces would present decades later.

14.Santo Domingo Church

The majestic Church of Santo Domingo is an indispensable place to get to know the Spanish Baroque.

It is also located in the Realejo neighborhood, very close to the previous monument, and is presided over by the Plaza de Santo Domingo, where the monument to Fray Luis de Granada stands.

From the outside of the church we have to highlight the façade, portico and bell tower, and from the outside, undoubtedly, the side altarpiece where the dressing room of the Virgen del Rosario, co-patron of Granada is located.

15.Santa Ana and San Gil Church

If you walk through Plaza Nueva, it is inevitable that this parish temple and Mudejar church goes unnoticed.

It dates from 1537 and rises where previously the Almanzora mosque was located.

Inside you can find priceless artistic elements, such as the image of La Dolorosa by José de Mora, a Calvary by Diego de Aranda, the 16th and 17th century paintings that are preserved on its walls, a chalice by Francisco Téllez and a Crucified by Juan de Mena.

On the outside, the tower stands out, built between 1561 and 1563 by Juan Castellar and whose decorative elements reveal a subtle Mudejar style.

Did you know that the popular Granada heroine Mariana Pineda got married in this church?

16.Angustias Church

In one of the most central streets of Granada, the Carrera de la Virgen, is located what is currently the parish of the patron saint of Granada.

This baroque temple is built on a hermitage from the beginning of the 16th century, and from its origins it has been a sanctuary open to the pilgrimage of people from Granada and foreigners.

In addition, this church becomes even more important when its most special date approaches, the Day of the Virgen de las Angustias, celebrated every year on the last Sunday of September, with the procession and the patron saint’s holiday.

17.Fray Leopoldo Crypt

The Crypt of Fray Leopoldo, in addition to having great significance for many people from Granada, is considered one of the most visited places in the city, as well as one of Granada’s favorite monuments for locals.

And who was Fray Leopoldo?

He was a Capuchin friar who, although he was born in Alpandeire, Málaga, lived in Granada almost all his life.

He used to walk the streets of the city to ask for alms and give it to those who needed it. In such a way that, his fame as a good and holy man spread throughout Spain and he was known as the “almoner friar”. In addition, it is said that he performed miracle cures that made him even more popular.

Fray Leopoldo died in Granada on February 9, 1956, at the age of 92 and was beatified in 2010.

During the visit, in addition to touring the crypt, you can also see a small museum in his memory, as well as the parish of Fray Leopoldo, where many of his faithful come to celebrate mass.

Both places are centrally located, right next to the Jardines del Triunfo and admission is free.

18.San Juan de Dios Church

It is located next to the Hospital de San Juan de Dios and it is one of the most majestic churches in Granada, with impressive Baroque details, frescoes and a very high and ornate dome that attracts attention as soon as you enter.

It is also one of the most prominent nationally in Baroque art, both for its artistic mastery and for its relevant heritage wealth.

The church dates from the 18th century and offers a sightseeing tour with an audio guide in several languages. The cost of general admission is € 5

The San Juan de Dios Church is one of the most outstanding Baroque temples in Spain.

19.Major Mosque of Granada

In the heart of the Albaicín neighborhood and right next to the popular Mirador de San Nicolás, is the Great Mosque, the first mosque built in Granada by converted European Muslims.

This opened its doors in 2003, becoming the first Muslim temple in the city since its Taking in 1492. For what it represents the restoration of a lost bond after a hiatus of 500 years.

The Great Mosque of Granada is open for prayer, but also to visit its garden, Mosque and Center for Islamic Studies.

In addition, from its garden, with free access, you can contemplate magnificent views of the Alhambra, very similar to those of the Mirador de San Nicolás 📸

20.Córdova Palace

The Palacio de los Cordova de Granada, was built between 1530 and 1592 in the Placeta de las Descalzas (near the Plaza Isabel la Católica), and later moved in 1960 to the Cuesta del Chapiz, its current location.

Today it is one of the free monuments to visit in Granada and its rooms and gardens are also used for celebrations and formal meetings.

Although not all travelers who come to the city pass through here, it is a beautiful and charming place, which offers a beautiful view of the Alhambra.

Architecturally, it is necessary to highlight its Renaissance façade and an interior with Gothic and Mudejar elements.

21. Carlos V Palace

At the end of the list we have one of the most interesting monuments in Granada, due to its location, artistic style and number of visits it receives.

The Carlos V Palace is located within the Alhambra and is one of the monuments with free entry in Granada that you should not miss.

Its name is due to the fact that it was Carlos V himself, grandson of the Catholic Monarchs, who, as a result of his wedding with Isabel of Portugal in Seville and subsequent temporary stay in the Alhambra, was impressed by the beauty of the Nasrid Palaces. In this way, he commissioned the construction of a new palace for his residence.

The project was attributed to Pedro Machuca, creating a stylistically mannerist palace, a style that was taking its first steps in Italy. So this “Roman” style palace definitely changed the image of the Alhambra enclosure, both inside and in connection with the city (it modified accesses).

Likewise, it can be said that the decision to locate the Palace in the Alhambra symbolized the triumph of Christianity over Islam.

Since 1958, the Palacio de Carlos V has been the seat of the Granada Museum of Fine Arts, which has unique pieces of great value, and is also the seat of the Alhambra Museum.

Visit the Alhambra and the Generalife of Granada

It goes without saying that the Alhambra and Generalife is the quintessential monument of the Granada capital, both for all tourists visiting the city and for residents of Granada.

Visiting the Alhambra is a must in Granada, and it is also one of the ideal activities to do as a couple, alone, with friends, and it is also one of the ideal monuments to visit in Granada with children. Nobody is indifferent after meeting her!

The Alhambra, a Unesco World Heritage Site, is not only the fortress itself, but also constitutes a monumental complex of different rooms, spaces, patios, gardens, towers, passageways, mosaics, fountains … Gathering an impressive cultural, historical and artistic.

The Torre de la Vela, the Sala de las Dos Hermanas, the Sala de los Abencerrajes, the Patio de los Arrayanes, the Palacio de Comares, the Salón de los Embajadores, the Mirador de Daraxa …

A visit that you must make yes or yes!

The ideal is to visit the Alhambra in its entirety, that is, with the entrance to Los Palacios, the Gardens of El Partal, the Alcazaba and the Generalife.

A visit for which you will need at least 3 hours and that we recommend you do with a guide to get more juice from your tourist journey through Nasrid history. See Alhambra guided tours.

Tourist vouchers to visit the main monuments of Granada

We have already listed which are the best monuments in Granada, but how to visit them?

Each monument can be visited individually and you can also do it with organized guided tours.

In one way or another, if you are going to visit several places, it is best to purchase one of the tourist vouchers with combined tickets and reduced prices.

Here we tell you which are the vouvhers with the Granada monuments tickets and which one best suits your stay:

• Granada Card: an ideal voucher to visit many of the most important historical and tourist places in the city. It also includes a bus ticket, the Alhambra entrance and the entrance to 16 other monuments and museums; the Cathedral and Royal Chapel, the Cartuja Monastery, San Jerónimo Monastery, Sacromonte Abbey, Science Park, Casa de Zafra, Cuarto Real de Santo Domingo, Museum of Fine Arts, Casa de los Tiros, Archaeological Museum, Corral del Carbón, Bañuelo, Casa del Horno del Oro, Casa del Chapiz and Dar al-Horra Palace. Its price is € 36.40, € 40 or € 43: / person, depending on whether you choose validity for 24h, 48h or 72h. Buy Voucher Granada Card.
• Dobla de Oro (€ 19.65 / person): a bonus offered by the Board of Trustees that includes entry to the general daytime Alhambra, Corral del Carbón, Dar al-Horra Palace, Moriscas Houses (Horno de Oro, Chapiz and Zafra) and El Bañuelo. Buy Double Gold Voucher.
• Andalusian Monuments (€ 5 / person): includes Dar al-Horra Palace, Corral del Carbón, Moorish House (Horno de Oro) and El Bañuelo. Buy Andalusian Monuments Voucher.

In addition to all these important monuments of Granada listed in the post, there are endless places of great historical and artistic value that we have not included in the list but that are also worth visiting. Some of these are churches such as the Iglesia del Sagrario, Iglesia de San Miguel Bajo, Iglesia de San Pedro y San Pablo, Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón …

Do you already know which are the most important monuments in Granada?