Granada is a heritage jewel in its own right. Shaped by its Nasrid past and by the changes that followed the Christian conquest, its extraordinary heritage makes it a city like no other in the world. Above all stands the Alhambra, a palace complex that draws millions of visitors from all over the world every year. To it you can add other iconic landmarks of great historical and artistic value, such as the Cathedral, the Royal Chapel, the Carmen de los Mártires and the Royal Monastery of San Jerónimo. The best way to discover these corners is undoubtedly to join one of the many guided tours available, especially those inside the Alhambra.
Beyond its heritage landmarks, Granada also offers a wide range of cultural and leisure attractions that welcome thousands of visitors. That is the case of its museums, among which the Science Park, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Casa de los Tiros, the Alhambra Museum and the Archaeological Museum stand out.
Nor should you miss a stroll through Granada's main historic neighborhoods: the Albaicín, the Sacromonte and the Realejo. Without a doubt, the best way to get to know them is on one of the free tours the city has to offer.
Add to that Granada's cultural scene, which ranges from concerts, music and dance festivals and theatre to daily flamenco shows in tablaos. Its rich and varied food scene is also worth a mention, with bars and restaurants of every kind, from traditional and much-loved tapas to more cutting-edge cuisine or Arab, Asian and American flavours.
What is more, the province of Granada stands out not only for its culture but also for its beaches and its mountains. In a single day you can ski or enjoy other mountain activities in Sierra Nevada, swim at some of the finest Mediterranean beaches and wander through the Albaicín, the Sacromonte and the Alhambra.
Here are some of the must-see places in Granada:
More than 2.5 million tourists visit the Alhambra every year. The monumental complex, which dates back to Nasrid times, is popularly regarded as the eighth wonder of the world. Made up mainly of the Palaces, the Alcazaba, the Generalife, El Partal and the Palace of Charles V, the Alhambra is one of the places on earth with the greatest heritage value per square metre.
Sitting at the foot of the Sierra Nevada and crowning the city of Granada, the Alhambra is a must if you are travelling to the Nasrid capital.
Daytime visit
Night visit
The Albaicín stretches from the hill of San Miguel down to Calle Elvira. Its maze of streets carries visitors back to the days of Muslim Granada, to the height of Nasrid splendour. The Zirid wall, the Arch and the Cistern of San Nicolás, the Carrera del Darro, the Mirador de San Nicolás and the Church of El Salvador are some of the best-known spots in this historic quarter.
The Sacromonte is one of the most distinctive neighborhoods in the world. A quarter of Roma tradition where the cave houses stand out above all else: homes that are unique in the world, every one of them different. Many are still lived in today, while many others are used as artistic venues where you can enjoy an incredible flamenco show. On top of all that, it is one of the best spots in Granada for photographing the Alhambra. And if time allows, we recommend visiting the Abbey of Sacromonte, one of the city's most spectacular monuments.
The Realejo-San Matías neighborhood is one of the liveliest in Granada. The city's old Jewish quarter, it runs from the Alhambra down to the centre of Granada. Since the expulsion of the Jewish community in 1492 the neighborhood has gradually changed into what it is today: a quarter that blends heritage with a huge choice of bars and restaurants with terraces on its many squares. It is also known for the many murals and graffiti by the famous street artist El Niño de las Pinturas scattered around its corners.
The Cathedral of Granada, a masterpiece of the Spanish Renaissance located right in the city centre, is the second largest cathedral in the country. It is a place to enjoy art in its purest form. One of the most important parts of the church is its façade, the work of Alonso Cano. Its 15 chapels are another major draw. Visiting Granada Cathedral means enjoying art in all its forms. It is also worth noting that the remains of Alonso Cano and Mariana Pineda lie here.
The Royal Chapel of Granada is essential viewing if you visit the city. It forms part of the monumental complex that includes Granada Cathedral, the old Merchants' Exchange and the Church of El Sagrario. Inside you will find hugely important works of sculpture, painting and gold and silverwork. You can see up close the crypt holding the remains of the Catholic Monarchs, of their heiress Joanna and her husband Philip, along with the monarchs' personal belongings. You will also see the sacristy-museum, home to several paintings by Flemish artists, the monarchs' ceremonial robes and the books and silverware they used day to day.
Winter
Summer
This is the first science museum in Andalusia. It has several exhibition spaces, some of them permanent, explaining everything from our understanding of the universe and the cosmos to the fascinating phenomenon of life in the Biosphere, and others on temporary display, bringing you closer to the world of robotics, dinosaurs or the theory of relativity. The Planetarium is a chance to get to know the universe better. You can also visit the Biosphere Room, the Perception Room, the Butterfly House, the Explora Room and the Observation Tower. And in the Biodome you can venture into the sea, the land and the sky.
Located in the centre of Granada, near the Basilica of San Juan de Dios, stands this monastery designed by Diego de Siloé. It was the first to be built in Granada after the Christian conquest, although it was founded before the Catholic Monarchs took the city. The complex includes a large church and two cloisters. In this Renaissance masterpiece lies the Gran Capitán, the Castilian nobleman and soldier, buried alongside his wife by the altarpiece of the church.
Also known as the Monastery of Our Lady of the Assumption, this is the finest example of Spanish Baroque. It was the Gran Capitán who donated the land for its construction, intending it as his family mausoleum. Two clearly different parts can be distinguished by their style and decoration. Inside the monastery you can see the small cloister, the refectory, the church, the lay brothers' room, the chapter house, the sanctuary and the sacristy.
Right in the centre of Granada, the Corral del Carbón is a caravanserai dating from 1336: the oldest monument left to us by the Arabs and the best-preserved building of its kind on the Iberian Peninsula. It once served as a goods warehouse and was later adapted for theatrical performances when the Christians arrived. Today it houses an interesting bookshop run by the Legado Andalusí foundation.
This was the palace of an important old Granada family: the Granada-Venegas. It looks like a square tower bristling with old muskets, which is where the name of the house comes from. Inside you will find a courtyard at the entrance, the main hall, a small garden and a number of paintings and sculptures relating to the history of Granada by important local artists. Today it houses a museum.
