Must-see places in Granada

It is no coincidence that Granada is considered one of the most beautiful cities in our country, but it is due to the quality and beauty of its heritage, its neighbourhoods and its monuments. For this reason, it is important to know which are the essential places to see in Granada.

Would you like to know the most fascinating places in the city of Granada? Stay and read this post, we will show you everything you need to know below!

Granada Cathedral

After the conquest of Granada, Isabella the Catholic ordered the construction of a cathedral in the city, and work began in 1523. This beautiful temple is the first Renaissance church in Spain and it took almost 200 years for it to be completed.

The first thing that strikes the eye about the Cathedral is its spectacular façade, designed by Alonso Cano in 1667, ornamented with plant and geometric motifs, making its mouldings and pilasters create a beautiful visual aspect.

As for its interior, it is common to be impressed by the delicacy of the elements that make it up, such as the stained glass windows, the arches, the columns and its different chapels. Likewise, in its Main Chapel we can observe a great harmony as a result of the use of different materials, tonalities and contrasts.

It is worth noting that Mariana Pineda and Alonso Cano were buried in Granada Cathedral.

Royal Chapel

When Queen Isabella fell ill, she ordered the construction of the Royal Chapel, which was built between 1505 and 1517 by Enrique Egas. It is late Gothic in style and stands out on the outside for the rich ornamentation of its pinnacles.

Once inside the church, the mausoleum dedicated to the Catholic Monarchs and the mausoleum belonging to Juana and her husband Felipe stand out. In addition, its great main altarpiece, which is considered to be one of the first plateresque altarpieces in Spain, conveys multiple cultural, religious, social and political messages of the time.

The remains of Isabella the Catholic, Ferdinand II of Aragon, Joanna I of Castile, Philip I of Castile and the infant Miguel de la Paz can be found here. The museum also displays important personal belongings of the Catholic Monarchs, such as Isabella's crown and centrepiece and Ferdinand's sword.

Monastery of San Jerónimo

It is considered a jewel of the Spanish Renaissance and is the first monastery to be built in Granada after the conquest of the city. Its construction began in 1504 and a large part of the work was financed by the widow of the Gran Capitán, due to her desire to establish the family pantheon here.

This monastery has different rooms such as the refectory, the sala profundis, the cloisters, the chapterhouse, the chapels and the church, showing what life was like for the monks and how they carried out their daily tasks. It was inhabited until the Napoleonic invasion, when French troops occupied the building.

The Great Captain was buried here and the Empress Isabella of Portugal used it as her residence after her marriage to Charles I.

Sacromonte Quarter

The Sacromonte quarter is one of the most emblematic of the city. It is located in the Valparaíso Valley, opposite the Alhambra, and was the place where Moors, Jews and gypsies moved after the expulsion of the Moors on 31 March 1492.

As a result of the union of these three cultures, special traditions were created such as the zambras, flamenco dances that were created by uniting Moorish and gypsy roots, or the cave houses, the usual dwelling of these groups.

The streets of the Sacromonte neighbourhood are enchanting and magical, and it also has an Abbey that was created after the discovery of the plumbeous books and the remains of San Cecilio, which led to the pilgrimage of huidreds of people to the place.

Tower of San Nicolás

Observing the Alhambra and the Generalife with the city at its feet and the Sierra Nevada in the background is one of the panoramic views that visitors who climb the Torre de San Nicolás will always remember.

The panoramic view from this location is unequalled by any other in the city and is one of Granada's must-see sights. So much so that even Bil Clinton said in 1997 that from the Mirador de San Nicolás you can admire ‘the most beautiful sunset in the world’.

It is really amazing to see the sunset from the San Nicolás Tower, being able to see the whole city and appreciate the monuments in it.

Cartuja Monastery

In the Monastery of the Cartuja de Granada we find the Spanish Baroque at its best and it is remarkable that its construction lasted for more than 3 centuries, so we can also find references to the late Gothic and Renaissance.

Although the exterior of the Monastery is sober, the interior of the temple is one of the greatest beauties of Granada. The church, the tabernacle and the sacristy, which many have called ‘the most beautiful sacristy in the world’, stand out in every room we enter.

In 1932 the Cartuja Monastery was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest and a Historic-Artistic Monument.

Albaicin neighbourhood

Finally, to know all the essential places to see in Granada, we could not forget to mention the Albaicín neighbourhood. In its labyrinthine narrow streets you can see the Arab presence in the city.

During the 13th century, it was made up of a large number of palaces, villas and carmenes, and after the conquest of Granada, its mosques were demolished and converted into churches.

This neighbourhood has been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, as the views it offers of the Alhambra, the viewpoints we find when we walk through it and the charm of its streets is unparalleled.

Discover the must-see places in Granada with Tickets Granada Cristina

As you have seen throughout this article on the essential places to see in Granada, the city has numerous monuments full of history and culture, as well as emblematic neighbourhoods that stand out for their beauty and uniqueness.

If you would like to know in depth the city of Granada, do not hesitate to buy your tickets to its monuments on the official website of the Archdiocese of Granada or book one of our routes. With our combined ticket you can visit the most remarkable sites with a special price! 

What are you waiting for to enjoy the wonders of Granada?