15 Historical Places in Granada That Will Leave You Spellbound!

Granada Historical Sites

The Alhambra, Catedral de Granada, Royal Chapel of Granada, Corral del Carbón, Monastery of St. Jerome, Monasterio de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción "La Cartuja", Casa de Zafra, Plaza Nueva, Puerta De Elvira, Abadía del Sacromonte, Santo Domingo Church, Casa del Chapiz and more.

Explore the historical places in Granada through time, from the glorious Islamic Golden Age to the Christian conquest and learn about the rich Moorish heritage of the city. Granada is a popular tourist destination of Spain and the pride of Andalucía that welcomes millions of tourists thanks to its scenic landscape, soothing climate and historic attractions. The city is widely famous for its architectural and artistic monuments that depict the ancient history of the place.

Granada historical sites like churches, monasteries, palaces, fortresses and mansions boast of an imposing architecture and flaunt Renaissance, Baroque, Gothic and Neoclassical designs. The Alhambra is the major highlight of all attractions in Granada since it is a universal beauty and an architectural marvel with allusions to the Moorish culture. You can also visit other historical sites like the Cathedral, Royal Chapel, Corral del Carbon, monasteries like Monastery of St. Jerome and La Cartuja, and museums like Casa de Zafra and Casa del Chapiz.

Here is the list of best historical places in Granada:

Best Attraction Tickets In Granada Explore All (8)

3H

838 Ratings

Alhambra Skip-the-line Tickets, Granada

€ 17 € 15 per adult

Plan a memorable visit to the fascinating Sacromonte Caves Museum

3H

26 Ratings

Sacromonte Caves Museum Tickets, Granada

€ 7 € 5 per adult

5H

31 Ratings

Alhambra, Granada Cathedral & Royal Chapel Tour Tickets, Granada

€ 76 € 75 per adult

Plan a visit to Abadía del Sacromonte nestled amidst the beautiful valley of Granada

1H

26 Ratings

Abadia del Sacromonte Tickets, Granada

€ 7 € 6 per adult

Visit the spectacular Alhambra and Generalife and get amazed by it's beauty

3H

38 Ratings

Alhambra and Generalife Tickets, Granada

€ 280 € 250 per adult

Visit the Palacio de los Olvidados built in the 16th century

2H

28 Ratings

Palacio de los Olvidados Entry Tickets, Granada

€ 10 € 10 per adult

3H

28 Ratings

Alhambra Audio Guided Tour with Entry to Nasrid Palaces

€ 69 € 49 per adult

4H

33 Ratings

Royal Chapel and Granada Cathedral Guided Tour

€ 55 € 38 per adult

01

The Alhambra

The Alhambra, an 8th century architectural marvel, is an ancient palace of the Nasrid dynasty and is one of the best preserved historical places in Granada.
Perched on the top of Sabika Hill, Alhambara is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is an epitome of Islamic and Spanish Renaissance architecture.
Alhambra means ’red fortress’ in Arabic which is a reference to its red coloured walls. It also has an elegant Moorish throne room, a rectangle courtyard with fountains and carved stuccos for wall decoration.

Location: Calle Real de la Alhambra, s/n, 18009 Granada, Spain

Timings: In summer, 8:30 AM – 8 PM on all days of the week
In winter, 8:30 AM – 6 PM on all days of the week

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Alhambra Skip-the-line Tickets, Granada

838 Ratings

3H

Starting from € 17 € 15 per Adult

02

Catedral de Granada

Catedral de Granada is a 16th century Roman Catholic Church that is built upon the site of the Great Mosque.
It is one of Spain’s largest cathedrals and is an architectural wonder like many other Granada historical sites.
The design of the church was originally intended to be Gothic style but was later modified to include Renaissance and Baroque style designs.
The lavish gold-and-white interior, stained-glass cupola, the Door of Forgiveness and the artistic facade add to the beauty of the Cathedral.

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

Timing: Monday to Saturday – 10 AM to 6:15 PM, Sunday – 3 PM to 6:15 PM

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Granada Cathedral Guided Tour

39 Ratings

2H

Starting from € 37 € 36 per Adult

03

Royal Chapel of Granada

Royal Chapel or Capilla Real, one of the significant historical places in Granada, is the final resting place of the Catholic monarchs Isabel of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon.
It is an Isabelline style building with decorative motifs, a single nave, four side chapels and ornately designed vaulting.
The tombs of the monarchs, the Temple, the Exchange, the main altarpiece and the Sacristy Museum are the main highlights of the Royal Chapel.

Location: Calle Oficios, s/n, 18001 Granada, Spain

Timing: Monday to Saturday -10 AM to 6:30 PM, Sunday – 11 AM to 6:30 PM

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Alhambra, Granada Cathedral & Royal Chapel Tour Tickets, Granada

31 Ratings

5H

Starting from € 76 € 75 per Adult

04

Corral del Carbón

Located in the heart of the city, Corral del Carbón is the oldest monument of all historical places in Granada and dates back to 1336.
It was originally built as a grain market during the 14th century and was later used as a coal storage yard in the 17th century.
Corral del Carbón is the only standing Arabian alhondiga in Iberian Peninsula and portrays the history of Granada and its Arab legacy.

Location: C. Mariana Pineda, 21, 18009 Granada, Spain

Timing: 9 AM to 7 PM on all days of the week

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05

Monastery of St. Jerome

Monasterio de San Jerónim is the crowning jewel of all Granada historical sites as it is the first monastery built after the Christian conquest of the city.
The monastery is a Renaissance style Roman Catholic church and a Hieronymite monastery that boasts of an amazing architecture and a rich history that dates back to the 16th century.
It has two spacious cloisters with gardens which are decorated with huge fountains and orange trees, an exquisite altarpiece, a sacristy, and a facade.

Location: C. Rector López Argüeta, 9, 18001 Granada, Spain

Timing: Summer: 10 AM to 1 PM, 4 PM to 7 PM on all days of the week
Winter: 10 AM to 1:30 PM, 3 PM to 6:30 PM on all days of the week

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06

Monasterio de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción "La Cartuja"

Image Credit : Monasterio_de_la_Cartuja_Granada

1. Cartuja Monastery is a 16th century sand-coloured Carthusian monastery that is well known for its majestic Baroque architecture, grand golden interiors and vibrant marbles.
2. The monastery houses a beautifully decorated church which is one of the important religious buildings of Granada.
3. The Baroque Sanctuary houses beautiful paintings, marble statues, gorgeous altar pieces and other pieces of artworks designed with intricate details.

Location: P.º de Cartuja, s/n, 18011 Granada, Spain

Timing: Sunday to Friday – 10 AM to 6 PM, Saturday – 10 AM to 12:45 PM, 3 PM to 5:30 PM

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07

Casa de Zafra

If you are looking for intellectual Granada historical sites to explore, visit Casa de Zafra which is a humble museum exhibiting the Moorish culture.
Casa de Zafra is one of the best preserved treasures of the Albaicín neighbourhood and is a precise reflection of the life of Arabs during their dominance in Spain.
The museum is situated in a 14th century Spanish-Moore house that has beautiful Nasrid wall paintings and offers great views of the Alhambra.

Location: C. Portería Concepción, 8, 18010 Granada, Spain

Timing: Tuesday to Saturday – 10 AM to 2 PM, 4 PM to 7 PM
Sunday- 10 AM to 2 PM
Monday- closed

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08

Plaza Nueva

Located between Carrera del Darro and the city centre, Plaza Nueva is the oldest square that houses many of the historical places in Granada including House of Pisa and Royal Chancellery.
The square was created to cover the Darro River which now flows underneath and was initially used as a popular arena for hosting various bullfights, tournaments and games.
This open public plaza is closer to cafes, bars and pubs and hence is a great location to sit on the terrace and have a drink while enjoying the scenic views of the city.

Location: Granada Province

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09

Puerta De Elvira

Puerta de Elvira or Gate of Elvira is a historical landmark in Spain that was once the main gate to the city during Islamic domination.
The gate is an example of fine Arabic architecture and initially had a garrison attached to it to defend the city against invaders.
With the invasion of Catholic Monarchs and Napoleonic troops in Granada, the gate and the fort were demolished and only the archway remains today.

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

Timing: Open 24X7

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10

Abadía del Sacromonte

Located on the top of Mount Valparaíso at the end of the seven hills trail, Abadía del Sacromonte is a 17th century Abbey that is the birthplace of Christianity in Granada.
It is one of the emblematic Granada historical sites along with Alhambara and Cathedral as it contains important relics like the ‘leaden books’ and details about the persecution of Saint Caecilius.
The abbey offers guided tours to the underground chapel and catacombs along with stunning panoramic views of the city.

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

Timing: 10 AM to 2 PM, 3:30 PM -7 PM on all days of the week

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11

Santo Domingo Church

Built in the 16th century by Catholic monarchs, Santo Domingo Church is a significant church in the Realejo neighbourhood of Granada.
It is considered as a peculiar religious building of all Granada historical sites as its design is an amalgamation of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architectural styles.
The facade of the church has a stone portico with pointed arches and Doric columns where the initials ‘F’ and ‘Y’ are inscribed to denote the monarchs Ferdinand and Isabel.

Location: Santo Domingo Church, Granada - Plaza de Santo Domingo

Timing: Monday to Friday – 6:30 AM to 8 PM

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12

Casa del Chapiz

Casa del Chapiz is a museum in Granada that is a large Moorish house comprising two 16th century Arab houses connected by a plasterwork arch.
The architecture and decoration of Casa del Chapiz incorporates both Christian and Muslim elements giving it a unique design.
The museum has been used as the School of Arab Studies of the CSIC since 1932 and houses relics of Mujedar art, a picturesque garden and offers breathtaking views of Alhambra.

Location: Cam. del Sacromonte, 1, 18010 Granada, Spain

Timing: 10 AM to 5 PM on all days of the week

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13

Plaza de Toros de Granada

Granada’s bull ring, Plaza de Toros de Granada, is a striking venue with huge brick archways that host bullfights and outdoor events like concerts and exhibitions.
It is a vast space constructed in Neo-Mudejar style that can seat up to 14,500 spectators at the same time.
There are numerous bars and restaurants around the bullring where you can enjoy drinks and tapas in the middle of the bullfight.

Location: Av. Dr. Oloriz, 25, 18012 Granada, Spain

Timing: Monday to Friday, Sunday – 10 AM to 2 PM, 5 PM to 8 PM

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14

The Moor’s Chair (Saint Helen's Castle)

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Silla del Moro or the Moor’s Chair is a momentous landmark in Granada that is best known for its charming views of the Alhamabara.
It was once the Generalife Guard outpost but is presently a hillside vantage point that has the ruins of the 13th century Saint Helen’s Castle.
You can capture an exquisite view of the iconic Alhambara and witness its ethereal beauty from the lookout point of Moor’s Chair.

Location: P.º del Generalife, 1B, 18009 Granada, Spain

Timing: Saturday – 10 AM to 2 PM, Sunday – 10 AM to 6 PM

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15

El Bañuelo

El Banuelo Museum, located on the site of the 11th century Arab Baths is one of the oldest and best preserved Granada historical sites.
It features spacious brick vaults, octagonal and star-shaped skylights, Roman and Visigothic style columns and three important rooms which are cool room, central room and hot room.
The baths was once the meeting place for the locals who would come for haircuts and massages.

Location: Carrera del Darro, 31, 18010 Granada, Spain

Timings: Sunday to Saturday – 10 AM to 5 PM

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Alhambra

The Alhambra palace, also known as "The Red Palace", is a fortress complex situated in the city center of Granada, Spain. The word "Alhambra" stands for red which has been driven from the Tapia's reddish color used on the palace's outer walls.The monument's building is one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture and a well-preserved palace in the Islamic world. The palace's construction was completed chiefly between 1238 to 1558 during the rule of Ibn al-Aḥmar.Formerly a citadel, Alhambra palace hosts quite an interesting story that you get to explore on your trip to this historical place. The palace is located surrounded by natural beauty, offering a panoramic view to all visitors.It is constructed on a plateau that overlooks the Albayzin Granada's quarter. Alhambra was once the home of all Moorish Kings; it had now been transformed into a famous palace visited by thousands of history buffs all around the year.As you walk by the palace, get in awe of all the vibrant flowers and massive fountains all around. On your tour of Alhambra, observe its intricate architectural design and details, making it the most sought-after destination in Alhambra.You can Checkout: Alhambra Tickets Online