Granada's Churches and Cathedrals Tickets and Tours

Granada is one of the most important cities in Andalusia where history, culture and art are intertwined. The city has witnessed great cultural and religious changes throughout the centuries. A sample of this can be found in the different churches and cathedrals spread throughout its streets.

If you do not know what to see and do in Granada, consider visiting these religious temples, among which the Cathedral of Granada and the Royal Chapel stand out , full of splendor. I also recommend going to the Monastery of San Jeronimo, where Empress Isabella of Portugal lived, and the Sacromonte Abbey, which offers panoramic views of Granada and its wonders. Here is my list of must-see churches.

The Cathedral of Granada is one of the essential destinations when visiting the city. The building is representative of the Spanish Renaissance style mixed with Gothic elements. This structure began to be built in 1523, on the remains of the old main mosque. Inside, the central nave stands out , with its altar and altarpiece that attract attention for its decorative richness.

In the guided visits to the Cathedral of Granada, lovers of sacred art can find various samples inside this religious precinct, especially in the sacristy, which also keeps various liturgical objects. Likewise, the cathedral is composed of side chapels, which house some works of art and have their own history.

On the other hand, if you climb the tower of the cathedral, it is possible to get beautiful panoramic views of the city and the Sierra Nevada, being ideal for capturing unique photographs. Visiting the Cathedral of Granada can even be the first activity in your itinerary, since it is located in an ideal strategic point to visit other attractions.

Information of interest

• Admission: Admission is free. Approximate prices for guided tours are 5€ per adult, 3.5€ for accredited students under 25 and people with disabilities. Children under 12 years old are free.
• Hours: generally, access is from 10:00 to 18:15 from Monday to Saturday, and on Sundays from 15:00 to 18:15. The schedule may be modified on special dates and liturgies.

The Royal Chapel is the monument where the remains of the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella rest. This pantheon was built between 1505 and 1517 and not only stands out for being a royal mausoleum, but also for its architecture and ornamentation that dates back mainly to the Spanish Renaissance.

This important site also houses a museum, which displays a large collection of sacred art with works and liturgical objects of high historical value. It is also possible to learn about the life and work of the kings, since some of their personal objects are exhibited .

This destination is always included among the best excursions and guided tours in Granada, usually combined with a visit to the cathedral due to its proximity to the city. In addition, the chapel today is used for the celebration of several religious services, so you could attend one if it is of interest to you.

Useful information about the chapel

• Admission: Admission is free. Approximate prices for guided tours are 6€ per adult, 4,50€ for accredited students under 25 and people with disabilities. Children under 12 years old are free.
• Hours: generally, access is from 10:00 to 18:30 from Monday to Saturday, and on Sundays from 11:00 to 18:30. The schedule may be modified on special dates and liturgies.

The Abadía del Sacromonte is a monastery located in the outskirts of Granada, specifically on a hill in Sacromonte, a famous neighborhood of the city that also houses the caves where the gypsies used to live. The religious complex has a church inside and dates back to the 17th century.

To reach this destination, you can take advantage of the visit to Albaicín and Sacromonte in Granada. When you enter the enclosure, the first thing that catches your attention is the main altar and its decoration. Also, inside it is possible to see some works of art with religious themes exhibited in the place.

In addition to the church, in the abbey are the catacombs. These are said to have housed the remains of the first Christian martyrs of the city. Thus, in this place you will learn about the history of San Cecilio and how he came to be named patron saint of Granada. In this way, you can have a vision of the religious evolution of the region.

Being located on a hill, the abbey serves as a viewpoint, from where you can see Granada in the distance and several of its most important attractions such as the citadel of the Alhambra. Thus, you can visit this place to get incredible panoramic views.

Useful information

• Admission: Admission is free. Approximate prices for guided tours are 6€ per person for adults, 4.50€ for accredited students under 25 and people with disabilities. Children under 12 are free.
• Hours: Access is usually from 10:00 to 14:00 both in summer and winter (from April 1 to October 27 and from October 28 to March 31). Also, from 15:30 to 19:00 in summer and from 15:00 to 18:00 in winter. The schedule may be modified for special dates and liturgies.

The Basilica of San Juan de Dios is another of Granada's religious treasures that attracts hundreds of visitors for its interior full of color and luminosity. This temple has a representative baroque structure and its interior houses several impressive frescoes and sculptures.

The basilica was built in honor of St. John of God, who founded the Hospitaller Order. The interior of the basilica is characterized by ochre and golden tones, which blend with the surrounding frescoes. You can also visit the museum, where there is a collection of sacred art with various works by artists from the region.

In addition to a free visit to, for example, participate in some of the religious activities, you can get to know this church in an audio tour or a guided tour with a virtual reality experience, which will allow you to explore this place from a different perspective.

Useful information

• Admission: Admission is free. Approximate prices for guided tours are €10 per person for adults, €9.50 for seniors over 65. Children under 12 and people with disabilities are free or receive a 65% discount. Young people from 12 to 18 years old and accredited students up to 25 years old receive discounts between 33% and 64%. Groups of at least 20 people may pay €5 per person.
• Hours: Generally, access is from 09:30 to 18:50 from Monday to Saturday and on Sundays from 09:30 to 11:50 and from 13:30 to 18:50. The schedule may be modified on special dates and liturgies.

The Monastery of San Jerónimo is another example of the Renaissance and Gothic styles. This religious complex dates from the 16th century and has a church composed of a rectangular nave, with four lateral chapels.

As you walk through this sacred space, you can observe the mural paintings on the walls and ceiling, which were added in the 18th century. This place has an important historical repercussion, since in its cloister lived the Empress Isabel of Portugal, wife of King Charles V.

The monastery is named in honor of the Order of the Hermits of St. Jerome and houses other common areas that can be visited, such as the refectory, where the monks consumed food. There is also the sala profundis, where Psalm 129 was intoned; the chapter house, where the tombstone of Pedro Ramido de Alva, archbishop of Granada, is located; and the sacristy.

Due to its location near the center of the city, you can take advantage of your visit to the monastery to join other interesting activities, such as a guided visit to the Alhambra and the Generalife, a private tour of Granada, etc.

Useful information

• Admission: Admission is free. Approximate prices for self-guided tours are 6€ per person for adults and groups of a minimum of 15 people, 4.50€ for accredited students under 25 and people with disabilities. Children under 12 years old are free.
• Hours: Access is usually from 10:00 to 13:00 both in summer and winter from Monday to Saturday. Also, from 16:30 to 19:00 in summer and from 15:00 to 18:00 in winter. The schedule can be modified on Sundays, as well as on special dates and liturgies.

Another must-see church that is included as one of the stops on the Granada tourist train is the Cartuja Monastery. This religious complex also corresponds to the 16th century and is described as the maximum exponent of the Baroque movement in Spain.

This church, whose name is in honor of the Order of the Carthusians, consists of a long nave with the ceiling and walls decorated with plasterwork and various religious paintings, which give a unique atmosphere to the enclosure. Also, during the visit you can see the cloister, dating from the seventeenth century and allows access to the other common areas.

The tabernacle area is also another point of interest in the church, as it brings together a mixture of samples of painting, architecture and sculpture. In the sacred art objects, marbles with golden, brown and bronze tones can be seen .

It is important to mention that the exterior of the Carthusian monastery also has a great attraction: it is surrounded by the vegetation of the gardens and welcomes visitors with a double marble staircase and a neoclassical style façade, dating back to the 18th century.

Useful information

• Admission: Admission is free. Approximate prices for self-guided tours are €6 per person for adults and groups of at least 15 people, €4.50 for accredited students under 25 and people with disabilities. Children under 12 years old are free.
• Hours: Access is usually from 10:00 to 18:30 from Sunday to Friday. In addition, on Saturdays, visits are from 10:00 to 12:15 and from 15:00 to 17:30. The schedule can be modified on special dates and liturgies.

The Church of Santo Domingo is another of Granada's interesting shrines. This enclosure attracts visitors for its architectural beauty and mixture of Baroque, Renaissance, Gothic and Romanesque styles in its different elements.

The facade has two sections, one with three arches on columns and the other with a window composed of two columns that are framed by a larger arch. Inside, the main chapel stands out , composed of a Latin cross and five chapels on each side. Above, one can observe the ribbed vaults, rose windows and small columns. In addition, there are Baroque and Byzantine arches and decorations.

The church is also located in the Realejo neighborhood, one of the best known in the city, and houses three important altarpieces: Santo Domingo de Guzmán, San José and Santa Escolástica, each with high spiritual and artistic value. On the other hand, the Camarín de la Virgen del Rosario stands out , whose decoration and structure are a great example of the baroque style.

Useful information

• Entrance: Admission is free.
• Opening hours: The opening hours are usually from 08:30 to 09:30 and from 19:30 to 20:30 from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, from 09:30 to 1:30 and from 19:30 to 20:30. Free visits to some spaces are stipulated from Monday to Friday from 18:30 to 20:00. The schedule may be modified on special dates and liturgies.

Although for some the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul does not have the majesty of others mentioned so far, it still has features that make it worthy of inclusion in your visit to Granada in 3 days or more. The first thing is its facade, which presents a predominant Renaissance style with adjacent tower.

Above the main arch are two sculptures corresponding to the apostles Peter and Paul that welcome visitors. Inside, the interior features a Latin cross design and a nave with a Mudejar coffered ceiling , which reveals the influence of Islamic culture.

The Church of San Pedro and San Pablo is richly decorated with various works of sacred art created by Spanish artists over the course of several centuries. In addition, five chapels can be seen on each side, which house images and other religious figures.

Useful information

• Admission: Admission is free.
• Hours: Opening hours are usually from 11:00 to 13:00 and from 16:30 to 18:30 from Tuesday to Friday. On Sundays, from 10:00 to 17:00. The schedule can be modified on special dates and liturgies.

With an accumulated historical value since the 18th century, the Church of the Sagrario is another of the references on the religious temples in Granada. This temple is considered mainly representative of the baroque style and is located very close to the cathedral. In fact, it is always included in the route of private tours in Granada, thanks to its proximity to the main Catholic precinct of the city.

From the entrance, its striking elements begin to appear, such is the case of the sculptures carved in stone on the facade, belonging to San Juan Nepomuceno, San Ibón and San Pedro. Inside, there are many artistic works that decorate the walls, corridors and rooms. The altarpiece of San Cecilio and the baptismal font, representative of the Renaissance, stand out.

Looking at the ceiling, you can see the dome decorated with images of some apostles. In addition, in some chapels lie the remains of great figures of the past, such as the archbishop Hernando de Talavera and the captain of Queen Isabella, Hernán Pérez de Pulgar.

Useful information

• Admission: Admission is free.
• Hours: The opening hours are usually from 10:00 to 13:00 and 18:00 to 21:00 from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 18:00 to 21:00. The schedule may be modified on special dates and liturgies.

If you want to appreciate the beauty of sacred art in Granada, another must-see destination is the Church of Santa Ana and San Gil. This temple is located in the central area of the city and is very close to the departure and arrival point of private bicycle tours in Granada.

The church is considered representative of Granada' s Mudejar style and, like many other Catholic buildings in the city, was built on the site of a former mosque. Its structure comprises a single nave with side chapels, and its tower stands out among the surrounding buildings for its Mudejar-influenced decorative style.

However, the façade is Renaissance, very similar to that of other Granada churches, such as the Church of San Pedro and San Pablo. The interior has a coffered ceiling, which contrasts with the white and golden moldings distributed on the walls.

On the other hand, this church has also functioned as a tomb throughout history and the remains of the painter and sculptor José Risueño, as well as the historian Francisco Bermúdez de Pedraza, rest in it.

Useful information

• Admission: Admission is free.
• Schedule: The schedule to visit this temple is usually mainly on days of worship, at 18:00 hours from October to April and at 19:00 hours from May to September (except Mondays). On Sundays, from 12:30 to 18:00 hours and until 19:00 hours, respectively.