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Most Beautiful Monasteries and Churches in Granada Spain
It took me three visits to Granada, Spain before I finally saw the city’s beautiful monasteries and churches, and I wish I’d done it sooner!
It’s hard to pick a favorite since each one is unique and hard to compare. There’s a church in a cave, a medieval church with wall paintings, and one with a crazy amount of gold. In this post, I’ll talk about each one and who should visit them.
Be sure to check the visiting tips at the end of the article before exploring these monasteries and churches in Granada, Spain!
Most Beautiful Churches in Granada Spain
Catedral de Granada
Let’s start with probably the most popular attraction, the Granada Cathedral. This cathedral was built in the 16th century and is a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture.
The most fascinating part about the Cathedral of Granada is the contrast between its exterior and interior. Inside, it’s completely white with a few ornamental pieces for contrast. I was really surprised when I first walked in!
Who is it best for: It’s the perfect church for everyone looking to visit the main church of a city.
Capilla Real de Granada
Just around the corner of Granada Cathedral, inside the same building but with separate entrance, is Capilla Real de Granada. The royal chapel of Granada was built in the early 16th century by Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand II as their final resting place.
The interior has a beautiful combination of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles, with impressive sculptures and artwork. The highlight of the Royal Chapel are the tombs of Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand II.
It’s the only church in Granada where you’re not allowed to take pictures inside.
Who is it best for: This church is perfect for anyone interested in Spanish monarchy.
Basilica de San Juan de Dios
Basilica de San Juan de Dios is a baroque church and museum from the 18th century, dedicated to San Juan de Dios, the patron saint of Granada. The interior is incredibly ornate with more gold than any other church in Granada.
The highlight of this church is the impressive altar that opens to a small room on the first floor where the saint’s remains are kept. You can visit this room for a closer look.
There’s a VR station inside the church where you can wear VR glasses to see it from different perspectives while listening to an audio guide. Unfortunately, I had to take off my prescription glasses and saw everything blurry. But for those with good eyesight, it seems like a cool way to explore a church.
Who is it best for: This church is perfect for anyone who loves golden and ornate churches.
Most Beautiful Monasteries in Granada Spain
Monasterio de la Cartuja
Monasterio de la Cartuja, or Real Monasterio de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de la Cartuja, is the most impressive baroque monastery in Granada, Spain. It’s located on the outskirts of the city and not many tourists venture out to see it.
I love the inner courtyard with the fountain, orange trees, and the church tower in the back, but the highlight of La Cartuja is the church. Inside the church you can admire the tabernacle behind the main altar, the detailed painted dome, and the supposedly most beautiful sacristy in the world.
There are other rooms in the monastery you can visit, but they felt a bit underwhelming to me. A visit just for the church is worth it though.
Who is it best for: This monastery is perfect for anyone looking to explore a less touristy attraction and appreciate intricate architectural details.
Monasterio de San Jerónimo
Monasterio de San Jerónimo is a monastery from the 16th century, located near the Basilica de San Juan de Dios.
Although this monastery was built around the same time as other churches and monasteries in Granada, it has a different feel. Instead of opulent gold or bright white, paintings decorate the interior walls.
It’s a quieter and more serene atmosphere compared to some other churches in the city. When I visited I was almost the only person there.
Who is it best for: This monastery is perfect for you if you love wall paintings and you’re not too keen on opulent gold.
Abadia del Sacromonte
Abadia del Sacromonte is an monastery and museum located on a hill in Sacromonte overlooking the city of Granada. It’s famous for its cave church, one of the most unique examples of cave houses in Sacromonte.
The church isn’t very big, but it’s interesting to see one built inside a cave. It’s not my first cave churchi I also saw one in Budapest. The one in Sacromonte is unique tough, with narrow paths and relics in various nooks throughout the cave system.
Otherwise you can also visit the beautiful courtyard and multiple rooms with exhibits about the history surrounding this place.
Who is it best for: This monastery is perfect for anyone looking to add something unique to their Granada visit, with a cave church and stunning views as a bonus.
Tips for Visiting these Churches and Monasteries
Now, let’s quickly talk about a few helpful tips for when you visit those religious sites in Granada:
- Bring your headphones! Except for Basilica de San Juan de Dios, all places offer an audio guide app you can download on your phone. They offer free WiFi, but you might still want to download the app at the hotel before heading out. (At the Basilica, you get a traditional audio guide.)
- You can get a combined ticket to save some money (all except Basilica de San Juan de Dios). Simply purchase the combo ticket at any location by stating how many monuments you want to visit. The more you visit, the more you save!
- I’ve seen people in those churches wearing shorts above the knees, but since they’re religious sites, I recommend dressing modestly.
Read more about Granada:
- 11 Best Things to Do in Granada Spain
- Sacromonte Cave Houses in Granada: All You Need to Know
- Most Beautiful Monasteries and Churches in Granada Spain
- Abadía Del Sacromonte in Granada: Ultimate Visiting Guide
- Is Granada Worth Visiting? 10 Reasons Why It Is
- Guide to Vegan Granada
- 3 Best Arab Baths In Granada (Personally Tested)
- Granada vs Malaga: Why I Prefer Granada Over Málaga
- Best Tours from Seville to Granada: Return & One-Way
- 9 Best Cities in Southern Spain to Visit
- Epic Southern Spain Itinerary: 10 Days in Andalusia by Train
- 7 Best Cities to Visit in Spain
- Unforgettable 10-Day Itinerary in Spain by Train
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