Here in the Middle Ages collided Muslim and European culture, each left in Granada, in the land of Andalusia, its cultural and historical monuments and attractions: palaces, temples, fortresses and tombs, etc.
Granada also has many interesting modern places to visit during the holidays to get to know the people living here better, to feel its mentality, historical and cultural peculiarities.
Top 14 Sights of Granada
We offer you a brief description of the sights of Granada in Spain with photos and names and wish as soon as possible to see it all with your own eyes, to touch with your own hands. So, what to see in Spanish Granada?
Alhambra
It is a magnificent palace complex surrounded by beautiful gardens and at the same time the fortress where the leader of the Emirate of Granada from Mauritania lived many centuries ago. The Alhambra is the best palace of the Muslim period of this city.
The Nasrid dynasty came with its armies to the south of modern Spain and ruled these territories in the 13th-15th centuries from the Alhambra. It includes palaces, mosques, gardens, ponds, individual mansions, administrative buildings, etc.
Sacromonte Quarter
This quarter is located in the historical part of Granada Albaycín. This is where the famous Roma quarter is located, where the Roma people have lived since the 15th century. The quarter is located by the local hills with caves. Many Gypsies even today live in caves.
Art historians are convinced that these gypsies were the creators of the beautiful flamenco. The caves where people live are quite modernly equipped, and other caves have studios for flamenco performers and museums devoted to music.
Albaysin
This is the historical center of the city, where the Arabs used to live, it exists in Granada for more than seven hundred years. Albaicín is located on an elevated site where the Alhambra palace and its surroundings are beautifully visible. Be sure to check it out in Granada.
The Albaycin district has been around for more than seven centuries. It is extremely patriarchal and has hardly changed over the centuries, exactly the same picture you see in the Middle East or North Africa: white earthen houses, narrow streets, etc.
Cathedral
This cathedral was built in the 16th century as the lands of Andalusia were finally recaptured by the Spanish from the Moors. And Granada proved to be the staunchest stronghold of Moorish power and arms. Here the caliphate fell last.
Since the temple was built, it can be seen that its architectural style has repeatedly changed in accordance with the fashion of the time. It was built in the Gothic style, and then repeatedly rebuilt, it shows traces of the Renaissance, Baroque and Classical.
Chapel of Kings
This chapel is part of the cathedral. It was built in the early 16th century. King Ferdinand and his wife Isabella, who liberated Spain from the Moors and colonial slavery, are buried here.
Philip of Burgundy and his wife also found their last earthly rest in the chapel. In Granada, during the Late Middle Ages, Catholicism prevailed over Islam, which subsequently shaped the history of that country and all of Europe.
Sacromonte Abbey
This religious landmark of Granada in the 16th and 17th centuries became a place of pilgrimage for thousands of believers. Here they found tablets telling of the lives of the saints and their martyrdom, and their relics were also discovered.
The abbey is located on the hill of Valparaiso and was erected at the behest of the Pope to honor their discovery and authentication. Today some of the holy relics are in the temple. Catholics need to lay their hands on them for sure.
The Monastery of Sts. Jerome
This monastery was built and consecrated in the 15th century. It became the first active Catholic monastery after the victory over the Moors in Granada and southern Spain. There are documents that the decision to build was made even before the complete victory.
Here are the remains of one of the heroes of the Reconquista (liberation), General de Cordoba. In the war he won a number of brilliant victories and was promoted to the rank of Grand Captain. The monastery is the main historical attraction of Granada.
Cartesian Monastery
This monastery complex was built in the Gothic style. Construction began in the early 16th century and lasted about three hundred years. During this time, the monastery changed from Medieval Gothic to New Age baroque.
In the 19th century, the land in this area near Granada was sold off en masse, resulting in the irretrievable loss of the cells of the monks and the abbot of the monastery. The rest of the monastery has remained virtually unchanged.
The Basilica of Sts. John of God
This temple is very close to the monastery of Sts. Jerome. It was erected in the 13th century with church money and named in honor of John the Divine. His holy relics are also kept here, and the faithful often lay hands on them.
The temple has a very expensive interior and exterior decoration, frescoes, mosaics, mirrors, etc. In the centuries of its existence, it has been virtually undamaged and has survived to this day in its original form.
Madrasa of Granada
This Muslim school was founded in the 14th century, where the children of the nobility studied the Koran from an early age. Today, the former madrasa houses the Academy of Arts of Granada, which is part of the local university.
For several centuries, madrasahs have taught law, mathematics, Arabic medicine, history, etc. The best scholars of their time taught in madrasahs. The best scholars of their time taught there. At the beginning of the 16th century the madrasah was closed at the request of local Catholicism.
Arabian baths
Not far from the Alhambra in the center of Granada are the real Arabian or Turkish baths, which are called “hamam”. They were organized, as the only ones in Europe and in the city, in the 17th century and are still in operation today.
Bath lovers can come to this room and indulge in the purification of their body “al andalus” among the ancient oriental interiors. Bath attendants offer visitors an excellent massage, as well as swimming in the pool.
Science Park
It will be very interesting and useful to come here with children. In the science park you can learn, experiment, and discover a coherent scientific picture of the world. Your children will be able to participate in various research processes.
They will study natural processes and the elements, the structure of the planets and the human body. There is an excellent planetarium, butterfly garden, modern observatory, and many attractions will appeal to your children.
Generalife Gardens
This complex is an oriental palace and some unusually beautiful gardens around it. In the 13th-14th centuries, the leader of the Emirate of Granada worked and rested in the Gardens and had his official residence here.
In the 1980s, this garden was included in the famous UNESCO list. Before us is the true pinnacle of Arab garden art. Alleys of cypresses, fountains, flower beds give rise to a feeling of peace and complete harmony.
The Mirador site
This observation deck is located in the Albaycin area and is a must-see on the list of places to visit. Here you can see the Alhambra Palace in detail, especially on romantic evenings.
Street musicians and dancers are often seen on the site, demonstrating their skills to the public. You can’t get away from a souvenir vendor without a souvenir for sure. The place is extremely popular with tourists.
Video overview of the sights of Granada
Granada is the capital of the province of Andalusia in Spain. One of the best places to stay in Europe. Here you can still remember the former Islamic grandeur, shining Catholic churches, the rhythms of flamenco, and the gypsy spirit everywhere. A truly magnificent city.
