Catedral de Granada

Wow! Wow! Wow! Ridiculously beautiful. I have seen lots of castles and cathedrals in Europe and this one just seemed very special. We had a wonderful tour with our guide Manuel, and he knew so much about the cathedral, but it was also fascinating because it spans architectural styles (mostly Renaissance) since it took some time for it to be built. A special note is the organ, which is magnificently beautiful. And the white stonework shines as a backdrop to all of the gilded art...it was really like visiting a museum! Again, one of the most impressive cathedrals I have ever had the privilege to tour. Check out these photos! It’s just dripping with beauty, even though some of it is over the top architecturally. But… It’s a cathedral, it’s supposed to be full of beauty and elegance to celebrate this earth and the heavens.

A stunning and spacious cathedral with beautiful Renaissance-style architecture. The souvenir shop has some really cute items too. Definitely a must-visit if you’re in Granada!

What an amazing space. Tranquility and wonderment. One wonders how they managed to build such super structures in olden times without mechanical engineering. €7 per adult, worth every cent, bring headphones for audio tour. No photo, so I took some for you. Love and peace.

The Catedral de Granada is a stunning example of Spanish Renaissance architecture, nestled in the heart of Granada’s historic center. While often overshadowed by the Alhambra, this cathedral is a masterpiece in its own right and well worth a visit. The facade is grand and imposing, with a mix of Gothic and Baroque elements, but the real magic happens once you're inside. The sheer height and spaciousness of the nave, combined with intricate details like white marble columns and gilded altarpieces, create a powerful sense of awe. The main chapel, the Capilla Mayor, features a beautiful dome with filtered light that gives the whole space a warm, ethereal glow.

Beautiful, massive, serene, spiritual. A lot of ways to describe this place, but none do it justice. Just go see it. Cheap entry and worth every penny. Very friendly staff inside. A testament to Spain's religious history. Highly recommend.

Wow, the moment I stepped into Granada’s Cathedral, it felt like the Renaissance itself was whispering stories through every golden arch and soaring column. The sheer scale of this place is jaw-dropping, with its intricate chapels and that dazzling main altar stealing the show. Did you know it was built right over the city’s old mosque, blending centuries of history into one epic space? Grab a ticket for €6 (audio guide included, totally worth it!) and go early to beat the crowds—trust me, you’ll want time to soak in every detail. Don’t skip the Royal Chapel next door; it’s a must for the full vibe. Bring comfy shoes for all the wandering and maybe a coffee from a nearby plaza to fuel your awe.

Lovely historic building, very well maintained. Audio tours available in multiple languages on your own mobile device. Lots of photo opportunities if you love architecture

One of the finest monuments of the Spanish Renaissance. The Cathedral of Granada is breathtaking in scale and detail: from its monumental façade to the luminous interior, sustained by towering columns and soaring vaults. The contrast between the pristine white of the nave and the opulent gilded altarpieces creates a truly unique atmosphere. Highlights include: The Main Chapel, crowned with a celestial blue dome and a magnificent silver tabernacle. The baroque organs, among the most splendid in Spain. The side chapels, home to treasures such as the moving Pietà and richly decorated retables. The interplay of natural light and stained glass, filling the vast space with serenity and grandeur. A visit here is not only an encounter with art and architecture, but also a profound journey through the spiritual and historical legacy of post-Reconquest Granad Tip: Allow at least 90 minutes to explore — every chapel reveals a different story. Without doubt, an unmissable experience when in Granada.

If you're in Granada, you really need to visit this place. It's one of the nicest cathedrals I've seen in a while. For an admission fee of less than €10, it's kind of a steal. Really breathtaking inside. I can't recommend enough.

The Granada Cathedral, or the Cathedral of the Incarnation (Spanish: Catedral de Granada, Santa Iglesia Catedral Metropolitana de la Encarnación de Granada), is a Roman Catholic church. The cathedral is the seat of the Archdiocese of Granada. Like many other cathedrals in Andalusia, it was built on top of the city's main mosque after the reconquest of Granada. The architecture of the facade is really impressive. The facade consists of a framed structure in the form of a triumphal arch with portals and canvas. It consists of three pillars crowned by semicircular arches supported on pilasters. The pilasters don't have capitals but projections sculptured in the walls. Above the main door is located a marble tondo from "José Laughing on the Annunciation". Additionally, there is a vase with lilies at the top, alluding to the virgin and pure nature of the mother of God. Dozens of people sit on the steps of this church to talk, eat, hang or just watch the world go-by.

Its beautiful and ginormous! But Granada's city planners in the 1500s definitely couldn't predict the invention of photography, because the tight city blocks and lack of surrounding park area make it impossible to get a good photo of the massive exterior. €5 Entrance fee takes you into yet another amazing Spanish cathedral. Amazing architecture, lavish furnishings, sculptures galore, and paintings of Jesus dying, as usual. I've been to dozens of churches and cathedrals, and this one still impressed. One of the surreal female statues looked like something out of a Final Fantasy game.

After about 10 days in Spain including visits to a number of ginormous churches, for me this one, while impressive in scale, lacks the drama and majesty of the older, gothic building. Don't get me wrong, this soaring renaissance building with whitewashed wall is still something to behold and the main alter is quite a site (4 stars for that feature), but the cathedrals in Seville, Cordoba and even Toledo are for me more interesting. The 5€ entrance fee includes a very detailed and a bit tedious audio guide. If you are only in Granada, you should go. If your travel will take you to any of the other great cities, save the money.

Construction of the cathedral began under the architect Diego de Siloe's in 1523. The defining architecture reflects elements of the Spanish Renaissance and Baroque with the initial design being Gothic. It would be another 181 years before it's completion under 17 different architects. It is most famous for being adjacent to the Royal Chapel which was constructed between 1505 and 1517 and is the final resting place for Queen Isabella and Ferdinand II of Aragon. The Catholic Monarchs being famous for their financial support of Christopher Columbus. They were also in part responsible for the Spanish Inquisition, something that is often not mentioned in travel guides. Although they are adjacent to each other there are two separate entrances. Each entrance requires a 5 Euro admission fee for adults. The hours are Mon-Sat (10-18:30), Sun (15-18). Guided tours usually last about 2 hours combined for both the cathedral and Chapel. They are fully wheelchair accessible. The Cathedral of Granada id grand in its design. The Cupola location toward the apse creates an opportunity for natural light to pour into the cathedral through stained glass representative of the Renaissance style. White washing some walls and columns adds to the luminous quality of the interior. The "Door of Forgiveness" is a feature that should be more closely looked at. The architect Diego de Siloe's signature can be found on a catouche below one of the niches in the lower stage of the door. The is an eagle with a shield & inscription which alludes to the conquest of Granada by Isabella & Ferdinand II. The double headed eagle represents the marriage of the Spanish Empire with the Catholic religion. The iconographic subjects of the main chapel represent the life, passion & death of Jesus Christ. The seven canvass of Alonso Cana celebrate the life of the Virgin Mary.

The Catedral de Granada is a significant building in history as it signifies the final success for Queen Isabella and King Fernando to establish Christianity in the once Islamic Granada region. As expected, the cathedral itself is awe-inspiring and large in structure. There is a inner sanctuary, in which you can pray to Jesus. The cathedral itself is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. There is also a historical artifact portion showcasing the ancient clothing and tools used for prayers in the past. Visitors cannot take photos in the historical artifact room or the sanctuary. However, you can take photos at the rest of the cathedral. The cathedral entrance fee is $5 euro, and it comes with introductory audio guide. The entire tour takes about 2 hours to complete. Enjoy!

Super gorgeous Renaissance cathedral worth visiting even if you are already suffering from Cathedral fatigue as I was at this point in my trip. The €5 entry fee keeps the crowds down to a reasonable level and includes a pretty good if flowery audio guide. The main chapel is gorgeous and definitely the star of the show.

B-e-a-utiful and inspiring. The size alone makes you realize how small you really are; in comparison to how much bigger religion is than a single person. Catholicism is the primary religion in Spain so it's near and dear to locals' hearts. Its high rise ceilings and checkered floors with gold accents made the cathedral even more impressive. Fun Fact: There is a gift shop in the back of the cathedral.

Cathedral is huge and beautiful! More like a basilica. Is it a must-see? No, but why not if you're in Granada? Be cognizant of when mass is held, though. Two enormous organs flank the main floor...can't even begin to imagine what they sound like when both are going. Outside in the plaza, musicians and artists take turns performing here. Two separate musicians play an unusual instrument called the "hang" that produces some of the most ethereal music we've ever heard. This small side courtyard provided perfect acoustics.