Visit Granada, the emblematic city of Andalucia, through its 10 museums to better understand its origins and cultural treasures. Its rich heritage, forged by centuries of Moorish and Christian influences, is reflected in its many museums. Indeed, each offers a perspective on the region’s artistic diversity. You’ll discover the peninsula’svaried cultural offerings, including the must-see Alhambra Museum, a Hispano-Moorish heritage, the Museum of Fine Arts housed in the Palace of Charles V, and the dazzling Capilla Real. Multiple influences come together to create a unique artistic effervescence in Granada!
Whether you’re a lover of art, history or science, there’s a wide range of museums in the city to enrich your experience.
Here’s our selection of the best museums in Granada, with useful tips in pictures!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Granada’s best museums: tips + map
In Granada, discover impressive works of art and buildings from various eras that have shaped and nurtured the local culture and history.
Beyond its many museums, there’s plenty to do in and around the city: see our guide.
If you only need to do 3, we recommend it:
- Alhambra Museum: inside the Palace of Charles V in the Alhambra, next door to the Museum of Fine Arts, you’ll see a collection of Nasrid and Hispano-Moorish artworks and objects.
- Museum of the Royal Chapel (Capilla Real): adjoining the cathedral, it contains the tombs of the Catholic Monarchs.
- Musée des Grottes du Sacromonte: in the district of the same name, visit the surprising troglodytic houses of Sacromonte.
Note also that museums offer extended opening hours, making it easy to combine cultural discoveries with visits to other points of interest in the surrounding area in a single day.
To help you find your way around, here’s a map of Granada’s best museums:
1. Alhambra Museum
Why visit it? Our review
A must to start this list: the Alhambra! Perched on a hill, this palatial complex stands out majestically against the backdrop of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains. Surrounded by 2200m of ramparts, it features several palaces. The Nazrid Palaces, dating from the 13th century, are the most famous. During your visit, be careful not to touch the decorative ornaments, which tend to disappear. The 16th-century Palace of Charles V houses 2 museums, including the Alhambra Museum. It boasts an outstanding collection of Hispano-Moorish art from the Umayyad to the Nasrid periods, dating from the 8th to the 15th centuries. The architecture of the building also enhances these unique objects! Look up to admire the elaborate wooden ceilings and plastered walls.
Our 3 favorite moments
- Hispano-Moorish pottery and ceramics such as the Vase of the Gazelles
- The palace’s 2-storey circular courtyard, an allusion to the symmetry and geometric forms characteristic of Renaissance architecture.
- Collections of archaeological exhibits on the themes of religion, science and economics
Useful tips
- At the heart of the Alhambra palace complex on Sabika Hill
- Length of visit: allow 1h30 for the museum only, and between 1 half and 1 full day to visit the entire historic site.
- Child-friendly tours are also available. The site includes an itinerary accessible to people with reduced mobility (including strollers), which you can download from the official website here. It’s not particularly difficult, but make sure you have a map and look out for the signs. We also recommend taking the shuttle bus to the Alhambra. The walk up the hill can be tiring, especially in summer.
- Full adult ticket: €1.50 (free for EU citizens)
- Opening hours: October 15 to March 14, 08:30 to 18:00 Wednesday to Saturday
and from 08:30 to 14:30 on Sundays and Tuesdays; from March 15 to October 14 from 08:30 to 20:00 Wednesday to Saturday and from 08:30 to 14:30 on Sundays and Tuesdays. Closed Mondays, January 1 and December 25 - Link to the official museum website here
- Save time and buy your combined ticket for the Alhambra, Nasrid Palaces and Charles V Palace here!
WHERE TO STAY IN Granada
Our favorites: hotels and neighborhoods
Downtown
Hotel Luna Granada Centro – See prices, photos and availability
Hotel Corrala del Realejo – See prices, photos and availability
At the Alhambra
Alhambra Palace – See prices, photos and availability
See our complete selection of the best hotels in Granada
2. Capilla Real Museum
Why visit it? Our review
Adjacent to Granada’s prodigious Cathedral, Spain’s 1st Renaissance, discover the “Capilla Real” and its museum. This royal chapel was built in the early 16th century by the Catholic Monarchs as a burial ground. Inside, you’ll see the tombs of royal spouses Ferdinand II of Aragan and Isabella I of Castile, as well as Felipe el Hermoso and Queen Juana, who lived in the 1st half of the 16th century. After marveling at the cathedral, we took time to admire the ornaments and moldings before entering the Royal Chapel. Once inside, pause to observe the vaults. See the many decorative windows with Gothic lettering, pierced by daylight. In our view, this reinforces the mystical and spiritual dimension of this place of worship and burial, while at the same time providing a charming spectacle.
Our 3 favorite moments
- The collection of monarchs’ personal objects
- Mausoleums in Carrara marble (Tuscan stone)
- The crypt of the chapel housing the royal lead coffins
Useful tips
- In the immediate vicinity of Granada Cathedral, 20 minutes by car or 30 minutes on foot from the Alhambra.
- Length of visit: maximum 30 minutes for the chapel alone, 1 hour if you are also visiting the cathedral.
- There’s no dedicated children’s trail, but it’s an interesting place to take a different look at certain historical events and the cultural wealth of the region. Please note that accessibility inside is limited for PRMs and strollers. The building is old, so wear comfortable shoes, especially if you go down into the crypt.
- Full adult price: €6 (free for children under 12)
- Opening hours: open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6:30pm, Sunday 11am to 6pm, closed on December 24th, 25th, 31st and January 1st.
- Link to the official museum website here
- Book a guided tour of the cathedral, the royal chapel, the Alcaicería and Granada’s 1st university.
3. Sacromonte Caves Museum
Why visit it? Our review
Do you know the troglodyte houses in Granada’s Sacromonte district? These habitats were carved out of the blue-and-white hillside rock. These caves have been occupied since the Middle Ages, historically by Spanish gypsies who arrived in the 16th century. We highly recommend this visit, which enabled us to learn more about their way of life, the organization of these houses through reconstructions and the development of flamenco. Note that this is a steep hillside neighborhood, so access to the museum is somewhat difficult. It’s a steep climb, but you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of the Alhambra. Did you know that it was in these atypical settings that flamenco developed? The area is fairly quiet during the day, but comes alive in the evening with numerous performances of this traditional art form. We found this tour a really interesting way of understanding the history of Granada’s gypsy quarter, which borders the old Arab quarter. It’s also the only place where you’ll catch a glimpse of the town’s troglodytic houses!
Our 3 favorite moments
- the museum’s ethnographic section, featuring reconstructions of troglodytic houses with costumes and objects from the daily life of the inhabitants
- an educational area on the environment of the Sacromonte district, for a better understanding of the fauna, flora and agriculture of the area
- the botanical garden near the caves, which displays several types of rock and their use in the area, as well as several plant species accompanied by panels describing their use in preparations
Useful tips
- In the Sacromonte district to the east of the Albaicín, a 30-minute walk from the cathedral and Alhambra.
- Length of visit: 1 hour for the museum only, 1 half-day for the entire district
- The museum doesn’t offer a dedicated children’s trail, but it can be fun to explore the reconstructed troglodyte houses, to soak up the history and enjoy a highly immersive experience. It can also arouse their curiosity
- Note that there are many climbs in this district and the streets are cobbled.
- Opening hours: open daily from 10am to 6pm from October 15th to March 14th, and from 10am to 8pm from March 15th to October 14th.
- Link to the official museum website here
- It’s a 40-minute walk from the center. Alternatively, take bus C34 to the “Cno. del Sacromonte – Fte 89” stop. Visit the official transport network website here
- Book your museum ticket now
We took a stroll through this picturesque district and its museum, and will soon be publishing our impressions in our dedicated article.
RENT A CAR IN Andalucia
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4. Museum of Fine Arts (Charles V Palace)
Why visit it? Our review
In the heart of the Alhambra, the Granada Museum of Fine Arts, located on the 1st floor of the majestic Palace of Charles V, is a must-see artistic treasure that will leave you speechless. In this building with dozens of exhibition rooms, inaugurated in the 19th century, soak up the 2,300 exhibits. Stroll between exceptional paintings and sculptures from the 15th to the 20th centuries by native Granada artists such as Alonso Cano and Mariano Fortuny. Works by Pedro Machuca, the famous Toledo sculptor and painter, are also on display. A fascinating journey through the history of Spanish art, with sections dedicated to the Renaissance, Granada Baroque and the avant-garde. And what better setting for these masterpieces than the Renaissance-style Palace of Charles V, nestled in an exceptional historic site dating back to the Nasrid dynasty?
Our 3 favorite moments
- religious paintings such as La Vision de sainte Marie-Madeleine de Pazzi by Pedro de Moya or La Virgen del Lucero by Alonso Cano
- more contemporary works, such as the one by López Mezquita dating from the late 19th century
- the unique architecture of the palace housing the museum and its circular courtyard
Useful tips
- At the heart of the Alhambra palace complex on Sabika Hill
- Visit duration: 1h30 for the museum, and between 1 half and 1 full day for the entire historic site.
- There is no specific tour for children, but observing works of art can encourage cultural and artistic awakening, adaptation to a new environment and intellectual stimulation as a family.
- Full adult ticket: €1.50 (free for EU citizens)
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, October 15 to March 14, 9am to 6pm; March 15 to June 15, 9am to 8pm; June 16 to September 15, as well as Sundays, public holidays and Mondays preceding public holidays, 9am to 3pm; September 16 to October 14, 9am to 8pm.
- Link to the official museum website here
- Save time and buy your combined ticket for the Alhambra, Nasrid Palaces and Charles V Palace here!
Immerse yourself in the magic of this place with our dedicated article.
5. Science Park Museum
Why visit it? Our review
Granada’s Science Park is somewhat off-center in the south of the city, near the River Genil. However, it’s a visit we highly recommend if you’re with the family. There’s so much to do, you could spend a whole day here! We enjoyed the fun exhibits and installations, which brought science within everyone’s reach. In the main building, you’ll also find the “BioDomo”, featuring an aquarium and a recreation of a tropical ecosystem. You’ll see otters, parrots and even monkeys, who may come to watch you – it’s quite amusing! In the very large garden, raptor flight demonstrations are organized. We also took a stroll through a small butterfly greenhouse. The park also plays an educational role, transmitting best practices for preserving biodiversity. As you can see, you won’t be bored at the Parc des Sciences!
Our 3 favorite moments
- BioDomo and its reconstitution of the tropical ecosystem
- the planetarium and its circular hall topped by the dome
- the 50-metre-high observation tower for a panoramic view of the city
Useful tips
- South of the city, 10 minutes by car or 30 minutes on foot from Granada Cathedral
- We recommend getting there by metro (Alcázar del Genil stop), bus (5, 11, 21, C5) or car. Visit the official transport network website here
- Length of visit: 1 half-day to 1 day on site for the entire park
- This interactive science museum is fun enough for the whole family, with several educational programs.
- Full adult admission: €17 for museum and BioDomo
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 7pm and Sunday 10am to 3pm
- Link to the official museum website here
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6. Federico Garcia Lorca Center
Why visit it? Our review
Just 2 steps from Granada Cathedral, stop off at the Federico Garcia Lorca Center, a tribute to the famous playwright, poet, painter and pianist. Let yourself be surprised by this modern architectural building in the heart of the city, in honor of a 20th-century figure who left his mark on the history of Spanish literature and art. Here you’ll find a treasure trove of archives and exhibitions devoted to this renowned artist. This art center will offer you much more than access to a wide range of his work: it will immerse you in his world, with a theater, a library and several exhibition rooms. You’ll find that, in addition to being a museum, it’s also a major contributor to Granada’s cultural life, with a number of plays, concerts and dance performances. For a truly complete experience of Federico Garcia Lorca’s life, you can also visit his house museum, just a 15-minute walk from the art center.
What you can see
- several exhibition rooms on a 500m2 site
- period photographs, original manuscripts and various personal objects by Federico Garcia Lorca
- a theater that can seat up to 400 people
Useful tips
- In the city center, less than 5 minutes’ walk from the cathedral and 15 minutes’ walk from the author’s house museum.
- Length of visit: approx. 1h30 depending on your interest in the exhibitions
- The center organizes workshops and educational programs by age group to encourage learning and raise awareness of different art forms (see the program here).
- Full adult rate: free access to the center
- Opening hours: open Tuesday to Saturday, March 15 to September 14, 11am to 2pm and 6pm to 9pm; September 15 to March 14, 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm; Sundays and public holidays, 11am to 2pm; closed on Mondays.
- Would you like to find out more about the eminent Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca and follow in his footsteps on a private tour? Opt for a tour with an official guide!
We’ve devoted a full article to this place, to be seen here very soon.
7. José Guerrero Center
Why visit it? Our review
Right in the heart of the city’s historic center, close to the cathedral, this contemporary art museum is entirely dedicated to José Guerrero, a major figure in 20th-century abstract art in Spain. We enjoyed a glimpse of the artistic evolution of this Granada-born painter through a permanent collection of his works. You can also enjoy a variety of temporary exhibitions featuring other contemporary artists. For example, we enjoyed discovering the work of Catalan artist Miquel Mont, who attempts to create a multiple dialogue between the work of José Guerrero, his artistic heritage and the modernity of the center’s layout, which exhibits his work as an artist. If you’re a fan of abstract and contemporary art, take a look around and soak up the creativity and vitality of his canvases.
Our 3 favorite moments
- the historic 19th-century museum building, combining period architecture with modern fittings
- brightly lit rooms, some with large windows that illuminate and enhance the abstract artworks
- the view of the cathedral roofs and the Chapelle Royale from the room on the top floor
Useful tips
- In the immediate vicinity of the cathedral and the Chapelle Royale
- Tour duration: approx. 1 hour
- The center does not offer a dedicated children’s trail, but rather educational activities and workshops for families to encourage initiation to contemporary art.
- Full adult admission: free
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday and public holidays from 10:30 to 14:00 and 16:30 to 21:00, Sundays from 10:30 to 14:00; closed Mondays (except public holidays), Sunday afternoons and weekdays on December 24th, 25th, 31st and January 1st.
- Link to the official museum website here
Read the article dedicated to this museum
FUN in Andalucia: activities
- Cooking course in Sevilla
- Canyoning from the Costa del Sol
- Caminito del Rey guided hike
8. Saint John of God Museum
Why visit it? Our review
We particularly enjoyed our visit to the Saint John of God Museum in Granada. Housed in the Casa de los Pisa, where the saint died, this 3-storey art gallery describes the life and achievements of Saint John of God, patron saint of Granada, through a dynamic and original museography. You’ll notice that the rooms are richly decorated, revealing an impressive collection of paintings, silverware and images of the saint. We also found personal effects of Saint John of God, giving us an intimate and different perspective on his life dedicated to caring for the sick and needy. If you appreciate sacred art and religious history, you’ll also love the remarkable architecture of this building, built after the Reconquista by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492, and the presentation of its exhibits. An enriching cultural and historical experience!
To immerse yourself further in the history of this saint, visit the Basilica of St. John of God, one of our favorite monuments in Granada.
Our 3 favorite moments
- personal effects such as instruments used to help patients
- clothing and accessories that may have belonged to him
- more contemporary representations of Saint John of God, with the collection covering more than 5 centuries of artistic movements from the 15th to the 21st century
Useful tips
- Near Rio Darro, less than 10min walk from the cathedral and 15min walk from the basilica
- Length of visit: approx. 1.5 hours, depending on your interest in the various rooms
- This cultural venue does not offer dedicated activities for children, but a visit to a museum encourages openness and an introduction to art and history.
- Full adult price: €3 per person
- Opening hours: open from 10am to 2pm, Monday to Saturday
- Link to the official museum website here
Find out more in our full article, coming soon!
9. La Cartuja Monastery
Why visit it? Our review
Slightly off-centre, the Monastère de la Cartuja is well worth a visit in our eyes! You first enter an elegant cloister, as sober as the façade. Orange trees and a fountain in the center exude a certain tranquility. The rooms surrounding the cloister, including the former monks’ refectory, house works by the monk and painter Fray Juan Sánchez Cotán, created in the early 17th century. But the real highlight of the visit, in our opinion, is the Baroque church dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. We were struck by the beauty of the door dividing the nave into 2, the sanctuary with its colorful marble and trompe-l’oeil frescoes, and the sacristy with its splendid marquetry. It’s sure to be a memorable visit!
Our 3 favorite moments
- Calvario by the Spanish painter Fray Juan Sanchèz Cotán from Granada, who produced a series of paintings depicting scenes from the life of Christ.
- the mosaics on the floors, the meticulous workmanship of the ceilings and the moldings in the different areas of the monastery, the Baroque church is undeniably our favorite.
- a scale model of the estate where the Monastery of La Cartuja is located, to visualize the immensity of the site from a different perspective
Useful tips
- In the north of the city, a 10-minute drive from the cathedral
- We recommend you get there by car or bus (8, “Henriquez de Jorquera 18” stop). Visit the official transport network website here
- Length of visit: 1 to 2 hours depending on your interests
- comment whether good or not for children
- Full adult price: €6 (free for children under 12)
- Opening hours: Sunday to Friday, 10am to 6:30pm and Saturday, 10am to 12:15pm and 3pm to 5:30pm.
- Link to the official museum website here
- Treat yourself to a combined tour of several must-see monuments including the Monastery of La Cartuja – see details, prices and availability
Read our article on the monastery soon.
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10. Archaeological and ethnological museum
Why visit it? Our review
If you’re interested in archaeology, this small museum has some fine exhibits. First and foremost, the building in which this museum is housed is well worth a visit for its 16th-century Mudéjar Renaissance architecture. Take time to admire the ornamentation of the Casa de Castril, a palace built in 1539, and its many arcades, before marvelling inside at the remains dating from prehistoric times to the end of the Reconquista in 1492. We enjoyed a beautiful view of the Alhambra from the 1st floor. As well as recounting the lives of the people who inhabited Granada, the museum also hosts a number of themed events relating to archaeology and ethnology. Ready to explore one of Spain’s oldest archaeological and ethnological museums?
Our 3 favorite moments
- the patio with its multiple arcades and central fountain, characteristic of the Mudéjar style
- ornaments and mouldings on the walls of the various rooms
- the impressive collection of artefacts discovered during various archaeological digs, such as the mosaic below from the historic Roman site of Villa de Los Mondragones
Useful tips
- Near the Rio Darro, a 20-minute walk from the Alhambra
- Length of visit: 1 to 2 hours, depending on your interest in the permanent collection and thematic temporary exhibitions.
- This museum can be an interesting and fun way for children to learn about the history of local people and culture through the ages.
- Full adult admission: free
- Opening hours: open Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 3pm, closed on Mondays.
- Link to the official museum website here
Read our article on the Archaeological Museum (coming soon).
DISCOVER Granada
- Things to do in Granada
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Other museums and art galleries in Granada
Here are some other museums and art galleries in Granada we’d like to mention:
- Madraza Palace: this former 14th-century Koranic school houses a beautiful green room decorated with calligraphy.
- Casa-Museo Manuel Falla: the Cadiz-born composer lived in this house, whose period interior has been reconstructed.
- Rodriguez-Acosta Foundation: this superb villa houses the collection of painter José Maria Rodríguez
- Palais des Oubliés: located in a former palace historically occupied by a Jewish family, the site takes its name from the coat of arms erased after the family’s conversion to Christianity at the time of the capture of Granada and the end of the Reconquista. On-site exhibition on the Inquisition
- El Bañuelo Arabic baths: these Hispano-Moorish baths, located in an old private home, are the best preserved in Andalucia, in the Albaicin district near the Rio Darro.
Museums to visit with children in Granada
If you’re visiting Granada as a family, you can prioritize the following museums:
- Parc des Sciences: with its many activities, fun facilities and workshops, this science park has been designed with families in mind: go ahead!
- Musée des Grottes du Sacromonte: Granada’s troglodytic houses and the history of their inhabitants, with life-size reconstructions of everyday objects, will appeal to young and old alike!
Other museums listed above offer workshops and educational programs for different age groups.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a flamenco museum in Granada?
No, you’ll find that there’s no museum dedicated to flamenco in Granada. The Flamenco Museum is located in Sevilla. However, we learned a lot about this 18th-century musical genre and dance by visiting Granada’s Sacromonte Caves Museum, which traces the history of flamenco and the city’s gypsy culture. Here you can also enjoy unique performances of this typical Andalucia art form.
Where can I find the Jewish Museum in Granada?
Known as the Museo Sefardi, this artistic venue tells the story of the Jewish presence in Granada through the ages. The Sephardic Museum presents many works of art and artefacts relating to Jewish culture, and is also a major venue on the cultural scene linked to the Sephardic world.
The Palace of the Forgotten is also a cultural space located in the former palace of a former Jewish family from Granada, where various exhibitions are organized, such as one on the Inquisition.
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