Granada Cathedral Tickets

The Cathedral of Granada

The Cathedral of the Incarnation was begun in 1523, soon after the Christian conquest of Granada, on the site of the city's main mosque. It was first designed in Gothic style by Enrique Egas, but Diego de Siloe took over in 1529 and reshaped it as a Renaissance cathedral, which is why it looks so different from most Spanish cathedrals.

People who search for Granada Cathedral tickets often want to know whether the visit is worth doing. It usually takes around 45 to 60 minutes, and the included audio guide app explains the history and main features as you walk.

The Capilla Mayor and the Nave

The highlight of the interior is the circular Capilla Mayor, a soaring rotunda designed by Siloe with tall arches, stained-glass windows and a gilded altarpiece. It is one of the great spaces of Spanish Renaissance architecture and creates a very different atmosphere from the long Gothic naves of northern Spain.

The nave and side aisles are lit by high windows and lined with pillars that rise to vaults of great height. Take time to look up, then walk slowly around the ambulatory to see the paintings and sculptures placed along the way.

Chapels, Organs and the Cano Facade

Around the nave you will find chapels with painted altarpieces, sculptures and tombs. Paintings and sculptural work by Alonso Cano, one of the leading artists of Granada in the 17th century, appear in the cathedral, and he also designed the main facade, which looks out on Plaza de las Pasiegas.

Two monumental baroque organs stand above the choir and add to the grandeur of the interior. The audio guide app points out these details and helps you understand the layers of history that gave the cathedral its present form.

Planning Your Visit and Getting There

The Cathedral of Granada is easy to fit into a day in the city, and it sits right next to the Royal Chapel, which has its own separate ticket. Opening hours change by season and on religious holidays, so check the time shown in the booking panel. Cover your shoulders and knees out of respect.

To get to Granada Cathedral, walk from Plaza Nueva or the Gran Via de Colon; the cathedral stands in the centre, close to the Alcaiceria market streets. The best time to visit is in the morning or late afternoon, when it is quieter and the light through the windows is soft.