Desnudo Tenido by José María Rodríguez-Acosta | Museo de Bellas Artes
Granada’s cultural heritage
If you enjoy a bit of history and culture on your travels, the city of Granada has plenty to interest you.
It may not boast a Prado, an Ufizzi, a Musée d’Orsay or a Guggenheim, but the rich historic and cultural heritage of the city, and of Andalucía, is wonderfully represented in the numerous museums, galleries and exhibitions open to visitors.
Some of the museums on this list are not particularly large and therefore don’t represent a huge time commitment. What they do offer is the chance to learn a little about the history and culture of the city and some of its most famous artists and historical figures.
And all of this is on offer at the foot of the Sierra Nevada and in the shadow of one of Spain’s most important monuments, the Alhambra Palace.
Bono Turístico Granada - The Granada Card
Entry into some of the placed listed below is included in the Bono Turístico Granada – The Granada Card is a tourist pass which includes discounted entry to the main monuments in Granada and public transport.
These include: the Alhambra and Generalife, the Alhambra Museum, Archaeological Museum, Granada Cathedral, the Capilla Real, Royal Chapel Museum, the Science Park, the Monastery of San Jeronimo, the Cartuja Monastery, the Museo de Belles Artes and the Cathedral Museum.
Look out for the red marker below.
Find a hotel in the historic city of Granada
Whether you choose to be in the centre, close to the Alhambra itself or overlooking it from the ancient barrio of El Albayzín, you’ll find many hotels housed in some of Granada’s most beautiful historic buildings.
You can start your search here.
Explore Granada’s museums, galleries and exhibitions
Museo de las Cuevas del Sacromonte
If you would like to gain an insight into the history, culture and daily lives of those who lived in Sacromonte over a century ago, visit the Museum of the Caves of Sacromonte.
This fascinating exhibition is made up of ten caves reconstructed as typical homes and workshops to illustrate the way of life of the cave dwellers and also showcase traditional crafts such as wickerwork, metalwork, weaving, and ceramics.
The museum also holds regular cultural events of flamenco, music, theatre and dance. Click here to buy tickets in advance for the Sacromonte Caves Museum.
Open: 7 days
Winter: 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-19:00
Summer: 10:00-14:00 and 17:00-20:30
Entrance: €5
Location: Barranco de los Negros, Sacromonte
Tel: +34 958 215 120
Web: Museo de las Cuevas del Sacromonte
Memoria de Andalucía
For everything that you ever wanted to know about the landscape, history and culture of Andalucía, and then some about which you never even thought to wonder, visit The Andalucía Memorial.
Housed in one of Granada’s most iconic modern buildings this extensive interactive exhibition explores everything from the environment and natural resources, to Andalucían communities and way of life.
Entry included in the Bono Turístico
Open:
Tue-Wed 09.30-14.00
Thur-Sat 09.30-14.00 and 16.00-19.00
Sunday and holidays 11.00-15.00
Closed: Monday
Click here for full details of opening hours.
Entrance: General admission €5, Students €3.50, over 65 years €3, children under 8 go free
Location: Avenida de la Ciencia, 2
Tel: +34 958 22 22 57
Web: Memoria de Andalucía
Desnudo Tenido by José María Rodríguez-Acosta | Museo de Bellas Artes
Museo de Bellas Artes
If you enjoy fine art, and you are planning a visit to the Alhambra, be sure to allow some time to visit the Museum of Fine Arts, located in the grand renaissance Palacio de Carlos V.
The museum houses an extensive permanent collection of around 2000 religious paintings, sculptures and other important works from the 15th to 20th centuries.
Open: Tues-Sat
Oct- Mid Mar 10.00-18.00
Mid Mar-May 10.00-20.30
June-Sep 09.00-15.30
Sep-Oct 10.00-20.30
Sunday and holidays 10.00-17.00
Closed: Monday
Click here for full details of opening hours.
Entrance: Free for EU citizens and students with proof of status. €1.50 for others.
Location: Palacio de Carlos V, Calle Alhambra
Tel: +34 958 563508
Web: Museo de Bellas Artes
Dos hilanderas by Jose Guerrero | Centro José Guerrero
Centro José Guerrero
The Centro José Guerrero, which opened in 2000, holds in its permanent collection a number of works by the Granada-born artist José Guerrero.
The Center is not only dedicated to the conservation of his work and the exploration of the influence of his abstract expressionist paintings on Spanish contemporary art, but also to celebrate innovation in contemporary art and investigate its role in 21st century society.
In 2020 Centro José Guerrero celebrates 20 years since it was founded. Check out the website for more details.
Open: Tues-Sat 10.30-14.00 and 16.00-21.00. Sun 10.30-1400
Closed: Mondays
Entrance: Free
Location: Calle Oficios, 8
Tel: +34 958 220 109/119
Web: Centro José Guerrero
Andaluzas, José Maria Rodriguez-Acosta | Fundación Rodriquez-Acosta
Fundación Rodriguez-Acosta
The foundation was set up in 1941 in the house that was built by Jose Maria Rodriguez-Acosta, the influential Granada born artist of the 20th century. It was established to foster awareness of art and culture in Granada and to further the careers of young artists through grants and various cultural programmes.
El Carmen, the house itself, which is decorated with objects from all over the world, was built as a work of art, and along with the beautiful gardens and patios is open to visitors by appointment. Click here for a virtual tour.
Open: Mon-Fri 10.00-14.00 by appointment only
Closed: Saturday, Sunday and Festivals
Entrance: Standard €3
Location: Callejón Niños del Royo, 8
Tel: +958 227 497 to arrange a visit
Web: FundacionRodriguezAcosta
Parque de las Ciencias
Granada’s Science park is a great place to take the family on any day but it is a particularly good way to spend some time if the weather is a bit overcast. It offers great interactive fun and education for all ages.
The outdoor and indoor highlights include a The Observation Tower, Journey into the Human Body, Tropical Butterfly Garden, The Planetarium (optional extra), and The Exploration Hall for kids aged 3 to 7. For more information check out our blog post here.
It is easy to reach on foot from the city centre or by bus route S5. It is also easy to locate in the car (see map below) and there is cheap parking onsite.
Entry included in the Bono Turístico
Open: Tue-Sat 10.00-19.00 and Sunday 10.00-15.00
Closed: Mondays (except holidays) and 1 January, 1 May and 25 December
Entrance: Standard €7, under 18 and over 65 €6, students €5.50
Location: Avenida De las Ciencias
Tel: +34 958 131 900
Web: Parque de las Ciencias
San Juan de Dios ~ Manuel Gómez-Moreno González | El Museo de Bellas Artes
Museo San Juan de Dios
The museum is housed in a stately mansion built by the Pisa family around 1492 after the Recconquest of Granada by the Catholic Kings.
The family offered shelter to Juan de Dios, who had devoted his own life to helping the sick and needy, when he needed a place to convalesce. He remained there until his death.
The collection includes paintings, engravings, gold articles, sculptures, and iconography related to Saint John of God.
Open: Mon-Sat 10:00-13:30, afternoons by appointment
Closed: Sundays
Entrance: €3
Location: Casa de los Pisa Mansión, Calle Convalecencia, 1
Tel: +34 958 222 144
Web: Museo de San Juan de Dios
Museo de la Capilla Real
The Royal Chapel at Granada Cathedral is home to the remains of Catholic Kings Reyes Catholicos, Isabel and Fernando, and historically speaking, is one of the city’s most important monuments. Visitors can enter the cathedral for free but will find that access is a little limited when services are in progress.
Housed in the adjacent offices of the Sacristy is a little museum displaying 15th-century religious paintings, tapestries, and some fascinating personal items left by the Catholic Kings.
Entry included in the Bono Turístico
Open: 7 days
Autumn-Winter: Mon-Sat 10.15-13.30 and 15.30-18.30
Sundays and holidays 11.00-13.30 and 15.30-18.30
Spring-Summer: Mon-Sat 10.15-13.30 and 16.00-19.30
Sundays and holidays 11.00-13.30 and 16.00-19.30
Entrance: €4
Location: Plaza de la Lonja, Gran Via, 5
Tel: +34 958 222 959
Web: Capilla Real de Granada
Huerta de San Vicente, Casa-Museo Federico García Lorca
Situated in Parque Garcia Lorca, La Huerta de San Vincente was the summer residence of Federico Garcia Lorca’s family and the place where the poet wrote some of his best-known works.
Now a museum commemorating his life and work, the house still contains the furnishings, paintings, manuscripts, drawings and others personal belongings of the family thus maintaining the character and ambience of the home as it was in Lorca’s day.
In 2020 the Casa-Museo Federico García Lorca celebrates 25 years since its establishment in 1995. Check out the website for details of activities.
Open:
Mid Sep-Mar 09.15-14.15 and 16.00-19.00
April-Mid June 09.15-14.15 and 17.00-20.00
Mid Jun-Mid Sep 09.15-14.15
Closed: Mondays
Click here for full details of opening hours.
Entrance: €3 adults, €1 children, seniors, and students
Location: Calle Virgen Blanca
Tel: +34 958 258 466
Web: Huerta de San Vincente
Centro Cultural García Lorca
Housed in a striking modern building, this museum is dedicated to the life and work of Federico Garcia Lorca. Located in the heart of the city close to the cathedral, the centre’s mission is to conserve and disseminate the works of Lorca as well as providing cultural activities for the public and educational opportunities for children and youth to engage them in the arts.
This museum is well worth a visit for anyone interested in the works of Lorca and in gaining a deeper understanding of life in Spain at the time of Lorca and his contemporaries.
Open:
Monday to Saturday 11.00-14.00 and 18.00-21.00
Sundays 11.00-14.00
Please check website for full details.
Entrance: Free admission
Location: Plaza de la Romanilla, s / n
18001 Granada
Tel: +34 958 274 062
Web: Centro Federico García Lorca
Casa Museo Manuel de Falla
The famous Gypsy composer Manuel de Falla was one of Spain’s most important composers of the 20th-century. The museum, celebrating his life and work, is located in his former residence affording visitors a very personal glimpse of how the man lived.
Open:
Sep-Jun: Tue-Fri 09.00-14.30 and 15.30-19.00 Sat-Sun 09.00-14.30
Jul-Aug: Wed-Sun 09.00-14.00
Closed: Mondays and holidays
Please check website for full details.
Entrance: €2 standard, €1 for minors and over 65
Location: Calle Antequeruela Alta, 11
Tel: +34 958 222 188
Web: Museo Manuel de Falla
Find a hotel in the historic city of Granada
Whether you choose to be in the centre, close to the Alhambra itself or overlooking it from the ancient barrio of El Albayzín, you’ll find many hotels housed in some of Granada’s most beautiful historic buildings.
You can start your search here.
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