Tour Andalucia
Granada Tour
The highlight of our Granada Tour is the visit to the amazing Alhambra which is one of the
wonders of the modern world. We normally schedule the Alhambra visit for the afternoon and
spend the morning in Granada City. Because there is quite a bit of walking involved to make the
most of the Alhambra, our morning is primarily spent in the Cathedral and old historic centre of
Granada where we take a tapas lunch.
Phase 1:
The Cathedral and Surroundings
Starting at the Calle de los Reyes Católicos, at the Plaza del Carmen, we take the Calle del
Príncipe to the Plaza de Rib-Rambla, the flower market. Here are the narrow streets which make
up La Alcaicería and Zacatín, the old Moorish silk market and area of skilled craftsmen, today a
colorful commercial area.
On the large space occupied by the main mosque, a group of Christian buildings of great artistic
interest was erected after the ‘Reconquest’. These include the Cathedral, the Church of El
Sagrario and the Royal Chapel.
The Cathedral was built between 1518 and 1704, and although started in the Gothic style, most
of the structure is Renaissance. It has a basilica ground plan, and the 17th century façade,
composed of three large arches, was the work of Alonso Cano and evokes the great Roman
triumphal arches. In the interior the lovely Main Chapel can be seen.
The Royal Chapel rises also on the Calle de los Oficios and houses the Tombs of the Catholic
Monarchs, the Tombs of Juana de Castilla (called Mad Queen Joanna) and Felipe el
Hermoso (Philip the Fair), as well as a magnificent altarpiece built in 1520. It is deemed to be
the City’s most impressive Christian Building. In the Sacristy there are paintings of the Flemish,
Italian and Spanish Schools of the 15th century donated by Queen Isabella.
The Church of El Sagrario that we see today is the 1704 reconstruction, forming part of the
group of buildings attached to the Cathedral and Royal Chapel. Its ground plan is in the form of a
Greek cross, and it contains important paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries, as well as a
lovely Renaissance baptismal font carved from white marble.
Opposite the royal Chapel, we find the old Palace of La Madraza, from the Arab word Medersa,
a Koran school founded by Yusuf I in 1349 and converted by the Catholic monarchs into the Casa
de los Cabildos. It underwent various renovations until its demolition and was rebuilt in the 18th
century. Today it houses offices of the University of Granada.
Phase 2:
The Jerónimos to The Cartuja
From the Plaza de las Pasiegas at the main façade of the Cathedral and the Calle Cárcel Baja,
we arrive at the Calle de San Jerónimo, which leads to the Plaza de la Universidad.
What was formerly the University of Letters, founded by Carlos V in 1526; is now the Law School.
Next to it is the Church of Saints Justo and Pastor, a former collegiate church, started in 1575 by
the Jesuits. The Baroque bell tower contrasts with the elegant dome that crowns the church.
Opposite, is the 16th century University Residence Hall, Real Colegio Mayor de San Bartolomé y
Santiago.
Walking down the Calle de San Jerónimo, to the right is the Caicedo Palace.
At the end of the street, at the corner of the Calle del Gran Capitán, is the 17th century Church of
Perpetuo Socorro.
The Church of Los Jerónimos, on the Calle San Juan de Dios, is a Renaissance treasure built at
the beginning of the 16th century. Its Gothic cloister and the Gothic-Renaissance cloister of the
monastery, the magnificent dome and the altarpiece of the main altar are a few of the interesting
features.
On the same street, is the Church and Hospital of San Juan de Dios. The church is considered
one of the most important Baroque structures in the city. Its Churrigueresque-style altarpiece of
carved wood is especially noteworthy. The mortal remains of San Juan de Dios (Saint John of
God) have been laid to rest here.
In the Plaza de El Triunfo, is the Royal Hospital founded by the Catholic monarchs in 1503, today
the seat of the Restorate of the Central University Library.
Nearby is the lovely arch of the Elvira Gate, built in the 11th century.
The former Convent of the Merced Calzada, founded by the Catholic monarchs, is located on the
Calle Acera de San Ildefonso and has a lovely 17th century courtyard.
On the same street is the Church of San Ildefonso with a doorway designed by Diego de Siloé
and carved by Juan de Alcántara.
Taking Calle Acera de San Ildefonso, which later changes its name to Calle Real de la Cartuja,
we come to the Carthusian Monastery (29). Its main building was erected during the 17th century
in the purest of Baroque styles.
Phase 3
The Alhambra
Following the morning tour around the City of Granada, we visit the world famous Alhambra.
The Alhambra was known as The Royal City of The Alhambra and it stands proudly on the top of
the hill known in the middle ages as The Hill of Gold. It is without doubt the finest example of
Islamic architecture left to us in the western world.
The steep scarp upon which the Alhambra stands forms a rough triangle. At the Eastern end is
the Cerro del Sol (Hill of the Sun), crowned by the Generalife, the private retreat of the Nasrid
royalty who commissioned the building of the Alhambra. There is also a small fortress known as
the Seat of the Moor. Running beneath the Northern side is the valley of the river Darro. At the
western extreme is the Alcazaba Citadel and to the South runs a deep valley
It is said that the Alhambra resembles a large ship, with its prow, the Alcazaba, heading
relentlessly towards the city of Granada.
The Alhambra is more than a palace, it was a complete small scale city with dwellings,
administrative offices, garrisons, stables, mosques, schools, baths, cemeteries and gardens.
We don’t accompany you around the Alhambra. We book a scheduled visit to the royal palaces
‘Los Palacios Nazaries’ and take you to the Alhambra a minimum of two hours before the
scheduled time so that you can walk around Generalife and the rest of the Alhambra before
seeing the splendor of the royal palaces.
At the end of your visit we escort you to dinner at one of the many atmospheric restaurants in the
City.