The commercial and heritage heart of Granada, the historic centre brings together the cathedral, the Royal Chapel and the Alcaicería, the former silk market that is now a neighbourhood of shops and tapas bars.
History & origins
Granada Cathedral was built from 1523 onwards on the site of the city's former great mosque, a symbolic choice common after the 1492 Reconquista. The adjoining Royal Chapel was built to house the tombs of the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand.
Heritage & architecture
The Alcaicería, the former silk market of the Nasrid era, is today a maze of shopping streets, rebuilt after a fire in the 19th century. Plaza Bib-Rambla, the central square lined with terraces and flower stalls, marks the entrance to the shopping district.
Culture & living traditions
The historic centre combines religious heritage with commercial life: traditional tapas bars, craft shops in the Alcaicería and large retail chains sit side by side, just a few metres from the cathedral.
Suggested itinerary
Morning · 9am–12pm: Cathedral and Royal Chapel
Visit the cathedral, then the Royal Chapel and its royal tombs.
Midday · 12pm–2pm: Alcaicería
Wander through the former silk market, among craft stalls and souvenirs.
Afternoon · 2pm–5pm: Plaza Bib-Rambla and tapas
Lunch on the square, then explore the surrounding shopping streets.
Suggested itinerary, not field-tested.
Frequently asked questions
On what site was Granada Cathedral built?
On the site of the city's former great mosque, from 1523 onwards.
What does Granada's Royal Chapel house?
The tombs of the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand.
What is the Alcaicería?
The former silk market of the Nasrid era, today a shopping district rebuilt after a fire in the 19th century.
Is the historic centre convenient for staying in Granada?
Yes, it's the most central option for reaching the city's other neighbourhoods on foot.
