Sacromonte Abbey - Great Architecture and Splendid Panoramic View
Enjoy a special day at the Alhambra with a guided tour
Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces: discover the wonders of the Alhambra with this all-inclusive tour: the Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife, the Alcazaba, and more.
Alhambra + Albaicín + Sacromonte: a perfect combination of a guided tour of the Alhambra in the morning and a guided tour of the Albaicin and Sacromonte in the afternoon.This is the route to the Sacromonte Abbey. Located on Mount Valparaiso, the Sacromonte Abbey shows us the cultural past of the city and is vital to understanding the history of Granada.
This wonderful artistic, cultural, and religious complex comprises three main parts:
the Abbey, built in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the College from the seventeenth century, and the Seminary.
One of the earliest private university colleges in Europe was founded here in 1610.
The Chapel
Crossing the courtyard, which is adorned with 28 semi-circular arches, we arrive at a chapel with a small altar above the entrance to a mine.
This mine leads to several caves where, in 1595, the relics of the disciples of the Apostle James were discovered, along with lead books—plates
of lead inscribed in Arabic detailing their martyrdom. A furnace and ashes were also found.
San Juan de Dios Cross
A cross, believed to have belonged to St. John of God, is located in the main cave at the site where the holy men were burned.
Opposite the entrance to the caves is a beautiful statue of Madonna, which was donated by Don Pedro Pascasio.
At the entrance to the street that leads to the Sacromonte Abbey is the Hermitage of the Holy Sepulchre, built in the seventeenth century.
Sacromonte Abbey Museum
The Abbey conserves a very valuable heritage, although not all of it is visible to the public.
A large part of it can be found in the Abbey Museum, the Plataforma de Vico,
including the oldest map of the city of Granada.
In its rooms are exhibited treasures such as: a copy of Averroes' Generalities on Medicine; or a letter from Pizarro to Emperor Charles V, to name but a few.
Views from the Abbey
Sacromonte Abbey has breathtaking views of the
the Alhambra,
el Albaicin,
del river Darro and the magnificent peaks of the
Sierra Nevada.
The Sacromonte Abbey is a privileged place to admire in silence and calm the impressive views of the Alhambra, the river Darro and the magnificent peaks of the Sierra Nevada.
Nowadays, it serves as the residence of priests and the parish church of the neighborhood.
Festivals in its Surroundings
Many people go on pilgrimages to Sacromonte on the
first weekend of February in honour of the patron saint of the city, San Cecilio, the first bishop of Granada,
whose remains were found here.
Also, during Holy Week, the Abbey and its surroundings are unable to contain the large number of people who come up to see the Christ of the Gypsies return to his temple, amidst bonfires built on the mountain to light his passage and the saetas that the locals dedicate to him.
Sacromonte Abbey Opening Hours, Year 2026
Given that it opens at set times, make sure to organize your visit well.
- Winter Opening Hours (28 Oct - 31 Mar): Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 17:00.
- Summer Opening Hours (1 Apr - 27 Oct): Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 15:30 to 18:00.
Sacromonte Abbey offers audio guide in several languages: Spanish, German, Chinese, French, Dutch, English, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Russian.
Advance online booking is required.
Sacromonte Abbey Prices, Year 2026
You cannot visit the Sacromonte Abbey without a guide, which is likely done to protect the site and ensure that visitors do not damage the relics.
- General admission fee (with guided tour) is 7 euros.
- Students (13-25 years old, with accreditation): 5 euros.
- Free admission for children under 13 years.
- People with disabilities and pilgrims on the Route of Saint James: 5 euros (accreditation required).
- Groups (more than 15 people): 5 euros, booking required (by email: info@abadiasacromonte.org; or telephone: 958 22 14 45).
How to Reach Sacromonte Abbey
How to Get to Sacromonte Abbey by Bus
You can reach the Sacromonte Abbey from Plaza Nueva by bus number C34.
The buses have an average frequency of 20 minutes, and the duration of the trip is about 15 minutes.
How to Get to Sacromonte Abbey by Car
You cannot access the Sacromonte Abbey via Sacromonte by car.
However, you can reach it by going up the Caretera de Murcia -> Camino Viejo de Fargue.
300 metres before Camino Viejo de Fargue crosses A-4002 turn right towards the Sacromonte Abbey.
How to Get to Sacromonte Abbey by Taxi
Taxis are allowed to ascend Camino de Sacromonte, which takes about 10 minutes from the Plaza Nueva and will cost approximately 5-7 euros.Sacromonte Abbey Contact Details
Address: Camino del Sacromonte 4, Granada, Telephone: 958 221 445.Page Updated: Aug 17, 2026
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Opinions about Sacromonte Abbey in Granada
Beautiful, but neglected
Well, very beautiful, honestly. Despite having lived in Granada for a long time, I had never visited it.
I walked up from Paseo de los Tristes, crossing through the Sacromonte neighborhood. I have to say that I found it very run-down and neglected, at least from the outside; but it has the charm of old and mysterious things. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to visit the inside.
I agree with a previous comment that there is something special about this place. When I arrived, I felt a special peace and tranquility, typical of places that have a telluric and spiritual energy that makes them different.
I think Granada City Council should invest in improving this place. The surroundings and the place are worth it.
Magical place in Granada
From the moment you arrive at the parking lot, this place makes you fall in love with the views of the Alhambra and Granada.
Once inside the monument, its Cloister and the historical and cultural heritage of the whole Abbey leave you speechless. Without a doubt, a must-see in Granada.
Nice place, book in advance
This is one of very few places in Granada that requires pre-booking as you cannot visit it without a guided tour, so book first because places are limited. Normally you can book for the next day but do it earlier just in case.
The guided tour costs 5 euros. The tour includes the church, the small museum and the caves. The guide is in Spanish and in English. If you have a Granada Card the tour will be free.
See More Reviews
A real discovery
I visited the abbey and I think it is a place that conveys something mysterious, something suspended in time. The surroundings are extraordinary, without masses of tourists. The history of the abbey and the caves is fantastic. A real discovery. I recommend it.
Thank you for taking us back in time
One of those places in Andalusia that makes you fall in love with this land. Thank you, Lidia, for taking us back in time. A true treasure waiting to be discovered.
It was worth the effort of walking up
When we booked, we were not advised to take a bus, so we walked up... hard in the heat.
And when you arrive walking, you kind of get confused with the Sacromonte Museum. There needs to be more signage.
We loved the abbey!!
An exceptional guide, thank you
Today I visited the Sacromonte Abbey, my congratulations to the guide (a red-haired girl). If she is the same girl mentioned in the previous comment, she should have a little more empathy and understand that at the time they went, she may have been overwhelmed with work.
I was lucky enough to have her attend to us when there was no one else there, and she not only enriched me culturally but also managed to convey the history perfectly, along with the principles and values of those who were there.
Thank you, beautiful, you have taught me to keep fighting according to my principles and never lose peace and hope.
Beautiful abbey with the fantastic views
The Abadia is beautiful in a lovely setting, up the hill with the fantastic views of Granada and the Alhambra. You can take a bus in Plaza Nueva, it will take you directly to the Sacromonte Abbey.
If you are fit you can walk but it is a very steep climb, probably not a good idea in July or August.
If you walk, you will pass by the caves where the gypsies still live now.
The abbey was the first private university of Spain. The caves are cool and peaceful; there is a small museum and beautiful church.
Unfortunately several parts of the building are not repaired and are falling apart after fire some years ago, but they are only visible from the top of the hill.
Interesting, peaceful and full of history
Easy bus ride up. You can take a self guided tour with their app.
Loved reading the history, walking through the caves and Chapel paintings.
The information seems useful to me
We will go and see it, the information seems very useful to me, they give you all the options for getting there. We’ll tell you about it when we get back.
What about refreshments?
Hi, can't see if there are refreshments, or a shop, if we walk up from the town and spend some time there. Would be useful to know.
A guide who rushes
At the Sacromonte Abbey there is a guide who rushes a lot, doesn’t give you time to see anything and limits herself to doing her job within the allotted half hour. I think that monument needs more than half an hour to see it, especially for the less than three and a half euros that the entrance costs.
A unique place
I have been to the Abbey twice. And on both occasions I was lucky enough to have a fantastic guide. She gave us time to ask questions and look around. It’s a shame it hasn’t been restored more. A unique place. I hope to return to Granada and go up a third time to visit the great Abbey.
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