Best of Granada: The Granada Cathedral & the Royal Chapel
-
port
Malaga, Spain
-
activityLevel
Moderate Activity
-
excursionType
All
-
wheelchairAccessible
No
-
startingAtPrice
$240
-
minimumAge
Information Not Currently Available
-
duration
Approximately 9 Hours
-
mealsIncluded
Meals included
Pass whitewashed villages during the two-hour scenic drive to this charming city that perches under the Sierra Nevada mountains. Founded by the Phoenicians around 1000 BC, conquered by the Romans about 800 years later and the Visigoths in the 5th century, Granada's most significant building period occurred during the 8th century AD, when the North African Moors occupied the Iberian Peninsula. Islamic art and architecture flourished throughout Spain until Queen Isabella of Castile married King Ferdinand of Aragon and their combined forces led to the Reconquest of Spain.
Head to the Old Quarter of Granada to explore its stunning cathedral (1523), tucked tightly among other age-old buildings. The cathedral's formidable exterior hints at the grandeur you'll discover once you step inside. The foundation and massive granite columns are Gothic in style, while the main façade is Baroque. The stunning Renaissance interior holds two praying statues of Isabella and Ferdinand. A 147-foot-tall dome bathes the cathedral in a surreal light.
Enjoy a delicious tapas lunch with a Flamenco show at Tablao La Soleá restaurant. This captivating live dance show exemplifies the nuances of the art.
The Royal Chapel, built-in 1504, houses a wealth of Baroque sculptures, tapestries, portraits, relics and the marble tombs of the Isabella and Ferdinand.
Relax for the pleasant ride back to Málaga and the ship.
Please note: Travel time to Granada is approximately two hours each way. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Tour requires approximately four hours of walking. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. Tour groups are not allowed inside the cathedral during mass services; entry is allowed on an individual basis to view the interior quietly and reverently. Many stores are closed on Sundays, holidays and at lunchtime.