Inside the Gleaming Golden Basilica of San Juan de Dios.

@Peter Heidelberg/Shutterstock

Basílica San Juan de Dios

Top choice in Granada


Built between 1737 and 1759, this spectacular basilica unveils a blinding display of opulent baroque decor. Barely an inch of its interior lacks embellishment, most of it in gleaming gold and silver. Frescos by Diego Sánchez Sarabia and Italian artists Corrado Giaquinto and Tomás Ferrer adorn the ceilings and side chapels, while up above the basilica's dome soars to 50m. The highlight, however, is the extraordinary gold altarpiece in the Capilla Mayor (main chapel). Audio guides bring the details to life.

Once you've taken in the head-spinning details, a staff member leads you up the Seville-tiled stairs behind the altar to where St John of God's remains are set deep in a niche surrounded by gold.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Granada attractions

1. Monasterio de San Jerónimo

0.11 MILES

With Gothic cloisters, fragrant orange trees and a lavishly decorated interior, this 16th-century monastery is one of Granada's most stunning Catholic…

2. Centro Federico García Lorca

0.29 MILES

This modern, purpose-built cultural centre, the home of the Lorca foundation, provides a contemporary stage for events ranging from art exhibitions to…

3. Iglesia de San Miguel Bajo

0.32 MILES

One of the Albayzín's loveliest churches, overlooking a snug cafe-dotted plaza, the whitewashed Mudéjar San Miguel Bajo church was built atop an old…

4. Catedral de Granada

0.34 MILES

From street level it’s difficult to appreciate the immensity of Granada’s cavernous, boxed-in cathedral. But it’s nonetheless a monumental work of…

5. Palacio de Dar-al-Horra

0.35 MILES

Up high in the Albayzín – down a lane off Placeta de San Miguel Bajo and Callejón del Gallo – this 15th-century Nasrid palace was the home of sultana Aixa…

6. Calle Calderería Nueva

0.36 MILES

Linking the upper and lower parts of the Albayzín, Calle Calderería Nueva is a narrow street famous for its teterías (teahouses). It's also a good place…

7. Capilla Real

0.37 MILES

The Royal Chapel is the last resting place of Spain’s Reyes Católicos (Catholic Monarchs), Isabel I de Castilla (1451–1504) and Fernando II de Aragón …

8. Palacio de la Madraza

0.38 MILES

Easily recognisable by the trompe l'oeil on its facade, La Madraza was founded in 1349 by Yusuf I as a school and university – and still belongs to…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "spain/granada/attractions/basilica-san-juan-de-dios/a/poi-sig/1206547/360733",
      "destination": "Granada",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Spain",
      "region": "Andalucía",
      "city": "Granada",
      "position": "superzone"
    }