The Royal Monastery of San Jerónimo is one of the finest Renaissance buildings in Granada and one of the least visited. Founded in 1496 by the Catholic Monarchs, it was the first monastery to be built in Granada after the Reconquista. The exterior is austere, but the main cloister and the church interior are exceptional — particularly the spectacular painted vaulted ceiling and the elaborate carved retable of the main altarpiece, which covers the entire east wall.
The church sits about a 15-minute walk north of the cathedral, making it an easy addition to a day that already includes the city centre. Entry is inexpensive and the crowds are a fraction of those at the cathedral or Alhambra.