Iglesia de La Merced is a colonial church a few blocks north of Parque Central, notable for its elaborate baroque facade and, above all, its climbable bell tower. The facade is one of the most ornate in Nicaragua — rows of carved niches, pilasters, and decorative stonework give it a richness the cathedral's neoclassical style doesn't quite match.
For most visitors, the point is the tower. Climb the internal staircase to emerge onto the bell platform and you get one of the best views in Granada: the colonial rooftops spread below, Lago de Nicaragua gleaming to the east, and Mombacho volcano's distinctive profile to the south. The climb is steep and the stairs are narrow, but the view at the top is worth it.