Madrasa of Granada

Palace Historic Islamic school in Granada with Moorish architecture

The Madrasa of Granada preserves an example of Nasrid-era Islamic schooling and architecture in Granada; visitors study its masonry and context within the city’s medieval quarter.

Main image

The Madrasa of Granada (La Madraza) is a medieval Islamic college in Granada, Andalusia, founded in the mid-14th century under Nasrid rule. It served as a centre for theological and legal studies during the Nasrid period.

Established in 1349 by Sultan Yusuf I as a royal madrasa, it functioned as an institution for higher study in the Emirate of Granada. After the Christian conquest of 1492 the building’s use changed over time, and it has undergone restoration to preserve surviving medieval fabric and decorative work.

The madrasa sits in Granada’s historic centre, close to the Cathedral and within walking distance of the Alhambra complex, making it part of the dense urban cluster of late medieval and early modern monuments.

  • Founded 1349: Founded in 1349 by the Nasrid ruler Yusuf I, making it one of the later medieval madrasas in al-Andalus with direct Nasrid royal patronage.
  • Historic setting: Located within Granada's historic core, it lies close to the Cathedral and the Alhambra axis, forming part of the city's ensemble of late medieval monuments.

What to See #

  • Main hall: Main hall and prayer chamber occupy the historic core of the building and preserve elements of the original Nasrid decorative programme after later repairs and alterations.
  • Façade and location: Street-facing façade and entrance face an urban square near central Granada, forming a visible element of the city's historic core close to the Cathedral and Alhambra-axis streets.
Madrasa of Granada
Madrasa of Granada (Granada, Andalusia), Spain
37.1761, -3.5983

Best Time to Visit Madrasa of Granada #

Best visited in spring or autumn to avoid summer heat and the largest crowds while still enjoying comfortable weather.

Spring
Mar-May · 10-25°C
Mild temperatures and fewer tourists than summer-comfortable for walking between sites before or after an indoor visit.
Summer
Jun-Aug · 25-35°C
Hot and often the busiest time for Granada; interiors can feel crowded and outdoor walking may be tiring in the heat.
Winter
Nov-Feb · 5-15°C
Cooler and quieter, with smaller visitor numbers inside the monument and comfortable conditions for sightseeing.

Weather & Climate near Madrasa of Granada #

Climate

Madrasa of Granada's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 34°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 44 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
39°
Warmest Month
-5°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 13°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

64 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

66 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
15°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

42 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.7h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
18°
69%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

42 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
High
11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

74 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
20°
66%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

45 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
High
13.0h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

86 Excellent

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
10° 24°
58%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

34 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
14.0h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
14° 30°
46%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

18 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
14.5h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 34°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 3 mm and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
17° 34°
39%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

3 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
14.3h daylight

August

August is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 3 mm and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
17° 34°
43%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

3 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
13.4h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

91 Ideal

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
14° 29°
56%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

18 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.5
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm).

87 Excellent

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
10° 23°
65%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

43 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
11.1h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
17°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Low
10.0h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with 56 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

64 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

56 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.5h daylight

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