Palacio de Congresos de Granada

The Palacio de Congresos de Granada (also known as Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos) is the city's main convention and exhibition centre, standing on the left bank of the Genil River in the heart of Granada.

Where exactly is it located?

The building sits on Paseo del Violón, right on the edge of the historic centre, next to the tree-lined riverside promenade along the Genil. From here it is only a short walk into the old town, and the venue itself is a clear landmark along the riverbank walkway. That riverside position, rather than an out-of-town exhibition park, is one of the things that sets it apart from many similar venues in Spain.

Who designed it and when was it built?

The centre was designed by three architects — Juan Daniel Fullaondo, María Jesús Muñoz Pardo and José Ibáñez Berbel. Construction finished in 1992, and the building was formally opened on 19 April that year by the then Spanish monarchs, King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía. The timing was no accident: 1992 was a landmark year for Spanish infrastructure investment, and Granada used it to secure a purpose-built venue capable of hosting international-scale events.

What is worth seeing inside?

The interior follows a vertical layout, with halls and foyers stacked across several levels rather than spread out on a single floor — a design that lets multiple events run in parallel without guests crossing paths. Outside, the architecture keeps a restrained, functional profile that blends into the riverside setting rather than competing with it. The feature most visitors remember is the grand staircase leading up to a viewing platform, from which the terrace looks out over part of the city and the river valley below. That staircase and viewpoint have become one of the recognisable pieces of modern architecture in Granada, and the design has picked up recognition over the years.

The complex holds twenty-eight auditorium-style spaces in total, scaled for events of very different sizes. The largest, named after Federico García Lorca, seats up to 2,000 in theatre-style rows or 1,000 in classroom-style seating, making it one of the biggest congress halls in the region. The second largest, named after Manuel de Falla, holds 547 in theatre style and 294 in classroom style.

When should you visit, and what happens here?

The venue runs year-round as a stage for scientific congresses, trade fairs, concerts and award ceremonies. In 2025 it hosted the 39th edition of the Goya Awards, Spain's leading film awards ceremony — a strong sign of the venue's capacity to host events of national scale. It is worth checking the current events calendar before a visit, since access to the halls depends on what is scheduled that day, while the surrounding riverside area and promenade remain open to walkers at any time.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Palacio de Congresos de Granada? It is Granada's main convention and exhibition centre, hosting congresses, trade fairs, concerts and award ceremonies, including the 2025 Goya Awards.

When was it built and who designed it? It was completed in 1992, designed by architects Juan Daniel Fullaondo, María Jesús Muñoz Pardo and José Ibáñez Berbel, and opened by King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía.

How many halls does the venue have? There are twenty-eight auditorium spaces in total; the largest, the Federico García Lorca Hall, seats up to 2,000 people.

Can you visit without attending an event? Access to the interior depends on what is scheduled, but the surrounding riverside setting, including the landmark staircase and viewpoint, is part of the public promenade along the Genil and can be enjoyed at any time.