The Festival Internacional de la Guitarra de Granada runs for roughly three weeks every July, filling the city's historic venues with classical and flamenco guitar. Founded in 2016 by the European Guitar Foundation, the festival has run nine editions to date, with the Alhambra's own Patronato co-organising the concerts at its monuments.
The programme typically exceeds 30 events: full-length recitals, student masterclass showcases, guided walks connecting Spanish guitar history to specific sites around Granada, and the International Guitar Building Competition Antonio Marín, which in 2025 reached its seventh edition. Luthiers from across Europe submit instruments to be judged on construction, tone, and playability.
Where concerts take place
The Palacio de Carlos V, the Renaissance palace that sits within the Alhambra walls, hosts the headline evening recitals. The courtyard there is circular, built in stone, and the acoustics amplify every note without electronics. Concerts start at 21:30 when the light has faded and the air has cooled to something bearable in July. These performances are free, though the Alhambra ticket for site access applies.
The Corral del Carbón, a 14th-century caravanserai in the lower city, hosts the masterclass student showcases. The gallery tiers form a natural amphitheatre around the central patio. Entry is free and no advance booking is needed. José Miguel Moreno, who performed there in the 2025 edition, is one of the festival's recurring figures.
Ticketed concerts take place at Teatro Isabel la Católica and the Auditorio Manuel de Falla. Prices vary; check the official website when the programme goes live, usually in May.
Classical guitar and flamenco guitar
The festival covers both traditions without conflating them. Classical guitarists perform the standard repertoire alongside commissioned pieces. Flamenco guitarists work within their own forms. The 2025 edition included a tribute to Manuel Cano, who died in 1994 and was the first professor of flamenco guitar history at the Granada Conservatory. His centennial gave the flamenco programme a specific historical anchor.
For context on what you'll hear at flamenco-focused performances, the Granada flamenco guide covers the difference between palos (forms) and what to listen for.
Masterclasses and the guitar-building competition
Masterclasses run parallel to the concert programme, with students from international conservatories attending sessions given by performing artists. These are not open to the public, but the student showcase concerts at the Corral del Carbón are, and the quality is often surprisingly high.
The Antonio Marín guitar-building competition, named after Granada-born luthier Antonio Marín Montero, draws entries from across Europe. The competing instruments are displayed during the festival and sold after judging. If you play guitar or have any interest in lutherie, this is worth an hour of your time.
Planning your visit
The 2025 edition ran from 14 July to 7 August; the 2026 dates follow a similar pattern but check the official website for confirmation. For a wider picture of what else Granada programmes in music across the year, the Granada music and dance festival guide covers the full calendar including the summer season at the Alhambra.
July in Granada is hot: temperatures reach 36°C by early afternoon. All evening concerts start late, which makes sense. Book accommodation well in advance if your dates fall in the second half of July, when the Alhambra concerts attract visitors specifically for the festival.
