The Museum of fine arts, which was opened on 11 August 1839, is the oldest art gallery not only Granada and throughout Spain. As with many museums, its collections have started to gather items confiscated from various monasteries or religious orders. This was done in order to preserve art objects held in religious institutions.

The Museum collection is represented mainly paintings and sculptures from the 15th century. One of the oldest exhibits is a statue of Santa Maria de La Alhambra. The Museum presents a large exhibition of works by Alonso Cano, and his disciples, which occupies two rooms. There is a separate hall, which presents work related to the 15th century, the hall with the works of painters of the 17th century, the hall of modern art, dedicated to the paintings of contemporary artists of Granada.

For a long time the Museum and its collections were moved from place to place. Initially the Museum was housed in the former Dominican monastery of Santa Cruz La real. Then the collections were moved to a building of the Military Institute, then in the town Hall, and later in the building of the Casa de Castril, where the Museum divided the occupied room to the Archaeological Museum and the Academy of fine arts until 1923. In 1958 the Museum of fine arts moved to the Palace of Charles V, one of the famous attractions of the Alhambra.

In 1994 the Museum was closed for renovations. In 2003, the Museum of fine arts of Granada once again opened its doors to visitors.