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In case you didn’t know, the Albaicín neighborhood is probably the most beautiful and the most particular in Granada. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, each person visiting the city should spend at least a short walk around this place. So if you want to know what are the best things to see in the Albaicín of Granada, which are the essential sites that every visitor should know and why this place is so popular, do not miss the following information!
WHAT TO SEE IN THE ALBAICÍN NEIGHBORHOOD OF GRANADA?
The Albaicín (rabad al-Bayyīzīn in Arabic), means the Falconers’ suburb and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the most emblematic and oldest neighborhood in Granada, which was inhabited by Iberians, Romans, Muslims and Christians and is considered an extension of the monumental complex of the Alhambra and the Generalife.
It is also especially peculiar due to its narrow and cobbled streets, as if they did not have a construction order. And it is that in its beginnings it served as a defensive place, where only those who lived here knew how to orient themselves quickly.
Find out here the best Albaicín guided tours 🧡
Its most famous and busiest street is the Paseo de los Tristes, which meanders along the Darro River, although other very popular streets of the Albaicín and that you should sign up are, Calle San Juan de los Reyes, Calle del Agua, Cuesta de María la Miel, Calle del Beso and Calle Elvira.
Its best-known viewpoint is the Mirador de San Nicolás, although it has many more spectacular and less touristy viewpoints.
And its most popular square is Plaza Larga, ideal for taking a break and having a beer. Although the Albaicín is full of charming little squares!
Also, on your route through the Albaicín in Granada you will find numerous monuments and monumental ensembles from different periods, mainly Nasrid and Renaissance.
In essence, the Albaicín is a humble neighborhood, with low and typical houses, where its neighbors know each other and live as a village, buying in small shops and without taking into account the bustling traffic that awaits a little further down in the center of the capital. Well, this neighborhood has restricted the circulation of vehicles to only residents and public transport.
So, without further ado, let’s see what are the best things to see in the Albaicín of Granada.
By the way! Before visiting the Albaicín of Granada , don’t forget to put on comfortable shoes and prepare a tour, as its disorderly streets lose even the most expert traveler ;).
1.Paseo de los Tristes
It is really called Paseo del Padre Manjón, although due to the fact that for decades the deceased were said goodbye to this street and to the cemetery, it ended up being popularly called Paseo de los Tristes, and that is how it is known today.
It is one of the most emblematic places in the Albaicín and probably in all of Granada. In addition to being located next to the River Darro and crossing it with several historic bridges, it also offers magnificent views of the Alhambra.
It is located at the end of one of the most beautiful and romantic streets in Granada, the Carrera del Darro, a pedestrian street that follows the flow of the same river and has numerous bars, accommodation, shops… So it offers a unique and singular. Nothing to do with sad!
Without a doubt, the Paseo de los Tristes in Granada is one of the best things to see in the Albaicín.
2.El Bañuelo
El Bañuelo de Granada is an Arab bath from the Ziri period, 11th century, declared a Site of Cultural Interest and located on the Paseo de los Tristes itself, in front of the Cadí Bridge. In its time it was known as Banana del Nogal.
It is the only original Arab bath that can be visited of the three that are preserved in the Albaicín, and it is also in good condition.
This historical place is open every day of the week for your visit, your visit is short and falls within the tourist vouchers “Andalusian Monuments” and “Dobla de Oro”. Therefore, we advise you to include it in your list of what to visit in the Albaicín de Granada.
3.Palacio de los Córdova
The Palacio de los Cordova de Granada, was built between 1530 and 1592 in the Placeta de las Descalzas (near the Plaza Isabel la Católica), and later moved in 1960 to the Cuesta del Chapiz, its current location.
Today it can be visited for free and its rooms and gardens are used for celebrations and formal meetings.
Although not all travelers who come to the city pass through here, it is a beautiful and charming place, which offers a beautiful view of the Alhambra.
Architecturally, it is necessary to highlight its Renaissance façade and an interior with Gothic and Mudejar elements.
4.Carmen de la Victoria
Many visitors are not aware of what a Carmen from Granada is. It is a typical type of house, rustic and fenced, that has a garden, green space, orchard and fountain or pool. You will find this house, above all, in the Albaicín and Realejo neighborhoods.
Although it is of Nasrid origin and its use began as agricultural, modern Carmen, as we know it today, was forged in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
If you want to visit Cármenes in the Albaicín neighborhood, Carmen de la Victoria is one of the best known, one of the largest, has free admission and belongs to the University of Granada.
El Carmen de la Victoria is located in the upper part of the Cuesta del Chapiz. You can enter with prior notice and in a small group. As soon as you enter, the presence of vegetation and water clearly stands out, with enviable views of the Alhambra that not everyone knows! and that you can enjoy while having a coffee.
Another Carmen from Granada that you can visit in the Albaicín neighborhood is Carmen by Max Moureau (also known as Carmen de los Geranios and where a painting museum is located).
Although in reality, most of Granada’s Carmenes are private and owned by individuals. These are used as a residence or as restaurants. Those that are used as a residence or home can be visited thanks to the hospitality of their owners. One of the best known is the Carmen de los Cipreses.
In short, if you want to know what to see for free in the Albaicín, visiting the magic of these pleasant, quiet and relaxing spaces, full of vegetation and which usually have views of the Alhambra, can be an ideal activity on your visit to Granada.
5.Casa del Chapiz
Dividing the Albaicín neighborhood and the Sacromonte of Granada, you will find the Casa del Chapiz, which gives its name to the slope where it is located.
The building is made up of two houses from the 16th century and is the most important Moorish house in the Albaicín. Its owners were Lorenzo el Chapiz and Hernán López el Ferí, Muslim converts to Christianity.
Although later in 1932, the Casa del Chapiz in Granada was acquired by the State and restored to prevent its disappearance.
Currently, the building is declared an Asset of Cultural Interest, it can be visited touristically and it is also the headquarters of the School of Arab Studies.
During the visit, the most remarkable thing is the palace-style patio of the House of Lorenzo el Chapiz, surrounded by galleries of Doric columns and where the central pond and its water lilies offer the visitor a haven of peace. The house also offers unique views of the Alhambra.
The price of general admission is € 2, but it can also be visited with the Dobla de Oro tourist card.
6.Mirador de San Nicolás
Although there are many other viewpoints, the Mirador de San Nicolás in Granada’s Albaicín is the most famous and sought after by tourists and non-tourists.
It was Bill Clinton (during his presidency of the United States) who said that here he saw the most beautiful sunset in the world, although if you witness one, you will probably end up thinking the same thing, since the panorama of the Alhambra right in front, with Granada at your feet and with Sierra Nevada behind you, it is unsurpassed.
In addition, this viewpoint always has a very good atmosphere, street stalls and flamenco in the background.
To get here, you will have to wander a bit, map in hand, but without a doubt, it is one of the best things to see in the Albaicín. Otherwise, you can also access it by microbus, through line C31 or C32.
Behind the viewpoint are the Aljibe de San Nicolás and the Church of San Nicolás, which gives the place its name and which has a Mudejar roof that is worth observing.
But as we mentioned, the Albaicín is full of viewpoints and charming places from which to see the Alhambra with Granada at its feet, since the neighborhood is perched on a hill right in front of the eighth wonder of the world.
In fact, they tend to be less crowded, as they are less well known. Some of the Albaicín viewpoints that are also worth visiting are:
- Mirador de la Mezquita Mayor (right next to the Mirador de San Nicolás).
- Mirador Plaza de la Victoria.
- Mirador Placeta de Carvajales.
- Mirador de Santa Isabel la Real.
- Mirador de San Miguel Alto (we also see it in this post).
- Mirador de San Cristobal.
- Mirador Ojo de Granada.
- Mirador de la Lona.
- Mirador Placeta del Comino.
- Mirador Morente.
- Mirador Cuesta de los Chinos.
- Mirador Cruz de Rauda.
- Etc.
7.Plaza Larga
Plaza Larga is one of the best-known squares in the neighborhood and that, therefore, you should include in your route through the Albaicín.
This small and typical square stands out for its atmosphere, since here there are several bars where you can have tapas or have a coffee, as well as fruit, clothing and fresh produce stands. But also because it is where the Arco de las Pesas is located, a door in the old medieval wall of the city.
How about selecting Plaza Larga as a place to take a break on your walk through the Albaicín in Granada?
8.Mirador de San Miguel alto
Less known than the Mirador de San Nicolás, the Mirador de San Miguel Alto is another of the best in Granada.
It is located at the top of the Albaicín neighborhood, where the Hermitage of San Miguel Alto, and from here you can see a spectacular panoramic view of the city, the Albaicín and the Alhambra from a bird’s eye view. You can also see the remains of the Nasrid Wall right next to it.
You can get there walking from the streets of the Albaicín, although it is a route that you should investigate if you do not know the neighborhood well. And it can also be accessed by vehicle, through the Camino de la Ermita.
The Mirador de San Miguel Alto is, without a doubt, one of the best things to see in the Albaicín, so save yourself a sunset or sunrise to see this place!
9. Calle de las teterías
It is really called Calle Caldelería Nueva, but popularly everyone knows it as “The street of tea shops.”
And it is that in this narrow and cobbled alley, which takes you to another culture, numerous tea shops are concentrated. But you will also find various craft and souvenir shops.
In short, it is a street with a lot of atmosphere, a must for anyone who comes to visit Granada and the Albaicín, and through which you can access, for example to the Mirador de San Nicolás.
The street of the tea shops in Granada ends at Calle Elvira, another classic that we see below;)
10.Calle Elvira
Do you want to know what to see in the Albaicín to finish your tourist route through Granada?
One of the essentials in Granada is the popular and picturesque Calle Elvira. It is already on the border between the Albaicín neighborhood and the city center, so there is no lack of atmosphere, shops, bars, pubs, restaurants and accommodation.
The most typical thing in this street is to try the shawarmas or buy souvenir products and typical items from Granada.
Calle Elvira is a street in the Albaicín with more of its own identity, where the smells, flavors and artisan products will remind you of Morocco.
In addition, Calle Elvira has strong historical roots, as it was one of the main streets in Andalusian times. Today it preserves almost the same layout and extension.
We recommend you walk through Calle Elvira in its entirety and finish at Puerta Elvira, the gate of the medieval wall and an emblematic place in Granada.
Map with route through the Albaicín of Granada
And so that you have no problem taking the tour of the Albaicín that we have listed in this post, then we share the entire route with you.
Keep in mind that on this route through the Albaicín neighborhood of Granada, it may take several hours and that if you have the opportunity and a few days to visit the city, the ideal thing will be to do a route through the Albaicín and Sacromonte together.
In addition, of these 10 essential places to see in the Albaicín, there are many others that you can also discover during your visit, since this place is full of places of tourist, historical and cultural interest.
Therefore, although we have tried to create a standard route for any tourist or traveler, some of the places of historical interest in the Albaicín that we have not mentioned above and that are also worth mentioning are:
- Plaza de San Miguel Bajo e Iglesia de San Miguel bajo.
- Aljibe del Rey.
- Aljibe del Trillo.
- Aljibe de Bibalbonud.
- Palacio Dar Al Horra.
- Convento de Santa Isabel la Real.
- Casa de Castril – Museo Arqueológico de Granada.
- Parroquia de San Pedro y San Pablo.
- Parroquia del Salvador.
- Casa de Porras.
- Casa de los Pisa.
- Muralla zirí del siglo XI.
- Arco de las Pesas.
- Iglesia de San Gregorio.
- Iglesia de San Cristobal y mirador de San Cristobal.
- Ermita de San Miguel Alto y mirador de San Miguel Alto.
- Casa de la Lona.
- Casa de Zafra.
- Casa de los Pisa.
- Etc.
As you can see, the concentration of places of historical interest abounds in this area of Granada!
What should you know about the Albaicín of Granada?
Once you know what to see in the Albaicín, you probably have some questions that we can solve with the following tips:
- To get to this neighborhood, it is advisable to do so by public transport or leave your car parked in a parking lot near the city center, since the vicinity of the area is also pedestrianized.
- The Albaicín neighborhood of Granada is located on a hill, so you should bear in mind that it consists of numerous streets with slopes, cobbled, stepped, narrow streets … So make yourself comfortable and don’t leave the map behind!
- The good thing about it is that most of its streets are pedestrianized. So walking is usually the best option to visit the best places in the Albaicín. Although, as we have mentioned before, there are minibuses (lines C31 and C32) and taxis that can bring you anywhere you want.
- Despite having this form of construction and what it may seem like to you, the Albaicín de Granada is not a dangerous neighborhood for tourists or visitors. Especially if you walk during daylight hours and through places of transition of people. However, it is always advisable to have common sense when sightseeing.
- The Albaicín neighborhood is quite extensive and if you add to that the ignorance of the place, you should bear in mind that it will probably take longer than planned to make your visit. What we recommend is to follow a simple route and enjoy every corner that you come across, because the Albaicín is full of them!
On the other hand, if you prefer to take a guided tour of the Albaicín instead of visiting it on your own, and thus have more information and an organized tour, you can take a look at these tours:
- Cultural guided routes in Granada.
- Albacín and Sacromonte private tour.
- Best Albaicín Private guided tours.
We hope you have enough information about what to see in the Albaicín de Granada, what route to do and what are the basic and essential places that you cannot miss on your trip.
