Granada Walks and Walking Routes: Albaicin 2
This moderate circular walk is 2.68km long and starts and finishes in Plaza Nueva. It begins at 696m, rises to 768m and then drops to 696m.
Click on the icons to see photos and there is more information below.
You can download the track for Android, Garmin, iPhone, Google Earth, etc. from Wikiloc.
DESCRIPTION OF THE WALK
square - views of the Alhabra - bars - restaurants
There is quite a lot to see in this central square. The square was built to cover over the River Darro. On the left, is the Royal Chancillery and at the far end the Church of San Gil y Santa Ana.
monument
The Royal Chancellery was built in 1530 and part designed by Diego de Siloé. A prison was built at the back of the building in the 17th century and was in use until the end of the 19th century. The building is used today as the High Court.
church
The church was built in 1537 to replace the former Almanzora mosque. It was designed by Diego de Siloé.
modern - baths - massage
These modern baths are built in the style of the old Arab baths. They have a hot and cold pool and offer various treatments and massages.
11th century Arab baths - free
These baths used to be part of the Mosque of the Walnut Tree (Mezquita del Nogal) which previously stood here. They were built in the 11th century and are considered to be among the oldest and most complete baths in Spain.
church
The church was built in 1559-1567.
cloister convent - sale of Christmas sweets
This was originally a 14th century Arab building. The convent was paid for by the widow of Hernando de Zafra, the Catholic Monarchs' secretary, and was built in 1540. It is possible to visit the convent during mass. The cloistered nuns sell sweets at Christmas to the public through a turntable.
This house was built in 1609. The ground floor was used by town officials and bailiffs, the first floor by the town council and the second floor was where the musicians would play and perform to accompany the festivities taking place in the square below.
former hotel - hospital during civil war
This hotel was originally called the Gran Hotel and was inaugurated on 20th May 1910. As it was built on the bank of the River Darro, rumour had it that its guests would suffer from aching joints because of the damp after staying there and so it was nicknamed "Hotel Reúma" (reuma = reumatism). Following an initial success, the hotel closed in 1916 but functioned as a hospital during the Spanish Civil War. It is now owned by the Patronato de la Alhambra and there are plans to renovate it.
plaza - views of the Alhambra - bars - restaurants
The square and original fountain were built in 1609. Celebrations, festiities, plays and bullfights would be held here. Paseo de los Tristes owes its name (los tristes = the sad) to the funeral processions that would pass through on their way up to the cemetery in the Alhambra.
16th century building
This palatial home was originally built in the centre of Granada (1530-1592) and belonged to the Córdova family. It changed hands over the years and in the 1960s it was demolished and rebuilt in its current place. It now belongs to the Town Council, houses the Municipal Archive and is open to the public.
former convent
The 19th century carmen was built on the site of a former convent. It now belongs to the University of Granada.
building - gardens
The Escuela de Estudios árabes is also known as the Casas de Chapiz, two Moorish houses which were built in the 14th century.
square
This small square marks the beginning of the Camino de Sacromonte and the Sacromonte quarter. There is a statue of Chorrojumo (1824-1906) - King of The Gypsies, who earned a living telling stories about the Alhambra and selling postcards with his picture on to tourists.
square - bars - restaurants
This square has several bars and restaurants. This is where the famous Bar Caracoles is which serves snails as a tapa.
church
This church was built on the site of the largest mosque in the Albaicin. Work began in 1501 and in 1527 it was converted into a collegiate church for the religious indoctrination of converted Moors who had remained in Granada. When this was moved to the centre of Granada, it became a church. Most of it was destroyed in a fire in 1936.
square - shops - market - restaurants - bars
This vibrant square has a fruit and vegetable market here every morning. The bars then set up their tables and chairs for outside eating, serving tapas, meals and snacks. On Saturday mornings there is also a flower market. There are lots of small shops nearby.
GRANADAINFO recommends: Casa Pasteles
monument
This defensive gateway was built in the 12th century to access and defend the historic Albaicin quarter. It is one of the entrances through the old city walls which used to surround the entire Albaicin, some of which still exist today. The Spanish word pesas means weights and it is thought that incorrect weights which had been confiscated were stored here.
square - church - mosque - restaurants - bars - water cistern
This viewpoint has fantastic views of the Alhambra and Sierra Nevada mountains. The recently built mosque is nearby. There are bars and restaurants serving tapas, meals and snacks. The simple 16th-century Mudejar church was built on the site of a mosque and was rebuilt following a fire in 1932 and the Spanish civil war. The large water cistern is one of 27 that still exist and which used to provide water for the neighbourhood and was in use until the 20th century.
GRANADAINFO recommends: Bar Kikisquare - views of the Alhabra - bars - restaurants
There is quite a lot to see in this central square. The square was built to cover over the River Darro. On the left, is the Royal Chancillery and at the far end the Church of San Gil y Santa Ana.