Sacromonte is a traditional neighbourhood in the city of Granada. It was once home to a significant gypsy population and has been popularised by the film "Flamenco".
This neighbourhood is especially popular with tourists planning to visit the Alhambra Palace. It is worth mentioning that there are also some gypsy families still living there today. Tourists can find many souvenir shops and restaurants in this area or just take a stroll to enjoy the views of the Alhambra and other monuments.
The best way to visit Sacromonte is to do so with the company of a professional guide on a free tour like the ones we offer here at GuruWalk.
The Sacromonte quarter has been declared a National Monument by the Spanish government due to its cultural heritage and religious significance.
The Sacromonte quarter is located at the northern end of the historic quarter of Granada. It is famous for its caves which were used during the Moorish occupation as hiding places for fugitive Christians and later became a popular performance space for flamenco dancers and guitarists. It still retains its historic character with narrow streets, whitewashed houses, cobbled alleyways and red bricks reminiscent of the Moorish period.
Not to be missed on this visit is the Mirador de San Nicolás. Visitors can enjoy views of the city from this panoramic location.
The viewpoint is open to the public and offers panoramic views of Granada, with its historic quarter, old town and Sacromonte at your feet. This viewpoint is located in a strategic position that allows you to enjoy all the beauty of Granada.
The Mirador de San Nicolás was inaugurated in 2010 as part of a project that renovated the neighbourhood and returned it to its former splendour.
And last but not least, the cisterns and Mudejar churches of Sacromonte.
The cisterns or aljibes were created out of necessity, as water was brought into the city through a canal and then stored for later use. This water system was designed by Muslim conquerors when they occupied Granada.
The churches of Sacromonte are Mudejar, which means that they were built during Muslim and Christian rule in Spain. These churches are known as one of the major attractions for tourists visiting this region of Spain.