Travelling to Granada is one of those things that everyone should do at least once, because as Antonio Machado said, ‘every city has its charm, Granada has its own and that of all the others’. The Alhambra and the Generalife, the Paseo de los Tristes, the Mirador de San Nicolás, the Sierra Nevada as an incomparable setting... and two heritage neighbourhoods that you cannot miss: Albaicín and Sacromonte.
Although to the untrained eye it may be difficult to tell them apart because of their proximity and idiosyncrasies, they are two different neighbourhoods. We show you each difference between Albaicín and Sacromonte so that you can enjoy them much more and, more importantly, have even more reasons to return to a city, Granada, that has a charm, that traps you and makes you fall in love without even realising it.
The first big difference between Albaicín and Sacromonte is that the former, Granada's Muslim quarter, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Walking through its cobbled streets is to breathe history, tradition and to enjoy some of the best views of the Alhambra in the city. Just make sure you wear the most comfortable shoes possible!
Some of its cármenes, the most representative constructions of this neighbourhood, are freely accessible, so don't leave without visiting them. The streets of this lively jewel have been inhabited since the 8th century BC, and walking through them to feel the pulse of the heart of the city is a luxury within the reach of anyone visiting our hotel in Granada.
The word ‘Albaicín’ is of Arabic origin and derives from ‘Al Bayyazin’, which means ‘suburb’ or ‘neighbourhood on a slope’, which perfectly defines one of the main characteristics of this neighbourhood in Granada!
However, there is another interpretation that the name comes from ‘al-bayyasin’, which means ‘the falconers’ suburb', in reference to the inhabitants of the area who, it is said, were falconers.
If you decide to visit the neighbourhood, you will probably end up giving more credence to the first hypothesis, so make sure you have a good breakfast before you set off!
In the Albaicín you will find a multitude of points of interest that will take you back in time, to the very heart of Granada's Islamic essence. Curiously, all the churches that you can see in the neighbourhood today were once mosques, something that is easy to appreciate in the many architectural elements that give it away.
If you visit the Albaicín, what must you definitely see?
In addition, enjoying the views of the Alhambra from the viewpoint of the Great Mosque, or the magical surroundings of the Carmen de los Mártires, are experiences that will further round off your visit to a location that could well be considered a new wonder of the world.
Sacromonte is known as the gypsy quarter of Granada and is located on the Valparaíso hill, which makes it a bit more distant from the city centre. It is also considered to be the birthplace of flamenco in the city, and one of its main attractions are its cave houses.
It borders the Albaicín to the northwest, forming a neighbourhood popularly known as the ‘Barranco de los Negros’ in allusion to the first inhabitants of the hill: Muslim slaves expelled in the 16th century. It is, together with the first, one of the best kept secrets of the city, and one of our most precious treasures!
hat to see in Sacromonte?
If you thought you'd had enough of the Albaicín, exploring the beauty of Sacromonte and experiencing it from the inside on the same day will exceed your expectations. You probably never imagined all that this neighbourhood has to offer!
The 17th century Sacromonte Abbey is at the top of the hill and is much more than a cultural or religious visit. We don't want to spoiler you, but when you get to the top and look around you'll understand it perfectly!
The Mirador de San Miguel Alto, next to the hermitage of the same name, offers breathtaking views of Granada, the Alhambra, Sierra Nevada and even the Vega of Granada. If you thought San Nicolás was magical, get ready for what awaits you here.
These two enclaves of Granada have many similarities between them, but knowing how to appreciate the differences between Albaicín and Sacromonte is what will allow you to get the most out of your visit to these two neighbourhoods.
The Albaicín emerged in the Muslim period, while Sacromonte's origins are later.
Their atmosphere offers very different experiences: in Sacromonte you can breathe the gypsy culture in every corner, while in the Albaicín, each of its cisterns or its scent of jasmine, immerse you in its Islamic essence.
As for its architecture, although both neighbourhoods share narrow cobbled streets, in the Albaicín the imposing cármenes predominate, while in Sacromonte the cave houses carved directly into the rock are more characteristic.
Albaicín and Sacromonte are two of the obligatory stops when visiting our city. Getting lost in its streets is a unique experience, and the views that both neighbourhoods offer of the Alhambra, our ‘Red Fortress’, are absolutely unbeatable. But where to stay in Granada to get the full experience?
Stay in our facilities and taste the most typical dishes of the city from the tranquillity of our restaurant with panoramic terrace is the best possible complement for a trip like this. Let us show you the difference between Albaicín and Sacromonte from a very different point of view than the one you imagine!
At the Hotel Alhambra Palace we offer you everything you need to enjoy every corner of Granada with your batteries charged, your stomach full and, most importantly, with a positive attitude that will make you make the most of your days here and remember them with the affection they deserve.
