The picturesque old quarter of Albaicin in Granada - Description and Sights

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The Church of Santa Ana and Plaza Nueva
(a photo by laurelann)

The old Albaicin quarter of Granada is situated at the slope of the hill opposite of Alhambra, on which was built the earliest Moorish fortification of the city. We recommend a walk in the picturesque district with its steep, narrow and winding streets and interesting sights at every corner. You can start your walk from the pretty square Plaza Nueva and walk along the broad street Paseo del Padre Manjon on the bank of the River Darro, passing by the impressive church of Santa Ana to your right and reaching the Arabic baths El Bañuelo. They were built in 11th century by the Moors and feature beautiful halls of columns and ceilings with openings in the form of a star. Next to El Bañuelo is located the archaeological museum of Granada, showing extremely interesting Moorish artifacts in its hall number 7.

A view over Albaicin
(a photo by sasami)

From the museum, along Cuestra de la Victoria, then to the left along Calle San Juan de Los Reyes and then climbing the stairs on your right side you will reach the heart of Albaicin. The area is rich in large villas surrounded by greenery. Here is found the exquisite church Colegiata del Salvador dating back to the very beginning of 16th century. It was built over the ruins of a large mosque and features a lovely Almohad patio, surrounded by graceful horseshoe-shaped arches. In the small museum of the church you can see religious paintings and sculptures and there is a carefully restored Moorish ceiling in the church itself. If you are tired of sightseeing you can stop for a refreshing drink at the pleasant Plaza del Aliatar. Then, go to the right along Calle Panaderos to Plaza Larga, cross the diagonal of the square and you will find yourself in front of an amazingly restored Arabic house, now turned into an ice-cream saloon. Here is the beginning of the Arabic walls - Muralla de Alcazaba.

Old bridge and houses in Albaicin
(a photo by eNil)

From here walk back along Calle Panaderos and turned right at the sharp turn to see the lovely Plaza Charca, surrounded by typical regional houses with balconies and window edges covered by Pelargonium and other flowers. Climb the stairs opposite of the square and then go down along the alley to find the Plaza San Nicolas with its white-washed church, built of bricks in 16th century. From the square you can enjoy amazing views if the hill with Alhambra atop on the background of the magnificent snow peaks of Sierra Nevada. Plaza San Nicolas is a favourite place for students, guitar payers and gypsies playing on castanets. The brand new mosque of Granada is behind the church of San Nicolas.

A view of Alhambra from
Plaza San Nicolas
(a photo by Mazintosh)

Going down the stairs by the mirador you will reach Camino Nuevo de San Nicolas. Turn righ along the street to reach the Carmen-Museo Max Moreau. This is the former family house of the Belgium artist Max Moreau. The studio and the rooms of the house show a collection of interesting souvenirs of their numerous trips around the world. From here go down along Calle Gumiel in a direction to Placeta del Nevot and then along Cuesta de San Gregorio you will reach Casa de Porras - an exquisite example of the Renaissance-Mudejar wooden architecture, possessed now by the University of Granada. Go back to San Gregorio and turn along Caldereria Nueva - the most Arabic part of the city, full of Marrocan sweet shops.