Marvel at the elegant carmenes  of the ancient Albaicín, the whitewashed houses and flower filled patios.

Sacromonte:  After the Christian conquest of Granada, an imposing Abbey was built outside the city. Dominating the slopes of the lush Valparaiso hills and the Dauro or Darro river, it became a popular place for pilgrims.  Subsequently, Muslims and Jews, obliged to flee the city, hollowed out troglodyte dwellings in these hills.  Groups of traveling Roma gypsies also dug out caves, and an alternative lifestyle was formed.  Today their descendents live in comfortable cave homes with running water, electricity and even temperatures all year round.  A gradual fusion of this heritage gave rise to Flamenco, a unique music and dance tradition, performed in these cavernous caves.

Albaicín: the oldest inhabited part of Granada. The Albaicín has existed for over 2,500 years.  After Iberian settlements came Romans, Visigoths then Arabs.  When Granada was made capital of a small Muslim kingdom in the 11^th century, the city was encircled with sturdy defensive walls, some still standing. A new Muslim power, the Nasrid dynasty, built the Alhambra, a new citadel-capital.  Maintaining the urban layout of a traditional Moorish medinat, the Albaicin was embellished further with a unique fresh water system, with lot of aljibes. And many carmenes, aristocratic houses surrounded by high walls. A perfect combination of a rustic home and a garden with fruit trees bringing color, shade and fragrance to a peaceful space.  The Albaicín, became a UNESCO World Heritage in 1994 in order to preserve this unique patrimony.

Our walking tours take place in the early morning or late afternoon to take advantage of the special light and away from the crowds and midday heat.