Sacromonte in Granada – Authentic Gypsy Neighborhood and Flamenco Capital

In Sacromonte of Granada, you will find a representation of the varied geography of the province: mountains, meadows, and rivers crisscross this peculiar neighborhood, which seems more like a village.


This reddish and dry hill, where pitas (or aloe vera) and prickly pears abound, offers views of indescribable beauty.

From Sacromonte, you can enjoy a unique perspective, the monumental complex of the Alhambra, the white Albaicin and the green Valley of Valparaiso, where the Darro River flows.

Make stops to appreciate the surroundings and have a drink in one of its picturesque bars.

The Camborio, Venta el Gallo or Los Faroles are some of the most emblematic places in the neighborhood that are worth exploring if you want to try some typical tapas and enjoy a cool drink.

Map of Places to See in Sacromonte

Always follow the main street where the C34 bus passes; you can get on and off whenever you like.


There are unique places to see in Sacromonte and it all starts when at the entrance of the Camino del Sacromonte we find the statue of Chorrojumo.

The Caves of Sacromonte

If there is something unique to see in Sacromonte, it is its cave houses.

Since the eighteenth century, Gypsies have settled on the slopes of Cerro de San Miguel and along the edge of Camino del Sacromonte, the old Muslim road to Guadix. Gradually, they made the land their own, giving rise to a distinctive form of dwelling: the cave.

At the heart of Sacromonte lies a rich ethnic variety that once shaped and inhabited it: Arabs, Jews, and Gypsies who came to live in this part of Granada.

The cave houses of Sacromonte are grouped around ravines, forming streets.

Sacromonte had its golden age in the 1960s when thousands of families lived in the neighborhood in 1,500 cave houses.

There are various types of caves, but very few are inhabited by the Gypsy families of the neighborhood.

In the higher areas of Sacromonte were the most humble caves, where the entrance was used as a kitchen and dining room, having only one or two bedrooms.

If you truly want to know what life was like in Sacromonte during its golden age, you should visit the Museum of Sacromonte.

Today, many caves have been converted into tourist homes; the few remaining traditional ones serve as various businesses.

Be cautious if you are invited to enter a specific cave to see it. Once inside, they may attempt to charge you an arbitrary amount, putting you in an uncomfortable situation.

Do not enter any cave that is not an official establishment with clearly visible prices and the name.

The Zambras of Sacromonte

Most of the caves have been dedicated to flamenco shows called Zambras.

These caves are spacious, white, and adorned with shiny copper pots. They are located near the road and are easily accessible.

The most popular flamenco caves in the Sacromonte are the Cueva de Santa Marina and the Cueva de San Agustín

Tickets are usually booked in advance through their website or by phone.

Some shows may be too commercial, especially aimed at foreign tourists.

However, it is a must to come one night to this mythical place and attend a gypsy zambra in a cave of the Sacromonte.

Nowhere else will you be able to witness such a spectacle.

The zambras reflect the rich cultural mix that has been forged in the Sacromonte for centuries.

There are reflections of Muslim festivals that the Gypsies assimilated and then made their own.

The show has a very particular content, staging a gypsy wedding, and a special way of representing it, without a tablao or stage; in a circle and very close to the spectator.

Many famous people have attended the gypsy zambras of the Sacromonte, attracted by its fame and legend: kings from different countries, Hollywood actors and actresses, and more recently, Michelle Obama when she was the First Lady of the United States.

Sacromonte Caves Museum

Without a doubt, your visit to the Sacromonte should start at the Sacromonte Museum.

This interesting museum serves as both an interpretation center for the wonderful surroundings of the neighborhood and an ethnographic museum where you can discover the true history of its people.

In the museum, there are 11 different caves that you can enter, each illustrating a different aspect of the life of its inhabitants.

There are various types of caves such as the dwelling cave, stable cave, basket cave, kitchen cave, pottery cave, loom cave, and forge cave, among others.

All of them are decorated with typical utensils and furniture of the time, allowing visitors to experience what it's like to live in a cave.

This museum serves as a homage to the traditional way of life, that is still preserved in some parts of the province of Granada.

For more information, visit the Sacromonte Caves Museum.

The Sacromonte Abbey

This monumental complex, composed of different buildings, began to be built in the early seventeenth century.

The Sacromonte Abbey is a key place to understand the history of religious Granada.

Here, you can find the relics of the patron saint of Granada, San Cecilio, in the Holy Caves.

It is a place of pilgrimage where thousands of people gather every year to celebrate the Pilgrimage of San Cecilio.

It is also home to one of the most popular brotherhoods during Holy Week in Granada.

The images of the ancient Christ of the Gypsies, the work of Jose Risueño, and Maria Santísima del Sacromonte are venerated here.

In the Sacromonte Abbey you will find a rich artistic and cultural heritage, especially in its permanent exhibition, which makes it an essential place to see in Sacromonte.

It is not possible to visit the Sacromonte Abbey without a guide. The price of the Guided Visit to the Sacromonte Abbey is 5 euros.

Chorrojumo

Chorrojumo was a gypsy from San Agustín who gained fame thanks to a portrait painted by the great Mariano Fortuny, one of the most outstanding painters of the 19th century in Spain.

Later, he was portrayed and photographed by other artists, and some of these works can be seen in the City Museum or Casa de los Tiros.

Chorrojumo's real name was Mariano Fernández Santiago, and he worked as a blacksmith. His nickname originated from the jet of smoke he produced while working for hours.

Due to his fame and the interest he sparked among artists, he decided to stroll around the Alhambra wearing the costume used in the portraits, making a living as a guide telling tourists stories and legends.

He also earned a little money by allowing himself to be photographed and selling postcards with his image.

He died at quite an old age, at 82, in 1906.

The figure of Chorrojumo is deeply embedded in the folklore of Granada to such an extent that he appears in the city's major festivities, such as Corpus Christi, as one of the large figures accompanying the Tarasca procession.

The City Council of Granada commissioned this beautiful statue as a tribute to him and placed it here at the entrance of his neighborhood to welcome visitors.

Where to eat in Sacromonte?

In Sacromonte, there are some very nice places to have tapas or a meal.

Many caves have been transformed into bars and restaurants, offering typical dishes of Granada's cuisine.

Some of the most typical ones include Venta El Gallo or Bar Los Faroles.

For more information, see Tapas Bars in Granada.

The Location and How to Get to Sacromonte in Granada

You can reach Sacromonte by taking a small bus (microbus), number C34; for more information, refer to Alhambra Buses.

The bus stop is Plaza Nueva, and the bus operates every 15 minutes. The journey to the Sacromonte district takes approximately 10 minutes.

Alternatively, you can walk, which takes about 25 minutes from Plaza Nueva. The initial part of the walk is uphill.

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