Sacromonte in Granada – Authentic Gypsy Neighborhood and Flamenco Capital
The Sacromonte is the most famous Gypsy neighborhood in Granada. Talking about the Sacromonte means talking about cave houses, Gypsy flamenco shows called zambras, and the Sacred Mount with its Abbey.
Enjoy a special day at the Alhambra with a guided tour
Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces: discover the wonders of the Alhambra with this all-inclusive tour: the Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife, the Alcazaba, and more.
Alhambra + Albaicín + Sacromonte: a perfect combination of a guided tour of the Alhambra in the morning and a guided tour of the Albaicin and Sacromonte in the afternoon.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.
If you want to know more about this historic neighborhood we invite you to
visit it with Albaicin and Sacromonte Guided Tour.
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.
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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.
Some of the most authentic flamenco shows in Granada are at Flamenco Show La Alboreá
in the Plaza de Santa Ana, and Flamenco Tablao Jardines de Zoraya, a classic venue in the Albaicin.
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.
If you want to know more about this historic neighborhood we invite you to
visit it with Albaicin and Sacromonte Guided Tour.
Page Updated: Aug 17, 2026
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Opinions about Sacromonte in Granada
Caves of Sacromonte
It was a wonderful experience, what a beautiful show, the flair they put into the singing and dancing of flamenco. I have to go back and enjoy it again.
It is very unique
I am from Puertollano (C.Real). Yesterday the 7th and on the 6th, my wife and I were in Granada. A beautiful city. Among other places, we were in Sacromonte. The 10-euro beer thing happened to us too. It is just another anecdote.
For a beer, a bottle of water and a photo, she charged us 5 euros. She wanted to charge 10 euros. That place is very unique and worth seeing. Granada is wonderful (Adrian).
No words!
I am from Argentina and I visited Granada in 2011, in September. In fact, I traveled all around Spain, but if there is something that completely fascinated me, it was the city of Granada, and especially Sacromonte, Albaicin, everything, and the Alhambra, what more can you say! No words!
I went to La Rocío cave twice, watching and admiring the flamenco. Pure magic that I will carry with me forever! Many greetings from Argentina!
See More Reviews
It is a crime to visit Granada and not go through Sacromonte
The first thing I want to make clear is that the zambra shows are not commercial at all or just for tourists (although if they were just for tourists it would be a great honor since they show more respect than many Spaniards), they are precisely some of the most visited tablaos in Spain and I don’t think that would be the case when Granada Christmas dinners, companies and weddings visit and come back very often.
Secondly, the comment about the gypsy woman who sells the beer for 10 euros can be reported because it is a scam, and because of her all the humble and worthy businesses have to pay the price. I assure you that it is the only cave where they deceive the customer. That can happen in any corner of the world and in any race.
Finally, it is a crime to visit Granada and not go through Sacromonte.
Unique neighbourhood
Very special neighbourhood, well worthwhile a visit. It is a unique place with small cave-houses, narrow, winding cobbled streets and a different atmosphere to the rest of the city,
Vibrant colorful hillside area with great views. Many people still living
there in, looks like, tough conditions.
My neighborhood
I was born in Sacromonte, I don’t currently live there but my family does. I recommend everyone who can to visit it both during the day and at night, it is spectacular.
I am very proud to have been born and raised in the most beautiful, unique and magical neighborhood in Granada.
I also want to make it clear that it is not a slum or a dangerous place, there are no thieves or criminals as many insist on saying, letting themselves be influenced by gossip or confusing my beautiful neighborhood with other areas of the city. Having said that, I encourage you to come.
We left without giving the gypsy woman anything
The same thing happened to us as to Adrian, but in the end we left without giving her anything she was asking for because she told us it was free. According to what I have read on Tripadvisor, Cueva del Rocio is no longer what it used to be, so in the end we decided to spend the 20 euros on other things.
Beauty of Granada, Albaicin and Sacromonte neighborhoods
I love Spain. I went for the first time last year. I only visited the Andalusia region. I was in Madrid, Huelva, Punta Umbría, Cádiz, Málaga and Granada.
My experience with people in all the places was excellent, they were kind to tourists, but in Granada the treatment from the owners of two caves in Sacromonte was not very pleasant.
I spent 4 days in the Albaicin neighborhood and the people were very kind.
Surrounded by castles, houses and caves
In the spring of 2019 I was in Spain. Madrid, Cordoba, Granada, Seville, Barcelona, etc.
How beautiful, everything is beautiful, especially in Granada, La Alhambra, the Generalife and the Albaicin and, of course, the Caves of Sacromonte. That setting of castles, houses, caves and paths are places where you want to leave your gaze forever and your heart forever.
Don’t miss visiting the Andalusia region: everything is magical and wonderful.
The magic of that place
It is not fair to generalize. It is true that there is a woman at the entrance of a cave, La Singara I think it is called, who tells you to come in for free and then wants to charge you 10 euros for a beer. But because of that woman, the rest of the neighborhood should not have to pay the price.
What they should do is not go in, and if they do and she asks them for that money, call the police. It is the only way to put an end to this kind of people and not generalize and put everyone in the same bag. We are in the 21st century, let's stop with so much racism and help the most beautiful neighborhood in Granada, since the city council does not.
Sacromonte is beautiful and safe, which is why all the foreigners who come here want to stay.
Beautiful Sacromonte
The Sacromonte quarter is amazing. A very recommended visit.
Take the minibus up to the Abbey and enjoy the most amazing views of Granada and the Alhambra. Then walk your way back and see the beautifully decorated caves, but don´t accept any invitation to visit private homes.
There are many caves open to the public as restaurants or flamenco night shows. They display clear signs at the door and sell official tickets.
Thank you so much for this wonderful show
Hello everyone... It is our fifth day in Granada... We went for dinner at the Rosio cave, very good homemade food, without too much fuss but correct and good.
The best part... The show... I only have one expression that comes from my heart right now, and it is the following: they took my heart out with heel stomps, they brought tears to my eyes, they broke my soul and threw it to the wind.... So that it could later return inside my body to be reborn with the sole purpose of being there again... in Sacromonte... in the Rosio cave. In Salvadora's home.
Thank you, a thousand thanks for this wonderful show that you offered us. A very big kiss to the whole family from Burriana.
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