Albaicín District

You’re now entering Granada’s most iconic neighbourhood, the Albaicín, the city’s former Arab quarter, known for its whitewashed houses, called cármenes, rising along one of the city’s hillsides.

In the Middle Ages, this was one of Granada’s wealthiest and most vibrant districts, filled with elegant villas and grand Moorish palaces, reflecting the city’s prosperity at the time. Sadly, only a few of those architectural treasures have survived. Still, the narrow, winding streets stretching between the Darro and Genil rivers reveal Renaissance gems that make this an authentic and unmissable part of the city.

It’s no surprise the Albaicín is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is also one of Granada’s oldest areas. It was first settled by the Iberians around the 7th century BCE, then by the Romans in the 2nd century BCE. The area later saw more development during the Visigothic, before being largely abandoned for other cities in the region.

Several centuries later, the Moors arrived and founded the Kingdom of Granada, which remained in place until 1492, when the city was taken over by Christians. Albaicín has always been at the heart of Granada’s long and layered history, and wandering through its maze-like streets offers a captivating glimpse into the past.

It’s a walk you won’t want to miss!