Granada Downtown | Albaicín Neighborhood

The Albaicín is the neighborhood of Granada that not only maintains a charm, beauty and infinite magic acclaimed by everyone who walks its streets, but also has a historical trail that is worth knowing.

Before the Muslim era (Iberians, Romans)

The territory we know today as Albaicín began to be inhabited during the Iberian period and there was a scattered population during the Roman period. Later, the arrival of the Zirid Berbers revitalized the city that had been abandoned since the end of the Roman Empire.

The establishment of the Zirid Kingdom in 1013 brought great changes here. The most prominent, the construction of the city wall, – the northern part of which is currently being protected -, and the construction of the Alcazaba Cadima.

This is the core of the city of Granadawhere the famous Muslim Granada began.

As for the origin of its name, there are several hypotheses, although the most widely accepted is that it comes from the Arabic al-bayyāzīn (Albayzin), which means ‘suburb of the falconers’.

Before the Muslims conquered the Iberian Peninsula, there were three residential areas in and around the territory we now call Granada: Iliberis, later known as Albaicín and Alcazaba; Castilianear the town of Atarfeand Garnata, on the hill in front of the Alcazaba.

Moorish period in the Albaicin

Due to the fall of the Caliphate in the 11th century, the city of Ilbira in Atarfe (Madinat Ilbira) changed its location and moved close to Albayzin Granada. Esto supone que los vecinos de Ilbira sucumbieron ante Sinhaya y Ziríes, mientras que la capital se trasladó a las montañas de la zona. Así, Cora de Elvira fue sustituida por Albayzin, que volvió a jugar un papel importante.

The fall of the Zirid kingdom was due to the arrival of the Almoravids, who soon replaced them with Almohads. During the period of the independent emirates the Arab population was divided into Albanian Granada and the Alhambra. It was mainly this period that shaped the Albaicin Granada that we all know today.

Christian era in the Albaicín

After the reconquest of the Catholic Monarchs in 1492, the Muslim area became the Albaicín area, but the subsequent uprising forced the king to expel all those who believed in the Muslim religion, even building churches where there were mosques.

One example is the church of San Juan de los Reyes.

Albaicin Neighborhood Granada: Free Tour granada albaicin

If in addition to learning more about all these stories that make up the neighborhood, you want to know its most special corners, we recommend you to take our free Tour albaicin, in which we will discover the albaicin and sacromonteneighborhoods.. Remember that if you prefer to make a more personalized and individual visit or in small groups, we also offer you the possibility of opting for a private guided tourwith a guide at your disposal who will adapt to your pace and everything you want to know more in depth.

The albaicín viewpoint of San Nicolás

Undoubtedly, one of the most famous places to visit is the Mirador de San Nicolás. De hecho, nos permite ver toda la Alhambra with Sierra Nevada in the background, which makes it one of the most common enclaves of the Nasrid city, being the predilection of hundreds of people who want to immortalize one of the most beautiful pictures in the world and enjoy the many urban artists who delight with the best flamenco albaicin.

You can also see the Dar al-Horra PalaceIt was so called because it was the official residence of Aixa la-Horra, the wife of Muley Hacén and the mother of the last emir of Granada, Boabdil.

Also not to be missed the Church of Santa Ana and San Gilone of the most famous churches in Granada and with a beautiful enclave being located in the New SquareIt is practically at the foot of the Alhambra. Its architecture follows the style of the Mudejar church of eastern Andalusia: simple masonry, a single room, covered with ataujerada armor loop and Renaissance exterior wall.

Visiting Albaicín Sacromonte

Important fact: On your tour albaicin and sacromonte don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the albaicin restaurants, located in imposing carmenes with privileged views of the Alhambra or in squares and corners with a magic that transcends the palate. The options are endless, ask our guides to have the best recommendations adapted to what you are looking for both restaurants albaicin granada as well as teterias granada albaicin.