Sacromonte

Overview

Sacromonte is Granada's historically Roma (Gitano) neighbourhood, famous for its cave dwellings carved into the hillside and for being the birthplace of the Zambra, Granada's distinctive form of flamenco.

Highlights

• Cave Houses (Cuevas): Whitewashed cave dwellings cut into the soft tuff rock, some still inhabited, others converted into flamenco venues.
• Flamenco Zambra: The caves host intimate flamenco shows that preserve the raw, spontaneous style unique to Sacromonte.
• Panoramic Path (Vereda de Enmedio): A walking trail connecting the caves with views over the Darro valley.

History

The Roma community settled the hillside in the 15th century. Sacromonte's heyday as a bohemian, flamenco-fuelled quarter came in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Devastating floods in 1963 displaced many families, but a revival has been underway since the 1990s.

Visitor Tips

• Evening Visit: Come for a flamenco show in a cave venue after sunset.
• Uphill Walk: Steep paths — taxis can drop you at the top so you walk downhill.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.