What are the Sacromonte Caves?

Just north of the famous Alhambra lies the neighborhood known as Sacromonte, renowned in Andalusia for the many legends about its caves. While they might not be as famous as the ancient caves of Matera in Italy, the Sacromonte caves are genuinely unique and contribute to the charm of this area in Granada.

Spanish Gypsies sought refuge in these unique caves, also known as El Barranco de los Negros, which were carved out of the hillside. Beyond providing shelter from the scorching sun, the Sacromonte caves also offered protection from religious and ethnic persecution, making them a haven for those seeking solace.

The fact that some of these caverns date back to the 16th century and have preserved centuries of history in their natural surroundings is amazing.

History of the Sacromonte Caves

The story of the Sacromonte caves goes way back. In the 16th century, when Muslims and Jews were forced out of their homes, some of them ended up here. Later on, Roma families moved in too, and the caves slowly turned into a neighbourhood for Granada’s outsiders.

After the Spanish Civil War, more people came. Farmers from the surrounding countryside, hit hard by famine, abandoned their land in the 1940s and 50s and joined the hillside community. That’s when Sacromonte was at its most crowded. We could say life was spilling out of every cave.

But in 1963 the rains came and didn’t stop. Six months of downpour made the hillsides dangerously unstable, and authorities had no choice but to clear everyone out. The cave dwellers were ordered to leave and told never to return, ending centuries of life in Sacromonte almost overnight.

Who lived in the Caves ?

Amidst the prickly pear cacti, the caves carved into the hillsides of Sacromonte became makeshift homes for those pushed to the edges of society. Here lived Muslims and Jews expelled by the Catholic monarchs, gypsies, Moriscos who had converted to Christianity, and even black slaves who had escaped or been freed.

Visiting the Granada Caves

Sacromonte Caves Museum “Cuevas del Sacromonte”

These days, the Sacromonte caves have been transformed into a fascinating little museum, where the story and culture of this hillside community come to life. You’ll find eleven bright, whitewashed caves here, and each one has its own theme and character.

One of the highlights is the Flamenco cave, the one still pulsing with the rhythms of Andalusia’s most famous art form. Another favourite is the ceramic cave. It shows off the delicate patterns of Fajalauza pottery, a tradition tied to Sacromonte for centuries.

Wander through and you’ll also spot the simple tools, furniture, and knick-knacks people once relied on in their daily lives. Every cave makes sure the spirit of Sacromonte never really fades.

Flamenco shows in Sacromonte

The Roma people in the Granada region were known for their unique flamenco style called zambra. La Zambra is believed to have evolved from earlier Morisco dances.

Performed barefoot, often with a knotted blouse just below the chest, and sometimes resembling belly dancing, it’s easy to see why it was thought to be a particularly sensual Moorish dance.

The Sacromonte Caves are the perfect place to witness this unique style of flamenco.

Around the Caves Museum: Sacromonte Abbey

Another curious stop in Sacromonte is the Abadía del Sacromonte, perched up in the hills with a touch of mystery about it. The place feels almost otherworldly, with monks once living here and spending their days translating ancient texts. From the terraces you get sweeping views of Granada, the Alhambra glowing in the distance, and plenty of cave houses scattered across the slopes.

The real gem though? The holy caves hidden beneath the abbey. You wander through them on a self-guided tour, phone in hand, using an app kindly delivered via the abbey’s Wi-Fi (monks would probably roll in their graves if they saw that, but hey, times change).

Getting here is easy enough: it’s just a 1 km stroll from the Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte. Retrace your steps to the Camino del Sacromonte, pass the Mirador with its picture-perfect view, and keep going until the abbey looms ahead. Not in the mood to walk? No problem. Hop on the same bus that goes to the caves, and it’ll drop you right by the abbey’s gates.

How to get to Sacromonte Caves?

Getting to the sacromonte cave houses from the city center takes around 20 minutes. The caves are about 1.6 km away, and the walk is uphill, so don’t forget your bottle of water!

If you prefer taking the bus, you can catch the Bus Urbano Granada C34 from the bus stop at Plaza Nueva (Google Maps) to the Cave Museum. You should get off at the “Camino Del Sacromonte – Fte 89” bus stop. The ride lasts approximately 7 minutes, and there’s a bus roughly every 15 minutes.

Even if you have a car, it’s not easy to get to the historic center of Albaicín-Sacromonte. It’s better to use public transport for your visit of the neighborhood.

Where is Sacramonte in Granada?

The Sacromonte neighborhood in Granada is situated to the east of the Albaicín Moorish neighborhood and to the north of the famous Alhambra complex. Sacromonte is located 1.4 km from the city center and the cathedral of Granada.

Where to Stay in Sacromonte

You can sleep in a cave just like to those in Sacromonte. Located in Sacromonte, this house offers a beautiful views, a garden, and a magical terrace with views of the Alhambra, allowing you to enjoy the landscape Granada from the comfort of your hotel.

The modern villa of Casa Cueva Lujo has whitewashed rooms that provide a peaceful and romantic escape from the crowds. It’s also a great and affordable way to experience cave living in Granada.

How to Get to Granada

Flighting in

Both domestic and international flights are handled by the Granada-Jaén Airport (GRX). The cheapest way to get from the airport to the city center in Granada is by taking the bus. (with the Alsa bus line 245) It costs €5 and only takes 30 minutes. If you take a taxi from the airport to the city center, the ride lasts around 20 minutes and the fare is approximately €30.

From Málaga or Seville

Granada is well connected to all major cities in Spain and Andalusia. The bus is, in my opinion, the easiest and fastest way to travel from Málaga to Granada. Alsa, one of the main bus providers in Spain, operates this route. The journey takes around 90 min. Taking the train is the best and quickest way to get from Seville to Granada. Depending on the train you choose, it should take around two and a half hours.

Driving to Granada

Granada is 250 km from Seville and 132 km from Málaga. You can easily drive to Malaga from any of these two cities. You can check out my complete guide to driving in Andalusia here.

Day Trip from Granada: Guadix and its cuevas

Sacromonte isn’t the only place with cave houses. Guadix, a city 55 km east of Granada, also has them.

In fact, Guadix has over 2000 caves, and some are open to visitors. Many are scattered throughout Guadix, but the Barrio de Cuevas has a complete neighbourhood them, complete with a cave-church (Iglesia Cueva Ermita Nueva). Additionally, the Barrio de Cuevas in Guadix is located in a beautiful location with stunning views of the Sierra Nevada.