Walking in Granada

Walking in Granada

Granada is an excellent city to spend a week or more especially if you like walking. Here are some interesting walks to do and places to see along the way.

Walking up and down to and from the Alhambra and Carmen de los Martires Gardens.

There are three main walks which connect the city to the Alhambra - why take the bus?!.

Plaza Nueva  - Cuesta de Gomerez

Albaicin/Paseo de los tristes - Cuesta del Rey chico

Realejo - Cuesta del Realejo

Cuesta de Gomerez and Cuesta del Rey chico are pleasant paths surrounded by nature, the first goes up through the woods and arrives at the Carlos V fountain and Puerta de la Justicia while the second, which is steeper, follows the walls of the Alhambra and comes out near the main access pavilion. 

Cuesta del Realejo goes up steps in the Realejo district to the Alhambra Palace Hotel, then you just take the pedestrian only road to the Carlos V fountain and Puerta de la Justicia.

Take one of these paths up, then visit the Carmen de los Martires Gardens, a very pleasant place for a stroll or to sit and read a book or just relax and look at the peacocks.

Plaza Nueva - Abadía del Sacromonte

From Plaza Nueva walk alongside the river Darro, then at the end of Paseo de los Tristes turn left and follow the signs for Sacromonte. Half way up the bank, just by Casa Chapiz turn right, once again following the signs. It's a very pleasant walk through the Sacromonte area, past a school with a park, a prettily decorated house and then along a quiet road. There are a couple of ways to go up to the abbey so go up one way and come down the other. It takes about 40 minutes each way and there are beautiful views of the Alhambra and Dehesa del Generalife and the Generalife.  If you book and follow the instructions (more info here) you can visit the Abbey free at about 10.30 Mondays to Fridays. We went quite early in the morning and it was very pleasant and we stopped to visit the Sacromonte area and the Gypsy Woman Museum on the way back.

Albaicin - Ermita de San Miguel Alto

From Paseo de los Tristes head up in the direction of the Ermita, you may need to use Google Maps on your phone if you want to take the quickest route, or just wander back and forth until you get there if you want to visit that part of the Albaicin on your way. The Ermita itself is closed but it's a traditional place to go to watch the sunset so there are quite a few people there, or walking or cycling up and down although you can also go by bus. Splendid views of the Alhambra and Sierra Nevada behind.

City Centre Paseo

From Plaza Isabel la Catolica (near plaza Nueva, where there is the big statue of Isabel), head in the opposite direction down Calle reyes cattolicos and then Calle Acera del Darro. turn off to the left towards Plaza del Campillo and then to Carrera de la Virgen which becomes a tree-lined Ramblas-type walk all the way down to Fuente de las granadas - the pomegranates fountain. From here turn left and there is Paseo del salon, Plaza del Humilladero all along the river. A relaxing walk, then head into the narrow streets of the Realejo area on your left and you will eventually get back to Isabel's statue, or if less adventurous go back the same way and stop for a Pionono at Ysla in Carrera de la Virgen.

Silla del Moro and Llano del Perdiz

A longer walk if you want to escape the city crowds but starting on foot from the city. Walk up the pleasant Cuesta del Rey Chico path up to the Alhambra among trees and the Alhambra walls. Cuesta del Rey Chico brings you out just to the right of the Entry pavilion. Continue along the road next to the car parks as far as the roundabout before the cemetery. Keep left and follow a road closed to traffic in the direction of Silla del Moro or St Elena castle. It's a pleasant walk and the view of the Alhambra and also of the Albaicin and Sacromonte areas of Granada is spectacular. There's nothing much left of the castle but the areas around it with the superb views are open on Saturday (10- 16?) and Sunday (10  - 14). You can then continue your walk along the dirt road in the Dehesa del Generalife, the green area above Granada, surrounded by nature, fields and olive groves. There are some information boards at Aljibe de la lluvia and then you can carry on up to the Reloj del Sol, at Llano del Perdiz,the highest point at over 1000 metres.  Splendid views of the country and mountains all around and especially the Sierra Nevada. Talk water and food if you need food, there is a kiosk at Llano del Perdiz but on a Saturday in March it was firmly closed. Here is a description of our walk.

Have you found some other nice walks in Granada? Leave your comment below....