Spain Travel Articles • Expert Vagabond Adventure Travel Blog Adventure Travel & Photography Blog Fri, 19 Nov 2021 16:35:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.3 20 Best Things To Do In Granada, Spain (Travel Guide) https://expertvagabond.com/granada-spain-things-to-do/ Sun, 21 Apr 2019 12:40:43 +0000 https://expertvagabond.com/?p=19780 Granada is a beautiful little city in the South of Spain where I lived for a month as a digital nomad. Here are some of the best things to do in Granada if you're passing through!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

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Things to do in Granada
Ultimate Granada Spain Travel Guide
Granada, Spain

Granada is a beautiful little city in the South of Spain where I lived for a month as a digital nomad. Here are some of the best things to do in Granada if you’re passing through!

Located at the base of the snowy Sierra Madre mountains in Spain’s Andalucia region, the city of Granada is full of history and character.

Because it was once a Muslim kingdom, much of the city has been built in a style of Islamic architecture that remains today.

Boasting a vibrant population of university students, free appetizers with your wine, skiing in the mountains, and Mediterranean beaches only an hour away, Granada is the perfect town to spend a few days while traveling in Spain.

There are many fun things to do in Granada that most people miss…

So if you’re planning to spend some time in Granada, I want to recommend some of my favorite fun and unusual things to do, no matter what time of year you visit.

Granada Spain Highlights Map

HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above you’ll find a map of highlights in Granada, Spain. Click on the top left of the map to find separate layers marking the route and points of interest. You can hide and show different layers, or click icons on the map to see the names of places I mention in this travel guide. “Star” the map to save it to your own Google Maps, or open the map in a new window for a larger version. Enjoy!

Spain Travel Restrictions 2021

Spain is open to most travelers again, including American tourists. However you do need proof of your COVID-19 vaccination(s) or a negative test result before being allowed entry.

Many hotels, attractions, and private tours are open with new health & safety protocols in place, and you still have to follow certain guidelines.

You can find the latest updates on traveling to Spain here.

Alhambra Palace in Granada
The Amazing Alhambra Palace

Best Things To Do In Granada Spain

1. Visit The Alhambra Palace

Alhambra Palace in Granada Spain
Alhambra Palace Courtyard

One of Spain’s top tourist attractions, the stunning Alhambra Palace sits on top of a hill surrounded by forest while overlooking the city below. It was built by Moorish king Mohammed ben Al-Ahmar in the 11th century when the area was ruled by Muslims from North Africa.

You can’t visit Granada without going to the palace, as it’s the most popular thing to do in this city.

Walls inside Alhambra
Stunning Architecture at Alhambra

Filled with Arabic inscriptions, painted tiles, vaulted ceilings, and plentiful water fountains, the Alhambra Palace is incredibly beautiful inside and out. It was definitely a highlight of my trip to Granada, and the reason most people make the trip.

To visit Alhambra, you need to buy a ticket or guided tour in advance due to a strict limit of daily visitors.

Alhambra Tickets

Alhambra Palace Tours

Discover the Alhambra and Generalife palace grounds on a guided tour, including the Nasrid Palaces.

2. The Sacromonte Neighboorhood

Sacromonte District in Granada
Modern Sacromonte Cave Neighborhood

On the outskirts of Granada there’s a Roma (gypsy) neighborhood called Sacromonte that is built into the side of a hill, where the inhabitants live in caves. Most of the cave-homes are pretty modern these days, but in the past, this is where the workers who built the Alhambra Palace lived.

There are two distinct areas of Sacromonte. The main neighborhood, made up of whitewashed cave homes and shops. It’s perfectly safe to explore on your own.

But if you keep climbing to the very top of the hill, you’ll find a unique community of hippies and immigrants squatting in more rugged caves. Just be aware that this 2nd group of people are not always happy to see tourists gawking at them or their homes, and some can become aggressive.

Sacromonte Tour

Sacromonte Culture Tour

Explore the enchanting Sacromonte neighborhood on a guided walking tour of the Roma community & culture.

3. The Cave Museum

Inside A Sacromonte Cave
Sacromonte Cave Museum

Visit the Sacromonte Cave Museum (Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte) to see what life was like in Sacromonte 100 years ago. This was one of my favorite things to do in Granada.

The museum is a short climb up from the main neighborhood of Sacromonte. I really found this place fascinating, as it features about ten cave dwellings that give you an idea of how people lived in them historically.

Cave Tour

Sacromonte Cave Museum

See how people once lived in man-made caves. This museum features traditional cave homes.

4. Explore The Albayzín

Albayzin Streets at Night
Granada’s Arab Quarter

The Albayzín is one of the top attractions in Granada and the historical Arab quarter of the city. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This part of Granada has a lot of Moorish history, and this had a natural impact on the area’s architecture and decor.

For example, many of the walls are covered with gorgeous tiles that were hand-painted by the Moorish population.

Albayzin Tour

Albayzín Walking Tour

Discover the essence of Granada as you explore the Albayzín and Sacromonte on a guided walking tour.

5. Carrera Del Darro

Walking Path in Granada
Walking the Carrera de Darro

Under the Albayzín neighborhood, the River Darro flows through Granada where the old walls used to be. There’s a nice walking path that follows the river’s edge.

Enjoy the mix of renaissance and Moorish architecture, listen to street-buskers play their guitars, and try to imagine what it was like way back when.

6. Drink From The Fountain Of Youth

Water Fountain in Granada Spain
Fuente de Aceituno

One fun little fact about Granada is that all the fuentes (fountains) in the city provide free drinking water to anyone who wants it. Probably the most famous fountain in Granada is the Fuente de Aceituno (Fountain Of Youth).

Local legends tell the story of an olive tree growing here that started producing water, which people drank and it made them younger! I took a drink, so maybe I’ll live forever now… :p

7. Free Tapas With Spanish Wine

Granada Things To Do: Tapas & Wine
Enjoying Free Tapas in Granada
Tapas Jamon Iberico
Jamón Ibérico from the Pig’s Leg

You can’t visit Granada Spain without going to a restaurant or bar for free tapas! Spain’s tapas culture revolves around the experience of sharing small bites with friends.

During the afternoon or evening, typically between 1pm and 4pm or between 9pm and midnight, you can order a beer or wine and get free appetizers called tapas.

The best streets in Granada to find great tapas are Calle Navas and Calle Elvira.

One popular tapas snack is Black Iberian Ham, also known as jamón ibérico, a common sight at these bars. The meat is cured with salt for up to 3 years, so it doesn’t need refrigeration. The bartender will shave the meat right off a pig’s leg.

Tapas Tour

Granada Tapas & Wine tour

Visit Granada’s best bars to sample some delicious gourmet tapas & wine while learning about the city.

8. Mirador San Nicolas

Tourists at Mirador San Nicolas
Mirador San Nicolas Crowd

One of the top highlights in Granada is this popular viewpoint above the Albayzín neighborhood. It’s quite a hike from the center of town, but views of the Alhambra with the Sierra Nevada mountains are awesome.

Sunsets up here can get very crowded during high season, and it can be full of street performers and vendors. For an even better 360 degrees view, you can climb the bell tower of the Church of San Nicolas for €2 EURO.

This is the perfect place to get your Granada Spain postcard photo — as seen in the lead image of this blog post.

9. Watch A Flamenco Show

Spanish Flamenco Music Party
Secret Flamenco Bar in Granada

Flamenco is a form of festive gypsy (Gitano) folk music that originated in Southern Spain. It’s possible to visit one of the popular cave tablaos in Sacromonte that feature full flamenco dance performances.

Cuevas los Tarantos is one of the most popular spots to watch Zambra, the regional style from Granada, and shows start at about €25 EURO.

There’s also a slightly hidden/secret local cave bar which hosts incredibly authentic performances after 1am when most tourists are back sleeping in their hotels.

I’m not going to name it, you’ll just have to meet some locals to learn what it’s called! I can’t hand you ALL the best travel secrets without doing a little work… where’s the fun in that?

Live Flamenco

Granada Flamenco Show

Experience the unique cultural tradition of Flamenco dancing in southern Spain.

10. Generalife Gardens

Flowers at Generalife
The Beautiful Generalife Gardens

The Generalife Gardens are located on a hill next to the Alhambra, easily accessible after your visit to the Palace. You can buy a combo ticket for both Alhambra & the Gardens, or just visit the gardens on their own.

The gardens are full of flowers, trees, shrubs, reflective pools, and fountains. It can be a very peaceful place if you’re there early or late in the day. You can also visit at night!

Combo Tickets

Alhambra & Generalife Combo

Enjoy skip-the-line access to the popular Nasrid Palaces, Alhambra Fortress and Generalife Gardens.

11. People Watching At Plaza Nueva

Buskers Playing on the Street
Street Musicians in Granada

Plaza Nueva (New Square) is actually the oldest part of the city. This is where a bunch of Granada’s old buildings and monuments are located.

The square used to be the site of tournaments, games and bullfights in the city. From here you can start the climb up to Alhambra Palace, or just hang out at a local cafe and watch the tourists and street performers milling about.

It’s where most people begin walking up the river Darro, along the Carrera Del Darro, to reach The Albayzín and Sacromonte neighborhoods. You can also enter the Church Of Santa Ana for free.

12. Shopping At Alcaiceria

Shopping in Granada
Pick Up Some Souvenirs

If you’re looking for a unique souvenir in Granada, the best place to go is Alcaiceria. In the past, this area was a Great Bazaar. Although those days are long gone, you can still find earthenware that is reminiscent of the Moorish style of the Middle Ages.

I also enjoyed taking in the artistry of authentic Granada Taracea. Some of this furniture and the other wood touches would have made a nice addition to my place if I wasn’t living out of a backpack at the time!

13. Sierra Nevada Mountains

Sierra Nevada Mountains Spain
Skiing the Sierra Nevada in Spain

These mountains are technically 30 minutes outside of Granada, but it’s a must-see for all travelers spending time nearby. The Sierra Nevada mountains can be accessed via car, bus or taxi, meaning there’s no excuse not to check them out!

If you’re into skiing, this is by far the best spot in Spain. If you’re visiting in the summer there’s also mountain biking, hiking and music festivals. Make sure to check out the hanging suspension bridges of Los Cahorros!

Don’t have a car? There are also guided photo and hiking tours that leave from Granada.

Sierra Tour

Sierra Nevada Safari

Enjoy breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada on a 4X4 safari through the villages & forests of Andalucia.

14. Parque de las Ciencias (Science Park)

Granada is a wonderful place to learn about history and view ancient architecture. To take a break from Granada’s charming evidence of the past, check out the very modern Science Park.

Unlike many science museums, this interactive location was truly built with people of all ages in mind. I was able to participate in many hands-on activities, which were also popular with children. My favorite part of the Science Park was the planetarium.

15. Soak In A Hammam

Hammam in Granada
Hammam Al Andalus

A hammam, if you are unaware, is a kind of steam room where people go to wash themselves (or be washed by others). Visiting an Arab hammam is a very typical thing to do in Granada.

Often, they involve bathing pools, washing down with black soap, and exfoliation of the skin. The most popular hammam in Granada is Hammam Al Andalus, located in the old city of Granada.

Hammam Experience

Arab Hammam Experience

Relax in the hot, cold and steam rooms and plunge pools of a Hammam to totally unwind.

16. Corral del Carbón

Corral del Carbón
Corral del Carbón

Corral del Carbón is an interesting place to visit if you’re interested in the history of the Nasrid dynasty because it’s the oldest remaining building in Granada from that era. Plus it’s free!

Built in the fourteenth century by Yusuf the First — it was used as a warehouse for goods and a shelter for merchants. Later it was also used for stage performances.

As an added bonus, if you visit Corral del Carbón in the summer there’s a chance of running into a flamenco or play performance in the courtyard. There’s also a bookstore inside the building.

17. The Granada Cathedral

Granada Cathedral in Spain
The Beautiful Cathedral in Granada

Regardless of your cultural or religious views, you simply have to make some time to visit the Granada Cathedral. This stunning example of architecture was one of my favorite parts of the city.

The combination of Gothic and Renaissance style makes it pretty cool. Make sure you have plenty of room on your memory card for photographing the stunning exterior of this 16th-century masterpiece.

For a richer experience, take a guided tour to learn details about the history.

Cathedral Tour

Granada Cathedral Tour

Visit the Granada Cathedral and Royal Chapel with a guide who will explain the history of both monuments.

18. Royal Chapel Tombs & Crypt

Royal Chapel Crypt
Crypt in the Royal Chapel

The tombs of the Royal Chapel, known locally as Los Reyes Catolicos, were fascinating. The Royal Chapel itself is more than worth a visit if you like history.

It’s interesting to see the graves of royalty. The chapel once held the bodies of Queen Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, but were later moved. Now only the Catholic Monarchs and their children are buried here.

The entrance to the Royal Chapel is at La Lonja, in the Cathedral Complex, and it is open from 10:15am – 6:30pm. A ticket costs €5 EURO.

Transportation in Granada
First You Have to Get Here!

Getting To Granada

Flying Within Spain

Granada has a small airport that runs daily flights from Madrid and Barcelona. Flights are often cheaper to nearby Malaga though, and then you can take a bus from there. Check for deals on Skyscanner and read my guide to tips for finding cheap flights.

Renting A Car In Spain

The best site to book your car is Discover Cars. They search both local and international car rental companies to help you find the best possible price. This is the easiest way to rent a car in Spain.

Traveling By Bus

Most people get to Granada traveling by bus from other large Spanish cities. Just be aware the bus station is slightly out of town and requires a taxi or local bus to reach the city center.

The bus from Madrid takes about 4-5 hours depending on the class. A bus from Malaga only takes about 1.5 hours. You can book tickets with ALSA.

Traveling By Train

Granada’s train station is at Avenida de Andaluces. However the trains are not high-speed, and the main routes are undergoing construction work until 2019. The train takes about 5.5 hours from Madrid, and 4 hours from Seville.

You can search for and book train tickets on Rail Europe.

Rental Cars

Rent A Car In Spain

Search both local and international car rental companies to help you find a good deal.

Where to Stay in Granada
Neighborhoods in Granada

Where To Stay In Granada

There are all sorts of good accommodation options in the many neighborhoods of Granada, from right next to the Alhambra Palace itself to budget backpacker hostels. Here are suggestions for places to stay on your trip to Granada Spain…


BEST ACCOMMODATION IN GRANADA


Travel Planning Resources For Spain
Packing Guide
Check out my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip.
Book Your Flight
Ready to fly? Here’s how I find the cheapest airline flights.
Rent A Car
Discover Cars is a great site for comparing car prices to find a deal.
Cheap Accommodation
Learn how I save money booking hotels & vacation apartments.
Protect Your Trip
Don’t forget travel insurance! Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read why you should always carry travel insurance.

Enjoy This Article? Pin It!


READ MORE SPAIN TRAVEL TIPS

I hope you enjoyed my guide to exploring Granada, Spain! Hopefully you found it useful. Here are a few more wanderlust-inducing articles that I recommend you read next:


Have any questions about things to do in Granada? What about other suggestions? Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to share!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

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Caminito Del Rey: Spain’s Most Dangerous Hike https://expertvagabond.com/caminito-del-rey/ Mon, 28 Apr 2014 14:32:11 +0000 https://expertvagabond.com/?p=20344 Balancing precariously on a rusty steel beam, I slowly inch across trying not to glance down at the treacherous river hundreds of feet below me. The Caminito del Rey is not your typical hike.

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

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Caminito del Rey Spain
The Caminito del Rey in El Chorro Canyon
El Chorro, Spain

Balancing precariously on a rusty steel beam, I slowly hike across the Caminito del Rey trying not to glance down at the treacherous river hundreds of feet below me.

[su_note note_color=”#F5DCDC” text_color=”#333333″ radius=”3″ class=””]
UPDATE: The old crumbling Caminito del Rey route has been completely restored by the government since my visit, now open and safe for all tourists.[/su_note]

While living in the Spanish city of Granada for a few months, I learned about a crazy hike in a remote corner of Andalucia called the Caminito del Rey.

This path was famous around the world with rock climbers and adrenaline junkies due to its shocking state of disrepair.

Just looking up at the hazardous path full of holes and missing sections sent a shiver of fear down my spine. Barely clinging to the vertical canyon walls it’s attached to — ready to crumble at any moment.

Known as Spain’s most dangerous path, or the most dangerous walkway in the world, the Caminito del Rey (The King’s Little Pathway) is over 100 years old and 100 meters (350 feet) high.

The perilous concrete trail winds through steep limestone cliffs near the small village of El Chorro and into a hidden valley.

Would I really go through with this risky journey? By myself? I was starting to have second thoughts…

Caminito del Rey Walkway
The King of Spain Once Walked this Path
Caminito del Rey Walkway Spain
Holes Reveal the Guadalhorce River Below
Caminito del Rey Spain
Ancient Catwalk Used for Hydroelectric Dam Access
Caminito del Rey Hike Spain
Whatever You Do, Don’t Look Down!
Caminito del Rey Hike Spain
Out for an Afternoon Stroll in the Mountains of Spain

Hiking The Caminito Del Rey

Walking the entire length of the 3 kilometer Caminito (sometimes called the Camino del Rey) has become an exclusive adventure sport for people crazy enough to attempt it. There are numerous sections where the concrete has collapsed, creating large open-air gaps that are bridged by very narrow steel beams, themselves often rotting away.

A via ferrata cable runs the length of the path though, allowing hikers to clip in with a harness. You need to bring your own gear or rent one from a climbing shop. Or you can make your own Swiss Seat (like I did) with some webbing, climbing a rope, and a few carabiners!

However, the integrity of the safety cable running the length of the path is unknown, as it’s not officially maintained by anyone. So you must rely on it at your own risk.

Armed with my trusty Luna Sandals made for trail running, and a backpack loaded with gear, I spent 4 days hiking the walkway over 8 times. Filming video with my GoPro camera along the way.

Caminito del Rey Spain
More Rock Climbing Needed Here
The Path is 350 Feet High in Some Places
The Caminito del Rey in El Chorro Canyon
Caminito del Rey Spain
Would You Dare to Cross This Broken Section?

Dangerous & Beautiful

On the hike itself, the wind whips through the narrow canyon, testing my nerves as I carefully place one foot in front of the other. Hoping my next step isn’t my last. I’m not the only one attempting to conquer my fears though, there are other adventurous hikers up here flirting with death.

Sometimes we must pass each other, which can be complicated on a 1-meter wide path full of holes. In many places the entire path has completely fallen away, leaving just a three-inch wide steel beam to balance on. Other sections don’t even have beams — forcing you to cling to the face of the rock.

The Caminito del Rey is made up of two different sections. They each traverse a narrow area of the Gaitanes Gorge, with a stunning hidden valley located between them. “The Valley of the Orange” is completely surrounded by mountains, with orange trees growing near the Guadalhorce river as it flows through the middle. There’s even an old ruined house at the bottom.

Less hikers attempt (or know about) the second part of the walkway. Much of it has no safety line, save for a few very sketchy sections that require some rock climbing skills to pass. After about 3 hours I finished this wild adventure at the far end of the valley. Luckily in one piece.

Caminito del Rey Spain
Dangerous Walkway in Spain
Much of the Caminito del Rey is Falling Apart
Large Sections of the Path are Missing
Caminito del Rey Path
Caminito del Rey Hydroelectric Dam
Old Hydroelectric Controls
Caminito del Rey Spain
The Caminito del Rey in El Chorro Canyon

History Of The Path

The walkway was completed in 1905 after 4 years of construction so workers could move materials back and forth between the two hydroelectric power plants at Chorro Falls and Gaitanejo Falls on either end of the canyon. A water canal also weaves its way through tunnels in the mountains.

The suspended catwalk allowed easy access to this canal for inspections and maintenance work, controlling the flow of water when necessary using a series of steel doors lowered into the canal with gears.

Spanish King Alfonso XIII inaugurated the pathway in 1921, which is why it’s now called “The King’s Little Pathway”. The King himself walked the length of it to marvel at the beautiful & scenic landscape.

Deaths On The Caminito

There have been at least 5 deaths on the Caminito del Rey, the most recent few occurring in 2000, and many more accidents over the years. The path hasn’t been maintained since the 1920’s — rust eats away at many of the metal support beams.

Large gaping holes in the concrete are common. Sometimes whole sections of the treacherous walkway are completely missing after they’ve crashed down to the bottom of the canyon 100 meters (350 feet) below. If you’re afraid of heights, it’s the stuff of nightmares.

Caminito del Rey Deaths
Memorial To Three People Who Died In 2000
Caminito del Rey Danger
Dangerous 100 Year Old Rusty Iron Supports
Caminito del Rey Climbing
Some Rock Climbing is Occasionally Necessary
Valley of the Orange Spain
Abandoned House in the Middle of the Valley
Caminito del Rey Spain
A Magnificent View of the Gorge

New Path Restoration

Work just finished on a €3.12 million restoration program in 2015 that transformed the entire walkway into a much safer route, opening up the path to more people and regular tourism. The aging concrete was replaced with wooden slats and glass panels with a handrail.

While more people will now get to enjoy the views of this magnificent canyon, sadly the adventurous spirit of the Camino has changed now that it’s fixed up. I’m very lucky I was able to hike it when I did!

Hiking the Caminito del Rey ranks right up there with camping on an erupting volcano and cageless scuba diving with bull sharks as one of the craziest adventure travel experiences I’ve ever had. ★

[su_note note_color=”#F5DCDC” text_color=”#333333″ radius=”3″ class=””]
UPDATE: The old crumbling Caminito del Rey route has been completely restored by the government since my visit, now open and safe for all tourists.[/su_note]

Travel Video: The Caminito Del Rey in Spain

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for new Adventure Travel Videos!
(Click to watch Caminito Del Rey – Dangerous Hike In Spain on YouTube)

Travel Planning Resources For Spain
Packing Guide
Check out my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip.
Book Your Flight
Ready to fly? Here’s how I find the cheapest airline flights.
Rent A Car
Discover Cars is a great site for comparing car prices to find a deal.
Cheap Accommodation
Learn how I save money booking hotels & vacation apartments.
Protect Your Trip
Don’t forget travel insurance! Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read why you should always carry travel insurance.

READ MORE TRAVEL TIPS

I hope you enjoyed my guide on the Caminito Del Rey! Hopefully you found it useful. Here are a few more wanderlust-inducing articles that I recommend you read next:


Have any questions about the Caminito del Rey? Would you have hiked this route before it was fixed? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

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My Caveman Experience: Squatting With Gypsies In Spain https://expertvagabond.com/squatting-with-gypsies/ Mon, 24 Mar 2014 00:19:43 +0000 https://expertvagabond.com/?p=20119 There's a remarkable community of gypsy travelers who squat inside abandoned caves in Spain. This is the unusual story of my night couchsurfing with them.

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

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Cave Bed Spain

My Luxury Cave Accommodations

Granada, Spain

There’s a remarkable community of gypsy travelers who squat inside abandoned caves in Spain. This is my unusual story of spending the night with them.

Dinner was surprisingly delicious. You’d never know it came from a dumpster.

Earlier that night, my Romanian hosts Sorina & Alex disappeared for about an hour to go “recycling”. I didn’t think much of it at the time. Had I known they were out collecting free food, I would have joined them.

Sacromonte is a fascinating neighborhood on the outskirts of Granada.

For over 500 years, families have been living in the caves carved into hills around here. Primarily the Roma (Gitano, Gypsy) people, but also farmers.

However these days another group has also moved in, a community of more modern gypsies (hippies/travelers) from all over the world.

Spain

Typical Sacromonte Gypsy Cave

The Sacromonte Gypsies

They hail from Eastern Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and even North America. Travelers, hippies, nomads, and immigrants who have made their homes in these previously abandoned caves.

It’s estimated that 30-40 of them live here full-time, while many more stay for a month or two, just passing through on their travels.

Sorina & Alex are part of the latter group. Originally from Romania, they were road-tripping through Europe in a van when their driver (who possessed the special truck license needed) left the group, stranding them in Granada for a few months.

I met them while walking around the community. They invited me inside to check out their temporary cave home.

Romanian Gypsies

Sorina From Romania

Cooking Dinner in the Cave Kitchen

Cooking Dinner in the Cave Kitchen

Living In A Cave

The cave has three main parts, or rooms, with two mattresses per section, for a total of six beds. It includes a very basic kitchen area with a gas burner, and even electricity for lights, a blender, and hot-water heater for tea & coffee.

The entrance has a metal door with open bars at the top. A thick blanket covers these bars at night to help keep the cold out. They have a small fireplace inside too, complete with chimney. But the cave is surprisingly warm on its own.

While there is no toilet in this cave, they share a porta-potty with the neighbors. A few open-air community bathroom areas exist too.

Luis from the Canary Islands

Luis from the Canary Islands

A Glimpse at Life in a Cave

A Glimpse at Life in a Cave

Earning An Income

Because rent is free, it doesn’t take much money to make a living here. Many of the gypsies who live in this community earn income from busking (playing music) on the streets of Granada for tourists. Others use their artistic talents to create and sell home-made jewelry, bags, or other crafts.

These types of activities can earn them €10-€20 euros a day.

For instance, Sorina makes beautiful necklaces, earrings, and bags out of colorful leather scraps she finds around town. She sells her custom creations to tourists for €5-€10 each.

Dumpster Diving For Food

Food is often free too — like the tasty pasta, curry, vegetables, and bread they shared with me that night. If you don’t know anything about dumpster diving, it’s actually not as gross as it sounds.

Supermarkets, bakeries, and produce markets throw out a lot of food every week. Most of it is edible, it just won’t sell. If you know when they throw this stuff out, it’s easy to find. Much of the food is even still wrapped in plastic!

Cave Neighbors From Senegal

Cave Neighbors From Senegal

Iwan Practicing Flamenco Music

Iwan Practicing Flamenco Music

Spending The Night

After hanging out all afternoon, they eventually invite me to spend the night with them. The core group consisted of Sorina and her boyfriend Alex from Romania, Iwan and his Spanish girlfriend Maria, and Luis from the Canary Islands.

They’ve been living in the cave for at least 2 months. The night I showed up, four hitchhikers from Germany had just arrived too.

So there were 10 of us sleeping in the cave that night…

We spent the evening eating, drinking, smoking, sharing stories and playing music late into the night, with other members of the community popping in to join us from time to time.

I tried my best to understand the different conversations going on in German, Romanian, French, and Spanish. I made a fool of myself by offering a Muslim a glass of wine. I practiced playing the didgeridoo. I watched a Senegalese religious ceremony next door. I shared photos from my adventures, learned about their travels, and told them about life in the United States.

Building A Community Garden

Building A Community Garden

Giving Back A Little

The next morning I awoke from my cave bed and strolled outside into the cold air to watch the sun rise over the city of Granada down below. There were a few others up early, sharing coffee and fruit for breakfast while planning to build a community garden.

I walked over and asked how I could help.

The leader of the project, Manuel, handed me a shovel and we all began breaking ground. After a few hours toiling in the sun, the garden’s borders were set, a rainwater catch system was in place, and the soil was ready for planting.

The residents of Sacromonte provided me with food and shelter for a night, asking for nothing in return. Helping them build a garden was the least I could do! I was sad leaving for Malaga that afternoon, as I wanted to stay longer.

I certainly won’t be moving into a gypsy community anytime soon, but it was a wonderful experience. And when modern society eventually collapses?

Well, I’ve learned that life as a caveman isn’t all that bad. ★

[su_box title=”Travel Planning Resources For Spain” style=”noise” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=”resource-box”]

Packing Guide

Check out my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip. Pick up a travel backpack, camera gear, and other useful travel accessories.

Book Your Flight

Find cheap flights on Skyscanner. This is my favorite search engine to find deals on airlines. Also make sure to read how I find the cheapest flights.

Rent A Car

Discover Cars is a great site for comparing car prices to find the best deal. They search both local & international rental companies.

Book Accommodation

Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. Or rent apartments from locals on Airbnb. Read more about how I book cheap hotels online.

Protect Your Trip

Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m a big fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read more about why you should always carry travel insurance.
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READ MORE SPAIN TRAVEL TIPS

I hope you enjoyed my story about squatting with Gypsies in Spain! Here are a few more wanderlust-inducing articles that I recommend you read next:

Could you live in a cave like this? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

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Would You Live Like This? Meet Spain’s Nomadic Cave Gypsies https://expertvagabond.com/sacromonte-gypsy-caves/ Tue, 18 Mar 2014 23:52:33 +0000 https://expertvagabond.com/?p=20231 There is a fascinating community of people living in Spain who make their homes out of abandoned caves. Join me on a photo tour through Sacromonte's gypsy neighborhood.

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

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Sorina the Gypsy in Spain

Sorina from Romania prepares dinner

Granada, Spain

There is a fascinating community of people living in Spain who make their homes out of abandoned caves. Join me on a photo tour through Sacromonte’s gypsy neighborhood.

In the hills above the beautiful Spanish city of Granada lies the Roma/Gitano/Gypsy cave community of Sacromonte. After the fall of the Moorish empire in the 1500’s, the Roma arrived and carved cave homes into the hillside. These days much of Sacromonte has become a tourist spot.

Visitors flock here to watch the famous Gitano Flamenco dancing shows.

But if you hike above the visible neighborhood of Sacromonte, you’ll discover a slightly different community made up of nomads, hippies, and modern gypsies who now live in the previously abandoned caves. There are about 30-40 who live here full-time, with many others passing through, staying for a few months before moving on.

It’s an eclectic mix of people from all over the world.

Most of the caves have electricity, either from solar panels or grid power wired in from outside. Some have TVs. Running water and outhouse-style toilets are often shared between a few neighbors.

I spent a couple days hanging out, taking photos of and learning about the community. Even spending one night in a cave. Please enjoy this rare glimpse into the life of a wandering cave gypsy.

Sacromonte Cave Home in Spain

A colorful gypsy cave home

Luis is a Gypsy in Spain

Luis is from the Canary Islands

Sacromonte Cave Community Spain

The hills above Granada are covered in caves

Sacromonte Cave Kitchen Spain

Cave kitchen with electricity and appliances!

Anais lives in caves in Spain

Anais from Germany is just passing through

Who Are The Gypsies?

Ok, due to the increased popularity of this post combined with random commenters claiming I don’t know what a Gypsy is, I’ve decided to go into more detail here. The neighborhood of Sacromonte in the city of Granada is a Gypsy neighborhood. Gypsy with a capital “G”.

These are people from Romani or Gitano decent. The english word “Gypsy” comes from “Egyptian,” based on a false believe they came from Egypt (they came from Northern India).

The caves above Sacromonte were originally inhabited by these people (Gypsy/Roma/Gitano).

Now, the caves are being used by modern gypsies (with a lowercase G). As in free-spirited travelers, hippies, and foreign refugees.

The neighborhood of Sacromonte and the old caves above it are two separate things. However there are also cave homes within Sacromonte owned by actual Gitanos/Roma/Gypsies. I think this is where some of the confusion comes from.

The people in my photos here are not Gitanos/Roma.

Granada Spain Views

The best views of Granada & Alhambra Palace

Tania Gypsy in Spain

Tania from Spain and her dog Wanda help plant a garden

Inside Sacromonte Cave in Spain

The view from inside a cave

Sacromonte Gypsy from Senegal

Ella is one of many cave gypsies from Senegal

Sacromonte Gypsy Cave Spain

This cave has a solar panel above the door

Irit the Gypsy Sacromonte Spain

Irit moved from New York City into a gypsy cave

Gypsy Pony in Spain

Some of the gypsies own horses and ponies

Sacromonte Gypsy Iwan in Spain

Iwan from Romania studied film in college

Sacromonte Community Toilet Spain

Saved the best for last: overflowing outdoor community toilet!

READ MORE SPAIN TRAVEL TIPS

I hope you enjoyed my story about Spain’s Nomadic Cave Gypsies! Here are a few more wanderlust-inducing articles that I recommend you read next:

Would you be able to live like this? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

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