Vibrant Multicultural Realejo: A Walking Tour of Granada’s Old Jewish Quarter

Realejo, Granada’s old Jewish Quarter, is a vibrant and cosmopolitan place with a fascinating history. Its synagogues and mosques gave way to churches over 500 years ago but, if you know where to look, many traces of its Jewish and Muslim heritage remain. On this walking tour, you’ll see this lively neighbourhood’s rich past come to life.

Your walk starts in Plaza del Carmen, where locals gather to count down to the New Year in the heart of Granada. From there, you’ll stroll through beautiful Realejo’s historical core, with its maze of winding streets and alleyways. It’s on a steep hillside, so be prepared for some climbing! Your efforts will be rewarded with gorgeous vistas of the city’s renowned palace and fortress complex, the Alhambra. You’ll also be able to admire the city and its surroundings from viewpoints like Placeta Puerta del Sol and Torres Bermejas, which once formed part of the old city walls. Stepping out of historic and into modern Realejo, I’ll point out plenty of great tapas bars that you can pop into for some tantalising refreshments. Along the way, I’ll explain the significance of the statue of Mariana Pineda, the Fuente de las Batallas fountain, and the Virgin de las Angustias church.

On this walk, you’ll have the chance to:

• Learn a bit about Granada’s history, including the prominent role of Jews such as Samuel ibn Nagrela, who was the Muslim king’s right-hand man
• Hear about some of the famous writers, artists and musicians who were drawn to the city by the romance of the Alhambra and Granada’s diverse cultural heritage
• Take in one of Granada’s most prominent landmarks, the neo-Mudejar Alhambra Palace Hotel
• See the church dedicated to Granada’s patron saint, St. Cecilius
• Appreciate some stunning Moorish architecture at the Cuarto Real de Santo Domingo and the Casa de los Girones

By the end of the tour, you’ll have the answers to questions like:

• Why do very few Jews live in Granada today?
• Who built the first ski station in the Sierra Nevada mountains?
• What happened to the prince who gave his name to the Campo del Príncipe?
• Where did the playwright Federico García Lorca hang out with his literary and artistic friends?
• Why could embroidering a flag get you executed in 19th century Granada?
• How did a local fruit become the emblem of Granada?

Join me on this tour and I’ll show you the very best that this great neighbourhood has to offer, including a few excellent places to relax with a cold beer and delicious tapas.