Sacromonte Flamenco Show and Albaicin Walking Tour from Granada

Visit: Cuevas Los Tarantos, Camino Sacromonte 9 Sacromonte, 18010 Granada Spain

After pickup from your central Granada hotel, head to the Sacromonte area of the city – famous for its inhabited caves carved out of the soft rock on the slopes of Cerro de San Miguel. Originally built and lived in by Spanish gypsies (or gitanos as they’re known locally), the caves became popular places for the community to meet up, dance and be merry.

The best caves to visit are those dedicated to zambra – a type of flamenco dancing that’s firmly rooted in Sacromonte – and luckily, you’ll visit one such cave. Hop off your minibus and head inside Cuevas Los Tarantos to see one of the area’s best live zambra shows! Before the 1-hour performance starts, your guide will fetch you a drink and talk to you briefly about flamenco in the Andalusia region. Alternatively, upgrade and include a 3-course dinner to enjoy while the performance takes place. Please see Itinerary for sample menus.

Loosely translated as ‘party’ in Arabic, zambra dates back to the 15th century when it was performed by the Moriscos (Muslims who converted to Christianity) during Moorish celebrations, hence the Arabic feel to the dance. The gypsies who later migrated to Spain identified themselves with the music, and the tradition carried through right up ‘til the present day. Sit back and watch the extravagant dance moves (similar to belly dancing) paired with the fast-paced music!

After the performance, return to your minibus and head into the hills for a 45-minute walking tour around the UNESCO World Heritage-listed district of Albaicin. Also known as Albayzín, the neighborhood is Granada’s oldest Muslim quarter with a labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets and delightful Moorish architecture. Soak up the ambience with your guide, and then head to Mirador San Nicolás to enjoy unforgettable views of Alhambra Palace on La Sabica Hill before returning to your hotel.