What to see in Alhama de Granada – the 14 must-sees

Alhama de Granada is a wonder to visit

In this article you will find the essential information to see the best of Alhama de Granada :

• A brief overview of Alhama de Granada and its origins
• What to see and visit in Alhama de Granada?
• What to do around Alhama de Granada?
• Booking accommodation…in a special hotel
• Where is Alhama de Granada?
• What to visit around Alhama de Granada?
• Some useful links (car rental, other ideas for visits)
• A selection of beautiful experiences to discover in the surroundings of Alhama

A brief overview of Alhama de Granada and its origins

Alhama de Granada is a small town of 5,000 inhabitants, absolutely beautiful, steeped in history and blessed with a spectacular natural environment.

It is well worth a visit if you are spending a few days in Andalucia to visit Malaga and Granada.

There are many beautiful things to see and discover.

The origins

It was the Arabs who gave it its name Alhama (from “Al hammam” which means hot spring) because of the presence of thermal springs.

However, these hot springs have been known since Roman times.

There is a river that runs through the Alhama Gorge, which is a beautiful place to hike to the hot springs. On this hike you will cross a Roman bridge from the 1st AD.

Alhama de Granada is a historical stronghold of the Nasrid kingdom of Granada. This is why, during the reconquest of the kingdom of Granada, it was a city that was taken back as a priority in 1482 to cut the Malaga-Granada axis. Malaga was reconquered in 1487 and Granada in 1492.

Visiting Alhama de Granada, what to see?

Here are the essential things to see and visit in Alhama de Granada:

1 – Alhama Canyon
2 – The Arab baths
3 – A natural hot water pool
4 – The Posito
5 – The castle
6 – Queen’s Hospital
7 – House of the Inquisition
8 – The Wamba fountain
9 – Convent of Carmen
10 – Church of Ntra. Sra. de las Angustias
11 – Church of Ntra. Sra. Santa María de la Encarnación
12 – Hermitage of los Remedios
13 – The mazmorras
14 – In the streets of Alhama

The Alhama Canyon

These gorges are impressive. The city is built on the western side of these gorges.

The Arab Baths

They are from the Almohad period and are sublime to see.

To see them, you have to enter the Spa and the visit is only possible on Mondays from 2 to 4 pm.

The natural hot water pool

Before entering the Spa, you can enjoy a natural pool with water that gushes out at 42 degrees before joining the river. It is best to come during the week to enjoy the baths in peace and quiet.

The Posito

There is the Posito (former granary of the city) which was before: the old synagogue of the time of Al-Andalus (XIIIth century).

The Castle

Next to the town hall is the castle, recognisable by its red wall. This castle was built on the former Arab Alcazaba. It is now a private property.

The Queen’s Hospital

This was the first hospital built in the province of Granada by the Catholic kings after the Reconquest.

The House of the Inquisition

Despite its name, this house only dates back to the last century but is a reminder of this terrible period. There is no evidence today that this is the former location of the Inquisition Court.

The Wamba Fountain

There are about thirty fountains in the municipality of Alhama. But the Wamba Fountain, built in 1533, is the first public fountain in the town.

What is interesting is that Wamba was king of Hispania and Septimania. He was one of the last kings of Visigothic Hispania before the conquest of Spain by the Umayyads.

The Church and Convent of Carmen

This church in the central square is beautiful, both inside and out.

Right next to it is a fountain (Pila de la Carrera) which was mainly used as a watering place for animals.

Church of Ntra. Sra. de las Angustias

This baroque style church is now in ruins.

It was burnt down during the civil war. Then, in the 1960s, following heavy snowfalls, the roof collapsed completely. A rehabilitation project is underway.

Church of Ntra. Sra. Santa María de la Encarnación

On the site of this church, which dominates the city, a mosque was once built. This mosque, curiously, was used from 1482 until the beginning of the 16th century for Catholic worship.

The church was rebuilt on top of the mosque later on in order to better meet the needs of Christian liturgies.

It is really impressive to see.

Ermita de los Remedios

This “Ermita” is at the exit of the city towards the Arab baths. I found its façade very beautiful with its 2 arches and its cultural mix.

The mazmorras

At the bottom of the village near the cliff of the Alhama gorge, there are mazmorras (“dungeons”). In the time of the Nasrid kingdom, they were used to store and protect the crops. They were later used as prisons or as shelters for the poor.

Some emblematic photos of the streets of Alhama de Granada

The coat of arms of the city

A typical window

Incredible personality from Alhama: Elena/o

A balcony

What to do in Alhama de Granada and the surrounding area?

Below are a number of ideas for activities and visits, categorised by theme. You can book them online today.

Bonus: all activities can be cancelled up to 24 hours before the scheduled date:

Here are some other pretty awesome local activities to discover

The via ferrata at Zafarraya

Here’s the link to the superb via ferrata de Zafarraya

Canyoning in the Rio Verde

Here’s the link to this activity canyoning in the rio Verde

Astrotourism evening in Alhama

Here’s the link to this experience astrotourism evening in Andalucia

Find accommodation for a weekend in the city or in the spa

Below, you will find live rentals or accommodation available in Alhama de Granada, after selecting your dates:

Booking.com

Here is a great idea for accommodation

A hotel that will be a great experience!

It is the rural hotel El Ventorro, which offers 23 rooms, 8 of which are troglodyte rooms. It also offers Arabic baths (swimming pool and hammam).

For more information and/or to book a room: Hotel rural El Ventorro

Location of Alhama de Granada

Málaga is 80 km away, Granada 53 km and Zafarraya 22 km

What to visit around Alhama de Granada?

There are some fabulous sites to discover in the Alhama area. Here are 4 ideas for visits fairly close to Alhama de Granada.

Salobreña

On the coast, there’s the town of Salobrena, nicknamed “La Perla de la Costa Tropical”.

Montefrio

Here’s the link if you’d like to visit Montefrio.

Alpujarra in Granada

At the foot of the Sierra Nevada, there are the fabulous villages of Pampaneira and Capileira in Alpujarra (Photo of Capileira).

Guadix

Finally, as you continue your journey through the Province of Granada, I invite you to come and discover the small town of Guadix….One of the largest cave dwellings in the world. Nearly 3000 people live in the caves of the town today!

Some useful links (car hire, ideas for visits)

Easy and economical bookings

• your flight

• taxi transfer

• hire car

• train and bus tickets

If you are in Andalucia as part of a tour with several major cities to visit, here are some links that may be of interest:

Continue your trip to Andalucia

Seville

Seville, the capital of Andalucia, is a city full of treasures to discover and monuments to visit.

Here you will find everything you can see in Seville in 3 days. And for those who will stay longer you will also find information on secret Seville and the Santa Cruz and Triana districts.

Cadiz

Visit Cadiz, a city with an incredible past and great beauty, on the Costa del la Luz.

Malaga

When you reach the Costa del Sol you will find in this link all must-sees in Malaga :

Granada

Discover what to see in Granada, and visit the Albaicin and Sacromonte districts:

Cordoba

And of course, visit Cordoba, the caliphate city, and the Juderia district

A selection of great experiences to do in Alhama and its surroundings

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