The Realejo, the old Jewish quarter of Granada

Its existence is recorded from the 12th century, when a Jewish suburb is known to have existed. To understand the origin of the Realejo you have to go back to the period of Muslim rule, when the Jews living in the city grouped their homes and businesses in an area that came to be called Garnata al-Yahud (Granada of the Jews). This Arabic term is believed to be the origin of the city's current name, Granada.

With the arrival of the Catholic Monarchs and the expulsion of the Jews from the Iberian Peninsula, the plan was to turn the neighbourhood into a residential area for the Castilian nobility. Although work on the idea began, it never fully materialised. Even so, the name "Realejo" dates from this time.

The Realejo was Granada's Jewish quarter until the city was conquered in 1492, when the Catholic Monarchs decreed the expulsion of the Jewish people from the city. It was then that the Realejo began to take on the appearance it has today.

There is also a saying that the name comes from the period of the Castilian conquest, when the tent of the general or the king was pitched here.

The Realejo is Granada's tapas area par excellence. One of its most beautiful spots is the Campo del Príncipe. This square stands on an 11th-century Islamic cemetery. Here you will find the famous Cristo de los Favores and a very good area for tapas.

Of its churches, Santo Domingo is the most striking. Its trompe-l'oeil painted façade hides a truly solemn interior that leaves no one indifferent. In the Realejo you can also visit the Church of Santo Domingo and the Casa de los Tiros.

The Casa de los Tiros is one of the most representative monuments of the neighbourhood. This museum, built up thanks to contributions from many private owners, focuses on Granada and ranges from photographs to ceramics.

The Realejo is also famous for the area of the Lavadero del Sol, one of the 19th-century public washhouses still preserved in Granada. This historic space keeps its original charm and is part of the city's ethnographic heritage.

In addition, walking through the Realejo you can see many murals by the Granada artist El Niño de las Pinturas.

If you are enjoying a day of food in this neighbourhood, you can also take the chance to visit the Campo del Príncipe and see the Cristo de los Favores. Every Good Friday, thousands of Granada locals gather around this image to ask it for three favours, following a historic tradition.

The Campo del Príncipe, known in Nasrid times as the field of the hill, is a large square in the centre of the neighbourhood where you can enjoy the typical flavours of Granada on the terraces and in traditional bars.

This area is perfect for discovering Granada cuisine, with its tapas and the relaxed atmosphere that characterises the Realejo.

The Realejo's proximity to the centre of Granada and to other neighbourhoods means you can walk there from practically anywhere in the city. A more comfortable alternative is to take buses C30, C32 and C35, which reach the Realejo.

The neighbourhood is very well connected and easily accessible both on foot and by public transport from anywhere in the historic centre of Granada.

2–3 hours to cover the main points of the neighbourhood, including stops for tapas.

The Realejo is a very pleasant neighbourhood to visit throughout the day, especially in the evening to enjoy its atmosphere of tapas and terraces.

The lower Realejo is flat and accessible, while the upper part has narrow streets with steep slopes.

It is Granada's tapas area par excellence, especially around the Campo del Príncipe.

Discover the secrets of Granada's old Jewish quarter and enjoy the best local food with our specialist guides, who know every corner, every story and every flavour of this unique neighbourhood that combines tradition, history and modern life.