There are many beautiful towns to visit in southern Spain, spread out across the various provinces. The Province of Granada doesn’t get nearly as much attention as it deserves, with visitors solely planning trips to the city of Granada to see attractions such as The Alhambra. And while Granada is a must-see destination in Spain, lesser known locations such as Alhama de Granada and Guadix need to be visited at least once.
Alhama de Granada is a beautiful town that’s well known for its natural spa that dates back to Roman times. Beyond the spa though, there are numerous things to do in Alhama de Granada and plenty of historic attractions to see. The town has been heavily influenced by the Romans, Moors, and Christians, and although it was almost destroyed by an earthquake in the 19th century, it was very quickly restored.
If you’re planning a road trip around Granada, you won’t want to miss a day trip to Alhama de Granada. It’s very easy to drive to from either Malaga or Granada, and in the off season you’ll most likely have it all to yourself.
Things to do in Alhama de Granada
Church of the Incarnation
One of the main attractions in Alhama de Granada is the Church of the Incarnation. This historic church was built on the site of a former mosque in the 15th century and is a highlight of Plaza de los Presos. If the doors are open when you visit, I’d recommend entering because there are some interesting features inside to take a look at.
Pass through the historic arch
Directly next to the Church of the Incarnation is a beautiful arch that you’ll need to pass through in order to see the rest of the town. On one side of the arch you’ll find Plaza de los Presos and on the other is the House of the Inquisition. It’s one of the best places to take photos in Alhama de Granada too.
Fountain of the Catholic Monarchs
Plaza de los Presos is one of the main plazas in Alhama de Granada. In the centre of the plaza is the Fountain of the Catholic Monarchs which is usually adorned with colourful flower pots. In one corner of the plaza is where you’ll also find the Alhama de Granada Interpretation Centre, though it may be closed outside of peak travel season.
House of the Inquisition
At the rear of the Church of the Incarnation is the House of the Inquisition. It was originally built in the 15th century and, as the name suggests, it was the headquarters for the Regional Court of the Inquisition. Unfortunately you can’t enter the house as it’s now private property, but you’ll no doubt pass by it as you make your way through the town.
Alhama Granary
One of the oldest buildings standing in Alhama de Granada is the Alhama Granary. It’s located directly opposite the Church of the Incarnation and dates back to the 16th century. The original stone facade of the building has been beautifully preserved, and you can still see the town’s coat of arms on it. The Granary was once used to store the city’s grain, but its original purpose was as a synagogue in the 13th century.
Fountain of the Pomegranates
If you’re looking for a parking area in Alhama de Granada, you’ll need to park at the base of the old town and then walk up a hill to access the main attractions. On the way up this hill you’ll come across the Fountain of the Pomegranates.
Those of you who are familiar with Granada know that the name literally translates to pomegranate. It was the Catholic Monarchs who took the fruit as a symbol of their final victory over the Moors. If you look closely at this fountain, you can just make out the engraving of a pomegranate in the centre.
Church of Carmen
In the very centre of Alhama de Granada’s old town is the Church of Carmen. It’s a beautiful church with a history dating back to the 16th century, but it was sadly plundered during the Napoleonic French Invasion of the region. This historic convent was also once the burial place of many of Alhama de Granada’s aristocracy, so it’s certainly worth adding to your itinerary.
Take in the view of the Alhama Canyon
While you’re visiting the Church of Carmen, don’t forget to take in the view of Alhama Canyon at the rear of the church. The canyon is rather large and it’s a popular place to go hiking in Granada as it offers trails of different hiking abilities. If you make your way down to the base of the canyon, you’ll be able to admire the town from below.
Alhama de Granada Castle
One of the most unusual things to see in this town in Granada is the Alhama de Granada Castle. The castle was built on the site of an old Arab citadel and it was remodelled in the past century. Sadly, the interior of the castle isn’t open to the public, but its vibrant red colour makes it a great spot to take photos. You’ll also find several restaurants located in this part of the town so it’s a good area to stop for lunch.
Caño Wamba
As you make your way through the cobbled streets of the town, you’ll find numerous unimposing points of interest that are worth stopping at. One of these is called Caño Wamba. It was erected in 1533 and was the first public pillar of the Christian era in the town. It was also part of a wider water distribution network. On the sides of the pillar you can still see the symbols of the Catholic Monarchs.
Hermitage of the Remedies
The Hermitage of the Remedies can be viewed from the main public parking lot in Alhama de Granada or from the Fountain of the Pomegranate. It was built in the 17th century and is somewhat removed from the rest of the historic buildings in the town. It now sits in a ruined state so accessing the interior isn’t possible. However, you can still walk up to it and get a closer look at the facade if you want.
Water Gate
Puerta del Agua, or the Water Gate, was once an access point for the citizens of Alhama de Granada down to the river. Not much of the citadel’s walls remain, but archaeologists have found that there would have been at least four gates leading into the town, with the Water Gate being one of the smallest. It’s an interesting piece of history to see, though it isn’t one of the main attractions, so I’d recommend visiting it only if you have some spare time.
Church of Anxieties
Not far from the Water Gate sits the Church of Anxieties. It’s a 17th century Baroque church that now sadly sits in a state of disrepair. During the Civil War, much of the altarpieces, images, and paintings were burned so only very little of its past remains. The church currently can’t be accessed but you can still get a good view of it from behind the stone wall.
Queen’s Hospital
One of the most important attractions in Alhama de Granada is the Queen’s Hospital. It was the first hospital to be built by the Catholic Monarchs in Granada following their final victory over the Moors. The hospital was built on the site of various palaces where the Moorish nobility resided. Its original purpose was to act as a military hospital but it also served pilgrims and other groups of people.
The Royal Butcher Shops
The Royal Butcher Shops weren’t on any list that I found covering things to do in Alhama de Granada, so I’m glad I came across this spot by chance. Through this historic arch is where butchers would have set up shop, though today the courtyard is made up of private residences. It’s a unique site to visit as you explore the town on foot.
Admire the view of Alhama de Granada
As you make your way out of Alhama de Granada, don’t forget to take a look back and admire the view of the town in the distance. There are several viewpoints along the roads leading into the town where you can safely stop. On a clear day it’s a great opportunity for one last photo before you continue on your road trip through the Province of Granada.
Where to stay in Alhama de Granada
Alhama de Granada may be small, but there are plenty of nice places to stay overnight. One of the most popular hotels in Alhama de Granada is Balneario de Alhama de Granada which is known for its geothermal pool. Dotted around the town and countryside are also numerous rural guest houses which may be better options.
Is Alhama de Granada worth visiting?
Alhama de Granada is considered to be one of the most beautiful towns in the Province of Granada. It’s also one of the oldest spa towns in Andalusia. Beyond its Roman-era spas though, this historic town has a lot to offer visitors and is definitely worth visiting for either half or a full day.
If you have any questions about things to do in Alhama de Granada or other places to drive to in the Province of Granada, please feel free to reach out via email or by filling out the contact form. You can also follow along with my travels on Instagram and TikTok where I’m always sharing new travel tips.
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