Granada, Spain

## Overview Granada, the storied Andalusian city at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, is home to numerous natural springs that have supplied fresh water to residents and visitors for centuries. The city's unique geography — nestled between mountain slopes and river valleys — gives rise to abundant groundwater, and public drinking fountains fed by natural springs can be found throughout the historic quarters. Many of Granada's most celebrated springs are concentrated in and around the Alhambra, the iconic Moorish palace complex that crowns the Sabika hill. During the Nasrid dynasty (13th–15th centuries), the Moors engineered an elaborate network of channels, fountains, and aqueducts — many fed by the Darro River and natural springs — to supply the palace gardens and the Albaicín neighborhood below. Some of these water sources remain active today, and visitors can still drink from public fountains (known locally as *fuentes*) scattered across the Alhambra grounds, the Albaicín, and the Sacromonte hillside. The GPS coordinates listed here (37.176078, −3.588141) place this entry near the heart of Granada's old town, close to the confluence of the Darro and Genil rivers. This area is an excellent starting point for a self-guided spring-hunting walk through the city's hilly neighborhoods. Historically, Granada's spring water has been prized for its clarity and cool temperature, a product of snowmelt filtering through the limestone and schist geology of the Sierra Nevada. Visitors have long reported that the water from many of these public fountains tastes remarkably clean and refreshing, though water quality can vary by source and season. ## Directions 1. **Start in central Granada** — head toward Plaza Nueva, the main square at the base of the Alhambra hill. 2. **For the Alhambra springs:** Walk up the Cuesta de Gomérez from Plaza Nueva, passing through the Puerta de las Granadas gate. Follow the shaded path uphill toward the Alhambra ticket office. Along this route and within the palace grounds, you will encounter several public drinking fountains fed by historic spring sources. 3. **For the Albaicín springs:** From Plaza Nueva, cross the Carrera del Darro (the scenic riverside walk) and climb into the narrow streets of the Albaicín quarter. Public fountains can be found in small plazas and along alleyways — look for traditional stone or tiled spouts mounted on walls. 4. **For the Sacromonte springs:** Continue east along the Camino del Sacromonte from the Albaicín. Springs and fountains appear along the hillside path, particularly near the Sacromonte Abbey. *Note: The springs are spread across multiple locations in the hills, so comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended.* ## What to Expect Granada's public drinking springs are not a single destination but rather a network of fountains woven into the fabric of the city. Most are simple stone or ceramic spouts set into walls, continuously flowing with cool water. The majority are located in the hilly neighborhoods of the Alhambra, Albaicín, and Sacromonte, so expect uphill walking on cobblestone streets and ancient paths. The Alhambra area offers the most dramatic setting — springs here flow amid centuries-old gardens, cypress-lined walkways, and Moorish architecture. The Albaicín's fountains are tucked into quieter residential streets, often in small plazas with views of the Alhambra across the valley. Sacromonte's springs tend to be more rustic, found along the hillside trail leading to the abbey. Water flow is generally strongest in spring and early summer, when Sierra Nevada snowmelt replenishes the aquifers. In late summer and autumn, some smaller fountains may slow to a trickle. The water has historically been used as drinking water by locals, and many fountains are marked as potable by the city — however, conditions can change, so visitors should look for signage indicating whether a particular fountain is currently designated for drinking. Bring a refillable water bottle to take advantage of the springs as you explore. The walks between fountains are scenic in their own right, offering panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada, the Alhambra, and the terracotta rooftops of old Granada.