Alhambra and Albayzín Minibuses

The streets of the Alhambra, the Albayzín and the Sacromonte are narrow, steep and in many stretches closed to traffic. That’s why Granada has city minibuses, smaller than ordinary buses, which climb those hills and save you a good part of the walk. If you’re staying at Cueva de Lindaraja, they’re your everyday transport.

The lines

The minibuses are part of Granada’s city bus network and you can spot them by the C in their number:

• C30. Goes up to the Alhambra from the centre. It’s the easiest way to reach the monument’s entrance without walking up the hill.
• C31. Runs through the Albayzín, the neighbourhood of narrow streets and viewpoints facing the Alhambra.
• C32. Links the Alhambra and the Albayzín, so it’s handy for getting from one to the other without going down to the centre.
• C34. This is our line: it runs up Camino del Sacromonte and links it with Plaza Nueva and the centre. The Camino del Sacromonte 89 stop is 40 metres from the house.

Routes and stops can change because of roadworks or network changes, so check the up-to-date maps on the Transportes Rober website or in an app such as Moovit before you set off.

Plaza Nueva and Isabel la Católica, the two hubs

Almost every journey around the historic quarter goes through two squares very close to each other, about 4 minutes apart on foot:

• Plaza Nueva, at the foot of the Albayzín and the start of Carrera del Darro. This is where the minibuses up to the Albayzín and the Sacromonte stop, the C34 among them.
• Plaza Isabel la Católica, where Gran Vía meets Calle Reyes Católicos. It’s a major stop for lines coming from other parts of the city and a good place to change onto the minibuses.

The C34 also stops on Gran Vía, by the Cathedral (the Gran Vía 5 – Catedral stop), which is where you change if you’re coming from the train station, the bus station or the airport. We explain it step by step in getting here.

How to pay

The minibuses work just like the rest of the city buses:

• You can buy a standard ticket when you get on. It includes an hour of free transfers, so you can change buses without paying again.
• If you’ll be using the bus a lot, the Credibús card is worth it: you buy it and top it up on the bus itself, and each journey works out cheaper.

Fares, the card deposit and how to return it are all in our guide to Granada city buses. Always check current fares on the operator’s website.

Tips

• Be patient in high season. They’re small vehicles and in spring, summer and on bank holidays they can be full, especially those going up to the Alhambra. If you have a time slot for the Nasrid Palaces, leave with time to spare: there’s more in Alhambra tickets.
• Combine bus and stroll. A good plan is to ride up by minibus and walk down: the way down through the Albayzín or along Carrera del Darro is beautiful. We suggest routes in Albayzín viewpoints.
• You can walk, too. From the house, the Albayzín is about 10 minutes on foot, the Cathedral about 20 and the Alhambra about 25.
• Luggage. There’s little room for large suitcases. If you arrive loaded up, a taxi may be better for the last stretch.
• At night. City buses run a limited service late at night. If you’re coming back late, check the last C34 or walk back from Plaza Nueva along Carrera del Darro and Paseo de los Tristes.
• Leave the car. Traffic is heavily restricted in these neighbourhoods. Find out why in low emission zone and parking.