Granada Spain - Safety in the Albayzin

No.

No, again. As you have travelled, you will be bemused by the warning when you get there, (Lonely Planet does the same). Just do not go down those dark alleys at night (which you will not do, because you could get lost) and the booger man will not get you.

We were in the Albayzin "after dark" for tapas, etc. and felt fine walking down the main street. I don't know where the lodgings are, but if they are close to the main tourist area I don't know why they would be any less safe than other places. The whole area had a great feel to me - and we were there in March when I think it might be even quieter than at other times of the year.

I would not stay anywhere else!

Thank you for the responses! Jim

We were just there in Sept 2011 in stayed in the heart of the Albayzin. It was just my wife and i and we walked the bottoms of our shoes. We loved it, met great people, got lost and wouldn't stay anywhere else. We also walked into Granada which was no problema -- distance or safety.

We were there in October ... I had a close call as we couldn't find our hotel and I wandered off by myself while hubby stayed with cases... but I would absolutely stay in the Albayzin.. It's the heart and pulse of Granada... Actually most of the 'crime' happens during the lunch time hours where it's just us tourists around.. I would be more concerned about the Gypsies hanging our near the Cathedral they try and give you a sprig of something and grab your hand to 'read it' doing great distracting techniques later you'll find your gold ring missing !! Granada is the last bastion of the 'free tapa' We loved our time there and want to go back very soon...

Thank you Teresa.

I travel to Granada (nearly) every year and have seen the hand-made banners hanging outside of people's homes warning tourists to "BEWARE", etcetera. But in the last couple of years these banners have been absent. I wonder if that's a good sign or the local authorities asked them to take them down. Regardless, if you stick to the main roads at night, there's no reason to avoid the Albayzin in Granada. Sometimes some of the listed hotels and restaurants are off the main street and this can cause some stress. Once I did stay in a small place on one of the side streets, one of those narrow, pedestrian streets where you could easily get lost, but I was fine. My biggest concern was trudging my luggage allllll the way down hill to the Plaza Nueva at 5am (in the rain!) in order to get a taxi to catch my 6am train! I also have some "United Statesen" friends living in the Albayzin and, about 5 years ago, they were robbed of their expensive camera equipment. Nothing has happened to them since, however. Everyone has heard a story like this, but that should deter you. These off-the-beaten-track streets should not be missed, either, but by day. Many are truly beautiful, charming, scenic, and one always leads to a new treasure. Traveling in twos or more always helps, day or night, but if you must venture out alone only take what's necessary like a little walkin-around-money, pocket-camera, notebook and addresses, and don't wear expensive jewelry, of course! Enjoy your visit to Granada and, possibly, your stay in the Albayzin!! Saludos, MadridMan AND GranadaMan @ you-know-where!!

I'll also add my "no" to your question as well as the "stay-out-of-dark-twisting-alleys-at-night" advice. It's a great place during the day...and don't forget to visit Mirador de San Nicolas to see the Alhambra at sunset. It's a great street party! I stayed in Granada for 4 days and made sure I was at San Nicolas every day at sunset. Never got tired of it. B.