El Banuelo (in Spanish El Bañuelo) are Arab Baths that date back to the 11th century during the time of the King Badis. They are one of the oldest and best preserved Arab baths that you can find nowadays in Spain. It is by chance that these baths are still in such a good state, as the Catholic Monarchs destroyed buildings of this type. The baths had a reputation to be like brothels and they stopped to be used during the reign of Philip III. In the XX Century, the architect Leopoldo Torres Balbás restored them, removing a laundry room and adding marble floors. El banuelo is now considered Site of Cultural Interest.
When you visit El Banuelo you will see a hallway that leads to a courtyard with a pool. From here you will be able to access the baths. They are a rectangular area surrounded by concrete walls and columns that belong to Roman ruins. The chambers feature brickwork with astonishing octagonal skylights with the shape of stars that allow the light to enter and the steam to escape the rooms. The baths are composed of 3 different rooms: The Cool Room, the Central Room and the Hot Room.
El Banuelo is located along the River Darro. The entrance is a small house that was rebuilt during Christian times.
Opening times El Banuelo
Tuesday – Saturday: From 10:00 to 14:00
Price: 2.20 EUR
Contact Details
Contact Phone: +34 958 027 971
Address: Carrera del Darro, 31, 18010 Granada, Spain
Accessibility El Banuelo
El Banuelo is wheelchair accessible.