Walking through Granada's old town, you'll inevitably stumble upon what locals call the Calle de las Teterías. Officially named Calderería Nueva, this narrow pedestrian street earned its nickname from the dozens of Moroccan-style tea houses that line its cobbled path.

The street sits in the lower Albaicín, just minutes from Plaza Nueva. What strikes you first isn't the sight but the smell – mint tea, spices, and incense create this almost intoxicating atmosphere that some visitors dramatically compare to stepping into Marrakech. While that's a bit of an exaggeration, there's definitely something transportive about the place.

The name Calderería comes from the area's past as a workshop district where craftsmen made and repaired cauldrons. Today, alongside its sister street Calderería Vieja, it forms Granada's most concentrated hub of tea culture and North African commerce. The narrow, labyrinthine layout is classic Albaicín – you feel like you're navigating through centuries of history.

Most people come for the teterías, and honestly, they're worth experiencing. Traditional Moroccan mint tea served with an assortment of pastries like baklava, all in dimly lit spaces decorated with carved wood, metallic lamps, and intricate tilework. Some places like Kasbah have expanded beyond tea to offer full meals and even local wines, which feels slightly incongruous but works.

Between the tea houses, you'll find shops selling everything from ornate glass lanterns to leather slippers, jewelry, and textiles. The quality varies wildly, and prices definitely reflect the tourist traffic. I've learned to browse first and compare before buying anything.

The architecture here is fascinating – low buildings with traditional Moorish influences, wooden balconies, and that distinctive irregular stone paving that makes comfortable shoes essential. The street gets incredibly crowded in the evenings when both tourists and university students flood in. Early morning visits reveal a completely different character.

Getting here is straightforward from the city center since the entire area is pedestrianized. The C31, C32, and C34 microbuses stop at Plaza Nueva, putting you right at the entrance to Calderería Nueva. An audio guide can provide deeper historical context about how this area evolved from medieval workshops to today's multicultural marketplace.

The experience feels authentic despite the obvious tourist orientation. It's Granada's way of preserving and commercializing its Andalusí heritage, and it mostly works without feeling too manufactured.