The Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte sits on a hillside overlooking Granada, and getting there requires a decent uphill walk that leaves most visitors slightly breathless. But that climb becomes part of the experience – you're literally following the path that generations of cave dwellers took to reach their homes carved into the rock.

What makes this place fascinating isn't just the novelty of exploring caves, but how it reveals a way of life that continued until surprisingly recently. These eleven original caves housed families until 1963, when the last residents were relocated. Walking through them now, you get an authentic sense of how people adapted to living inside the earth – the natural insulation, the ingenious use of space, the way each cave served different purposes.

Each cave has been thoughtfully restored to showcase traditional crafts like pottery, weaving, and metalwork. The displays feel genuine rather than overly polished, and the audio guide adds layers of context without overwhelming you with information. You'll learn about the community that formed here – a mix of Gitanos, Moriscos, and others who found refuge in these hillside dwellings.

The connection to flamenco culture runs deep throughout the museum. This isn't just tourist folklore – the Sacromonte was genuinely central to flamenco's development, and the museum explores these roots through videos and exhibits that show how the art form evolved within this unique community. Some of the footage of children learning to dance is particularly moving.

From the museum's viewpoint, the Alhambra spreads across the opposite hill in all its detailed glory. It's one of those views that makes you stop mid-conversation. The contrast is striking – the grandeur of the Moorish palace complex viewed from these humble cave dwellings that sheltered Granada's marginalized communities.

The temperature inside the caves remains refreshingly cool even on scorching summer days, making this an unexpectedly practical visit during Granada's intense heat. The whitewashed walls and traditional furnishings create an atmosphere that feels both historical and lived-in.

Staff members are genuinely knowledgeable and seem to care about preserving this slice of Granada's social history. They understand that visitors come with varying levels of interest and adjust their approach accordingly. The museum succeeds because it treats its subject matter with respect while making it accessible to outsiders trying to understand a culture that's often misrepresented or romanticized.