Visit Alhambra with kids

 

How is visiting the Alhambra with kids?

In this article you will find some recommendations to have the most memorable experience adapted to your family.

 

Spain is an excellent place for the whole family to travel. Children are always welcome. Many bars and restaurants offer special menus, and some children’s fares are discounted or even free.

 

Everyone who visits Granada, regardless of age, is fascinated by the Alhambra. Children will enjoy the visit while playing around the Generalife Gardens, admiring the view from the top of Torre de la Vela, or gazing at the star-shaped ceiling in the palace.

 

Animal lovers will notice the cats in the Alhambra. There is always a lot around the garden, especially near Puerta del Vino. You will see other wild animals such as frogs, birds, ducks, squirrels, or fish in the gardens and sidewalks. All the open spaces, plants, and nature will surely be welcomed by children.

 

So, in this article, you will find everything you need to know to come with your family.

 

Let’s start with:

Things to know before visit Alhambra with kids

 

Visiting Alhambra with kids can be an amazing experience, but firstly keep in mind this things to know before visiting this beautiful palace.

 

There is no family entry. A ‘guided family tour’ may be recommended, but it does not guarantee that we will skip the lines. It is convenient because you save time and you are more relaxed with them.

 

This visit is very diverse, and there are always many things worth seeing and discovering along the way, making this visit very attractive for children. You can enjoy magnificent views of Granada or the snow-capped Sierra Nevada from almost anywhere.

 

What to see in Alhambra with kids

 

Alhambra literally means “red”. This is a fortress and palace complex, ideally situated on a hill overlooking modern Granada.  It is believed that there was an earlier building, but there is no evidence. However, the current fortress and city walls were built in the 13th century.

 

Don’t forget that Nasrid Palace is a limited-time entry. If you book through the official website, you will be asked to choose a time to visit the Nasrid Palace. Although you can stroll through the rest of the complex in your free time, you need to make sure to enter the Nasrid Palace within the designated time period. Otherwise, you may miss it.

 

Tickets are checked regularly throughout the site, so please print them out and bring them with you. When you leave the Nasrid Palace, you will find yourself in Partal Gardens.

 

These gardens are laid out in a similar style to the Generalife.

 

Lily pads with frogs and carefully manicured hedges are a real eye-catcher for children.

I recommend booking your tickets for the Nasrid Palaces in the morning, so you have plenty of time to visit the other parts of the Alhambra.

 

The Palace of Charles V

 

This palace is a very different experience from the rest of the Alhambra. First of all, it is a Renaissance-style building with a distinctly different form.

 

Inside you’ll find an air conditioned art and archaeology museum – a welcome change in the summer-  where kids can also find toys used by the Nazari children. 

Families with small children

 

Are you traveling with a baby or toddler?

 

Try to get to Alhambra about 20-30 minutes earlier than your Nasrid Palace admission time. The Nasrid Palaces and the luggage storage area on the other side of the complex (there is a side entrance at Puerta de la Justicia if you do not need to pick up infant tickets).

 

When families travel with children, they have a discount. For children under 11 years, it is free and for children between 12 to 15 years, there is a discount. It is important to know that if they purchase discounted tickets or bring minor children, they will ALWAYS have to go through the ticket office to prove the age of the minors and to get physical tickets for them and for the rest of the group. Therefore, you will ALWAYS have to get to the main entrance where the lockers are located to follow this procedure. It is recommended that you arrive in advance because there are sometimes queues.

 

Ensure you have enough time to get there and stow anything you do not want to take into the palace.

 

Strollers are not accepted inside.

 

You are not allowed to take your buggy (stroller, stroller – whatever) into Nasrid Palaces.  However, there are excellent luggage storage facilities that are attended (You need to show your passport or ID in order to leave your buggy in this place and come back to the same place when the visit is over). The luggage storage is located in Puerto del Vino, where the public toilets are located.

 

If the Alhambra is an important visit to you, please do yourself a favor and book now.

 

It ‘s easy to do on the official website. You will just need your passport or ID. In this article you will find how to buy the Alhambra tickets in 5 easy steps. 

What you cannot miss packing in your bag if you go to Alhambra with children

 

• Sunscreen.
• Hats.
• Sunglasses.
• Lots of water bottles.  (You can also buy water there just in case you forget it in advance).
• Good walking shoes.
• Cardigan or shawl to cover up (the breezes can be cool, the sun can be hot, and the winters get dark early).
• Your printed tickets and your physical ID or passport.

 

The Generalife gardens for kids

 

The Generalife is often portrayed as Alhambra’s cousin. It’s close enough to be noticed but often overlooked.

 

Built-in the 14th century, the gardens are in full bloom in the European spring. From here, you also have a beautiful view of the rest of the complex.

 

The flowers, fountains, and hedges will delight your little ones.

 

From there you can walk along with many beautiful gardens towards the Generalife, the summer palace of kings and sultans. The path takes you through cypress trees, myrtle hedges, orange trees, and a beautiful flower garden.

 

The most important element, however, is water, which you will find here in the form of many beautiful fountains and water sources. This part of the Alhambra also offers several places to relax.

How to get to the Alhambra with children

 

Taxis

To get to Alhambra by taxi, it costs approximately from 5 to 12 euros to go up from different points of the city.

 

Car

Private vehicles are not allowed to circulate around the Alhambra site or park in its vicinity.

There is a car park near the Alhambra Access Pavilion, but you will have to access it from the Carretera de la Sierra or the A44 motorway.

 

Bus

Take the C30 or C32 from Isabel Católica square (near the Columbus Monument) to the Alhambra – Generalife.

 

Walking

The walking route is done going up through the Alhambra forest.

 

Best areas of the Alhambra palace to enjoy with kids

 

The sights you should see during the visit with your children. Take notes:

 

• Nasrid Palaces, Mexuar & Lions Courtyard (this area is limited to the entrance time on your ticket).
• Generalife Gardens (there is a ticket for just the gardens if you don’t want to see the whole site).
• Calle Real & Church of Santa Maria de la Alhambra. The street that goes from Puerta del Vino to el Parador.
• Alcazaba. The oldest area.
• Charles V Palace. The center of the monument. Here you can find the toilets and general services.
• Alhambra Woods. This is the entrance that leads up from Plaza Nueva to the Justice Gate.
  

Last recommendations of visiting Alhambra with kids 

 

Go animal watching

 

There are many frogs, squirrels, fish, and birds in the many gardens of the Alhambra. Since there are many feral cats, it will not be long before you hear “Kitty!”.

Allow plenty of time

 

The Alhambra is quite large. There are many different areas, and you have to walk around a lot.

 

An average visit to the Alhambra takes 3 hours. With children, it can also take several hours longer.

 

This trip will take you all day, so take it slow and stop periodically for a snack in the areas that are suitable for eating.

 

Allow time for:

 

• The incredible mosaics and colorful tiles of the Nazarite palaces.
• Watching the sunset on the towers of the Alcazaba.
• A walk through the labyrinthine gardens of Generalife.
• The magnificent view over Granada and the snow-capped Sierra Nevada.

 

When is the better season to visit the Alhambra with children?

 

During the summer months, temperatures in Granada can be very high, and a visit may be less suitable for young children.

 

I recommend visiting in the spring or autumn.

 

In conclusion…

 

Do you know that feeling that you have just visited a place, and then you feel like you want to go back?

 

That’s how you could feel after visiting Alhambra. You could be mesmerized by the incredible craftsmanship, complexity, and grandeur of the Alhambra, and also your kids!

 

It is simply impossible to miss.

 

Are you considering visiting the Alhambra with children?

 

I have a tailored tour for your family, adapted to children. The most memorable experience adapted to you!

 

I also invite you to click the link below to download my free Ebook with all you need to know before visiting Granada.