With its distinctive historical past and well-known tapas, a Granada metropolis break makes the right lengthy weekend of exploring and consuming, and an awesome vacation spot for households with older children specifically.
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Exploring the Alhambra is fascinating for youthful youngsters too, and when you might need to skip the cobbled hills of the Albaicin for those whoโve bought a buggy, Spain is extremely family-friendly, so that youโll be welcomed in every single place.
So for those whoโre contemplating visiting Granada with children, Iโve pulled collectively all the guidelines and inspiration in my posts, in addition to extra recommendation, to this Granada metropolis break information.ย
Granada: Getting there/round
There are at the moment no direct flights from the UK to Granada (there have beforehand been direct flights from London with British Airways, EasyJet and Vueling amongst others). For now, you possibly can fly not directly through one other Spanish airport, together with Barcelona and Madrid
Thereโs a daily airport bus from Granada airport to the centre, and taxis price round 30 Euros.
In any other case, the closest airport is Malaga, round 125km or a 90-minute drive away, with each bus and prepare hyperlinks.
When youโre in Granada, itโs very simple to get round on foot. For those whoโd slightly not climb countless hills, thereโs additionally a great bus community together with routes as much as the Alhambra and Sacromonte, with single fares costing 1,60 Euros (which can be utilized for as much as 60 minutes for those who switch onto one other bus)
There are additionally Credibus playing cards with cheaper fares, which is price taking a look at for those whoโre planning to make use of the bus rather a lot or are staying longer. The minimal credit score you possibly can add is 5 euros, and thereโs a 2 euro cost for the cardboard (which you may get refunded).
The place to remain in Granada
We stayed in an AirBNB flat inย the Albaicin which was compact however excellent for 2, on a quiet avenue and really central for exploring. For those whoโre travelling with children, take a look at my ideas for one of the best child-friendly flats too.
For those whoโre searching for motels in Granada, reserving.com is all the time a great place to start out, together with motels with free cancellation.
For someplace memorable, take a look at i-escape for boutique motels too, in addition to Paradores of Spain for some fabulous transformed outdated buildings throughout the nation, together with stays in Granada. Be ready to e-book a great distance prematurely for these although, particularly at busy occasions.
What to see in Granada
For those who love historical past and structure, Granada is a dream vacation spot for a metropolis break nevertheless itโs additionally a incredible place to wander, take in the solar and sights, and chill out โ the Alhambra is deservedly the large draw (take a look at my tip on visiting under) however thatโs not the one purpose to e-book a visit.
Discover the completely different quarters of the town and a few of its foremost landmarks and also youโll take a journey by its historical past, and study concerning the individuals who lived right here over the centuries.
Town is thought for its viewpoints or miradors, particularly San Nicolas, wanting down onto the pink roofs of the town and out to the snow-topped mountains of the Sierra Nevadas, so save time to benefit from the views too.
Moorish Granada
Granada was the final outpost of Al Andalus, and the town remains to be the a part of Spain the place the outdated Moorish environment endures most strongly. Not simply within the Alhambra itself however within the winding streets of the Albaicin.
Wander the twisting alleyways to find viewpoints out over the town, fairly squares, whitewashed buildings and a few of the oldest elements of the town.
Learn my recommendations on exploring Moorish Granada
Granadaโs Catholic legacy
Isabella and Ferdinand united Spain throughout their rule, with Catholic Granadaย as one in every of their crowning achievements, ending the road of Moorish kings who created the Alhambra.
At the moment, the cathedral dominates the town, in case youโre in any doubt as to the eventual victors, whereas the Capilla Actual, one other of the historic buildings created of their reign additionally holds their tomb.
Learn my recommendations on discovering Granadaโs Catholic legacy
Granada off the crushed vacationer monitor
Heading barely out of the centre takes you to the outdated Jewish quarter within the Realejo, whose inhabitants are thought to have given Granada its identify.
Little stays of Jewish Granada or the Jewish neighborhood however thereโs a small Sephardic Museumย telling the neighbourhoodโs story, in addition to extra picturesque streets (and lots for foodies).
Learn extra about Jewish Granada
Sacromonte: Views and Granadaโs Roma historical past
If there was nothing else to Sacromonteย however the views, it could nonetheless be price climbing the hill (or hopping on a bus).
However Sacromonte can be the location of but extra of Granadaโs legends, in addition to the house of the townโs Roma neighborhood, together with some fascinating cave dwellings relationship again to the 14th century within the small museum.
Town is dwelling to a protracted flamenco custom โ the actual stuff, not the spangled vacationer dolls โ and that is the world youโll discover it too.
Learn extra about what to see in Sacromonte
The place to eat in Granada
Tapas and the alternate options
Town is known for being one of many few left in Spain the place youโll get a free โtapaโ along with your drink, though thatโs getting rarer. Thereโs loads of tapas which is price paying for although, together with extra conventional menus in a few of Granadaโs finest eating places
Breakfast on chocolate
Thereโs loads of strolling to be performed in Granada, so gasoline up earlier than you begin with Spainโs well-known doughnuts dipped in chocolate courtesy of the townโs prime churros.
The basic cease is theย Gran Cafeย on Plaza Bib-Rambla โ relationship again to 1907, itโs additionally the townโs oldest. So that youโre fairly properly sightseeing as the identical time.
Ice cream with model
it was chilly Spring once we visited but when the solarโs shining, right hereโs the place to get your scoop of Granadaโs finest gelato.
Plan your go to to Granada
Ideas for the Alhambra
From timed tickets to advance reserving and the right way to get across the sprawling palaces, listed here are my prime recommendations on visiting the Alhambraย to get probably the most of your go to to this fabulousย world heritage website.
Guidebooks and vacationer information
I additionally purchased the Granada chapter from Lonely Planetโs Andalucia informationย which has extra ideas and recommendation, whereas there are additionallyย vacationer workplaces across the metropolis with maps and leaflets to select up.
For those whoโre trying to brush up your vocab, take a look at my evaluate of Lonely Planetโs Quick Discuss Spanish for important phrases.
Itโs additionally simple to mix a go to to Granada with a few of Andaluciaโs different great historic cities, equivalent to a day in Ronda with children or a keep in Seville with children.
Granada excursions
Take a look at a few of the finest excursions of Granada on Viator and Get Your Information, together with Segway and bike excursions.
For extra inspiration of locations to go to in Andalucia, take a look at my choose of the highest issues to do in Seville with children and concepts for what to do in Ronda with children
*First written in 2014. Up to date 2026*
PIN FOR LATER: GRANADA CITY BREAK GUIDE
Disclosure: This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks โ any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Pictures copyright MummyTravels/Cathy Winston
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