Kid's Activities in Granada

Q: What would you recommend for a visit to Granada with a 7 and 9 year old?

A: For that age group Granada has a lot to offer and you can easily find the balance between the fun stuff and the more ’educational’ activities. 

If you are staying in the city be aware that it gets very hot in July and August but there is a good selection of city hotels with pools.

Historical and educational Granada

The Alhambra is a great place to take your kids. My best advice would be to plan your visit well (timing, ticket purchase and collection) to avoid lots of queuing, take it at their pace and don’t expect to see  everything, and do a bit of research into the history of the place to get them engaged before you go.

The Science Park caters for all ages and is a good all-year-round, all-weather option. Highlights include the observation tower, the butterfly house and the journey into the human body. Again, to get them engaged, see if you can tie your visit in with anything that your kids are currently learning at school or let them be in charge of deciding which exhibits to visit.

The old neighbourhood of El Albayzín is a fascinating place to explore. It offers great views out over the Alhambra and lots of bars and restaurants where you can enjoy some of Granada’s famous free tapas. Perhaps the best time to visit with kids is in the early evening when the temperatures are dropping and you get some great shots of the Alhambra in the pink light of the sunset.

Excursions and activities

There are lots of great walks in Granada Province (in Lecrín, La Alpujarra, Dilar) but if you are looking for somewhere that is within easy reach of the city Los Cahorros near Monachil is a fantastic option and the kids will love it. With waterfalls, hanging bridges, caves and tunnels to explore this will be a real adventure for kids in this age group.

The Sierra Nevada Ski Station has year round activities for children. Out of season the cable car and chair lift are operating and the recreational area Fuente del Mirlo Blanco offers some great activities for kids including the roller-sled, bike slalom, slides, children’s park, trampolines, zip-lining, and even ice-skating.  With an average temperature of 20ºC this is a great place to go to escape the summer heat but don’t forget your sunscreen!

Horse riding in the mountains. Established over 20 years ago  Caballo Blanco in Lanjarón (40 minutes from the city centre) is one of Andalucía’s leading riding centres offering rides between one hour and multi-day treks into the hills and mountains. Novices and children are very welcome.

Beach and water parks. Granada’s Costa Tropical has some great beaches within and hour of the city and there are two water parks open to you in Granada from June to September.

Aquaola is just outside Granada and a great option if you are based in the city with kids in need of an antidote to hot city sightseeing. The other is Aqua Tropic down on the coast in Almuñécar, the only saltwater park in Spain, and, therefore, the more environmentally friendly of the two.

For more ideas check out our Top Ten Things to do with Kids in Granada