Granada with Kids: A European City Break

(Last Updated On: October 20, 2023)

If you’re planning a trip to Granada with kids, you’re on the right path. Granada is a must-visit city that offers a unique holiday experience combining delicious food, family-friendly attractions, and fantastic accommodation options.

Here is our complete guide to planning and making the most out of a Granada city break with kids, whether you have 1 day in Granada or 4 days in Granada, Spain. We’ll also show you some top day trip options for your short break to Granada, Spain.

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Top 10 Things to do in Granada with Kids

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Granada City (Credit: Evgenii)

Granada is one of the most emblematic cities in Spain, with a lot of history and culture, both of the country and the region.

Here is a list of the 10 best things to do in Granada, Spain, with kids.


1.  Visit the famous Alhambra

alhambra, granada with kids
The Alhambra, Spain

The Alhambra is one of the country’s most important cultural heritage sites, and visiting is one of the main activities in Granda, Spain. The Alhambra consists of a large fortress, elegant and aristocratic palaces and beautiful and large gardens. It is hundreds of years old and is well worth a visit.

Children can see what the fortress is like and walk the corridors as if they were royalty. We recommend you book a guided tour. The tours include the tickets, the guide and, in some cases also, the pick-up of the family from their hotel.

We recommend you purchase tickets in advance here.


2. Enjoy the views and vegetation of the Carmen de los mártires Garden

Despite its proximity to the Alhambra, this garden is a jewel hidden from many tourists. It is a set of beautiful gardens and a small palace. Perfect for taking photos, relaxing and enjoying the views.

Children can play in peace and quiet and explore the garden. We recommend that if you go to Alhambra or enjoy good views, take pictures and be surrounded by nature. It is one of the best free things to do in Granada, Spain.


3. Visit the Science Park

granada with kids
(Credit: Frederic’s Photography)

In the heart of the city, just a few minute’s walk from the city centre, is the Science Park – a museum and science centre with different interactive exhibitions. The park has a museum, BioDome and a planetarium. The prices of the tickets depend on what you are going to visit.

We recommend a complete visit; the total prices for this would be: Adult €13.50 per person and €11 for those under 18 or over 65.


4. See a live Flamenco Show

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Flamenco is one of the most emblematic dances of this country, so seeing a live flamenco show is one of the most indispensable things to do in Granda, Spain, with kids.

Granada is known for the active presence of this type of music, dance and singing, so it is not surprising to find a group (formal or informal) playing this type of music in some places in the city.

If you want your family to see one of these shows, the offer is very wide, and in certain places in Granada, such as the so-called “Sacromonte” area (a hill within the city area), there are a large number of these shows.

As a recommendation, we suggest the flamenco show offered by “Cueva de la Rocio” in the same area of Sacromonte. The show + a drink price is between 12€ and 23€ per person. If you prefer the show + dinner, the price is between 27€ and 55€.

For more information, visit: https://cuevalarocio.es/en/


5. Admire the Views San Cristobal

granada with kids
Views from San Cristobal (Credit: Paul VanDerWerf)

The San Cristobal viewpoint is a place that many tourists visit and from where you can get a full view of the city. Perfect for some family photos as a souvenir.

Many tourists don’t know that there is a small square just a few minute’s walk from the viewpoint. Visiting the Plaza Larga del Albaicín is one of the unusual things to do in Granada.

However, it is a square that enchants the few who come to discover it. It is a small square, but the good thing about it is that it is full of local food establishments, and it is common to see some shows or small market there.

It is a very pleasant place to enjoy some time out and get a little more immersed in Spanish society. Don’t miss it!


6. Spend a day at Federico García Lorca Park

granada with kids

It’s always good to get away from the city for a few moments and enjoy the calm of the open air, far from the noise.

Visiting this park is one of the best free things to do in Granada, Spain, because it can be reached within a 10-minute walk from the city centre, but the park is so big and right on the edge of the city, making it a great place to spend a quiet day with the family.

The park is named in honour of the Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca, whose house museum is in the centre of the park.

There are ponds, children’s areas, gardens, an orchard, etc. It is one of the many parks in Granada, but one of the best and biggest, if you want to take some time with your family, don’t forget this place! (*Important* check the opening hours, the park is closed in the evenings).

Related Post: Sofia with Kids


7. Walk Along “Paseo de los tristes” 

granada with kids

Don’t be fooled by the name of the area (literally “Paseo de los tristes” = “The walk of sad people”). The name comes from the fact that in the past, it was where funeral processions passed through on their way to the San José cemetery in Granada.

It is one of the most beautiful streets in the city – next to the Darro River, which runs through Granada, and is located just below the hill on which the famous Alhambra is located, which makes this walk one of the most picturesque views in the city.

There are also several artisan shops, cafes or restaurants where you can relax and admire the views with the family. Perfect for a break between activities, but beware, time passes faster than it seems while you’re there.


8. Refresh and have fun at the Aquaola Waterpark

This is one of the things to do for kids in Spain that they will love the most. The park has many water pools and attractions. There are different attractions where children can have fun. Of course, there are also attractions for adults. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most fun things to do in Granada, Spain, for the whole family.

The water park is open every day from 11:30 to 19:00. Tickets are valid for as long as you want during the day, and the price is 15€ for adults and 9€ for children; children with less than 0.95 meters enter free. But if you only want to go for a while, we recommend you to go in the afternoon, after 3 p.m., as the price is 10€ for adults and 6€ for children.

To get there, you need to take a taxi or a bus (recommended) from line 33 of Granada to the Cenes de la Vega, in minutes. Once there, the waterpark transport passes very often.

For more information, visit: https://www.lovegranada.com/children/water-parks/


9.  Buy Souvenirs in Alcaiceria

spices, market, granada
Souvenirs in Granada, Spain

The Alcaiceria sells Spanish souvenirs, handicrafts and other products. We recommend a visit to this collection of shops even if you just want to browse and not buy, as the architecture of the buildings is very interesting.

The Alcaicería is located just a few minutes walk from the Cathedral of Granada, on Gran Via avenue. Also, if you are visiting Granada in summer or you like ice cream all year round, a few streets away, on Gran Via street, you will find the ice-cream parlour “Los Italianos”.

It is a famous and popular ice cream parlour in the city with delicious ice-creams.

There is nothing nicer than good ice cream to refresh yourself before visiting the shops. (We recommend the “cassata” and the coffee ice cream).


10. Ride the Granada Tourist Train!

The Granada tourist train takes you to the city’s most important sights and attractions. An audio guide reveals information about the places the train passes through, available in many languages.

The tourist train runs during the day and at night and stops at the main tourist sites such as the Alhambra, Paseo de los Tristes, Mirador de San Cristobal, etc. It takes approximately 20 minutes at the most for another train to pass the same stop.

The price for the 1-day tour is 8€ per person between 9 and 65 years old and allows you to get on the train as many times as you want during the day. The price for a 2-day ticket is €12 per person. For the over 65s, the price of a 1-day ticket is €4, and a 2-day ticket is €6. Children up to 8 years old travel free when accompanied by an adult.


How to Get to Granada, Spain

Once off the plane, there are several ways to get from Granada Airport. The best are:

Taxi (fastest). 25-30€ approximately to go to the city of Granada, depending on the destination area within the city.

Bus (cheapest). 3€/person approx. In the airport’s arrivals area, there is a bus stop for the bus line that runs between the airport and the city of Granada. (*Important!* Be careful as another bus line goes to Jaén, another city not far from Granada; ask first!)

Another possible way to arrive is by bus from other cities near Granada, like Malaga. In this case, the bus ticket will cost 11-14€/person,


When is the Best Time to Visit Granada?

Deciding when to travel to Granda with kids can be complex. Although travelling to Granada with kids is satisfying all year round, there are differences depending on when you travel to this city, as the weather and a huge number of people. The best months to visit Granada are:

Granada in May

This month is when the weather is the best for visiting the city. It is not as cold as in the first months of the year and not as hot as in July and August. It is also a good way to avoid the peak visitor season in Granada (September and October).

Granada in January

Although this month is considerably cooler than May, it is when the city is less crowded. If you prefer a quieter and calmer time to visit Granada and don’t mind the colder weather, this is the best month for you.

View our city break guide to Barcelona here


Where to Stay in Granada with Kids

In the city centre itself and its surrounding areas, you will find good deals to consider, being close to the main tourist sites and avoiding the more nightlife streets.

Here are some recommendations of hotels for families with different prices, depending on what you are thinking of spending on accommodation.


Budget: Hotel Reina Cristina

The rooms from this hotel have good views, and there are cots, restaurant, cafeteria and other facilities available.

It is located in the city centre (Calle Tablas nº4), a few minutes away from two emblematic parks in the centre of Granada, Plaza de los Lobos and Plaza de la Trinidad. For an extra charge, airport, transfers and city tours are offered.


Mid-Range: Hotel Santa Isabel La Real

The Santa Isabel La Real is a small family-run hotel with a good location and old architecture. Breakfast is included. It has a fantastic location in the centre (Calle Santa Isabel La Real 17 and 19), with very good views of the city and close to several viewpoints.

The city’s tourist bus stops near the entrance. For an extra fee, you can get tickets to a guided visit to the Alhambra (Granada’s most emblematic site) or book for a dinner and flamenco show, typical of Granada.


Splashing Out: Hotel Alhambra Palace

The Alhambra Palace is a luxurious hotel with ancient architecture in the upper part of Granada. It has some of the city’s best views or the surrounding forest.

The rooms are well equipped. The hotel offers quality leisure services, such as cultural events in its lounges, quality restaurant and terraces with great views to relax.

For extra charges, you can get children’s menus, babysitting/child services, airport pick-up and information and guided tours of the city’s main monuments and tourist areas.



Where to Eat in Granada with Kids

Spain is a country with amazing gastronomy with its “Mediterranean Diet”. In Granada, there is also a typical form of food, the “tapas”. Tapas can be found in most parts of Spain, but the most typical is undoubtedly in the area of Granada.

Tapas is a small portion of food that is served with a drink, alcoholic or not. In many places, they usually charge you for the drink and for “free” (as the drink in these Tapas places may be slightly more expensive) they give you your “tapa” of food. Tapas are diverse, ranging from meat in sauce to a piece of bread with some kind of local sausage or Serrano ham.

“Tapas” refers more to the way the food is served than to the food itself. Even so, many people consider tapas the best food in Spain.

Where to eat in Granada? There is a wide range of bars, restaurants and other food places in Granada. Here are some varied recommendations for good food in Granada. We have included a Spanish place, other Arabic, other vegan and other with really good tapas.

If you want to find out more about Granada’s tapas, older kids will love this guided tapas food tour.


Try the Spanish cuisine at La Telefónica Restaurant.

La Telefónica is a Spanish Mediterranean restaurant. It is located in the centre, and just a few minutes walk from the Cathedral of Granada. It is a great option to try Spanish food, and there are many dishes that most children will enjoy. Vegetarian options are available.


Vegan Restaurant Hicuri.

Hicuri Restaurant serves Spanish and European vegan cuisine. It has quite a few options and some interesting ones for children. The price is affordable, with a Daily Menu for 14.50€, but there is also an à la carte menu with other dishes, but the daily menu is the most complete.

If you are vegan or if you fancy trying this type of food, don’t hesitate to go to this restaurant. It is also centrally located. Just a few minute’s walk from the cathedral of Granada.


Restaurante Arrayanes.

Their cuisine is African, Moroccan, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern. They also have options suitable for vegetarians, vegans and celiacs. Also Halal.

Resturante Arrayanes has an extensive and tasting menu to try various things (recommended!). They also offer Arabic and Moroccan desserts. If you dare to try it, you won’t be disappointed. The restaurant is well located, close to the city centre, just a few minute’s walk from the Cathedral of Granada.

For more information visit the official website. You can also find it on Tripadvisor.


La Pajuana

La Pajuana is a bar/restaurant serving Mediterranean, European and Spanish cuisine. One of its strong points is the tapas, although the rest of the menu is also interesting.

The tapas are varied and there are several dishes that children are sure to enjoy. It’s a nice place, with good service and delicious food.

The price is good; drink + tapa 1.50€. If you go to Granada, don’t miss the opportunity to try the tapas. They are a good combination of food and drink.

For more information, view La Pajuna on TripAdvisor here


How to Spend 2 Days in Granada with Kids

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Are there a lot of things to see in Granada or you don’t know how to spend 2 days in Granada, Spain, with kids? Don’t worry, here are some recommendations on how to spend some days in Granada with kids. You can change it all you want. Enjoy!


Day 1: 24 Hours in Granada

Granada views
Granada Views (Credit: Antonio Di Giorgio)

Morning: First. Take the tourist train (“Granada City Tour”) so that you have tickets for the day(s) you will be in Granada and allow you to ride as many times as necessary. Also, see the city and hear the audio guide.

After that, walk along the Paseo de Los Tristes to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Alhambra and nature. Despite its name, the Paseo de Los Tristes is one of the most beautiful places in the city.

Afternoon: Take the tourist train again and go to the San Cristobal viewpoint, in the Albaicin. There are very good views. Then you can walk to Plaza Larga del Albaicín, not very known by tourists, some minutes from the viewpoint.

The Plaza has some local shops and local food. There usually are some performances and a little market.

Afterwards, we recommend that you enjoy one of the flamenco shows in the Albaicín or Sacromonte areas while all of you have a drink o dinner.

If you want a recommendation, in the Sacromonte area (a few minutes walk from the Albaicín) is the Cueva de La Rocío, which offers this type of show and service. However, there are a lot of places.


Day 2: 48 Hours in Granada

Morning: It is time to visit the Alhambra. We recommend you to book the ticket before going. Once there, enjoy the experience! You can arrive there on the tourist train

If you have time another interesting place near there is the Carmen de los Mártires Garden. A very big and beautiful garden with very good views.

Afternoon: Visit the Science Park of Granada. It has a museum, BioDome and a planetarium.

After that, visit the Alcaicería for souvenirs while you eat ice cream from “Los Italianos”, Granada’s most famous ice cream, or eat a Pionono at Casa Ysla before going to the shops. It will be a nice way to end the 2 days in Granada.

Read More: Valencia with Kids


3 Days in Granada with Kids

We recommend having a family day out in Federico García Lorca Park.

Afterwards, you could walk by Carrera del Darro, a beautiful and romantic street near Paseo de los Tristes, Mirando el río y las Tiendas. If you are there in the sunset, ending these 3 days in Granada is really beautiful.


4 Days in Granada with Kids

How spend 4 days in Granada, Spain with kids?

If you have 4 days in Granada, we recommend you follow the other day’s plans and, in this one, visit the Aquaola Water Park with your family


Places to visit near Granada, Spain with Kids

If you’re planning a day trip from Granada, there are plenty of family-friendly options. Here are our top recommendations:


Sierra Nevada

One of Granada’s main attractions outside the city and in Spain is the Sierra Nevada. A snowy mountain range almost all year round.

Here it is possible to ski and also to hike. If you don’t have the equipment, you can rent it there. There are also activities for children all year round. It can only be reached by car, taxi or bus (recommended) from the bus station in Granada.

To sum up, the total cost of everything needed to get there and ski would be approximately 80€ per adult (over 15 years old) and approximately 55€ for a child (under 15 years old); assuming you travel there by bus.

There are also sightseeing tours with transport from Granda for hiking, local food and other activities in the Sierra Nevada. The price of these tours varies.

For older kids, we reccomend tbis Sierra Nivada 4WD tour


Nerja Caves

The Nerja Caves are a set of large natural caves that are quite a spectacle. Children will love exploring them and discovering the galleries. There is no direct transport to the caves, so it is advisable to book a tour from the city of Granada.

The price depends on the tour chosen, but for illustrative purposes, some cost approximately €85 per adult, €48 for children aged 3-11 and €7 for children aged 2 and under. It includes the trip, the guide and in some cases also lunch.

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Almuñécar Beach

It is possible if you are interested in visiting the coast while you are in Granada. Almuñecar beach is very close to Granada (about 1 hour by bus for about 7€). When the bus arrives at the bus station in Almuñecar, you only have to walk 10 minutes south to find one of the best beaches in Granada.


How to Get Around Granada

Tourist Train: To get around the city the best way is by tourist train (also called “Granada City Tour”). This is because it stops at many tourist sites and the price is quite affordable. A 1-day ticket costs 8€ for those over 9 years old. For the rest, there is a discount.

Bus: Another way to get around the city is to use the city buses. However, it should be noted that the system is not designed for tourists (everything is in Spanish). But if you speak Spanish, these buses are a good way to get around the city at €1.40 per trip per person.


Plan Your Trip to Granada

View flight deals to Granada

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Sylvie Simpson is the founder of European Cities with Kids. For the past 6 years, she has been travelling all over Europe whenever she has the chance, both solo, for work and with her daughter. Sylvie is on a mission to help people make the most of city breaks in Europe with kids and helps over 50,000 readers per month plan and make the most of their trips in Europe with kids.

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