The Story of the Alhambra for Children

The Alhambra is both a palace and a castle, built more than 700 years on top of a hill in Granada.

Here we explain it in simple terms, so you can tell the children about it. And finally, what parents need to know about the tickets – there’s a bit of a trick to it.

What is the Alhambra?

Imagine a tiny town surrounded by walls. Inside lived the king, his family and all the people who worked for him: cooks, soldiers, gardeners and craftsmen.

That is the Alhambra: palaces to live in, towers to keep watch from, walls to defend against attack, and gardens full of water.

And it consists of four main parts:

• The Alcazaba, which used to be the military zone, with its watchtowers and soldiers. It is the oldest part.
• The Nasrid Palaces, where the king lived. It’s the most beautiful thing of all.
• The Generalife, the country house with orchards and gardens where the king used to go to rest.
• The Palace of Charles V, which was built much later, when the Christian kings were already in power.

Who built it?

The Nasrid kings, who were the last Muslim kings of Spain. They began it in the 13th century.

It wasn’t done by just one person: each king added new rooms and gardens, so it took many, many years for it to become as we see it today. The two who carried out the most building work were:

• Yusuf I, which raised the Comares Tower, where the throne room was located.
• Muhammad V, his son, who built the Courtyard of the Lions.

So what happened in 1492?

That year The Catholic Monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand, conquered Granada, and with that, they were almost finished 800 years of Muslim kingdoms on the Iberian Peninsula.

But here’s the interesting bit: They did not destroy the Alhambra. They thought it was so beautiful that they kept it and they stayed there to live. Years later, the emperor Charles V He had his own palace built inside, which is why two very different architectural styles now coexist within the same complex.

Why is it called the Alhambra?

Because it means «the red one» in Arabic: al-Hamra.

And there are two explanations, both of which are lovely:

• Because of the colour of its walls. They are made from compacted earth and lime, and the clay in the area is reddish. At sunset, when the sun shines on them, they take on an almost orange hue.
• Named after the nickname of the king who founded it. His name was Muhammad ibn al-Ahmar, y al-Ahmar It means «the Red One», because of the colour of his beard.

Just one thing I’d like to mention: Many people believe it is made of red stone, and that’s not the case. It is clay from the hill itself, pressed and mixed with lime.

Three things to look out for during your visit

Children find it much easier if they’re looking for specific things. These three are easy and there’s a prize to be won:

1. The Twelve Lions which support the fountain in the Patio de los Leones. Let them count them. We’ll count them in the Patio de los Leones.
2. The secret phrase on the walls. There is one written in Arabic that is repeated thousands of times throughout the palace, and it says, «There is no victor but God». Once they learn to recognise it, they see it everywhere. It is in The inscriptions of the Alhambra.
3. Water. It flows through small channels, fountains and ponds all over the grounds, and comes from the mountains without pumps or motors: using only the force of gravity. We explain this in the fountains of the Alhambra.

And for the journey, The Legends of the Alhambra y Eight interesting facts.

🎟️ Tickets: what you need to know

This section is for adults, and it is advisable to read it in full.

Ages

• Children under 12: free.
• Ages 12 to 15: reduced rate.
• Aged 16 and over: adult fare.

⚠️ And here’s the error that causes the most frustration: Children need a ticket, even if it’s free. You still have to take it out, and at the same time as the others. It’s not enough for parents to bring it in: everyone must bring their own.

Book well in advance

Tickets sell out months in advance. It’s no exaggeration: during peak season, it’s common for there to be no places left for the following weeks.

The official channel is the Alhambra and Generalife Trust. It’s a good idea to check the daily rates there, as they are updated regularly.

⚠️ Beware of resellers

If you see adverts for tickets with eye-catching discounts or «2 for 1» offers, be wary. The Board does not run that sort of promotion outside its own channels, and there are websites circulating that sell tickets which are then invalid for entry.

The day of the visit

• You must bring your original national identity card or passport of each visitor.
• Entry to the Nasrid Palaces is at a specific time And you have to be on time: if you miss it, you won’t be allowed in.
• Each area is visited only once, so there’s no going back.

Tips for travelling with children

• Comfortable footwear: It’s a walk of several hours, and there are slopes and steps.
• Water, especially in summer.
• Take your time. It’s better to see less and enjoy it than to rush through the whole thing.
• Start with the Generalife If they’re very young: the gardens keep them more entertained than the exhibition halls.

A family trip from Málaga

We are a local tour operator based in Málaga with over 50 years’ experience organising trips around Andalusia. The excursion includes admission tickets, which is the hardest thing to find, and avoids driving and parking:

The first option includes admission and a guided tour; the second is exploring the city at your own pace. Before you go, How to visit the Alhambra, and for the rest of the day, What to see in Granada.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Alhambra, explained for children?

It is like a tiny city surrounded by walls, built over 700 years ago on top of a hill in Granada. Inside lived the king, his family and all the people who worked for him. It consists of four parts: the Alcazaba, which was the soldiers’ quarter; the Nasrid Palaces, where the king lived; the Generalife, with its orchards and gardens; and the Palace of Charles V, built much later.

Who built the Alhambra?

The Nasrid kings, the last Muslim kings of Spain, from the 13th century onwards. It was not built by a single person: each king added rooms and gardens over the course of many years. Those who undertook the most construction were Yusuf I, who built the Tower of Comares, and his son Muhammad V, who built the Courtyard of the Lions.

What does the name ‘Alhambra’ mean?

Because in Arabic, al-Hamra means «the red one». There are two explanations: the reddish colour of its walls, made from earth and lime compacted from the hill itself, which appear orange at sunset; and the nickname of the king who founded it, Muhammad ibn al-Ahmar, known as «the Red» because of the colour of his beard. It is worth clarifying that it is not built of red stone, as is often claimed.

Do children have to pay an admission fee at the Alhambra?

Children under 12 get in free, those aged 12 to 15 pay a reduced rate, and from the age of 16 onwards, the adult rate applies. It is important to note that children need their own ticket, even if it is free, and that this must be obtained at the same time as the others: it is not enough for parents to simply bring their own.

How far in advance do you need to book tickets?

Months in advance. Tickets often sell out, and during peak season it is common for there to be no places left for the following weeks. The official channel is the Alhambra and Generalife Tourist Board’s website, where you should also check the current prices, as these are updated regularly. Be wary of websites advertising large discounts or ‘two-for-one’ offers.

What should I bring with me on the day of the visit?

Each visitor must present their original national identity card or passport, as this is compulsory. It is also advisable to wear comfortable shoes, as the tour lasts several hours and involves slopes and steps, and to bring water during the hot months. Admission to the Nasrid Palaces is time-slotted and punctuality is essential: once the allocated time has passed, entry is not permitted.