When we finally made it to Spain, I honestly had no idea what to really expect. I had done a little bit of research about the area we were planning on staying in, but I didn't really look at many of the other cities once I found out we were going to be staying somewhat near Cordoba and Granada. If you are planning your own trip to Andalusia, I highly recommend checking out Expedia to find a central spot to stay so you can explore both. I realize now that those are essential cities to visit, and we were lucky enough to see several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including a Wonder of the World: the Alhambra (The Alhambra Official Website).

It is worth noting that you cannot park a private vehicle anywhere near the Alhambra. Unless you are staying at one of the on-site hotels you find on Expedia, you either have to walk up the steep hill from the city center or take a taxi. There are Ubers that have access to the drop-off points, and you can use my code to sign up for Uber if you haven't already. Don't expect to be able to drive your own car up there. There is a bus system that runs through Granada and it is relatively effective, but those buses can be quite packed. If you have small children, consider your options carefully. A taxi or Uber from the bottom of the hill to the top is around €10. At various points throughout our stay in Granada, Ubers were more effective than taxis and vice-versa. It is worth having access to both if you plan to see a broad section of the city. You can walk through most of the historic district easily, but for that uphill trek, being prepared with Uber is a lifesaver.

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In case you have never heard of it, the Alhambra is a beautiful historical palace and fortress complex that is basically the pinnacle of Islamic architecture in Europe. It started out as a small fortress in the year 889, but it was the Nasrid dynasty in the 13th century that really turned it into the "Red Castle" we see today. They didn't just build a palace: they built a city inside a fortress, complete with running water and incredible engineering that was centuries ahead of its time. After the Spanish Reconquista in 1492, the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, moved in and kept it as a royal palace. It is one of those places that has survived through so many different eras of history, and you can really feel that depth when you walk through the Nasrid Palaces. If you want to actually understand the stories behind the carvings, I definitely suggest booking an Alhambra Guided Tour so you don't miss the details.

Initially, we thought we would bring our kids and very quickly found out that was a gigantic mistake. Thankfully, we had grandparents available to take them so my wife and I got the chance to explore independently. I am so grateful for that because being able to enjoy it at our own pace was exactly what we wanted. We went in the middle of a weekday in January and it was still quite busy, so I can only imagine how packed it gets in the summer. I hadn't really done much research on the place, so I didn't know much about it, honestly. Frankly, I'm glad, because everything was such a beautiful surprise. There were so many ornate details in each room that were worth spending time examining: it is one of those things that pictures could never really do justice. You really just have to get up close and see it for yourself.

I think places like this are naturally very emotional for a lot of people. I started feeling a variety of feelings throughout the walk through the palace (including a sore neck). There are some rooms that are just very heavy with history in a positive way. It is an interesting mix being around people from all over the world because everyone celebrates the space in their own way. Some people just want to take pictures and get on with it, while others want to sit and take detailed photography. Many people were like us and did a self-guided tour, but honestly, it is quite large and you can get a bit tired by the end of it. To make the most of your energy, I’d recommend a professional Alhambra Guided Tour, which include Alhambra tickets, to help you navigate the best spots without wandering aimlessly. Expect to be standing for the better part of about two and a half hours.

In general, I wouldn't really recommend this for kids under 12. Maybe kids over nine might appreciate aspects of it, but honestly, I don't think they really would. Just about every kid I saw was struggling and not particularly enjoying the experience. And as such, their parents were having a hard time. It is not that it wasn't inviting for children, it’s just that it’s a lot of reading and ancient history which wasn't made super accessible for kids. The one instance where I saw kids being very engaged was during private tours where the guide had elements specifically catered towards children. I saw places to purchase Alhambra Palace with kids tickets that I think would be perfect, and if we had known about those specifically, we probably would have done one. This is a big reason I wanted to do an “Alhambra Palace with kids” review.

Once you are through the main palaces, it is worth going beyond to see the Generalife. The name literally means "Garden of the Architect," and it was built as a summer palace and leisure retreat for the Nasrid rulers. While the main Alhambra was the center of government and palace drama, the Generalife was where the sultans went to just chill and get away from it all. It is famous for the Court of the Water Channel, which has these beautiful long pools and fountains surrounded by flowers. It is one of the oldest Moorish gardens in existence, and the way they used water to cool the air and create a sense of peace is just incredible.

Overall, our experience was magical and our time at the Alhambra made me really appreciate history in a way that I hadn't before. There is a lot of history to appreciate in Granada, so if you get the opportunity, try to take it slow while you are there. You can do a good chunk of it in 3 to 5 days, so head over to Expedia to lock in your travel dates. Definitely make sure to stop at any historical sites you get a chance to and read the placards because they are quite fascinating. Just remember to wear comfortable shoes and have your Uber app ready for that ride back down into the city!

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