I'm visiting Granada in October with my husband and teenage kids. The guided tours are a bit pricey for us and I'm wondering if we can rent audio tours?

If so are they available at the Alhambra entrance itself and what is the cost? If we have bought tickets in advance would we have to queue for hours to hire an audio tour?

I don't suppose there's any site that provides podcasts to download onto ipods?

Advice gratefully welcomed!

Thanks,

Krisserlis

Hi..I have just read your question and is a good one. I found this site from the museum of la alhambra, the podcast section: http://museoalhambra.wordpress.com/informacion/

Sorry, I think there is no english version...but if you search more carefully in the internet, you may find something.

Good luck.

Hi and Shalom:
We were there a few weeks ago and the i-Pod option is in Spanish only so far.
And YES those guided tours are fantastically expensive, too much for most people.
But if you purchase a good picture book on Alhambra you will be able to follow the explanations found in the book.
But even WITHOUT any explanations at all I would enjoy the Alhambra.
Martin

Thanks Miguel and Martin. Both your replies are helpful.

My husband and I speak fluent Spanish. He because he's Peruvian and I because I grew up in Spain and Mexico and then lived in Peru. Our kids however understand some, but aren't fluent. So both the podcast and the book ideas are useful.

We'll be coming to Spain after three weeks in Peru - my daughters' first time visiting their Peruvian family who speak no English - so maybe by then they'll understand more!

Thanks again!

Krisserlis

When I was there in May 2005, they had audio tours in various languages including English. The cost at that time was 3 euros. So if they haven't developed the iPod version by October, you can at least get the existing system for your kids.

If you do enough research before the trip you can dispense with any type of a tour. There are some of the employees who work there who will also volunteer lots of information - they did when we were there.

Two issues with carrying an ipod (and I know with teenagers it could be for sanity) - it will be one more thing you need to safekeep when you're there! If losing something causes grief I usually don't bring it with me unless it's indispensable.

Here's the wikipedia link, which has many other links to research in the palace. Truly, it is so much more interesting to go looking for your own "treasures" after you've read some information!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alhambra

We just came from Granada and enjoyed the Alhambra and the Generalife on English audioguias. A WORD OF CAUTION: The appointed tour through the Alhambra is not number one on the audio guide. It is something like number 7 or 9. If you work your way up to this number from number one, you run the risk of not being with your appointed group and will not be admitted into the interior of the Alhambra. You will have plenty of time after the appointed tour to see the rest of the grounds and the tower.

Hi, From my trip, there were audio guides available for day time visits, available from the info office, across from the ticket office. However, at night, when I visited, this service wasn't available. Also, many of the exhibits aren't labelled.

I hired an audio guide at the Cathedral - I needed to hand my passport in as 'a deposit'

I did a 2.5 hour guided tour of Granada for 10 euros (Children under 14 free), which I thoroughly enjoyed in 2006. - There were plans to add different tours. This leaves from Playa des Carmen at 10.30 daily.

I also used the Granada tour bus - 24 hour hop on hop off service, which was 12 euros per adult - not sure of child prices.

Please check my Granada page for more info about these tours.
Have A Great Trip - Granada is one of my favourite cities!
Sue x

Check this out.

http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200604/alhambra/default.htm