Guejar with children is a breeze. There are lots of festivals and events taking place during the year and in the winter, snowy adventures are not far away. and year-round, the river valley provides endless hours of sticks and stones, rocks to climb on and pools to play in. So much fresh air will tire them out and if all else fails, there is always the ipad!
Here are some tips on staying in Guejar with kids.
Throughout Summer, the main square and the church square are where all children of all ages congregate to play every evening from around 5pm. Spanish children will normally sleep a “siesta” until around 5pm or later in summer, and so the plaza comes alive once everyone is up and running after the “merienda” or afternoon snack. The bars and cafes around the square all have outdoor terraces in the main square and its not unusual in Summer for the local children to stay up until 1 or 2am playing while their families keep an eye on them from the tables.
From June to September, you can rent sit-on-top kayaks at the lake (look for signs to the “Embarcadero”) for 10€ per hour. The kayaks can sit 2 people or 2 adults and one child.
During the Summer, choosing accommodaion with a swimming pool can make a big difference to your holiday as children have a constant activitiy and entertainment right there. Contact us for some recommendations on Some of our favorite holiday accommodations around Guejar with swimming pools. However if your holiday accommodation doesn’t have the luxury of a private swimming pool, don’t worry as there are lots of alternatives.
At Las Lomas Campgrounds, 2kms before the village, there is a small swimming pool and one of the only lawns in Guejar and it is open to external guests on paying a day fee. It also has a great playground that you can use if you are a client of the bar or restaurant.
The Maitena Restaurant has access to a great natural pool in the river from their lower terrace. The River valley hiking paths also have access (if you want to explore) to some pools in the river.
The lake also has a “beach” of sorts – what is locally know as “el embarcadero”. Down here, depending on the water levels there is access to the lake for swimming and lots of sand for small kids to play in. There is also a little kiosk serving cold drinks and snacks.
Year-round, Las Encinillas can provide horseriding classes and trips for the whole family or children from 4 years old and up, beginners and riders alike.
The local library has a kids reading corner and also has some books in English. They have regular story-telling slots (in spanish) and children’s activities. Check with them for current events on the top floor of the “Casa de la Cultura”.
On Friday’s during school term, there is a Craft Workshop held in English from 4-5.30 in the Casa de la Cultura (3€ per person). They are also willing to have any English-speaking adults to volunteer if you feel like staying.
Check out the Guejar Sierra Skaters facebook page, to see if they are organising a weekend workshop. This local group provide free skate and BMX workshops most weekends and anyone is welcome to attend. They also have a big skate project in the pipeline with the local council and are hoping for a skatepark to be built in the village in 2015.
Ana, a contemporary dance teacher in the village organises a children’s dance and music session once a month. These sessions are usually family oriented and the whole family (adults too) participate in a family “jam session”. Contact us for details on dates.
There are four playgrounds in the village. One is ust a few metres from the Hacilla Restaurant making its terrace a good choice for a meal or tapa during the Summer months for kids who will want to get up and play as soon as their food is finished, leaving their parents to sit and enjoy the rest of their meal.
There is another playground at the Guardia Civil building (see signs on entering the village), one at Plaza laskdlsdjf and one at the Barrio Alto main square.
Sulayr Cafe and Bar, as well as providing a great atmosphere also has a children’s corner with books and games, and its terrace is in a pedestrian street making it a safe choice for little ones.
If you are visiting during Winter, the ski-resort 30 minutes away from Guejar is a great option for entertaining the whole family. If you don’t want to ski, there is a sledging area and ice-skating at the Mirlo Blanco park.
If you would like an overnight excursion to stay in a mountain refuge that is suitable for small children then read about it here.