family travel in spain

Spain with kids: best family destinations in Spain

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Should you plan a family vacation to Spain? It’s never easy to decide whether to visit a new place or re-visit an old favorite. There’s the debate between the comforts of the familiar and the excitement of novelty, but also the pull between seeing all the “best things to do” in as many places as possible versus the desire to slow down and dig deeper.

For us, Spain is one of those countries that keeps begging us to return. We’ve traveled to Spain as a family with kids twice, including just last year, and I’ll admit that I’ve been scoping plane tickets to go back for months.

What’s the deal?

Here are just a few reasons why a family vacation to Spain is always a good idea:

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-With so many amazing things to do with kids in Spain, you’ll never be able to see it all. You could spend a lifetime in Spain and still encounter surprises!

-There are things to do in Spain with kids that appeal to all types of traveling families. City exploration, mountain hiking, food touring, beach lounging… The diversity of experiences in Spain is incredible!

-The Spanish culture is so much more relaxed than just about anywhere else in Europe, and kids are expected to be a part of that. I’ll never forget strolling with our sleeping baby through one of the more local plazas in Seville and watching dozens of families relaxing and socializing even though it was 11pm. Or the time that our waitress took our son on a tour of the restaurant so that we could enjoy some quiet moments.

-It’s an extremely easy place to travel with kids. You can buy anything you need at El Corte Ingles. English is widely spoken, though it’s also a great opportunity to dust off that high school Spanish. The transportation infrastructure is efficient and easy to navigate. You can generally find food to satisfy picky eaters.

• Book a photoshoot

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• Best Place to Holiday in Spain for Families

Hopefully you’re as excited as I am about planning a trip to Spain! It truly is the best place for a family vacation. We have lots of resources to help you get started: tips for arranging your Spain itinerary with kids, getting around Spain with kids, Spain books for kids, what to bring to Spain for a great trip, and (of course) the best family destinations in Spain. If you’re just after places to go in Spain with kids, feel free to jump ahead.

Get started planning your trip to Spain with kids

Books about spain for kids, essentials to pack for your family trip to spain, best family destinations in spain.

Read more Spain articles or get Europe travel inspiration

How long is your family trip to Spain?

When you’re planning your family vacation in Spain, you’ll first want to figure out how much time you’ll have to explore. If you’re visiting from elsewhere in Europe it might make sense to pop down for quick family holidays in Spain, but for Americans it’s a much bigger commitment.

Flights from the east coast are 7 hours, while from the west coast you’re looking at 11 hours minimum. You may not be able to find non-stop flights to some of the most family-friendly places in Spain, so you’ll have plan for additional travel time either in the air or via train. Couple that with jet-lagged kids and abundance of things to do when you get there… let’s just say that we recommend at least 10 days to visit Spain with kids, but more if you can swing it.

Unpacking and repacking your stuff is one of the worst parts of travling with kids. You can make your life easier by packing light of course, but we still aim for at least 3-4 nights in each city where we stay. Every now and then we might only stop for two nights (as we did in Girona) but usually we aim to stay even longer and use a centrally located city as a base for day trips. There are lots of places like Barcelona, Madrid and Seville where a family can happily stay for a week and still find themselves busy!

Takeaway: If you only have 10 days in Spain, try to limit yourself to two or three destinations. If you’ll be visiting for two weeks, you can stretch that to four.

What’s the best time for visiting Spain with kids?

If your kids are school age, you might feel constrained to traveling during their breaks. That’s ok! Spain has the most diverse climate of any country in Europe, so you can always find somewhere to go that will have nice weather.

What does nice weather mean? That’s in the eye of the beholder. Many parts of Spain are extremely hot in the summer, so if your family doesn’t like that you could opt for more mountainous areas (or lean into it with a Mediterranean beach destination).

July and August are the busiest times of year in Spain – and the most expensive. But if you want to visit a place like Bilbao in the Basque country or Costa Brava summer could be a wonderful time with just-warm-enough weather.

The shoulder seasons of spring and fall are perfect in terms of weather, but since Spain is the second most visited country in the world it won’t be a ghost town. When we visited Barcelona in spring during our family gap year we had to wait hours to get into Park Guell (since we didn’t know about the new ticketing requirements) and had a hard time getting train tickets to visit Girona for a day.

If you prefer low prices and thin crowds, consider visiting Spain in winter . While many visitors report long waits at places like the Alcazar palace in Seville, we had the entire place to ourselves when we visited in December!

It doesn’t have the balmy temperatures of the Caribbean or the snowy Christmas markets of central Europe, but it has charms all its own. If you’re coming from central Europe the winter in Madrid may seem mild. But if you’re afraid of the cold you’ll want to stay along the coast during Spain’s winter. As long as follow our advice for what to wear in Spain in winter , you’ll have an amazing time.

Getting around in Spain

Getting around in Spain these days couldn’t be easier!

Trains in Spain

The high-speed rail network in Spain uses Madrid as a hub, so many routes go through there. It can be very convenient for American tourists, as Madrid offers the most non-stop flights between the US and Spain. High-speed trains from Madrid can get you to most other cities in Spain in 3 hours or less!

Not only are trains fast, affordable and comfortable, but they also offer another major convenience for families: train stations are right in the city centers. You won’t have to worry about confusing public transit connections or long taxi rides to far-flung airports. You can often just walk or take easy connections from the train stations to your hotels. Check out Spain train routes here .

Flights in Spain

That said, in some cases it makes sense to leverage Spain’s network of discount airlines. When traveling to mountainous Bilbao or from Barcelona to some other coastal destinations, flying might be your best option. You can check prices and schedules for flights and compare them with prices and schedules for trains to see what makes sense for your itinerary.

Just be mindful of skimpy baggage limits on discount European airlines when you’re figuring out the cost differences! Read about my favorite strategy for minimizing my own luggage.

Also make sure to account for the cost of either public transportation or a taxi/car service to get from the city center to the airport. A bus may be cheap, but with a few kids and a few backpacks or suitcases, a taxi may be more appealing – and more expensive. You’ll also need a travel car seat to keep your kids secure in the taxi, or you can arrange for Welcome Pickups to transport your family with car seats included.

Read more: Must-Read Travel Tips for Spain

Before you visit Spain with kids, it’s a good idea to get them excited about the trip by grabbing a few books! Take a look at these options – there’s everything from picture books for toddlers to adventure stories and scavenger hunts for big kids!

You can find most things you’ll need anywhere in Spain, though maybe not the exact brand and price you were hoping for. Plan to pick up your consumables (baby food, diapers, wipes, snacks) at any El Corte Inlges; there are many of them throughout the country.

Funny note: baby food pouches in Spain are viewed more as a dessert and flavored accordingly. We normally served our 14 month old son pouches like squash and apple or quinoa and green beans… in Spain he ended up with orange cookie pudding! Whatever, it was his vacation too.

But you won’t want to buy everything abroad- that’ll get pricey. Make sure to bring these essentials from home to start your epic family vacation off on the right foot, especially if you are traveling to Spain with toddlers:

Stroller and baby carrier

If you’re visiting Spain with a toddler or younger, we recommend bringing both a travel stroller and a baby carrier (or toddler carrier if your kid is 3 or older). Why both? For long days trekking around the city you probably won’t want to carry your kid the whole time. However, there are some sites for which a stroller is either impractical (like Park Guell) or forbidden (like the Alhambra). Come prepared! The latest generation of travel strollers is so compact that you can fold it up and put it in a backpack when you don’t need it, which is pretty amazing to those of us whose kids were born even five years ago.

Portable high chair

One thing we were shocked not to find in Spain were high chairs in restaurants. It became a bit of a game for us, constantly walking in and asking “tienes trona?” , only to be rejected 9 times out of 10. The high chairs we did find were 50 year old wooden chairs without a bar between the legs… meaning there was nothing to prevent our kid from sliding right down if he felt like it. We did bring a fabric contraption that was supposed to attach to the chair and keep him upright, but it turned out to be such a safety hazard that it’s no longer for sale!

A better choice is to buy this folding booster seat , which we got after that trip. It works perfectly with almost any kind of chair and boosts kids nicely so that they can reach the table. The harness also keep older babies (9 months and up) and toddlers seated properly.

Read more: Choosing the best baby gear for travel

Travel car seat

If you plan to ride in cars in Spain, you’ll need a way to keep your kids safe. We’ve heard of so many issues from fellow travelers with renting seats – from older-than-dirt seats to boosters being given for babies to reserved seats just not being there – that we prefer to bring our own travel car seats. That also gives us the flexibility to take a taxi from the airport when we’re jet lagged and loaded with bags. Find out everything you need to know about traveling with car seats or get help choosing the best convertible car seat for travel .

Europe-ready SIM card

Unless your cell phone from home offers unlimited global roaming, you’ll be best served by picking up a local SIM card for Europe. Most US cell phone carriers offer a $10 per day roaming plan, but that obviously adds up very quickly! We’ve used this European SIM card in multiple countries and it works great – if you’ll be in Europe for more than two weeks, just register it online to extend its life. It includes 10GB of data, 1000 texts and 120 minutes of talk time. Once you have it in your phone you can even top it up. Just make sure your phone is unlocked before you go, which can take a few days depending on the carrier.

Great travel camera

You may not want to lug a huge DSLR on your relaxing vacation, but what if you want better photos than your cell phone can muster? The best solution these days is a so-called bridge camera . It has many of the features of high-end cameras like some manual controls (only if you want them!) and plenty of zoom, but comes in a compact package and doesn’t require swapping lenses.

Best places in Spain for Families

It’s really hard to narrow down the best places in Spain for kids when the country is so huge and offers so many completely different experiences! Figuring out your Spain itinerary with kids will be a fine balance between figuring out what sounds perfect for your family in the descriptions below, how much time you have and the logistics of moving around the country.

Things to do in Spain for Kids

It is impossible to narrow down the best places to visit in Spain with kids, but I’ll give it a whirl. There are so many ways to explore whether you are planning a full Spain family vacation or taking Spain family trips for a day or two. Let’s begin with the city of Barcelona.

Barcelona with kids

What’s great about visiting Barcelona with kids? What are the best things to do in Barcelona with kids?

If I had to pick one can’t-miss place to take kids in Spain, it would be Barcelona. The city is a true feast for the senses and will fill your entire family with wonder – from Gaudi’s fantastical architecture to the smells of tapas wafting out of bars to the sounds of Catalan music and language drifting through the air. Even just wandering the streets at night is one of the best things to do in Spain with kids – for ours, it inspired their own love of travel.

Read more: Must-eats on your trip Barcelona

There’s no shortage of things to do in Barcelona with kids . Our tops picks are visiting Park Guell (but get your tickets in advance! ), wandering the varied and charming neighborhoods, venturing to the top of Montjuic and relaxing on the beach in Barceloneta on a nice day.

What are potential challenges for families visiting Barcelona?

While we’ve never felt at risk of violent crime as tourists in Barcelona, petty crime like pick pocketing is prevalent (especially in busy, popular areas like Las Ramblas). When traveling to Spain with kids, make sure they understand how to play it cool and avoid distracting you (and attracting attention!) when you’re in those places.

The other challenge for families with young kids is that the schedule in Barcelona is late . Often restaurants don’t begin their dinner service until 8 or even 9pm. If you have a little one who is likely to sleep in the stroller, it’s ok to grab a slice of pizza from a little shop while you stroll around – often it costs just 1 or 2 euros!

Barcelona’s major tourist sites are fairly spread out, so if you don’t want to lug a car seat everywhere you’ll need to either figure out the public transportation system or consider buying tickets for the Hop-On Ho-Off bus . While this Barcelona tourist bus wasn’t on our radar during our family’s visits, I’ll definitely consider it next time as it would have made getting around much easier!

How long should you stay in Barcelona?

I’d recommend at least four days in Barcelona to see the major sites and soak up the city’s energy without constantly rushing around. On our second visit to Barcelona with kids we stayed for a week and still could have had more to explore, especially with plenty of great day trip options like Girona, Sitges and Montserrat.

What’s the best way to get to Barcelona?

There are plenty of direct flights from the US to Barcelona, and often they can be as cheap as a few hundred dollars roundtrip! If you can find a better deal on a flight to Madrid, the train trip takes about 3 hours and costs $65-130. Even better, for the same price you can usually get a cheap flight from Madrid to Barcelona. Just be mindful of baggage allowances and make sure to only take carry-ons if you plan to book two separate flight itineraries.

What’s the best place for families to stay in Barcelona?

We’ve stayed in a few different neighborhoods, but next time we’ll stay in El Born. It’s a nice balance of walkability, charm and convenience. I have my eye on this wonderful apartment , which has laundry facilities, a balcony and a separate room for the kids. You can also read more details about where to stay in Barcelona with kids .

Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Barcelona, Spain

Read more: What to do in Barcelona with kids

Girona with kids

What’s great about visiting Girona with kids? What are the best things to do in Girona with kids?

Girona is a small city north of Barcelona, but feels so different! The old part of the city retains its ancient charms and isn’t nearly as crowded with tourists. Girona is on the sleepy side compared to many bigger cities in Spain, but that’s part of what makes it a great counterpoint as a daytrip.

Our main reason for visiting Girona was to see the Museum of Jewish History, which chronicles the centuries-long Jewish community of Girona. It showcases the traditions and physical space of Spain’s Jews through years of tolerance as well as the 700 years of the Spanish Inquisition (that’s not a typo). In recent decades there’s been amazing archeological excavation and strong preservation efforts and it was fascinating to see up close.

If you plan to visit the museum, I highly recommend reading “The Mezuzah in the Madonna’s Foot” before you go. It includes some amazing storytelling spanning almost a millennium of Spanish history and will give you a new perspective on your trip to Spain. But skip the last chapter – it’s not that interesting and feels disconnected from the rest.

Beyond the museum, Girona is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon strolling the windy cobbled streets, wondering at the beautiful Cathedral and its attached garden and soaking up some local Catalan culture. I’ll admit that we were surprised to meet an older gentleman who didn’t speak any Spanish, only Catalan! In that respect, Girona has retained the unique Catalan traditions even moreso than larger, more diverse Barcelona.

What are potential challenges for families visiting Girona?

The biggest challenge for families visiting Girona on a day trip is that it’s about a 1 mile walk from the train station (in the new section of the city) to the historic part of the city. But the old city isn’t ideal with a stroller, so young kids will either need to walk the entire distance (and back in the evening!) or ride in a carrier .

The train schedule can also be more limited than you might hope, depending on how long you want to visit. We went during Holy Week in the spring and some trains were completely booked because of a famous parade in Girona .

How long should you stay in Girona?

We visited on a day trip from Barcelona to Girona. If we’d been able to go on an earlier train as we had planned, the full day probably would have been enough time. For families who prefer a quieter pace or who have already visited Barcelona, staying a few nights in Girona in lieu of Barcelona might be a great option! That would also give you better access to the Dali Museum in Figueres, another 40 minutes north by train.

What’s the best way to get to Girona?

Girona is a quick train ride from Barcelona.

What’s the best place for families to stay in Girona?

Most families stay in Barcelona and take a day trip to Girona. If you want to stay in Girona, this hotel has been beautifully restored and offers an ideal balance of convenient location near the old city with traveler-friendly modern amenities.

Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Girona, Spain here

Valencia with kids

What’s great about visiting Valencia with kids? What are the best things to do in Valencia with kids?

Valencia is the best place in Spain for kids. It offers a variety of things to do for kids and the whole family. There’s a perfect mix of old and new here with plenty of things for families to do. You can check out the City of Sciences and Arts to experience a multi-block museum filled with hundreds of exhibits, bike the length of the inner city at Turia Park, or visit Valencia Bioparc to see the animals of Africa in one of the few zoo immersion sites in the world. If you visit in March, you can even experience the Las Fallas festival complete with larger than life puppets.

What are potential challenges for families visiting Valencia?

Valencia is a popular city with many seasonal festivals and events. Depending on the time of year you visit, the city (especially in the Old Town) can be very busy. However, we found everyone to be very accommodating to families with children – even in a crowd.

How long should you stay in Valencia?

Ideally, a week will allow you to truly explore everything that Valencia has to offer. But if you’re short on time, you can get a really good feel for the city in 3-4 days.

What’s the best way to get to Valencia?

The best way to get to Valencia is by car. Flights directly into Valencia from the United States can be pricey. Catch a deal to a nearby city and enjoy the scenic drive up the coast. If you happen to start in Barcelona and drive to Valencia, there are some “hidden” gems along the way like the town of Peniscola (with one of the castles featured in Game of Thrones). Check rental car prices here.

What’s the best place for families to stay in Valencia?

Valencia Flats Centro Cuidad is one of the best places for families to stay in Valencia. They feature apartments with family friendly amenities like a kitchen and multiple bedrooms – making it a perfect choice for families big and small. It’s also perfectly located in Old Town Valencia where many of the popular tourist attractions are. Click here to check prices and availability.

Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Valencia, Spain here

Plan your family trip to Valencia

Thanks to Montoya of The Spring Break Family. Find out more about visiting Valencia with kids .

Ibiza with kids

What’s great about visiting Ibiza with kids? What are the best things to do in Ibiza with kids?

Ibiza has a reputation as being a party island but there is so much more there for families to enjoy. The beaches are beautiful and there’s plenty of outdoor activities like hiking, cycling and water sports. Our favorite day out was to see the illuminated Can Marca caves in Puerto San Miguel. The original hippy market in San Carlos is also a must. Go there to buy handmade jewelry, art and textiles, or just to hang out.

What are potential challenges for families visiting Ibiza?

If you do choose to stay in one of the more built up and well connected resorts of Ibiza Town or San Antonio you have to expect them to get very busy with revelers in the peak summer season. If you have teens that might be just the type of atmosphere you’re looking for. But with younger children I’d recommend going off the beaten track to explore the north of the island.

How long should you stay in Ibiza?

We stayed for a week and I think this a good amount of time for families to make the most of the island.

What’s the best way to get to Ibiza?

Flying is the easiest option for families travelling from outside Spain. There is a ferry from the mainland which takes two hours, but with flight times from the UK about the same we’d only opt for the ferry if we were on a road trip to see more of the Spanish mainland. Once on the island I’d recommend you rent a car to make the most of the opportunity to explore.

What’s the best place for families to stay in Ibiza?

We stayed in the Santa Eulària region of Ibiza, which is in the North West of the Island. This is a sleepier part of the island, away from the main party zones of Ibiza Town and San Antonio. Here you’ll be much closer to the authentic Ibiza with cute towns like San Carlos which is where the hippy movement discovered the beauty of the island. We stayed in a luxury villa just outside San Carlos which was a wonderful retreat, but there are also hotels and campsites in the area.

Thanks to Claire of Tin Box Traveller. Find out more about visiting Ibiza with kids .

Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Ibiza here

Granada with kids

What’s great about visiting Granada with kids? What are the best things to do in Granada with kids?

Granada is a fantastic destination in Andalusia. For one thing, it’s got the amazing Alhambra (most people’s reason for visiting the city) but it also has an authentic Moorish vibe. Think narrow streets with Moorish-influenced architecture, cafes selling Moroccan tea, and Islamic style craft shops. It’s more than a little like walking around Marrakech in places. Granada is a hilly town and so there are several breathtaking viewpoints over the city.

The Alhambra palace complex is Granada’s biggest draw and there’s a lot to interest kids in this incredible palace. There are beautiful gardens, pools and ponds filled with frogs, and former castles and palaces in this enormous complex. You will probably end up spending a whole day here – just remember to book your tickets in advance . Also note that you are not allowed to bring a stroller into the Alhambra. Bring a baby carrier instead if you don’t think your child can walk the whole time.

The food is fantastic (well, it is Spain!) and you’ll often be given free tapas along with any drinks you order. There are several tapas trails that you can follow. For more kid-friendly things to do, don’t miss the science museum and the nearby water park – perfect on hot summer days.

What are potential challenges for families visiting Granada?

Granada is a safe city and it’s easily walkable although it’s quite hilly. Temperatures can get very high in the summer and small kids might not cope. Getting tickets for the Alhambra might pose a challenge as they sell out very quickly. Book several months in advance , and don’t expect to pick them up on the door.

Note from Melissa: Learn from our mistakes. Do not bring your stroller to wander the Albaicín! It’s all hills and steps and cobbles. Only bring your carrier in that part of the city. Also note that many restaurants in the Albaicín are closed in the winter, as the thin tourist crowds don’t cover their high heating bills!

How long should you stay in Granada?

We’d recommend a minimum of two days; one to see the Alhambra properly and at least one to explore the city (two is better). We went in May and the temperature was perfect.

What’s the best way to get to Granada?

Although Granada has its own airport, nearby Malaga has far more flights and it will be much cheaper to fly into Malaga. From here you can either rent a car or take a train to Granada.

What’s the best place for families to stay in Granada?

We stayed slightly out of town, right by the Alhambra. This meant that we had to walk about a mile downhill into town. It was fine for us but you might want to stay in Granada at the foot of the Alhambra so you’re not walking up and down the hill all day, especially in the summer!

Thanks to Emily of Kids and Compass.

Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Granada here

Costa Tropical with kids – Wagoners Abroad

What’s great about visiting Costa Tropical with kids? What are the best things to do in Costa Tropical with kids?

This area on the southern coast of Spain is ideal for nature lovers. You have the perfect combination of mountains, sun and the sea. It is perfect for those who love the outdoors to go hiking, biking, water sports, boating, kayaking, snorkeling and more. It is ideal to be in a smaller city and just absorb the culture and let the kids run around in a safe and welcoming environment.

The best part is Almuñécar is the 5th oldest city in Spain, with ruins dating back over 3000 years. There is a castle , Roman aqueducts, a Phoenicia fish salting factory and traditional Spanish charm. This area also has a Moorish influence with some of the architecture and names.

What are potential challenges for families visiting Costa Tropical?

The biggest challenge for a family would be finding a place to stay in the summer. July and August are high tourist season, but the fireworks every August 15th are an event to remember. If you have the time there are great 1-10 month rental deals from Sept – June. The best time to visit is in the Fall, after the tourists have gone and the weather is still sublime.

How long should you stay in Costa Tropical?

Ideally as long as you can, but a minimum of a week.

What’s the best way to get to Costa Tropical?

It is easiest to access Costa Tropical (Almuñécar, La Herradura, Motril, Salobreña) by car. It is located about 1 hour to the east of Málaga and 1 hour south of Granada city. There are also options via, bus, taxi, and shuttle from the Málaga Airport.

What’s the best place for families to stay in Costa Tropical?

Almuñécar & La Herradura are the locations with the traditional Spanish charm, with activities, sights to see, great places to eat and 19km of beautiful beaches.

Thanks to Heidi at Wagoners Abroad and Almunecar Info – they love the area so much that they now call it home! Find out more about Almunecar and the rest of Costa Tropical here .

Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Costa Tropical here

Gibraltar with kids

What’s great about visiting Gibraltar with kids? What are the best things to do in Gibraltar with kids?

Gibraltar is one of the most unique places to visit in Spain. This peninsula in the south of Spain is actually a British territory. It’s a fun place to explore with kids because almost everyone speaks English, and there are wild monkeys roaming near the top of “The Rock”, Gibraltar’s main attraction.

Most of what you want to visit can be reached by the Gibraltar Cable Car . Take ride from town to the Top of the Rock. This is where you will find the Barbary macaques (wild monkeys), St. Michael’s cave, the Great Siege and World War II tunnels, and The Rock of Gibraltar, which offers views of Gibraltar, Spain, and Morocco. In town, around the Main Street and Irish Town you will find plenty of shops and restaurants to explore when you need a rest.

What are potential challenges for families visiting Gibraltar?

The top of the mountain can be challenging. There is a lot of walking, but if you have a stroller, you should be ok. There are plenty of taxis waiting around to give tired families a ride if they need it. Make sure to bring a folding car seat in your day bag if your children are young.

How long should you stay in Gibraltar?

Gibraltar is the perfect day trip from elsewhere Southern Spain .

What’s the best way to get to Gibraltar?

We drove a rental car to the border. There is plenty of parking. We then walked across the border. You will need to bring your passports since it is a British territory.

What’s the best place for families to stay near Gibraltar?

We stayed in Estepona, Spain and made a day trip of it. We stayed in Marriott’s Playa Andaluza .

Thanks to Kirsten of Kids Are A Trip. Find out more about which beaches to visit in southern Spain on your trip.

Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Gibraltar here

Seville with kids

What’s great about visiting Seville with kids? What are the best things to do in Seville with kids?

I’ve never felt more safe in a ‘large’ city than I did in Seville. It was incredibly walkable, lots of pedestrian-only streets, kids everywhere, flamenco dancers on the streets, student bands playing in public squares and just overall a very happy friendly vibe. The architecture is incredible, such a cool mix of Moorish and Spanish buildings, lots of castles, churches – really a Photographer’s playground. It’s also incredibly affordable. Airbnbs were reasonable, food was cheaper compared to other areas of Spain.

You can also tack on a day trip to Ronda, since it’s only about 2 hours away and doesn’t really merit an overnight stay.

What are potential challenges for families visiting Seville?

Since it’s such a walkable city, I would find it a bit tough to navigate with a car due to all the one way and pedestrian-only streets. We didn’t have a car when we visited, so if accessibility is a concern, then it might be a bit difficult to get around.

Another thing to note is you need to book all sorts of tickets far in advance. The Alcazar can sell out or you might end up standing in line for hours. It’s best to buy tickets to the palace a few days to weeks in advance!

How long should you stay in Seville?

You can hit most of the city’s highlights in 3-5 days, though it also makes a great base for day trips.

What’s the best way to get to Seville?

I would highly recommend taking the high speed train here! A train from Madrid will take 2.5 hours vs 5 hours by car. There’s also a small airport, but I don’t see a need to fly in if it’s from another city within Spain.

What’s the best place for families to stay in Seville?

Anywhere within the city limits is a good choice. It’s so walkable that it doesn’t really matter too much. I would try and stay closer to the historic center just to minimize walking, but it’s most likely easier to find accommodation just outside of that area.

Thanks to Dalya from Sweet Little Journey. Find out more about visiting southern Spain with kids .

Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Seville here

Córdoba with kids

What’s great about visiting Cordoba with kids? What are the best things to do in Cordoba with kids?

Cordoba is a charming Spanish City and is a great place to visit with kids.

The highlights include flamenco dancing, where all the little ones were busting out their best moves, and spotting the lovely patios which Cordoba is so famous for.

The Mezquita Cathedral is a Cordoba essential as is the Roman Bridge. The bridge featured as the Long Bridge of Volantis in Game of Thrones. For more Game of Thrones, the nearby Castillo Almodovar del Rio was the setting for the Highgarden, the residence of the House of Tyrell, and Casterly Rock.

The Aquasierra Water Park is a fun family day trip and is easily accessible from Cordoba.

What are potential challenges for families visiting Cordoba?

If you visit in summer be sure to reserve accommodation with air conditioning. We visited in the midst of an August heat wave and air conditioning was essential to keep cool.

How long should you stay in Cordoba?

2 or 3 nights will allow time to see all the major sights. It also makes an easy day trip from Seville, with just 45 minutes on the train.

What’s the best way to get to Cordoba?

Cordoba is also easy to reach by rental car from the surrounding airports. Seville is the closest airport and is a 2 hour drive from the city or 45 minutes by train. Granada and Malaga are also good options.

What’s the best place for families to stay in Cordoba?

The historic centre of Córdoba is our favorite place to stay. We stayed in Hotel Boutique Patio del Posadero and we loved it.

Thanks to Elaine of The Whole World is a Playground .

Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Córdoba here

Madrid with kids

What’s great about visiting Madrid with kids? What are the best things to do in Madrid with kids?

Madrid is certainly a more formal city than Barcelona and destinations in southern Spain, but has a lot to offer when it comes to Spanish history and culture – especially with older kids.

Even with just a few days in Madrid, you can see some sights that are truly unique. In nice weather, little kids will love running around in El Retiro park and even renting row boats to go our on the lake. The century-old Mercado San Miguel is the perfect place to wander and try some local snacks (while also picking up dinner ingredients). If your kids are interested in castles and knights, take them to see Spain’s royal palace in the center of the city, complete with a room full of suits of armor.

Of course, Madrid is also home of Spain’s most epic dessert: churros con chocolate . Let your kids indulge and maybe even line up a scavenger hunt to find the best ones in the city!

We also enjoyed a day trip from Madrid to Toledo. It has interesting churches and synagogues to visit amidst the well-maintained medieval city walls, plus it’s home to some of the world’s best marzipan.

If you’re visiting Madrid with kids who are interested in history and mature enough to understand, you can take them to Museo Reina Sofía to see Picasso’s evocative Guernica. It’s a good opportunity to discuss the Spanish Civil War and Franco’s dictatorship with older kids, who may be shocked (along with their parents) at just how new Spanish liberties are.

What are potential challenges for families visiting Madrid?

In contrast to laid-back Barcelona, Madrid can come across as a bit more serious. It’s the country’s capital for both government and business, so there’s lots of hustle and bustle.

Because it’s the national capital, there are often protests in Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor. We inadvertently stumbled on one during our visit!

How long should you stay in Madrid?

We felt like 3 days was enough time to see the essentials, and there are also some great day trips like Toledo and Segovia if you want variety without moving around too much.

What’s the best way to get to Madrid?

There are abundant cheap flights from the US to Madrid , sometimes in the $200 range for a roundtrip! If you’re coming from elsewhere in Spain, the high speed rail network is incredibly fast. Madrid is in the center of the country and it takes about 2.5 hours to get anywhere on the coast by train (twice as fast as driving).

What’s the best place for families to stay in Madrid?

For a central location in Madrid, it’s hard to beat Salamanca! It’s just north of El Retiro and close to Puerta del Sol and is lovely for families. The downside is that the convenience and charm don’t come cheap. But if you plan to mostly spend your days out exploring, this studio apartment accommodates four people and is a real bargain.

Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Madrid here

Segovia with kids

What’s great about visiting Segovia with kids? What are the best things to do in Segovia with kids?

Segovia is a laid back, history filled town that has just enough attractions to fill up your day, while still being able to get lost in the winding streets. As you enter the city, you will pass under a Roman aqueduct and move up the main street towards the cathedral and the Alcazar, old fort. These three spots can fill up your day if you take it slow, and especially if you are traveling with young kids.

One thing you don’t want to miss, unless you are a vegetarian, is having lunch at one of the restaurants that serves cochinillo (roast suckling pig). Note that when you order this dish, the pig is all you will get. You need to order side dishes separately. Also don’t miss the chocolate and churros at the Alcazar café. We tried a lot of hot chocolate in Spain, and this was one of our favorites.

What are potential challenges for families visiting Segovia?

Getting to Segovia can be a bit of a pain, as it takes at least one train and a bus to get to Segovia from Madrid.

How long should you stay in Segovia?

1-2 days is fine, although we found one day to be more than enough time to explore the highlights.

What’s the best way to get to Segovia?

Rental car or a train plus bus is your best way to get to Segovia.

What’s the best place for families to stay in Segovia?

You can stay in Madrid and day trip to Segovia or you can stay at Hotel Real Segovia, which has family rooms and is centrally located in the old part of the city.

Thanks to Keryn of Walking on Travels. Find out more about taking a day trip from Madrid to Segovia .

Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Segovia here

Basque Country with kids

What’s great about visiting Basque Country with kids? What are the best things to do in Basque Country with kids?

Known to locals in Basque as Euskadi, The Basque country is the land of mountains, lakes and an abundance of lush greenery, nature and wildlife. A place that demands slow travel and family hikes. Rewards with spectacular unspoilt views and a quality of local food that is unlike anywhere else in the world. 

Families will be spoilt for choice from the rugged coastline and surf beaches to the mountain views or paddling in the river beaches. Cultural trips to the amazing Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao or eating out in the cosmopolitan coastal resorts of San Sebastian.

The Basque Country is all about getting off the beaten track, finding a quiet hideaway and exploring the charming nature of this region. Ullibarri-Gamboa Lake, near the North-west coast of Spain is our favourite stop for families. Pack a picnic and laze all day by the gently sloping gravel beach, perfect for little ones who want to take a dip. During summer months kayak and paddle board hire is available to entertain the older children.

Fans of Game of Thrones will love the day trip to the picturesque hermitage San Juan de Gatztelgutxe. Walk the winding path that connects this atmospheric island outcrop to the awe-inspiring landscape of the mainland. Scenes from Daenerys Targaryen’s home ‘Dragonstone’ were filmed here. It is roughly half an hour walk from the car park, so be sure to pack a carrier and snacks for little ones. Older children will love the sense of adventure if they pack up their own back pack with supplies, the views and sense of accomplishment on reaching the hermitage makes for a fun day out.

The Galleon Park will be high up on your children’s to-do list. Catch a metro and find this whimsical FREE children’s park in the Green Capital, Vitoria-Gasteiz. The park sprawls around a huge life-size wooden pirate ship, complete with crows nest and zip line. Shady benches and a separate area for under 5’s complete with water play stream, sand pit and bridges ensures there’s fun for all ages. Our children still talk about how much fun they had at this park, to this day!

What are potential challenges for families visiting Basque Country?

The Basque Country has a unique culture and climate compared to the rest of Spain. Do not expect flamenco dresses, endless sunshine or paella. This area is all about rugged landscapes, fairy tale villages and world class food and wine. Learn a couple of Basque greetings before you travel and pack rain jackets for Spring and Autumn visits, the weather is cooler and wetter here than other areas of Spain. 

How long should you stay in Basque Country?

A minimum of 1 week is necessary to really soak up the relaxed vibes and get lost in the stunning scenery of the Basque country. This family destination is all about disconnecting from the distractions of the modern world and reconnecting with each-other. The Basque region is not a whistle-stop tour to tick off a list of sites in a weekend. Time is needed to relax, unwind and discover.

What’s the best way to get to Basque Country?

Our favorite option (for travelers from the UK) is the overnight ferry to Santander, book a cabin and enjoy the on-board entertainment and food while the kids run around and have fun. The Basque Country can be reached in an hour from the port of Santander. Breath taking views will make you want to drive for longer though! The route to the Basque Country, from Santander is perfect for a family road trip .

For international travelers the main Basque region airport is Bilbao, flights can be purchased on Skyscanner . Car rental is available at the airport and highly recommended for taking that family road trip.

What’s the best place for families to stay in Basque Country?

Any of the rural local guesthouses that are available in the mountain villages make for a wonderful family stay. Locals are friendly and not at all tourist-weary, the area is still relatively undiscovered, so these rural boutique B&B’s are a great way to travel. 

We recommend this amazing guesthouse for rustic wooden beams & natural stone family rooms, indoor swimming pool. They offer fresh local breakfast options. You’ll love to cozy up and play family board games by the fire in the evening. Doubles from £80.00.

Thanks to Rachel of Undercover Hippy Bus.

Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Basque here

Costa Brava with kids

What’s great about visiting Costa Brava with kids? What are the best things to do in Costa Brava with kids?

Palafrugell carnival in early summer is a fantastic celebration with giant floats, live music and street parades. The beaches along the coast are a mix of sandy and rocky and the waters are calm: perfect for families.

What are potential challenges for families visiting Costa Brava?

The Costa Brava can be very hot and busy in July and August (but perfect in May and June).

How long should you stay in Costa Brava?

One to two weeks is perfect.

What’s the best way to get to Costa Brava?

Renting a car allows visitors flexibility to explore a different beach each day. Girona and Barcelona airports are both under two hours drive.

What’s the best place for families to stay in Costa Brava?

Hotel Aigua Blava is close to some of the best beaches. Otherwise, Vintage Travel features some great villas in the region.

Thanks to Annabel of Smudged Postcard. Find out more about visiting Costa Brava with kids .

Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Costa Brava here

Lanzarote with kids

What’s great about visiting Lanzarote with kids? What are the best things to do in Lanzarote with kids?

Often considered a great winter sun destination for package family holidays in Spain, the Canary Island of Lanzarote offers do much more. Hire a car and escape the resorts to explore a wild and barren island with secluded beaches, great surf, volcanic landscapes and whitewashed villages to stroll. It’s just a case of knowing where to go in Lanzarote with kids .

What are potential challenges for families visiting Lanzarote?

To escape the crowds, base yourself in the North of the island should you wish to experience a more authentic side of Lanzarote. Vegetarians and vegans will struggle to find something suitable at restaurants, so consider self catering accommodation.

How long should you stay in Lanzarote?

At least a week. Although I visited with just my three year old for almost two weeks, and that seemed perfect.

What’s the best way to get to Lanzarote?

There are lots of budget airlines that fly into Arrecife Airport. You can also catch a ferry from nearby Fuerteventura (though you’d need to fly there first).

What’s the best place for families to stay in Lanzarote?

We recommend staying at family-run Finca de Arrieta. This is an enclave of luxury yurts, just outside the sleepy village of Arietta, in the North of Lanzarote. This is an off-grid eco-resort running off wind and solar panel, with water fed from an underground well onsite. There are yurts for all budgets and there’s a playground, small pool and farm animals on site.

Thanks to Jenny of TraveLynn Family.

Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Lanzarote here

Tenerife with kids

What’s great about visiting Tenerife with kids? What are the best things to do in Tenerife with kids?

Tenerife is a perfect destination for a family holiday. As a popular tourist location, there is fantastic infrastructure for visiting families such as a range of self-catering accommodation, good healthcare and public transportation. Most tourists choose to stay in the south or west of the sunny island but if you head to the cooler north coast you will find quieter villages and scenic landscapes with lush flora and fauna. 

Tenerife offers great beaches, dramatic landscapes, waterparks and theme parks but also excellent hiking and wildlife spotting. Families should make a trip to the interior of the island to visit the easily accessible active volcano, Mt Teide, the summit of which is the highest point in Spain. This area is a complete contrast to the built up busy coastline and has incredible hikes with spectacular views. You can take a cable car up the snowy slopes of Mt Teide; just go prepared for temperature and altitude changes!​

What are potential challenges for families visiting Tenerife?

If you choose to explore the island by car, some of the roads are steep, narrow and winding with sheer drops. ​

How long should you stay in Tenerife?

To fully explore all that Tenerife has to offer – with a bit of relaxing beach time thrown in – I would recommend a stay of one-two weeks.

What’s the best way to get to Tenerife?

Tenerife is an island so the only way to get there is by plane to one of the Canary Islands.​

What’s the best place for families to stay in Tenerife?

If you like beach culture, restaurants and tourist facilities on your doorstep stay in the sunny south west around Adeje. For a quieter family holiday, stay on the north coast around Puerto de la Cruz.

Thanks to Sinead of Map Made Memories .

Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Tenerife here

Best Places to Visit in Spain with Family FAQs

Valencia is the most family friendly city in Spain, but you can’t go wrong with a family vacation anywhere in the country. Barcelona is a must-see for all ages.

Yes! Spain is one of the best countries to travel to with children. There is much to see and a great deal of kid-friendly tours and activities.

Absolutely! Barcelona is full of wonder for the whole family and easy to navigate with children.

Traveling to Spain during July and August are the most expensive. Winter months, such as December and January, are more affordable and less crowded.

Yes, Spain is extremely kid-friendly. Children are welcome throughout the country and it’s a safe place to visit with efficient transportation.

Where to go in Spain with family: planning your trip

Travel to Spain with kids is safe and enjoyable. There is much to explore from the beach to the mountains and everything in between. The locals love children and embrace kid friendly tours of Spain. I hope this guide helped you decide where to go in Spain with kids, and your family has a wonderful experience in one of our favorite countries to vacation.

Be sure to read these additional articles as you plan your visit to Spain with children:

• Must-Read Travel Tips for Spain
• 5 can’t miss things to do in Barcelona with kids (+ important tips for your trip)
• Best Family Hotels in Barcelona: Where to Stay With Kids
• Barcelona: What To Eat For A Delicious Experience
• Why you should visit Spain in winter
• What to wear in Spain in winter

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What to read next

2 thoughts on “spain with kids: best family destinations in spain”.

One thing we love to do as a family is read about the place we are traveling to!

We love it too! Be sure to check out the childrens books about Spain I list above.

Safe travels,

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The Best Family Vacations in Spain – Costa Brava, Costa Dorada & Costa Verde

Finding a destination that keeps everyone happy for a family vacation in Spain can be a complicated task.

What are the best places in Spain for families?

Spain has a lot to offer. With beautiful beaches, countless activities, good food , a rich culture, and incredible nature Spain is a great travel destination for a family vacation.

I have been traveling to Spain (and on and off living in Spain) for 15 years now. I have been lucky enough to see a lot of this diverse country and meet a wide range of Spanish people.

Because of its size and diverse offering, Spain really is a suitable country for any type of traveler. But, because it is such an easy country to travel in and offers a lot of facilities for families, it is especially suitable for family travel .

In fact, it’s often listed as one of the best countries to visit with kids .

In this article I want to share with you three popular and beautiful coastal regions that offer some of the best places in Spain for families: Costa Brava, Costa Dorada, and Costa Verde .

All three regions have great options for a family vacation in Spain, so let me share something about each of these.

3 Regions for a Family Vacation in Spain

1. The Best of The Costa Brava for Families

The Costa Brava is located in northeastern Spain, in the province of Girona. It is well-known for the many resort towns such as Lloret de Mar and Blanes.

Apart from those resort towns though there are also many hidden gems on the Costa Brava. Charming seaside towns, typical fishing villages, impressive cliffs, diverse beaches, and quaint coves.

The Costa Brava is a diverse and beautiful region with a very rich history.

The area boasts significant ruins, dating back to Roman, Greek, and even Palaeolithic times. Additionally, there are many medieval villages and castles on the Costa Brava.

The Costa Brava has long been a popular destination for family vacations in Spain and as a result offers great facilities for family travel.

A Selection of Towns Worth Visiting on the Costa Brava:

Roses , a historic town dating back to the 8th century BC, with a notable seafaring tradition.

Roses is the only coastal town on the Costa Brava that faces west, which means it offers great sunsets.

Pals , a medieval town on top of a hill, overlooking its main city beach, Platja de Pals.

It is not as well-known as most beach resorts but with its pretty cobbled streets, craft shops, and traditional bars and restaurants it is a lovely place to visit.

Begur , a medieval village with cobbled streets and whitewashed houses located below the ruins of a stone castle.

Begur is great for water sports such as snorkeling and kayaking, thanks to its many coves and its proximity to the Medes Islands, which are a marine reserve and a popular location for scuba diving.

Calella de Palafrugell , an attractive fishing village with beautiful whitewashed houses and narrow streets.

It is considered to be one of the most beautiful villages on the entire Mediterranean, offering rocky coves, sandy beaches, and excellent fish restaurants.

Tossa de Mar , a cute town with cobbled streets, constructed around an impressive medieval castle.

The surrounding countryside with its valleys and rivers is a great place to hike and cycle and the city beach is perfect for a day of relaxing with the family.

Blanes , one of the most popular seaside resorts on the Costa Brava.

Despite being so popular, Blanes still retains its original charm. Its harbor, sandy bays and small rocky coves, historical buildings, and the botanical gardens are well worth checking out.

Also Read: Fun & Interesting Facts About Spain You Should Know

Costa Brava’s Best Beaches

The Costa Brava’s coastline is almost 300 kilometers (186 miles) long and very varied, with wide bays, small coves, and high cliffs.

Whether you are looking for a beautiful stretch of golden sand or a tiny, hidden cove, you can find it here.

The whitewashed town of Tamariu boasts one of the most beautiful sandy beaches of the Costa Brava : Platja de Tamariu. It has great water sports facilities and connects to several smaller coves.

The village of Cadaqués is home to the Cap de Creus Nature Reserve which forms a series of beautiful, unspoilt coves.

Or, check out Empuriabrava, which offers some of the Costa Brava’s widest and longest beaches with excellent facilities.

La Cala del Golfet , in Calella de Palafrugell, is another stunning beach worth visiting.

But there are so many beautiful beaches that it is impossible for me to choose a favorite. I therefore highly recommend exploring as many different beaches as you can if you decide to take your family vacation in Spain to the Costa Brava!

Costa Brava’s Food

The Costa Brava is well known for its cuisine and boasts a surprising number of really high quality restaurants (including one of the best restaurants in the world ).

Costa Brava’s cuisine mainly consists of fish and seafood, olives, fresh vegetables, pasta, rice, and olive oil . But, since the north of the Costa Brava is close to the Pyrenees, there are also excellent meat and game dishes.

And, being such a popular tourist destination, you can find many international dishes here as well and enough variety to keep everyone in the family happy.

Family Fun on the Costa Brava

There are several waterparks on the Costa Brava which are renowned for their safety, comfort, and quality.

At many beaches, you will find all sorts of water sports and great boat trips. In the villages, you can find mini golf, go-karts, and many other activities for the whole family.

Tip: the Costa Brava is a beautiful destination for a summer vacation in Spain. But, that does mean it attracts a lot of tourists, especially in July and August.

If you are looking for a quieter family vacation in Spain you might want to avoid these months or stay in smaller towns slightly more inland.

Also Read: Best beach hotels on the Costa Brava

2. The Best of The Costa Dorada for Families

Costa Dorada means Golden Coast which is a perfect name for this part of Spain’s Mediterranean coast filled with long stretches of golden sand beaches and numerous resort towns .

The Costa Dorada extends south and west from Barcelona and is a surprisingly multi-faceted destination. It offers a wide range of fun activities, culture, nature, and history in a tranquil setting.

If you want more than sun, sea and sand on your vacation to Spain then venture away from the beach to the Costa Dorada’s lowlands.

This area between the coast and the mountains boasts an expansive natural landscape with quiet villages and farms surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and almond trees. And check out the delta of the river Ebro with its labyrinth of lakes.

Many towns on the Costa Dorada are built around a castle or a fortress. And most are still small and traditional, not overdeveloped with tourism.

If you want to combine time at the beach with some culture and sightseeing , the Costa Dorada is a great choice for a comfortable family vacation in Spain.

A Selection of Towns Worth Visiting on the Costa Dorada

Tarragona , Costa Dorada’s largest city, which is as well-known for its Roman ruins as it is for inventive seafood.

The town has some of the best Roman remains in Spain and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage City .

Sitges , known as the gay-friendly party town with bustling nightlife and numerous festivals.

But despite being such a popular tourist destination it does retain much of its old-world charm, has a lovely old town and some good museums.

Reus , the birthplace of architect Antoni Gaudí. It’s a lovely town with gorgeous architecture.

Tortosa , an underrated inland town with an impressive fortress and some good museums.

El Perello , a charming agricultural village, famed for its honey. Check out the well-maintained center with its bustling market and town square.

Just outside of this town you can find La Cueva de la Mallada; a cave with prehistoric cave paintings.

Torredembarra with its beautiful stretch of fine, sandy beach. It combines an ultramodern harbor and excellent shopping, with a medieval influence in its architecture and a long maritime history.

Altafulla , a small fishing village that is quickly becoming a preferred tourist destination.

Situated on the banks of the river Gaia, the town has retained its ancient character, combined with excellent amenities and many cultural attractions.

Sant Carlos de la Rapita , a major fishing port and paradise for food lovers. The town is filled with excellent seafood restaurants. Water sports are also popular in the area.

The beautiful medieval monasteries of Poblet and Santes Creus .

Finally, take a day trip to Barcelona if you want to include some great museums, culture, and city vibes into your family vacation.

Also Read: Hot Air Ballooning in Barcelona – My Review & Tips and Easy Day Trips from Barcelona by Train

Costa Dorada’s Best Beaches

The Costa Dorada has a great offering of beautiful beaches.

Cunit beach , split into seven half-moon-shaped mini beaches is especially family friendly with its calm, shallow waters and great facilities including toilets, water sports rentals, and beachside restaurants.

Long, sandy Calafell Beach is another favorite during family vacations in Spain and a great place if you want to combine a trip to the beach with some sightseeing in the historic town of Calafell. There are children’s playgrounds at the beach and the water is calm and clean, making it perfect for younger children.

Other beautiful, family friendly sandy beaches include Altafulla Beach , Platja de Tamarit , Playa del Regueral , and Riumar Beach (with great sand dunes).

But the good thing about the Costa Dorada is that most beaches are suitable for kids of all ages so just check out a number of different beaches during your stay here!

Costa Dorada’s Food

The Costa Dorada offers typical Mediterranean food and is mainly known for its fish and seafood.

With its many traditional Spanish towns, you will have many opportunities to taste authentic Catalan dishes.

Family Fun on the Costa Dorada

Apart from perfect family-friendly beaches, the Costa Dorada is also home to PortAventura, a large theme park that is often named as one of the best in Europe.

Additionally there is a popular water park in Pineda, a fun magic show at the House of Illusion in Salou, and plenty of activities in each town to keep the entire family entertained.

3. The Best of The Costa Verde for Families

The Costa Verde, meaning Green Coast, is a lush, green coastal strip in the Asturias region, in northwest Spain. It is a more rugged coastline with spectacular cliffs, scattered sandy beaches, national parks, and dramatic mountain ranges.

If you love nature, hiking, mountain villages, great forests, and a view of snow-capped mountains , then the Costa Verde is for you.

The Costa Verde is wild and beautiful, with an abundance of caves to explore and breathtaking scenery to admire. Visit Somiedo National Park to try and catch a glimpse of a bear or a gray wolf.

And, the Costa Verde is also one of the only places in Western Europe where brown bears still roam.

If you are looking for a more active family vacation in Spain, the Costa Verde is perfect!

A Selection of Towns Worth Visiting on the Costa Verde

Cudillero , one of the most charming fishing villages on the Costa Verde.

The village offers colorful houses, a beautiful view as you climb up the hill and a traditional Asturian town feel. Additionally, Cudillero is close to one of Asturia’s most famous beaches: Playa del Silencio.

Gijon , which began as a fishing village nearly 3000 years ago. It is now considered the maritime capital of Asturias with one of Spain’s busiest shipping ports.

Gijon is a modern, energetic, and prosperous town but has managed to conserve that authentic fishing-village vibe.

The city has great opportunities for shopping, a beautiful seaside promenade, and a wide range of restaurants. It also offers plenty of squares, parks, and museums to keep the whole family entertained.

Ribadesella , a pretty town in a bay, surrounded by high mountains, beaches, and steep cliffs.

The town is known for the Tito Bustillo Cave, which is an impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site. Prehistoric drawings of more than 14,000 years old have been found here – some of the oldest prehistoric art in the world.

Cangas de Onis , which forms the entrance to the Picos de Europa National Park. The most popular attraction here is a medieval bridge and a small chapel built in a small cave, high above the ground.

Llanes , a charming, historical village. It is one of the most visited villages on the Costa Verde boasting remains of a medieval wall, a 13th-century tower, and a 15th-century palace. It is also close to many great beaches.

What makes the Costa Verde such a great part of Spain though is its countless small fishing villages and mountain towns . Therefore take my suggestions merely as a guideline and definitely go on a road trip to explore some of the other adorable places this region has to offer.

Costa Verde’s Best Beaches

Costa Verde’s coastal area is both stunning and dramatic; with long sandy beaches, coves, cliffs, and hidden caves against a backdrop of rugged mountains.

Some of the most stunning beaches include the Playa de Cuevas del Mar (the Beach of Sea Caves), the hidden gem Playa de Xago, and the wild gem Playa Cobijeru .

Do check out Playa de Gulpiyuri , the “beach without a sea”: a small inland beach and one of Asturias best-kept secrets.

Long, sandy Playa de Rodiles makes a great beach for any family with kids and Playa de la Griega , with dinosaur footprints still present in the rock formations, is also a great recommendation.

But, similar to the other two Costas, this part of Spain offers a nearly endless number of beaches so do go out and explore!

Tip: Keep in mind that many of the beaches on the Costa Verde are fairly remote and offer limited facilities so do bring enough water, snacks and anything else you may need for a beach day.

Costa Verde’s Food

Asturian food is based on wholesome and hearty home cooking.

You will find a lot of meat and rich dishes here. The most famous regional dish is Fabada Asturiana , a rich stew made with large white beans ( fabes de la Granja ), pork shoulder (llacón), morcilla (black pudding), chorizo, and saffron.

Asturias is also famous for its cider , so do try that when traveling to the Costa Verde.

Family Fun on the Costa Verde

With so many outdoor adventures the Costa Verde is a great region to keep your kids active.

If your kids are into dinosaurs then check out the Jurassic Museum of Asturias – the building itself is a giant dinosaur’s footprint and it has exhibitions, workshops and play areas for all ages.

Traveling to the Costa Verde might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you are considering a family vacation in Spain. But that makes this area just that tiny bit extra special!

The Costa Verde is much more unspoilt than the other coastal areas of Spain. It is absolutely stunning, the people are friendly and it will show you a side of Spain you don’t see in every travel guide.

Family Vacations in Spain – Final Tips

Consider staying in one of EuroCamping’s family-friendly vacation homes, bungalows or tents. They have campsites in each of these 3 Spanish coastal regions and their campsites offer great amenities such as pools, waterslides, restaurants, and shops.

Or check out VRBO for a wide range of vacation homes throughout Spain.

If you’re struggling to decide on your next travel destination, Spain is a great choice to keep all the family happy!

With so much to see and do Spain is the type of destination you could easily visit every year and still have a completely different vacation each time.

So, take your kids on a family vacation to Spain! I am sure you will enjoy this diverse country as much as I do!

Also Read:  

• Things to Know Before Going to Spain
• Best Time to Visit Spain
• 5 Crazy Spanish Festivals You Have to See to Believe
• Fun, Crazy & Interesting Facts About Spain
• Things to Do in Marbella With Kids (Costa Del Sol)
• The Benefits of Traveling as a Family
• Flight Delayed? This is How to Get Compensation!

And check out my other articles about traveling in Spain & living in Spain

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6 thoughts on “The Best Family Vacations in Spain – Costa Brava, Costa Dorada & Costa Verde”

Thank you for sharing such an informative post. Spain is the most popular place to visit.

If you are coming to Spain for the weather then in March I would go to the south. Have you considered the area around Malaga? I am sure there are plenty of nice villas to rent there and the area offers a lot: – Malaga, a cute city with a good mix of history, tourism and beach culture. – Marbella, Fuengirola and Torremolinos: the touristy coastal towns. – Antequera and Ronda: my recommendations for day trips. – Enough nature for hikes

I would look into this area, see if you can find a villa or townhouse you like to rent, fly into Malaga, rent a car at the airport and explore the area during your trip.

I hope this helps and enjoy your family vaction in Spain! 🙂

We are trying to plan a family trip for March 2020 (12-20th). 4 adults and a 13 year old. It doesn’t seem that it’s warm enough at that time for a beach vacation, but I’m wondering if you could suggest another area in Spain that would work for us. We like to rent a place that is comfortable – maybe with a heated pool and places close by for day trips. Maybe a small village. My request is so general and I haven’t done any research on areas in Spain so please don’t hesitate to tell me to go someplace else!!

By just looking at these photos, Spain is incredibly one of the best family vacation destinations. Thank you so much for this article.

Me and my family will book a flight to Spain and go to the wonderful island of Fuerteventura. I’ve heard so many great things about this place and i’m just fascinated about the island. I’ve decided not to waste any minutes and booked a flight next month with my family. This will be the first time we will be going out of the country and I’m really excited as much as my family is.

There are so much things to explore in Spain. Once I thought I saw the most, I started reading blogs and found there is so much more to see. Those are lovely family destinations indeed!

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The best family destinations in Spain

Spain is one of the most popular holiday destinations for families. It’s easy to get to with warm weather, delicious food and superb beaches. In fact, there are so many places in Spain that are ideal for a family holiday that it’s hard to narrow it down. We’ve rounded up the best family destinations in Spain so you can pick your favourite.

9/9 Barcelona, Catalonia

Barcelona is not just a fantastic city break for adults. It’s made for kids too. For easy exploration of the city try the Montjuic cable car. It will take you either over the sea to Barceloneta and the beach or up to the old castle. A walk to Gaudi’s Park Guell and Casa Batlló with its fantastical characters and colours should spark imaginations (plus it’s free). If you’re feeling flash with the cash go for a 360° skywalk which includes a boat ride around the coastline, a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter and a helicopter ride over the city. If you want to explore under your own steam, first head to the Gothic Quarter followed by a stroll up the infamous La Rambla to watch the street performers. Olympic Village beach is the best beach for families and even has a playground. To get closer to marine life visit the aquarium which boasts Europe’s largest underwater walkway. Finally, football fans shouldn’t miss a day trip to Camp Nou, the home of legendary club FC Barcelona.

Check out our curated list of the perfect family stays in Barcelona

8/9 Costa Brava, Catalonia

Stretching 124 miles along Spain’s northeastern coastline from the French border down to Blanes, the Costa Brava, or ‘rugged coast’ is one of the best family destinations in Spain. Most of the beaches are perfect for kids, with clean and calm water and sandy beaches. Blanes, Lloret de Mar, Sant Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Sant Antoni de Calonge, Platja d’Aro, L’Estartit and Roses are considered the best family beaches, though there are many more. There’s plenty to do in the region apart from laze in the sand. Snorkel off the Medes Islands, one mile from L’Estartit beach, for outstanding marine life, or stroll round the Jardí Botànic Marimurtra Botanical Gardens, near Blanes, for exotic plant life . The waymarked coastal trail is also well suited to families. The walking is easy and the views should keep little ones occupied. However if little legs do not want to cooperate, you could take the Roses Express train instead up into the Cap de Creus nature park.

Check out our curated list of the perfect family stays in Costa Brava

7/9   Cantabria region

Cantabria, a region in the north of Spain, consists of Atlantic coastline and glorious mountain ranges. Like the Pyrenees, it’s a fabulous destination for outdoorsy families. The Picos de Europa National Park is a highlight in Cantabria. There are miles of magical walks in the fresh air to enjoy, many of which are suitable for youngsters. If you can peel yourself away from the high ranges, there’s Argüeso Castle, a network of caves complete with prehistoric art at Altamira, the Maritime Museum and Cabárceno Natural Wildlife Park to keep everyone amused.

Check out our curated list of the perfect family stays in Cantabria

6/9 Costa Dorada, Catalonia 

The Costa Dorada follows the coastline south after Barcelona down the eastern coast of Spain from Cunit to Alcanar. One of the main draws for families here is a visit to PortAventura, a huge amusement park close the Tarragona. It’s also a great place for active families. Cycling is excellent here. The town of Cambrils has miles of bike lanes, with many along the coast. Inland, the Montsant Massif and the Prades Mountains cater for hiking enthusiasts as does the ‘The Castle and Monastery of Cornu Bovis’ Trail’, which rises to an old Roman castle. The Costa Dorada is not called the ‘golden coast’ for nothing. Miles after miles of long golden beaches stretch out offering families watersports galore. For something completely different though you may want to head to L’Ametlla de Mar, south of Tarragona to snorkel amongst hundreds of silvery Bluefin tuna.

Check out our curated list of the perfect family stays in Costa Dorada

5/9 The Spanish Pyrenees, Catalonia

Spain’s beaches are so popular as a family holiday destination that the country’s interior is often overlooked. But head inland in the north of the country to the Spanish Pyrenees and you’ll be rewarded with a wildly overlooked part of the country with stunning mountain vistas and all the action-packed activities that come with it such as hiking and mountain biking. Visit the fertile volcanic landscape of Garrotxa or dramatic and grand Aigüestortes and stay in Sort, a charming, historic town which is set up to organise all your outdoor fun. Should you want a bit more of a city fix, Barcelona is three hours away so could be combined as a weekend add-on.

Check out our curated list of the perfect family stays in The Spanish Pyrenees

4/9 San Sebastian, Basque Country 

Foodie paradise San Sebastián is another fabulous city geared up for families. It’s a very green city with plenty of parks and playgrounds. Kids should love the thrilling ride up the funicular to the top of Igueldo for the views out over La Concha Bay and the Monte Igueldo theme park for classic fairground rides. There are three gorgeous beaches to relax in, Playa de la Concha, Playa de Zurriola and Playa de Ondarreta, plus an aquarium to learn more about the watery world nearby. If you want to head out of the city, try a day trip to Santa Clara island or hiking up into the hills. The city of Bilbao is only an hour away too should you want to check out the Museo Guggenheim Bilbao.

Check out our curated list of the perfect family stays in San Sebastian

3/9 Tenerife, Canary Islands 

Tenerife’s subtropical climate means it’s a top destination to visit during spring and autumn as well as over the summer months. The island boasts spectacular landscapes as well as lava and sand beaches and lively seaside resorts. You will find most beaches have all sorts of watersports attractions from kayaking to banana boats, sailing trips and snorkelling, though head northwest to the lava beaches should you want a quieter feel. A holiday in Tenerife will not be complete without a trip to Mount Teide, the world’s third-largest volcano. Little legs should have no fear as there is a cable car that travels up to the snow-capped peak. Within the National Park there are also miles of wild hiking and biking trails if you have older children.

Check out our curated list of the perfect family stays in Tenerife

2/9 Costa de la Luz, Andulucia

Spain’s ‘coast of light’ faces out to the Atlantic and runs along the southwest of the country from Tarifa to the mouth of the Guadiana River. As the region is far south, temperatures are much warmer, so it’s a great choice outside of the peak season. Expect upmarket towns here plus lovely dune-backed beaches. The Zahara de los Atunes is a family favourite beach. Family attractions in the region apart from the beaches include an animal rescue centre, the Zoo de Castellar in Castellar de la Frontera, the adventure park Entre Ramas Aventura and Doñana Natural Park, a massive nature reserve that hosts wetlands, migratory birds, pine forests and shifting coastal dunes.

Check out our curated list of the perfect family stays in Costa de la Luz

1/9 Menorca, Balearic Islands 

The island of Menorca may be no larger than the Isle of Wight but it contains much for families to enjoy. Clear, shallow waters and sandy beaches are found all around the island, and are often much quieter than its louder neighbours, Majorca and Ibiza. The island’s calm waters mean it’s the ideal spot for first timers to try sea kayaking. Cala Galdana is one of the island’s best beaches for families. Despite it being popular it still manages to retain a feeling of tranquillity. Es Grau beach and nature reserve is another top spot for children, with a long stretch of shallow water to paddle in. Other good spots include Santo Tomás beach and the beaches of Son Saura. The Cami de Cavalls coastal path is great for families who want to admire the water from dry land. It’s well marked and easy to follow. Another gem for families is the S’Albufera des Grau nature reserve backs onto the beach, a wetland area around a lake and the reason Menorca is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Check out our curated list of the perfect family stays in Menorca

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Copy my trip: A family trip through Spain with Elsewhere by Lonely Planet

Sep 30, 2023 • 4 min read

Exploring the beaches of Nerja, Andalucía was one of many unforgettable experiences from one family’s Spain itinerary © Melinda Anderson / Lonely Planet

Despite my love of travel – and travel-planning – organizing a stellar family vacation is a quagmire for me.

Our brood includes Bella, an 18-year-old rising first-year college athlete (go Wisconsin Badgers!); Sophie, a 16-year-old almost high school junior whose bent for art and style runs deep; and Anderson (his first name is my last name), an eight-year-old soccer (and all sports) fanatic who is always up for an adventure (except when it comes to trying new foods). And then there’s John and me, who have been to enough places and done enough things that our personal checklist on family getaways usually includes one crucial item: a super-special meal just for us.

To celebrate Bella’s high-school graduation and all of our back-to-back spring birthdays, we chose Spain ,  where we knew we had a great shot at meeting the needs of all our mixy-matchy family members. The smartest thing I did was enlist help from genius local expert Laura Guillen Olavide from Elsewhere by Lonely Planet to help me plan and make it happen. The itinerary she created for us was exactly what I'd hoped for but didn't have the time or local expertise to pull off on my own. Our June trip more than met everyone’s expectations. 

Where did you stay? What was the vibe?

We stayed in three different cities: Madrid , Málaga and Barcelona . The three hotels Laura found had both of my essential family vacation amenities: a pool for post-activity chill-out time and room service for when one (or more) of us might be too pooped to pop out. We had a family-style room for three and a double for the teenagers at each spot. 

In Madrid, we slept at super centrally located Catalonia Gran Via on the main shopping drag and a short walk from the art triangle. The girls loved the city-boutique feel, and we appreciated the extra proper bed in our room instead of the usual pull-out. 

The palatial building at Gran Hotel Miramar in Málaga has over its 100-year history been a hospital and a municipal building. A recent top-to-bottom renovation has brought it back to its original purpose as an upscale seaside haven. With the luxurious almost-entirely white decor dotted with glittery mirrors and sparkling Moorish touches, we all felt a little like movie stars. With its two pools, multiple dining options, spa and seaside views for days, we might never have checked out had the pull of Barcelona not been so strong. 

Located steps from two Gaudí must-sees on window-shopping mecca Passeig de Gracia , Hotel Condes de Barcelona is teeming with so many helpful staff members it felt like we had private butlers every time we entered the fully modernized 19th -century former mansion. 

Best thing you ate?

John and I left all three kids behind for Michelin-starred Restaurante Jose Carlos Garcia in Málaga. It’s a strictly multiple-course malagueño -inspired tasting menu (70% of the ingredients are sourced locally) served up in a super stylish contemporary space that manages to be upscale but unfussy. 

That – and ham, ham, ham, anywhere and everywhere. 

What did you book in advance of your trip?

We booked just enough to give us structure but not so much for us to feel like we were on a pack-it-all-in commercial tour. Hotels, transportation and key activities like golf, sailing, a cooking class, special dinners and an out-of-town excursion were all set in in advance. It worked out to be roughly one planned activity a day with plenty of free time around it. 

Favorite activity from the trip? 

If we had to vote as a bloc, we might collectively agree that the half-day sail off of Costa del Sol was aces. Individually, from oldest to youngest: John loved golfing with Anderson at the insanely beautiful Torrequebrada .  I was in even more awe at La Sagrada Familia (nearly finished!) than 20 years ago, on my first trip to Barcelona. Bella nearly died from the homemade croquetas at our mom-and-stepdaughter cooking class with Bernardita, but also did not hate the lower drinking age and thoroughly acquainted herself with the refreshing Tinto de Verano wherever possible. Sophie fell hard for Madrid, especially her namesake, the Reina Sofia , while  Anderson has not stopped telling all his friends about his tour of Camp Nou home of FC Barcelona ,  where he scored against the RoboKeeper and took home some serious swag.

What’s your favorite photo from the trip and where was it taken?  

I love this picture of my son framing up one of the best views of Madrid from the rooftop restaurant Azotea del Circulo , paired with his own shot of the Gran Via. Giving Anderson a camera and assigning pictures kept him engaged even during the activities an eight-year-old might not otherwise enjoy. Plus...hi, Madrid sunset. 

What was the most touristy thing you did?

We went on guided walking tours in each city, which felt like the right thing to do with our three first-timers to Spain . Luckily, Laura booked us dynamic guides, particularly in Madrid, where US-born Margit designed our whole excursion around snacks and libations along the way. 

Best tip for someone who wants to plan the same trip?

Contact Laura today. Just mosey on over to Elsewhere's Spain page and make a request. 

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