Best Attractions And Locations For A Family Vacation In Spain

When traveling with the kids, it is always important to research your destination to find out the best locations on a family vacation. However, Spain is among the best countries to travel with the little ones. In fact, this European nation celebrates children in almost every way, from eating out in restaurants to shopping and more. Meanwhile, one of the best things about Spain is the number of children’s playgrounds in every town and city. Read on to find out some of the best Spanish locations to take the kids on a truly fun family vacation.

Dining out in Spain

When taking the kids out for a meal you will find that most restaurants are family-friendly and have highchairs (trona in Spanish) for them to sit on. As for the menu, a number of Spanish dishes are a hit with children, including staples like patatas bravas (potatoes cooked in a zingy tomato sauce) and the ever-present and delicious tortilla.

Best beaches for the kids

Spain’s Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol are famous for their family-friendly beaches, but for families looking for a quieter vacation, the Balearic Island of Formentera is a definite hit. Here, there are many idyllic, white-sand beaches, including Ses Illetes. Moreover, Galicia in the north offers the tiny archipelago of Islas Cies and Illa de Monteagudo for its gorgeous beaches and campsites with pre-pitched tents and cots for hire, right next to the beach. Also, consider Patacona in Valencia with its chiringuitos (beach bars) offering sun beds and parasols for a perfect day out. Each major beach will normally feature a fun playground for the kids, as in the example pictured above.

Beautiful gardens in Spain for the kids

Throughout Spain, beautiful parks and gardens await families, offering shady picnic spots and beautiful flowers. One highly recommended park is Parque del Buen Retiro in Madrid, which hosts more than 15,000 trees for perfect shade in the summer sun. As can be seen in the image above, boats are available for rowing around the lake. Heading to the Barcelona area, Marimurtra Botanical Gardens, 40 miles from the city, offers panoramic views over the sea while exploring the park’s winding paths.

Fairy tale architecture

Certain cities in Spain feature wonderful architecture, including Barcelona with Antoni Gaudi’s Casa Batlló. This building is one of seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites designed by the late architect and artist. Its undulating tiles make it a fairy tale adventure for the kids, as well as its fascinating roof features. For more modern architecture, you can’t beat the Ciudad de las Artes y Las Ciencias (City of Arts and Sciences) in Valencia.

Staying with fairy tale architecture, the famous Alhambra in Granada is a popular location for children. Constructed in the 9th century, this beautiful palace is an ideal place to explore. Meanwhile, the Real Alcázar in Seville is a royal palace dating back to 913 CE and fascinating to explore.

Best museums in Spain for the kids

Each city has its own fascinating museums to explore, including the Museo Guggenheim Bilbao, with its fascinating sculptures. Heading to the city of Málaga on the Costa del Sol, one highly recommended location is the OXO Museo Videojuego Málaga, where kids and adults alike can have fun on retro games consoles.

Getting around Spain

Traveling Spain by rail is one of the best options to explore with the national RENFE rail service where children under six years travel free. Meanwhile, the country’s long-distance high-speed trains are a marvel, getting from city to city in a short time and with a buffet car where the kids can stretch their legs.

When traveling by car, children under 135 cm (4.4 ft) must have a car seat. Luckily, most taxis in Spain do have one tucked away in the trunk. Meanwhile, if you rent a car to get around you can request a safe car seat for the kids.

Enjoy a family vacation in Spain in 2024, where adults and children alike will have a great time and make plenty of memories. Read more about travel to this European nation here.