We live in Barcelona, and we’ve spent more than ten years taking our two boys around Spain: from toddler beach weeks in Menorca to a New Year in Seville, a winter road trip in the Basque Country and, more recently, Ibiza with a teenager. I also spent 14 years on the hotel side of the travel industry, managing hotels across the Costa Brava, Costa del Sol, Mallorca, Ibiza, Valencia and more. This page is the map to everything we’ve written: pick your kind of trip, then follow the link.
Spain with kids: which region for which family?
| If you want… | Go to | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| City + beach, first trip to Spain | Barcelona | Barcelona with kids |
| Calm coves, small towns, road trip | Costa Brava | Costa Brava guide |
| Theme park + beach | Costa Daurada / PortAventura | PortAventura with kids |
| Toddler-friendly island beaches | Menorca | Menorca with kids |
| Which Balearic island? | Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza | Balearic Islands with kids |
| Winter sun | Canary Islands | Fuerteventura · Lanzarote |
| Beach resort with day trips | Costa del Sol | Where to stay on the Costa del Sol |
| History and culture | Andalusia | Alhambra with kids · 3 days in Seville |
| Aquarium, science and a city beach | Valencia | Things to do in Valencia with kids |
| Museums and parks | Madrid | 4 days in Madrid with kids |
| Green coast, cooler summers | Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias | Basque Country · Asturias & Cantabria road trip |
| Snow | The Pyrenees | Skiing near Barcelona with kids |
Catalonia: Barcelona, the Costa Brava and beyond
Our home region, and where we’ve written the most. Barcelona itself works well with kids: beaches, parks and Gaudí. The Costa Brava has the small coves. Sitges and the Maresme are easy train trips. Inland are medieval villages like Besalú and Rupit, and PortAventura is an hour south. Start with Barcelona with kids and 20 day trips from Barcelona.
The Balearic Islands
Three islands, three kinds of family. Menorca for toddlers and calm, shallow calas. Mallorca for choice: all-inclusive resorts, villages, mountains. Ibiza for tweens and teens. We’ve done all three at different ages. Read Mallorca, Menorca or Ibiza with kids.
The Canary Islands
Spain’s winter sun: warm beaches when the mainland is cold. Fuerteventura for the beaches and dunes, Lanzarote for volcanoes and caves, Tenerife, which we did with a toddler, for variety.
Andalusia
The Spain of postcards: the Alhambra, Seville’s Alcázar and Plaza de España, and the beaches of the Costa del Sol. Under-13s are free at the Alcázar and Seville Cathedral, which helps. Start with the Alhambra with kids, Seville in 3 days and where to stay on the Costa del Sol.
Valencia, Madrid and Zaragoza
Valencia has Europe’s biggest aquarium, a 9 km park in an old riverbed and a city beach. Madrid has the Prado (free for under-18s), Retiro and the Royal Palace. Zaragoza is a compact, easy stop between Barcelona and Madrid. See Valencia with kids, Madrid in 4 days and Zaragoza with kids.
The green north: Basque Country, Cantabria and Asturias
For families who don’t want 35°C in August. The Basque coast has Gaztelugatxe, Zumaia and San Sebastián. Cantabria and Asturias have fishing villages like Cudillero and beaches where the water is cold and the sand is empty. See the Basque Country with kids and our Asturias and Cantabria road trip.
Where to stay in Spain with kids (from the hotel side)
- Read occupancy, not room names. A Spanish “family room” can be 14 m² or 76 m².
- Check “adults only”. It’s common on the Costa Brava, in Sitges and on the islands, and it’s not always obvious in the listing.
- Pools are seasonal. Most open mid-May or June to September.
- Tourist tax is charged in Catalonia and the Balearics on top of the room price.
- Apartments beat hotel rooms for families of five or more, and for any stay longer than four nights with small kids.
When to go to Spain with kids
- June and September: the sweet spot for beaches: warm sea, fewer people, lower prices.
- July–August: hot inland (Seville, Madrid) and busy on the coast. Head north or to the islands.
- Winter: the Canaries for sun, Seville and Madrid for cities, the Pyrenees for snow.
Spain with kids: FAQ
Where is the best place in Spain for a family holiday?
It depends on your children’s ages. For toddlers, Menorca or the Costa Brava’s calm coves. For a city and beach mix, Barcelona or Valencia. For winter sun, the Canary Islands. For cooler summers, the Basque Country and Asturias.
Which Spanish city is best for kids?
Valencia and Barcelona both combine a city beach with big family attractions. Valencia has Europe’s largest aquarium and a 9 km park in an old riverbed; Barcelona has beaches, parks and Gaudí.
When is the best time to visit Spain with kids?
June and September for beaches: warm sea, fewer people and lower prices. In July and August, choose the north or the islands over hot inland cities.
Are museums free for children in Spain?
Often, yes. The Prado is free for under-18s, and Seville’s Alcázar and Cathedral are free for under-13s. Most major sights have reduced or free child tickets.
