How to Plan a Family Trip to Spain in 2024/2025

Planning a family trip to Spain could be overwhelming, especially when you try to decide which destinations and activities would cater to both parents and kids.

To help streamline your planning process, our product team have spent almost 3 months investigating family-friendly experiences in Spain and nearby countries to create a thorough guide to a family trip, as detailed below. This guide will be continually updated.

Best Places for a Family Trip to Spain

If this is your family's first time in Spain, Madrid and Barcelona are the must-sees. Besides these two places, Valencia is a Mediterranean playground than could provide your family with a joyful time.

Madrid: Spanish Royal History and Authentic Local Snacks

Royal Palace of Madrid

Madrid's allure extends beyond its royal architecture to the finest art and delicious local snacks.

Visiting a royal museum or palace could feel like navigating a maze. A private tour with a family-friendly guide would ensure a smooth and memorable experience.

• No rush: You wouldn't have to keep up with a private tour. Your kids would have time to appreciate the most vivid art lessons at the Prado Museum and enjoy the charm of European world-class masterpieces.
• Storytelling: When you visit the majestic baroque Royal Palace of Madrid, an expert guide would immerse you in tales of Spain's monarchs and help you too fully admire the exquisite royal artifacts.
• Gain insight into authentic local life: Take a leisurely walk with a local guide through the city blocks and indulge in traditional snacks from renowned brands, such as churros (deep-fried dough) with chocolate.
• Save your time: To enhance your experience in museums, cathedrals, and castles, we strive to ensure skip-the-line tickets for your family. If you have a strong desire to go shopping, we would recommend the best places for you.

Barcelona: Gaudi's Masterpieces and Seaside Escape

Park Guell

Barcelona is a city brimming with a childlike sense of wonder blended with whimsical architecture.

Engage with informative guides who are open to answering children's endless questions as you explore Gaudi's masterpieces, such as the "dinosaur-roof house" of Casa Batlló, the awe-inspiring stained glass windows of the Sagrada Familia, and Park Guell with its mosaic style.

If you're seeking relaxation by the sea without the hassle of island transfers, Barcelona offers the ideal setting. Enjoy the soft sands of Barceloneta Beach or head to the serene shores of Sitges in Costa Dorada for a rejuvenating coastal escape.

Valencia: a Huge Playground for Kids

City of Art and Sciense

Valencia shines as a top destination for family adventures, catering to children of all ages. Setting itself apart from other places in Spain, the City of Arts and Sciences features a sense of the future and technology. Enchant young minds with its impressive modern architecture, interactive exhibits, giant animal skeletons, and groundbreaking discoveries on display. It serves as a hub for igniting curiosity and refreshing knowledge, especially where children are concerned.

Spain Itinerary Ideas: from 7–10 Days

For a family trip to Spain exploring Madrid, Valencia, and Barcelona, 7 days is the minimum time needed, offering culture and family-friendly fun with less cultural burden.

For a more immersive experience, including nearby towns and more engaging experiences, 10 days are more suitable. If you have a longer vacation, you might want to consider exploring a nearby island with outdoor activities or exploring the highlights of both Spain and Portugal or Spain and Italy, which typically requires 12–14 days.

1) 7 Days in Spain: Must-Sees with Active Family Adventures for Teenagers

• 2 nights in Madrid
• 2 nights in Valencia
• 2 nights in Barcelona

With this itinerary, make the most of your time in Spain, enjoying essential family activities without feeling rushed.

After immersing yourself in the rich history and art of Madrid, continue your adventure with a bike tour of Valencia. Cycle through the car-free zone stretching over 8 kilometers (5 miles) along the river, where you could explore the iconic City of Arts and Sciences and the Oceanogràfic (sea aquarium). The cycling tour is typically suitable for families with children up to 12 years old. Your tour could be customized to be shorter or longer based on your preference.

In Barcelona, if you or your kids love soccer, don't miss out on visiting the legendary Camp Nou stadium and the FC Barcelona Museum. Engage with the legends through interactive spaces and get up close to the team's trophies and special jerseys worn by soccer legends. It's not just a museum visit, it's an immersive journey through Barça's history, offering the perfect opportunity for your kids to relive iconic moments and create unforgettable memories.

2) 10 Days in Spain: More Leisure Activities Suitable for Kids from 3–9 Years Old

• 3 nights in Madrid (day trip to Segovia)
• 2 nights in Valencia
• 4 nights in Barcelona

Explore the landmarks of Madrid and Barcelona as well as the charm of the surrounding towns. Gaze at the singular architecture of Barcelona and participate in mosaic classes with your kids to create personalized souvenirs and lasting family memories. Soak up the sun at Barceloneta Beach to relax.

Venture to the historic city of Segovia on a day trip, where you would marvel at the castle that was the inspiration for the one in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and uncover the engineering marvel of the Roman aqueduct bridge, which has endured for over two millennia without the use of cement or mortar.

If you're looking for a Spanish island getaway, consider adding 3–4 days on an isolated island to the above itinerary.

• Mallorca is particularly well-suited for a family, offering a variety of activities including watersports, rocky peaks to explore, medieval villages to wander through, cycling trails, and horseback riding adventures. Mallorca promises ample excitement for teenagers.
• Menorca is recommended if your family loves scuba diving. It boasts a more pristine and tranquil atmosphere compared to Mallorca. Whether you're an experienced diver or a beginner, Menorca provides diving sites suitable for you.

The above itinerary could be tailored. Your Spain expert travel advisor would reply within 24 hours.

Best Times for a Family Trip to Spain

The best times to visit Spain are in spring (from March to May) and in autumn (from September to October). During these periods, the weather is pleasant with daytime temperatures ranging from 61–73°F (16–23°C) on average. Crowding is moderate.

Most family groups choose to travel during the school vacations, such as Easter's in March/April or June/July/August.

• As mentioned above, March and April are pleasant times.
• For a summer vacation, June is a suitable month with daytime temperatures ranging from 68–82°F (20–28°C). July is also an option with daytime temperatures ranging from about 77–95°F (25–35°C).
• August is generally not recommended, due to crowded tourist destinations and as many architectural sites undergo maintenance during this period.

How to Get To and Around Spain

Spain has two large airports, Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-EI Prat, which operate most of the flights arriving from and departing to other countries.

When traveling between major cities with children, you might worry about the journey times and comfort. Trains in Spain solve these problems completely.

• Less than 3 hours: High-speed trains departing from Madrid could connect you to most other cities in Spain in 3 hours or less.
• Spacious seats: Spanish train seats are generally larger than those on planes, especially when compared to many low-cost airlines.
• Fewer restrictions on weight limits and luggage pieces: This is a relief for parents traveling with kids who typically require more items.
• Convenient location: The central location of train stations in city centers makes it convenient to access your hotel without the hassle of long transfers.

If you're planning to visit the mountainous north of Spain, such as Bilbao, or the isolated islands, flights are recommended because of the long journey.

How Much Does It Cost for a Family Trip to Spain?

US$400–600 per person per day is a typical cost for a private tour with 4-star hotels, based on a family of 3–5 people. July and August form the peak season in Spain. During these months, the cost may double.

The price is based on a comfortable private family tour, including a private car service, private guide service, train/flight tickets within Spain, 4-star hotels, tickets for attractions, and full-day itineraries.

Our private tours provide you with many options for balancing price and quality perfectly. You could obtain relatively high-quality services, experiences, and privacy within the most reasonable price range. Feel free to contact us if you need help planning a trip to Spain.