HomeEuropean ToursSpain ToursSpain Guide

9 Best Places to Visit in Spain with Family

Ratings of Zicasso's Service
Mother and daughter at Park Guell in Barcelona, Spain.

Park Guell in Barcelona, Spain

From sun-kissed, family-friendly beaches in the north to storybook medieval towns in the south, explore the nine best places to visit in Spain with family and discover their unique charms and character.

Promises of cobbled passageways, a coastline of golden sands, preserved Moorish palaces, and masterworks of art create a compelling ambiance across the country for families with children of all ages. You can sample new and exciting flavors, learn to cook traditional Spanish dishes in a family kitchen, or see the surrealist architecture in Barcelona.

Perfect for sparking the imaginations of young kids, allowing older teenagers to embrace European splendor, and adults to appreciate historic Spain, here are our ideas of where to go when you visit as a family.

Overview
  1. 1. Toledo
  2. 2. Barcelona
  3. 3. Seville
  4. 4. Malaga
  5. 5. Granada
  6. 6. Mallorca
  7. 7. San Sebastian
  8. 8. Madrid
  9. 9. Segovia
  10. Explore the Best Places to Visit in Spain with Family

1. Toledo

View of The Alcázar of Toledo in Spain.

The Alcázar of Toledo in Spain

Toledo is a historic Spanish town that appeals to families with teenagers as tours guide you through Spain’s enchanting medieval era. There are cobblestone streets where sword-makers ply their trade, exciting children eager to experience history made real.

You can explore the past and revel in the preserved beauty at the Toledo Cathedral or wander the palatial grounds of the region’s Alcazar. There are bustling plazas where entertainers play folkloric music and the aromas of regional fish dishes flood the town square.

As a family with teenagers, you can trace the Jewish heritage in the old quarter and visit museums protecting Spain’s past-time secrets, not just learning about history, but immersing yourselves in it.

Family-Friendly Highlights: The Alcazar of Toledo • The Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes • Sinagoga de Santa Maria La Blanca • El Greco Museum • Puerto de Alfonso VI • Toledo Cathedral

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

2. Barcelona

Interior of La Sagrada Familia  in Barcelona, Spain.

Interior of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

Spain’s Catalonian capital, Barcelona, is a wonderland for children of all ages as the surreal architecture and vibrant culture come together to create a magical cosmopolitan atmosphere.

The streets of Barcelona are alive with locals and tourists exploring every nook of the popular cityscape, from the cafes where delightful aromas emanate to the medieval neighborhoods where Spanish heritage embellishes buildings along cobbled roads. The fairytale architectural marvels of Antoni Gaudi, namely Park Guell and La Sagrada Familia, attract kids young and old as they appear stripped from the pages of fantasy stories.

During the day, markets hum and families can explore stalls offering seasonal produce and curios. In the evenings, the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc dances in technicolor against the night sky and you can experience it all during the Best Time To Visit Barcelona.

Family-Friendly Highlights: Magic Fountain of Montjuïc • Gothic Quarter • La Barceloneta • Museum of Catalan History • La Boqueria Market • La Sagrada Familia • Park Guell

Recommended length of stay: 3-4 days

Learn more: Barcelona Itineraries & Vacation Packages

3. Seville

Family at the Plaza de Espana in Seville, Spain

Plaza de España in Seville, Spain

Seville is one of the best places to visit in Spain with kids, no matter their ages. Experience where the layers of Spain’s Moorish history and contemporary culture converge as you walk among neighborhoods etched into the fabric of Spanish heritage.

The cobbled lanes that lead to the Seville Cathedral become a playground where the past comes to life, whether on strolls through Plaza de Espana or taking a horse-drawn carriage beneath the towering minarets.

With an archeological collection on display in the Palace of the Countess of Lebrija and one of Spain’s flamenco destinations of origin, families with a knack for culture, the arts, and stunning live performances should pass through Seville.

Family-Friendly Highlights: The Royal Alcazar of Seville • Flamenco Dance Museum • Seville Cathedral • Santa Cruz • Plaza de Espana • Palace of the Countess of Lebrija

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Learn more: Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville Tours

4. Malaga

View of Malaga Bullring and Harbor in Spain.

Bullring and Harbor in Malaga, Spain

The port city of Malaga on Spain’s Costa del Sol is a glamorous getaway in the south for families with babies, young children, or adult children to enjoy the luxuries of resort living in Andalucia.

Malaga is a gateway to Spain’s golden coastline, with visions of Moorish Andalucia still prevalent at the historic sites and museums dotting the city. With a history dating back nearly three millennia, there are stunning castles with epic ramparts and streaming fountains to wander by between days spent on the sun-washed shores.

Families that enjoy art can see the diverse aesthetics of famous local artists or the perspectives of Picasso in the Picasso Museum Malaga. From beach days to gallery exploring, Malaga inspires families with children young and old.

Family-Friendly Highlights: Alcazaba Castle • Gibralfaro Castle • Principia Science Center • Picasso Museum Malaga • Playa de la Misericordia • La Caleta Beach

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Learn more: Tours & Vacations of Southern Spain

5. Granada

Alhambra palace and fortress in Granada, Spain.

The Alhambra in Granada, Spain

Granada is Spain’s Sierra Nevada city of myth and legend, ancient walls, and enchanting mysteries you can discover as a family embracing Moorish history.

It is one of the best family destinations in Spain, synonymous with the country’s historic regal ambiance. Famous for its sprawling Alhambra palace that provides an imaginative space where young or older children can explore crumbling towers or investigate the lush Generalife gardens, Granada captures the attention of all ages.

The city’s science center and museum, Parque de las Ciencias, transforms Granada into a vision of the future with modern interactive exhibits. Beyond fun-filled family activities in the city, the surrounding hills offer excellent hiking for active families, sharing dramatic views of Spain’s Sierra Nevada mountains.

Family-Friendly Highlights: Alhambra • Generalife • Nasrid Palaces • Royal Chapel of Granada • Parque de las Ciencias • Sierra Nevada Mountains

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

6. Mallorca

View of Porte de Soller in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

Porte de Soller in Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Explore magical island life at Mallorca, one of Spain's best family holiday destinations for coastal retreats. Beaches, caves, castles, and more can reveal the charm and beauty of this bustling Balearic Islands escape.

Take your young children to the Drach Caves and discover one of the largest underground lakes in the world. Then, pay a visit to the Arta Caves, with their impressive stalactites and stalagmites. Thereafter, enjoy some downtime on any of the island's beaches.

For something different, you can walk to the Lighthouse of Cap de Formentor or discover the Castell de Capdeper, architectural attractions with excellent backdrops for family photos. Mallorca is a great place to spend a few nights during Barcelona, Valencia, and Madrid Vacations & Tours as it is a brief cruise across the Balearic Sea from Valencia to Mallorca.

Family-Friendly Highlights: Drach Caves • Arta Caves • Palma • Valldemossa • Lighthouse of Cap de Formentor • Castell de Capdeper • Cala Mesquida Beach • Caló des Moro Beach

Recommended length of stay: 3-4 days

7. San Sebastian

Sunrise at La Concha Beach in San Sebastian, Spain

La Concha Beach in San Sebastian, Spain

As another spectacular Spanish resort town, San Sebastian invites families to slip off their shoes and step foot on the soft golden beaches hugging the northern Basque Country coastline.

Lavish hotels and seaside resorts provide privacy from the busy promenade, with easy access to the sparkling shores, giving families just enough space for relaxation, yet close to the action. Boasting seaside bars and chic restaurants serving pintxos, a northern Spanish variation of tapas, San Sebastian is a haven for parents with young and old children.

You can build sandcastles on the beach with your babies or taste cocktails with your adult kids as you catch the sunset. San Sebastian is a must-visit as it is one of the best places to go in Spain with family. Explore more ideas in our Top 7 Things to Do in San Sebastian.

Family-Friendly Highlights: La Concha Beach • Ondarreta Beach • Pintxos Tasting • San Sebastian Aquarium • Alderdi-Eder Park • Santa Clara Island • Albaola, the Sea Factory of the Basques

Recommended length of stay: 3-4 days

Learn more: Northern Spain Tours & Vacations

8. Madrid

Families enjoying boat rides at El Retiro Park in Madrid, Spain

El Retiro Park in Madrid, Spain

Fashionable, cultural, and modern, the Spanish capital of Madrid is a must-visit with your family as it showcases the country’s ebb and flow between history and modernity. Elegant boulevards lined with trees, charming cobbled districts, and contemporary neighborhoods come together in Madrid for families with babies, young kids, teenagers, and adult children to explore.

You can explore the European masterpieces in the Prado Museum, one of the 9 Best Museums in Spain, and circle the bustling Plaza Mayor. You and your family can navigate the soulful Spanish stalls of the San Miguel Market or even cheer your favorite soccer teams during a live match in the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid.

The possibilities are endless for families exploring the capital, with activities suitable for all ages. From food-tasting tours to family-friendly walking tours, explore all that Spain’s capital has to offer you and your children.

Family-Friendly Highlights: Prado Museum • Plaza Mayor • San Miguel Market • Santiago Bernabéu Stadium • El Retiro Park • The Royal Armoury of Madrid • Gran Vía

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Learn more: Barcelona & Madrid Tours

9. Segovia

Alcazar of Segovia in Segovia, Spain

Alcázar of Segovia in Spain

Segovia is a family-friendly playground of historic sites and Roman ruins, medieval wonders and old-world charm. The city's Roman aqueduct is one of the main attractions and kids young and older stand in awe before the epic and cinematic bridge towering above them.

Travel further around Segovia and you will arrive at the Gothic facade of the Segovia Cathedral or the fantastical Alcazar of Segovia that looks like it belongs in the wizarding world. The architecture of Segovia is enough to excite your children, creating a storybook backdrop for family photographs.

Tours of Segovia with older children and teenagers are particularly special as they are old enough to appreciate the sheer majesty of historic Segovia and admire the breathtaking works of art and architecture that have long influenced Spain.

Family-Friendly Highlights: The Aqueduct of Segovia • Segovia Cathedral • Alcazar of Segovia • Plaza Mayor • The Church of the True Cross • La Casa de los Picos • Monastery of Saint Mary of Parral

Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days

Explore the Best Places to Visit in Spain with Family

Mother and son playing at Plaza de Espana in Seville, Spain.

Plaza de Espana in Seville, Spain

The best places to visit in Spain with family can share exciting perspectives on the local history, heritage, and authenticity of daily Spanish life. Spain can captivate your entire family, from the quiet ambiance of a traditional plaza to the colorful aesthetic of a historic town.

Our Spain Family Vacations & Tours have the right combination of excursions and explorations for your next trip, and Zicasso’s Spain Travel Guide and Top 8 Things to Do in Spain with Family can give you new insight into how to explore the country.

Your Dream Vacation

in 3 simple steps

  1. 1

    Describe your dream trip

  2. 2

    Get matched with top travel specialists

  3. 3

    Book the trip

Free service - no credit card required

Get Top Travel Specialists to Help Plan Your Trip