The best things to do in Spain with kids

There are few places in the world better to travel with children than Spain. For by and large, Spaniards simply adore little ones.

Children’s presence is accepted – celebrated, even – in almost every aspect of day-to-day life, from shopping to eating out in restaurants. (Be prepared for abuelas – grandmothers – to loudly coo over newborns.) On balmy evenings, it’s common to see families out way past sunset. In pretty plazas, children whizz down slides while parents watch over from the terrace nearby, sipping a chilled vermouth.

In short, visiting Spain with children is a delight. It can even be relaxing. Here’s our full guide to traveling in Spain with kids of all ages.

Is Spain good for kids?

One of the most brilliant things about Spain is the sheer amount of playgrounds (parques infantiles). They’re everywhere: at airports, in historic plazas, even next to bars.

Most restaurants in Spain are family-friendly, too. The Spanish word for high chair is trona – related to trono, which means throne. And indeed, at restaurants and tapas bars, little people are treated like royalty. What's more, restaurant staples like tortillas and patatas bravas (potatoes in spicy tomato sauce) are often a hit with even picky eaters.

It’s not all easy going: while historic city centers are beautiful to look at, navigating them with a stroller can be a chore. A carrier may be more convenient for small babies, but the summer months (July and August in particular) are just too hot for them. Overall, the stroller is usually best for breezy naps and sun protection.

Where in Spain is best for kids?

Rippled with mountain ranges, full of culture-charged cities and fringed with a sandy coastline, Spain has a huge variety of options for families. For seaside adventures, take a dip in the turquoise water of the Balearic Islands, grab a sun lounger on the Costa Brava or make sandcastles on the lush north coast. For city breaks, Valencia and Palma are ideally sized for young families, while Barcelona and Madrid feature zesty galleries and theme parks for older kids.

Best things to do in Spain with babies and toddlers

Splash on the beach

The Costa Blanca near Alicante is full of family-friendly beaches. For a quieter break, try the island of Formentera, only accessible by ferry from Dénia or Ibiza, where there are plenty of quiet, clean beaches where babies can take their first dip. Wilder still is Islas Cíes, a tiny archipelago in Galicia with no cars or hotels. Illa de Monteagudo has pristine beaches and simple campsites with pre-pitched tents (and cots to rent) next to the sea. For a more cosmopolitan beach, make tracks for Patacona in Valencia, dotted with laid-back chiringuitos (beach bars) – hire a deckchair and parasol for shade – and brilliant brunch spots.

Putter in plazas

Elegant city squares are an idyllic setting for a toddler’s first steps. With its enclosed playground in the center, Plaza de Santa Ana in Madrid is bordered by beautiful old houses with ornate balconies and historic cervecerias (bars). In Granada, families head to Plaza de Gracia to find a jungle gym and park surrounded by tapas bars. In Seville, Plaza de la Alfalfa is one of the prettiest, with colorful architecture and sun-dappled terraces.

Relax in grand gardens

A onetime retreat for the Spanish royal framily, Madrid’s Parque del Buen Retiro has more than 15,000 trees, which means you’re bound to find a shady picnic spot. Some 65km from Barcelona, Marimurtra Botanical Garden is a dramatic clifftop patch with staggering views of the sea and winding paths past lily-pad-filled ponds.

Best things to do in Spain with kids

Enjoy out-of-this-world architecture

Casa Batlló is one of Gaudí’s most evocative buildings in Barcelona; kids will be transfixed by its rainbow roof, with undulating tiles that resemble a scaly dragon. In Valencia, Santiago Calatrava’s architectural marvel Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias has numerous delights for kids. Here, swooping white IMAX theaters are made to look like the human eye, and Palau de les Arts – covered in twinkling mosaic shards – hosts children’s music workshops.

Visit fairy-tale palaces

In Spain, magical palaces aren’t just the stuff of fairy tales. The red-walled palace of Alhambra in Granada dates back to the 9th century, – and little imaginations will be fired up by the complex’s sublime symmetry and history. (Buy tickets in advance to avoid queues.) The Real Alcázar in Seville is a sensational royal palace dating back to 913 CE, and has seen numerous monarchs adding outrageous extensions over the centuries.

Check out family-friendly museums

In Valencia, Centre del Carme Cultura Contampor​​ània gives parents a breather while kids play in the cool, leafy courtyard. There's also a playroom with squishy shapes and lights in the floor that can be hired out for free. At the Museo Guggenheim Bilbao, kids weave in and out of the legs of Louise Bourgeois’ 9m-tall spider on the outdoor riverfront terrace. And at OXO Museo Videojuego Málaga, adults get thrashed by kids on retro games consoles.

Best things to do in Spain with teenagers and tweenagers

Set out for snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding

With its seagrass meadows and colorful sea life, Menorca has some of the best snorkeling in Spain. (We love Cala Macarelleta, a sheltered cove with small caves to explore.) And just off the coast of the Costa Brava, Illes Medes is the only dedicated marine reserve in the entire country. Even jaded teens will love spotting coral, starfish and octopus from a guided tour departing from L’Estartit.

Go stargazing

Budding astronomers should head to Parc Astronòmic del Montsec, around 200km from Barcelona in the mountains of the Serra de Montsec; a guided tour includes a peek at the night sky through the observatory's enormous telescope. Sierra Sur de Jaén in Andalucia is a protected starlight reserve, and local astronomy associations organize regular tours.

Planning tips

• In Spain, children under 135cm are required to ride in a car seat; luckily, taxis often have one in the trunk.

• Travel by train with kids is a breeze. The national network RENFE is modern and reliable, and children under 4 years go free. (If they stay on your lap, that is.) Long-distance high-speed trains are particularly nifty, and have a roomy dining car where children can stretch their legs.