Europe has long been the perfect holiday destination for families. But even within the continent, Spain remains a largely underrated gem for a family vacation. With its diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and historic architecture, The Bull Skin nation deserves a place in all family bucket lists.
In this article, we dive into some of the nation’s biggest tourism magnets, spread across its major cities. This will help you plan your family vacation to Spain, to make it a memorable experience!
1. Barcelona
If you’re looking for a city that effortlessly combines modernity with tradition, look no further than Barcelona. Serving as the capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, the city perfectly embodies the glamor, excitement, and emotion associated with its namesake football club, FC Barcelona.
However, even if you’re not a raging football fan, Barca’s family-friendly activities and attractions will leave you with a memorable experience.
For architecture nerds, there are few inspiring Late Gothic masterpieces quite like the Sagrada Familia, designed by Antoni Gaudi. The awe-inspiring basilica fascinates adults and children alike with its intricate carvings and towering spires.
Speaking of children, a trip to Barca is far from being just a hangout for nerds. It sure has plenty of fun, cool and adrenaline filled activities to do.
Start with the Magic Fountain of Montjuic. This is where your family can witness a spectacular display of lights, water, and music. Then take a trip to Park Guell. It’s another masterpiece by Gaudi that offers whimsical structures, colorful mosaics, and panoramic views.
2. Madrid
The capital of Spain is a vibrant metropolis that offers a wide variety of family-friendly attractions. This includes a visit to the magnificent Royal Palace of Spain. You can take a guided tour through its grand halls and opulent interiors. This is where the Royal Family of Spain still lives today.
For art-lovers, the Prado Museum is an absolute delight! It contains a remarkable collection by work-renowned artists, the likes of Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco. The museum is one of a kind in its ability to make the artworks come alive through engaging descriptions and multimedia displays.
For a fun-filled day outdoors, don’t miss out on the Retiro Park. It has puppet shows, bike rides, boating on the lake, and plenty more activities for children and adults alike. Beyond this, there are Spain’s food enclaves, such as Mercado de San Miguel, offering everything from tapas to churros.
3. Costa del Sol
Costa del Sol is an idyllic destination for families seeking sun, sand, and relaxation. Located along the southern coast of Spain, this region boasts stunning beaches, charming coastal towns, and a pleasant Mediterranean climate.
Marbella, a famous resort town, offers a range of family-friendly activities, including water sports, boat trips, and a picturesque old town to explore.
The Bioparc Fuengirola, a zoo committed to animal conservation, provides children with an exciting and educational experience. Your family can enjoy a day of fun in nearby Torremolinos at Aqualand. It’s a water park with thrilling slides and pools for all ages.
4. Valencia
Valencia, a vibrant city on Spain’s eastern coast, perfectly blends history, culture, and modernity. The futuristic City of Arts and Sciences will surely captivate your family. This features an interactive science museum, an aquarium, and an IMAX cinema.
Stroll through the enchanting Turia Gardens. It’s a former riverbed transformed into a vast park with playgrounds, sports facilities, and beautiful green spaces.
For a thrilling day out, head to the Oceanografic, Europe’s largest aquarium. This is where you can witness the fascinating marine life up close. Remember to indulge in a traditional Valencian paella, a mouthwatering dish for the whole family!
5. Asturias
Quite unlike Spain itself, the Asturias as a region is vastly underrated for its tourism potential and remarkable appeal for families.
There are few other places in the world that can captivate visitors quite like the Asturias. It has rugged, untouched coastline with spectacular views of the Cantabrian Sea. And this while being surrounded by breathtakingly steep cliffs on three sides.
Try popular activities here such as hiking, fishing, and just sitting back and observing the region’s glorious landscape. You can also explore its various caves, plazas, historic buildings and cathedrals.
The region is renowned for its rich artistic and architectural heritage. It has Gothic-style Romanesque and pre-Romanesque monuments. These include the Santa Maria del Naranco, San Miguel de Lillo, and the Santa Cristina de Lena still standing to this day.
6. Galicia
Nestled in the northwestern region of Spain, in Atlantic Europe, this autonomous region harbors its own unique culture and traditions. It’s quite unlike the rest of the nation.
The region’s landscape is uniquely interspaced between hills, mountain ranges, and beaches. This results in one of the most fascinating sceneries in Spain, if not the world. For families, in addition to the breathtaking natural landscapes, there is a wealth of cultural heritage to explore. There are museums, fortresses, cathedrals, and historic towers.
Galicia is also known to offer the best seafood in all of Spain, with the renowned Pulpo or Octopus, being particularly divine. It also features top-notch wine from regions such as D.O. Monterrei, and O Ribeiro, among others.
You should also consider paying a visit to the Cies Island. It’s an archipelago, which harbors the island of Monteagudo. It’s a home to the ‘best beach in the world’ according to The Guardian.
Like most places in Spain, this island gets few visitors. This is another hidden gem that tourists today can still make the most of, before it gets overrun.
Make your vacation to Spain a memorable experience for the whole family!
Spain is indeed an underrated gem when it comes to family vacation destinations in Europe. This makes it the perfect time to visit, before it gets overrun by tourists from around the world.
With the right planning, your family can experience the best of what the nation has to offer. In little under a week, you can create memories that can be cherished for a lifetime! And while you’re at it, make sure to include personalized spanish courses for you and your family, as a part of your planning.
That being said, most people in Spain do speak English. Even if they are not much proficient in it, they can certainly understand and guide foreigners when in need of help.
Looking for more ideas for family vacations? Check these out!
- 7 Thrilling & Unforgettable Family Vacation Destinations in Singapore
- 21 of the Best Winter Family Vacation Destinations
Has this post helped you? Take a second to PIN it!
