Planning an unforgettable vacation in Spain with kids? Here’s my ultimate 10-day Spain itinerary for families, packed with cool places to surprise your little ones while exploring Spain with your family.

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Spain Itinerary for Families from Barcelona

Planning a trip in Spain with kids

Spain is one of the coolest European destinations for planning new family adventures. The country is known for its unique mix of great weather, iconic landmarks, artsy museums, delicious food, relaxing beaches, and adventurous activities. This makes it easy to create an itinerary across Spain that’s fun for all family members. Depending on your kids’ ages and interests, you can easily adjust your travel plans to include anything from Roman ruins to hotels with waterparks.

While most of my trips to Spain include family-friendly activities, I rarely create child-focused itineraries. I genuinely believe that kids are equal family members and should learn to adapt to the general travel plan. So, most of our trips are designed to have something engaging for both parents and children. That said, this year things have slightly changed. My kids have grown into quite opinionated travelers!

With plenty of travel experience in Spain under their belts, they’ve become savvy – and it’s getting harder and harder to trick them into hiking trips in the middle of nowhere. They already know exactly where theirfavorite theme parks and attractions are and often ask me to tweak our plans to include “their” landmarks. And honestly, saying no is tough – as a parent, there’s nothing better than seeing your kids have the time of their lives.

So, based on our current favorites in Spain with kids, I’ve put together this new 10-day road trip itinerary for families. This route is entirely kid-focused, but adults will enjoy it too – it’s a mix of well-known highlights and hidden gems. If you’re looking for a more laid-back trip, you can easily stretch this into a 2–3-week vacation. Most of the drives in this itinerary are under 1 hour and 30 minutes, which makes it totally doable for families with younger kids.

Don’t forget: you can download plenty of helpful freebies from this page to plan your family itinerary in Spain like a pro. And if you’re looking for more alternative routes from Barcelona, be sure to check out this post. Save this map via Googlemaps here.

10-day Spain Itinerary for Families (from Barcelona)

1. Barcelona / Days 1-2

Barcelona isn’t just one of the most unique European cities – it’s also one of the best places in Spain to spark your kids’ imagination. From the vibrant world of Gaudí’s architecture to some of the most unique interactive museums in the country, there’s plenty to captivate young minds.

While two days in Barcelona isn’t enough to see everything, I believe it’s a great amount of time to introduce the city to kids without overwhelming them with too much sightseeing – especially since Barcelona can be quite crowded. For more details on things to do in Barcelona with kids, check out my Weekend in Barcelona post or this 4-day Barcelona itinerary.

The Gaudi Architecture in Barcelona

Since Barcelona tops the list of Europe’s most-visited cities, most major landmarks involve long waiting lines.That’s actually why my girls haven’t seen all of Gaudí’s famous sites yet. I personally prefer to revisit the city and take my time – usually limiting our itinerary to a maximum of two popular landmarks (ideally with fast-track passes), while focusing more on interactive museums that are fun and engaging for kids.

Barcelona with Kids Bucket List

• La Sagrada Familia – one of the most stunning cathedrals in Spain (book now to get Fast-Track Access)
• Park Guell ( book now to get Skip-the-Line Access)
• Gaudi 4D Experience – discover more about the works of Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudí, with innovative audiovisual technology (book now)
• Montjuic Cable Car – a cool way to admire the city sights and views of the sea as you soar to the top of the hill of Montjuïc (get the roundtrip ticket now)
• Moco Museum – Barcelona’s modern art museum, with works of Kaws, Yayoi Kusama, and Banksy (book it now)
• Hop-on Hop-off bus tour of Barcelona – a great way to see the city without tiring out the little ones (book it now)
• Museu Blau – Natural History Museum of Barcelona

Top family tours in Barcelona

• Barcelona Churros, Hot Chocolate, and Games Family Tour (check availability)
• Barcelona Private Family-Friendly City Tour (check availability)
• 2.5-Hour Barcelona Kids & Family Walking Tour in English (check availability)

Where to stay in Barcelona with the kids:

Here are a few top-rated child-friendly Barcelona hotels with family rooms: Barcelo Sants, Torre Melina, Majestic Hotel&SPA, AC Diagonal, Novotel Barcelona City, Radisson Blu, and Acacia Premium Suite. You can find more top-rated accommodations on the map below.

2. Salou / Day 3

Visiting Port Aventura Theme Park

From Barcelona, you can drive to the small town of Salou – the journey takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes by car. Salou is best known for PortAventura, the largest theme park in Spain and the third largest in Europe. Kids absolutely love it! However, depending on the age of your little ones, some attractions may not be suitable. This page is helpful for checking the minimum height requirements for the rides. You can read more about out visit to PortAventura in this post.

• PortAventura Theme Park Entry Ticket (check availability)
• PortAventura Caribe Aquatic Park 1-Day Ticket (check availability)
• PortAventura Ferrari Land Admission Ticket (check availability)

Salou is a popular destination for family holidays in Spain, much like Cambrils – another charming coastal town nearby. That’s why you’ll find plenty of fun, family-friendly activities in the area beyond just PortAventura.

• Salou: Kid’s Buggy Driving Experience (check availability)
• Salou: Park Samá with Pickup (check availability)
• Salou: Bosc Aventura Salou Zip Lining Experience (check availability)
• Salou: Off-Road Guided Quad Safari with Hotel Pickup, kids 8+ (check availability)
• Salou: Scuba Diving for Beginners, kids 8+ (check availability)

Where to stay in Salou with the kids:

Here are a few top-rated child-friendly Salou hotels with family rooms: Sol Costa Daurada, and Casablanca Playa. You can find more top-rated accommodations on the map below.

3. Peñiscola / Day 4

Peñiscola is a small coastal town known for one of the dreamiest castles in Spain – Castillo de Papa Luna ( which has also served as one of the GOT filming locations in Spain). You can check out more stunning photos from Peñiscola in this post.

Jardin del Papagayo

If your kids love animals, don’t miss Jardín del Papagayo in the small town of Benicarló, right next to Peñíscola. It’s one of the most unique places in Spain to observe and interact with birds. My girls were so emotional while spending time with the parrots – you can read more about our first visit in this post.

While you could easily spend the whole day at Jardín del Papagayo, we usually dedicate just one morning to it. You can also make a fun stop at Laberinto de Peñíscola, Spain’s largest maze.

Where to stay in Peñiscola with the kids:

Here are a few top-rated child-friendly places to stay in Peñiscola: Luz de Azahar and Villa Miramar. You can find more top-rated accommodations on the map below.

4. Valencia / Days 5-6

Valencia is one of the best destinations in Spain for a family holiday. For a full list of things to see and do in Valencia with kids, check out this other article of mine. And for a complete Valencia bucket list from a local’s perspective, read more here.

The City of Arts and Sciences with kids

The City of Arts and Sciences is one of the top places to visit – even if you only have one day in Valencia. If you’re visiting Valencia on a family trip, your must-see attractions here are L´Oceanographic and Principe Felipe Science Museum. L’Oceanogràfic is one of the largest aquariums in Europe and showcases a variety of marine ecosystems. Inside, you can see dolphins, penguins, crocodiles, sharks, jellyfish, and many other fascinating species from around the world. It also features an underwater restaurant, where you can enjoy a meal surrounded by an incredible view of marine life swimming all around you.

• Museo de las Ciencias Principe Felipe (book tickets in advance)
• Oceanografic Valencia (book tickets in advance)

Bioparc Valencia

Bioparc Valencia is another must-visit destination on any family itinerary in Spain. Unlike traditional zoos, Bioparc offers a more natural environment, where animals live in open spaces designed to closely resemble their native habitats. Here, you’ll encounter a wide variety of species, including giraffes, elephants, gorillas, lemurs, lions, and many more. There’s also a pleasant seating area with a playground – perfect for taking a break and enjoying a meal or coffee.

Where to stay in Valencia with the kids:

Here are a few top-rated child-friendly places to stay in Valencia: Ramirez Flats, Core Suites, and L´Esplai Valencia. You can find more popular accommodations on the map below.

5. Alicante / Days 7-8

Alicante is one of the most popular regions in Spain for family vacations. While Benidorm is the most well-known city in the area, unless you plan to go out frequently, I recommend staying in Alicante or its surrounding towns to avoid the traffic and parking hassles of Benidorm. If you have only one weekend in Alicante, be sure not to miss Aitana Safari and Terra Mítica.

Aitana Safari

Aitana Safari offers a unique experience where you can go on a safari without traveling all the way to Africa. You enter the park in your own car and drive through, making stops only at designated areas where staff are present – otherwise, you must stay inside your vehicle. They also offer private tours for those looking for a more exclusive wildlife experience. Aitana Safari Park is one of our current favorites for families in Spain. It’s a fantastic place to learn about wildlife from the comfort and safety of your car.

You can check the videos from Aitana Safari Park via TikTok and IG Stories.

Terra Mitica

Terra Mítica is another popular theme park in Spain, located near the tourist hub of Benidorm. While I personally prefer PortAventura, Terra Mítica remains a top destination on many family itineraries in Spain. Exploring the park with the kids, I especially appreciated that its zones are themed around ancient cultures – Egypt, Greece, and Rome. In my opinion, the rides were just okay, but my kids really enjoyed them.

• Terra Mítica Theme Park 1-Day Ticket (check availability)

Other cool experiences in Alicante with kids:

• Motor Museum and Family Experience in Benidorm (check availability)
• Benidorm Terra Natura Theme Park 1-Day Tickets (check availability)
• Benidorm Mundomar Animal Park 1-Day Ticket (check availability)
• Aqualandia Entry w/Optional Mundomar Combo Ticket (check availability)
• Dinner with Show at Magic Robin Hood from Benidorm (check availability)

Where to stay in Alicante with the kids:

Here are a few top-rated child-friendly places to stay in Alicante: Hospes Amerigo, BH San Francisco, Port Alicante, Suites del Mar by Melia, Apart-Hotel Happy Life, Palacio Salvetti Suites, and UNIQ Flats. You can find more popular accommodations on the map below.

6. Cuenca / Day 9 (optional)

On the way from Alicante to Cuenca, you can make a stop at one of Spain’s hidden villages like Alcalá del Júcar. This is the longest drive of the 10-day Spain itinerary for families, taking around 3 hours and 20 minutes, so you might want to allow an extra day for it. Alternatively, you can skip this stop and head straight to Madrid, especially if you’re visiting during the summer pear season, as Cuenca and Central Spain can get quite hot – often reaching temperatures of 35–40°C (95–104°F) – which might make for a less enjoyable experience.

Science Museum with kids

The Science Museum of Castille-La Mancha is located in the heart of Cuenca, a city world-famous for its Hanging Houses. While Cuenca is considered an off-the-beaten-path destination in Spain, its popularity has grown significantly in recent years thanks to its convenient location along the route from Valencia to Madrid. You can check out my full Cuenca itinerary in this post.

Enchanted City of Cuenca

The Enchanted City of Cuenca is one of the most magical, fairytale-like places in Spain – straight out of a storybook. It’s located about 30 minutes from Cuenca city. This natural landmark features a circular walking route filled with impressive rock formations, sculpted over centuries by ice, wind, and water. It’s the perfect place to spark the imagination of little ones as they spot unusual shapes in the rocks—ranging from “A Fight Between an Elephant and a Crocodile” to “The Lovers of Teruel” (known as the most famous Spanish legend).

Where to stay in Cuenca with the kids:

Here are a few top-rated child-friendly places to stay in Cuenca: Hotel Resort Cueva del Fraile, Arevalos hotel, and Palacio de Bobadilla Suites. You can find more popular accommodations on the map below.

7. Madrid / Day 10

While you can easily spend a day – or even a weekend – in Madrid city, kids won’t want to miss Parque Warner. To personalize your time in Madrid, find more travel stories on the blog under the #Madrid hashtag.

Parque Warner

This popular Spanish theme park has five different areas filled with attractions, restaurants, and shops. We visited it just before having kids, so we’re planning to return soon – especially since Parque Warner opened its latest ride, Batman Gotham City Escape, in May 2023. If you decide to visit, I recommend purchasing your Parque Warner entrance tickets in advance to avoid long lines.

Where to stay in Madrid with the kids:

Here are a few top-rated child-friendly places to stay in/near Madrid: Hotel Regina, Barcelo Imagine, Riu Plaza, Hotel Liabeny, and HEARTS & PONIES (near Parque Warner). You can find more popular accommodations on the map below.

Related articles on Family travel in Spain

• Family Holidays in Spain: Top 5 Destinations to Enjoy with Kids (read it)
• My Favorite Cool Places to Visit in Spain with Kids (read it)
• Visiting Las Fallas in Valencia with Kids (read it)
• Spain Virtual Tours to prepare for your trip (read it)
• Our Favorite Travel Essentials for Kids (+Toys On The Go) (read it)
• Cute Spain Books for Kids You´ll Love (read it)
• Where to Enjoy Snow in Spain with Kids (read it)
• Valencia With Kids: Top Places Your Children Will Love (read it)
• Family Weekend in Benicassim (read it)
• 5 Epic Reasons to Visit the Spanish Pyrenees with Kids (read it)
• Top Spain Board Games to Fuel Your Wanderlust (read it)
• Gran Canaria with Kids: Best Places to Stay & Fun Things to Do (read it)

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For more Spain travel tips check out my Pinterest board Spain Travel Collection and Flipboard Travel to Spain.

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