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 on the go.

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Spain Itinerary for Families from Barcelona

Visiting Spain with Kids

Endless travel plans in Spain

Spain is one of the coolest European destinations for planning new family adventures. The country is known for its unique combination of great weather, iconic landmarks, and delicious foods.

The best attribute of any Spain Itinerary for families is a unique diversity of things to see and do – from relaxing beaches to adventurous activities. My 15+ expat years on the Iberian Peninsula prove that one can easily spend a lifetime traveling in Spain and constantly discovering new gems.

Being based in Spain provides my family with an exclusive opportunity to plan new family getaways across the country almost every month.

Family getaways in Spain

While most of my Spanish trips include family-friendly activities, I rarely create child-focused itineraries. I love the concept that the kids are equal family members and should learn to adjust to the general travel plan. So, most of our trips involve something interesting for both the parents and the kids.

However, this year my kids have grown up quite opinionated…

Having a large travel experience in Spain makes them knowledgeable and it’s harder and harder to trick them into hiking trips in the middle of nowhere. They already know the exact locations and regions of their favorite theme parks and keep asking me to adjust the initial itineraries to visit “their” landmarks. Saying no to them is so tough: as a parent, you get beyond the moon happy when the little ones are having a blast.

Therefore, based on our current favorites in Spain with kids, I´ve curated this new 10-day road trip for family travelers. This route is entirely focused on the kids – so, you might easily get called “the best parent ever” after this single vacation in Spain.

If you want a more laid-back time in Spain – give this trip 2-3 weeks instead of the original 10 days. However, most of the drives on this Spain Itinerary for Families do not surpass 1 hour 30 mins (which is totally doable when on the go with the kids).

10-day Spain Itinerary for families road trip
My Ultimate 10-day Spain Itinerary for Families from Barcelona

10-day Spain Itinerary for Families

1. Barcelona / Days 1-2

Not only is Barcelona one of the most unique European capitals, but it is also a great place in Spain to ignite the little ones’ imagination with the vibrant Gaudi architecture while visiting some of the best interactive museums in the whole of Spain.

While 2 days in Barcelona is not enough to see it all, I feel like it is a good time frame to show the city to the kids without overwhelming them with intense sightseeing. For more details head to my Weekend in Barcelona post.

The Gaudi Architecture in Barcelona

Keep in mind that it is extremely easy to exhaust the little ones with Barcelona and its landmarks.

Mainly because the city opens all the lists of top-visited places in Europe. So, most of the Gaudi Landmarks involve waiting lines. This is the reason why my girls haven’t seen all of the Gaudi landmarks yet. For any family weekend in Barcelona, I always pick a max of 2 popular landmarks (with a fast-track pass, if possible) and mainly focus on the interactive museums.

To explore the Gaudi architecture, suggest you choose a few places on this list: La Sagrada Familia Park Guell, La Pedrera, Las Farolas del Pla de Palau, Puerta de la Finca Miralles, Colegio de las Teresianas, Casa Calvet, Bellesguard, Casa Vicens, Palacio Guell, Pabellones Guell, Casa Batllo, Casa Mila, Casa-museo Gaudi.

Barcelona with the kids – Top Experiences

  • 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)
  • Casa Batllo & Casa Mila – some of the top Gaudi buildings in Barcelona ( get the guided tour to skip the line)
  • Monjuic Magic Fountain ( a free show of water and lights every 15 minutes)
  • 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)
  • Trencadís Mosaic Class – a class for the whole family to learn Gaudí’s Technique (check availability now)
  •  FC Barcelona Museum – a must-stop for soccer fans ( get Barça Immersive Tour)
  • Cosmocaixa – a unique science museum with lots of touch-the-button sections
  • Tibidabo Amusement Park – a small vintage amusement park with beautiful views of Barcelona
  • Barcelona Aquarium ( get Skip-the-Line Admission Ticket)
  • Chocolate Museum of Barcelona
  • Barcelona Zoo ( get a 1-Day ticket now)
  • Labyrinth Park of Horta, one of the most magical park gardens in Spain
  • Museu Blau – Natural History Museum of Barcelona
  • Barcelona Bosc Urba – an adventurous climbing area for kids 8+

Top family tours in Barcelona:

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.

More things to see and do near Barcelona:

Alternatively, from Barcelona, you can visit Montserrat or follow my Costa Brava Road Trip, 7 Days in the Pyrenees of Spain Itinerary, Barcelona to Valencia Road Trip, and Barcelona to Madrid Road Trip.

barcelona bucket list with kids
Read more about our last Barcelona weekend with the kids
aquarium barcelona with kids
10-day Spain Itinerary for Families
barcelona spain bucket list
The highlight of our Barcelona weekend with kids – a temporary fairytale exposition at the Natural History Museum
la pedrera gaudi barcelona
The Gaudi Architecture in Barcelona

2. Salou / Day 3

Visiting Port Aventura Theme Park

From Barcelona, you can drive to the small town of Salou. The whole journey will take you around 1hour 20 mins.

Salou is mostly known for Port Aventura, the biggest theme park in Spain and the third largest in Europe. Kids always love it. However, depending on the age of your little ones you might have fewer attractions available. This page is handy to check out the minimum height of the rides.

Salou is a popular destination for family holidays in Spain (very much like Cambrils, another small coastal town nearby). Therefore, you can find more fun family-friendly activities in the area beyond Port Aventura:

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.

More things to see and do near Salou:

If you plan to spend more time in Salou, check out my other articles on the region – an Amazing Weekend in Reus, Tarragona Road Trip, Cool things to do in Tortosa, and Family Holidays in Cambrils.

sama park cambrils Tarragona road trip
Sama Park, visited during our holidays in Cambrils
Park Sama Cambrils Spain itinerary for families
Sama Park, visited during our holidays in Cambrils
port aventura cambrils spain
10-day Spain Itinerary for Families: Port Aventura

3. Peñiscola / Day 4

Peñiscola is a small coastal town known for one of the dreamiest castles in SpainCastillo 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 like animals, do not miss Jardin del Papagayo in the nearest small town of Benicarlo. It is one of the most unique places to observe birds in Spain. My girls were so emotional while interacting with the parrots – you can read more details from my first visit in this post.

While you can spend the whole day at Jardin del Papagayo, we usually visit give it one mornings.

The Castle of Peñiscola

In the afternoon, you can explore The Castle of Peñiscola and make a stop at Laberinto de Peñiscola (Spain’s biggest 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.

More things to see and do near Peñiscola:

Alternatively, from Peñiscola you can visit Morella, spend a relaxing weekend in Benicassim, or follow my Castellon Road Trip to explore Spain off-the-beaten.

Peñiscola Valencia Road Trip
10-day Spain Itinerary for Families: Read more about visiting Peñiscola
10-day Spain itinerary for families
10-day Spain Itinerary for Families: Read more about Jardin del Papagayo
jardin del papagayo benicarlo spain with kids
10-day Spain Itinerary for Families: Read more about Jardin del Papagayo

4. Valencia / Days 5-6

Valencia is one of the coolest destinations to plan family holidays in Spain. For a full list of things to see and do in Valencia with the kids, check out this other article of mine.

The City of Arts and Sciences

The City of Arts and Sciences is one of the top places to visit even if you only have one day in Valencia. But if you are visiting Valencia on a family trip, your top stops here should be L´Oceanographic and Principe Felipe Science Museum.

L´Oceanographic is one of the biggest aquariums in Europe. My kids have enjoyed it more than the ones we saw in Mallorca or Barcelona.

Valencia s aquarium displays different ecosystems of the ocean. Inside you’ll be able to see dolphins, penguins, crocodiles, sharks, jellyfish, and many other unique species of fish from all over the world.

If you are looking for adventurous things to do in Spain, you can book the experience of swimming with sharks. Also, L´Oceanographic has an underwater restaurant, where you can have a meal while viewing numerous species swimming around you.

Other popular experiences to enjoy around the City of Arts and Sciences are:

Bioparc Valencia

Bioparc Valencia – is another must-stop for every Spain Itinerary for Families. It´s a bit different from traditional zoos, since animals live in natural, open spaces, similar to their own habitats. In Bioparc Valencia you will spot lots of different species – giraffes, elephants, gorillas, lemurs, lions, and many others.

Also, there´s a nice seating area with a playground to rest and enjoy a meal or a 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.

More things to see and do near Valencia:

Alternatively, from Valencia you can follow my 7-day Valencia road trip, Visit Manises: UNESCO Creative City in Spain, or explore the whole region via day trips.

Valencia 4 days in Spain
10-day Spain Itinerary for Families: The City of Arts and Sciences In Valencia
best las fallas in valencia with kids
If your dates overlap, do not miss Visiting Las Fallas in Valencia with Kids (celebrated during the first 2 weeks of March)
bioparc valencia spain
Bioparc – a must-stop when visiting Valencia with the kids
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10-day Spain Itinerary for Families: Parque Gulliver in Valencia

5. Alicante / Days 7-8

Alicante is one of the most popular regions for family vacations in Spain. The most popular city in the area is Benidorm, but unless you plan to go out, I suggest you stay in Alicante or its surroundings (to avoid the traffic and parking drama of Benidorm).

If you only have one weekend in Alicante, do not miss Aitana Safari and Terra Mitica.

Aitana Safari

Aitana Safari offers a unique experience to go on a safari without heading to faraway Africa. You access the park with your own car and drive around while making stops in places where the staff is present (otherwise you are not allowed to leave your car). They also organize private tours, for those seeking a more exclusive wildlife experience. 

Aitana Safari Park is one of our current favorites with kids in Spain. Such a great place to learn more 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 Mitica is another popular theme park in Spain, located close to the touristy hub of Benidorm.

While I like it less than Port Aventura, it is one of the most popular places to visit on any Spain itinerary for families. while exploring Terra Mitica with the kids, I loved the fact that the park´s zones were based on ancient cultures – Egypt, Greece, and Rome. In my opinion, the rides we ok (but my kids have enjoyed it a lot ).

Other cool experiences in Alicante with kids:

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.

More things to see and do near Alicante:

For more things to do in the region of Alicante check out One Week in Alicante with Kids and Weekend in Alicante.

benidorm alicante terra mitica
Visiting Terra Mitica with the kids
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Aitana Safari Park is one of our current favorites in Spain

6. Cuenca / Day 9

On the way from Alicante to Cuenca you can make a stop at one of the Spanish secret villagesAlcala de Jucar or Requena. It is the longest drive (around 3 hours 20 mins) of this 10-day Spain Itinerary for families, so you might consider leaving an extra day for it.

Science Museum

The Science Museum of Castille-La Mancha is located in the heart of Cuenca city, globally known for its Hanging Houses. While Cuenca is considered an off-the-beaten-path destination in Spain, its popularity has grown significantly over the past few years thanks to a convenient location on the road from Valencia to Madrid.

Enchanted City of Cuenca

The Enchanted City of Cuenca is one of the top fairytale places in Spain that are straight out of the Storybook. It is located 30 mins away from the Cuenca city.

This landmark consists of a circular walking route full of impressive rock formations, sculpted over the centuries by ice, wind, and water. 

This is where you can ignite the imagination of little ones by looking at the peculiar rock formations of the Enchanted City. You can find anything from “A Fight between an Elephant and a Crocodile” to “The Lovers of Teruel”.

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.

More things to see and do near Cuenca:

To discover more places near Cuenca, check out my Cuenca Road Trip in Central Spain, The Secrets of the Cuenca Cathedral, Cool must-see places in Cuenca Province, and 10+ Best Places to Visit in Central Spain.

cuenca enchanted city Spain with kids
Read more about The Enchanted City of Cuenca
Read more about The Enchanted City of Cuenca Spain itinerary for families
Read more about The Enchanted City of Cuenca

7. Madrid / Day 10

While you can easily spend one day in Madrid City (or even a weekend), the kids would never want to miss out on Parque Warner, located on the road between Madrid and Valencia.

Parque Warner

This popular Spanish Theme park has five different areas packed with attractions, restaurants, and shops. We visited it right before having kids – so now, plan to return soon. Especially since, in May 2023, Parque Warner opened its latest ride Batman Gotham City Escape. 

You can easily get your Parque Warner Entrance in advance via GetYourGuide.

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).

More things to see and do near Madrid:

Still looking for more things to see and do near Madrid? – Check out this Madrid Road Trip Itinerary and top Madrid Day Trips.

Warner parque madrid To valencia road trip
Visiting Parque Warner on the road from Madrid to Valencia

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10-day Spain Itinerary for families

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