If you enjoy active and adventurous family vacations, don’t miss visiting the Spanish Pyrenees with kids. While it may not seem like an obvious choice for children, our entire family absolutely loved it.

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Spanish Pyrenees with Kids

Are the Spanish Pyrenees good for kids?

To begin with, the Spanish Pyrenees were never on my bucket list of family destinations in Spain. Let’s be honest, it sounds like a place full of exhausting hikes and areas that aren’t very child-friendly – in short, not much that kids would enjoy. As a result, the parents wouldn’t either. However, after our recent trip to Ireland I learned to think twice before jumping to conclusions. I was hesitant to visit Ireland with kids due to its reputation for rainy weather, but it turned out to be a favorite for my children when it comes to international travel.

So, we decided to plan a 4-day getaway to the Pyrenees and unexpectedly fell in love with the region. I believe the Pyrenees are perfect for families who love nature, as it’s a great way for parents to disconnect from our gadget-loaded society while children spend time outdoors and learn that you don’t need to be wealthy or stay in luxury hotels – hiking and exploring natural wonders is free and available to everyone. Sometimes, it’s about patience and endurance – no child will initially want to walk 13 km through the woods, but they can definitely learn to do so. Especially if hiking is something the whole family enjoys together. In this case, the meaning is different because it becomes about quality time shared. When parents feel good about the travel plan, kids will likely pick up on this mood and follow along.

hiking with kids pyrenees — *Fun moments on the road – visiting the Pyrenees with kids*

The Pyrenees is one of my favorite destinations in Spain, so it was wonderful to share it with the kids. I hope that my fun experiences on the road will inspire others to plan a trip to the Spanish Pyrenees as a family. Our first trip took place in the summer. If you’re planning to visit the Spanish Pyrenees in winter, check out this post on the Top Places to Enjoy Snow in Spain with Kids instead. Also, we recently returned with the kids and seniors for another itinerary.

To see the sum up, you can also check out my Pyrenees with kids IG Reel and Tiktok.

5 Reasons to Visit the Spanish Pyrenees with Kids

1. Endless Outdoor Activities

family hiking ibones astun pyrenees — *Ruta de los 7 Lagos de Astun*

pyrenees travel blog — *Lacuniacha Wildlife Park*

visit the pyrenees of spain — *The Green Labyrinth in the Pyrenees*

Summer vs. Winter in the Pyrenees

If there’s one thing that unites travelers from all over the world when visiting the Pyrenees, it’s their love for outdoor activities. The first reason to visit the Spanish Pyrenees with kids is to experience the wonders of nature together.

While hiking is a favorite in the summer, winter offers a whole new range of activities: skiing, sledding, dog sledding, snowmobiling, snow tubing, and cross-country skiing, to name just a few. During our Valentine’s getaway to Andorra, we even discovered the winter rollercoaster, Tobotronc, at Naturlandia Amusement Park. In Baqueira Beret, the highlights were definitely dog sledding, skiing, and snowmobiling. Not all of the adventurous activities in the Pyrenees may be suitable for kids, but many are – even taking ski lifts was memorable for my girls!

Hiking in the Spanish Pyrenees

Our first road trip through the Spanish Pyrenees took place in the summer, and it was all about lush greenery, stunning waterfalls and lakes, while exploring the top hiking trails of the region.

One of the most exciting hikes we did was the Ruta de los 7 Lagos de Astún. In addition to the breathtaking mountain peaks and crystal-clear lakes, this trail had us crossing the Spain-France border multiple times in just one day. Our phones kept welcoming us to Spain, and just two minutes later, to France again. The kids were thrilled by this fact, even though the hike itself was a bit challenging for them. But how often do you get to cross a border on foot several times in one day? It definitely added a sense of adventure. Plus, near one of the glacier lakes along the trail, we stumbled upon snow! How cool is that? Have you ever touched snow in summer? Well, now we have!

snow pyrenees kids spain — *Seeing snow in summer / Astun*

Another major highlight for our eldest daughter, Leticia, was the challenging Circo Cotatuero trail in Ordesa y Monte Perdido, one of the top Spanish national parks. My husband and our youngest turned back halfway through, but I was determined to make it to the end of the trail to see the waterfall. Leticia insisted on joining me and promised not to complain, though I could tell she was already a bit tired (and so was I, to be honest). But you can’t imagine the joy on her face when we finally reached the waterfall. She felt so empowered by her effort and achievement.

Additionally, since there were no other kids on the trail, everyone we met complimented her for being so brave and strong. Needless to say, this accomplishment became her story of the year – a personal victory she shares with anyone she can, at every possible opportunity. Now, whenever she comes to me with fears or insecurities, I remind her of this adventure and how she can overcome challenges and achieve anything she sets her mind to.

Anyway, as we often hike in Castellon and Valencia, my kids are well-prepared now, though it did take time to train them. Still, even much easier hikes can give kids a sense of adventure. The Spanish Pyrenees have many signposted trails across the region, offering something for every taste and preference.

2. Scenic drives

pyrenees mountains trip spain Valle de la Ripera ren sarrio — *The Spanish Pyrenees*

While there are many epic road trips in Spain, the beautiful landscapes of the Spanish Pyrenees remain unmatched for me. To reach the easy hiking trail Ruta por el Cañón de Añisclo, we took a scenic drive through the gorge along local road HU-631 towards Aparcamiento San Urbez. What a unique experience! And that’s just one example – there are numerous scenic drives in the Pyrenees. I believe it was after this trip that my kids started paying more attention to the beauty outside the car window. Scenic drives are also one of the easiest activities to do in the Pyrenees with kids, unlike hiking, which may require some preparation.

3. Cable cars & ski lifts

astun lift spain pyrenees — *Astun Ski Lift*

pyrenees of aragon travel — *Panticosa ski lift*

There’s no better way to enjoy a bird’s eye view than by taking a cable car or ski lift. As my husband and I have traveled non-stop through Spain, we’ve tried quite a few of them – like the Teleférico Fuente Dé during our trip to Asturias and the Teleférico Teide in Tenerife. For some reason, though, we never did it with our kids. This time, in the Pyrenees, it was their first mountain-lift adventure. We had the chance to take a ski lift at the Astún Ski Station, which carried us up towards the glacier lakes and the hike known as Ruta de los 7 Lagos de Astún (also called 7 Ibones de Astún or Ruta de los Lagos de Ayous).

Honestly, I expected my girls to feel at least a little nervous due to the heights – after all, they had never done anything like this before. But no way! They were absolutely thrilled to soar over the Pyrenees mountain range. I still don’t know how we managed to convince them to head home, as they were ready to ride up and down until the lift closed. Now I can see how much of an impact this small adventure left on them. These days, we can’t pass up the chance to ride a cable car or ski lift whenever we see one. But that’s okay. There are worse obsessions to have, right?

4. Trying local foods

churros canfranc spain travel — *Eating churros in Canfranc*

While foodie adventures are a must on all of my trips, my kids are still learning to share this passion. They’re generally open to trying traditional Spanish foods, like almuerzo, but they often shy away from more creative dishes – such as those featured during Gastronomic Weeks. Although their school menu is quite diverse, they tend to be pickier at home. That’s why traveling can be helpful. When taken out of their usual environment, children are often more willing to try new foods, especially when they’re hungry. Introducing new dishes while traveling should be an essential part of any travel experience. Both my husband and I are foodies, and we hope to fully share this passion with our kids one day.

A great family foodie moment was having churros for breakfast in Canfranc. While we’ve had churros before, it’s definitely not a typical breakfast for our family. Even with our healthy routine, there’s room for occasional guilty pleasures. My kids have a sweet tooth (like most children), so enjoying churros together was a lot of fun.

5. Dreamy Castles and Legends

Loarre Castle Spain — *Loarre Castle while visiting the Pyrenees with kids*

europe mountains pyrenees — *Dolmen of Santa Elena – one of the Spanish historical mysteries*

witch museum spain — *Witches Museum of Zugarramurdi*

If reading and storytelling are common in your family, then your visit to the Pyrenees with kids should definitely include dreamy Spanish castles and mysterious local legends. If your children are fascinated by mysterious and haunted places in Spain, the region of Tella is renowned for its history of witchcraft. There are plenty of lesser-known local attractions that will captivate any child, such as the Museo de la Bruja, the Cueva del Oso de Tella (Cave of the Bear of Tella), the three isolated chapels of Tella, chimeneas espantabrujas (peculiar chimneys designed to ward off local witches), the Dolmen of Santa Elena (with its own local legend), and the Las Brujas de Laspaúles theme park, or Zugarramurdi Caves near San Sebastian.

While it’s difficult to experience everything in a single trip unless you have 2-3 weeks to explore the Pyrenees, I always recommend adding a touch of fairytale magic to any vacation in the region, especially with kids. Visiting at least one mysterious site with a legendary story behind it creates exciting memories beyond the usual nature walks.

6. More ideas

pyrenees family travel playground — *Playground in Canfranc*

While these top reasons to visit the Pyrenees with kids are my personal favorites when exploring the region as a family, you might have your own top picks – and that’s perfectly fine! By the way, I didn’t include something we’re all excited to try soon – camping in a tent at Camping Valle de Bujaruelo.

But what else can you do in the Pyrenees with kids?

Visiting caves – Cueva de las Guixas, Cueva del Oso
Discovering the otherworldly landscapes – glacier lakes (like Ibon de Estanes, Ibon de las Truchas), Rocas de Finestres, Cañon de Añisclo, Mallos de Riglos, Muralla de Finestres
Exploring the Spanish magical forests – Selva de Irati (one of the top gems in Navarra), El Betato, El Cobatar, Selva de Oza, La Gamueta, Hayedo de Salenques
Finding secret monasteries and cave churches – San Juan de La Peña, Santuario de Montgarri, churches of Serrablo, San Andres de Salardu, Romanesque churches of Vall de Boi, Ermita de San Ubez
Unique Spanish landmarks – Canfranc train station, Museum of Military Miniatures in Jaca
Beautiful local villages – Lanuza, Ainsa, Torla, Anso, Alquesar, Boltaña, Roda de Isabena, Taull, Prullans, Queralbs, Vielha
Visiting stunning waterfalls – Cascada de Sibiscal, Cascada de Oros, Cola de Caballo, Cascada de Sorrosal
Cool parks for the kids (and not only) – Lacuniacha, Naturlandia (in Andorra), Las Brujas de Laspaules, Cims Aventura, Parc Magic d´Almenar, Biescas Aventura
a day trip to France to enjoy Petit train d´Artouste
experiencing the scenic Train Jaune in the French Pyrenees

4 Comments

Tanya Turner on April 17, 2025 at 11:07 PM

What an interesting place! How cool is it that you can cross the Spain-France border multiple times in just one day?! I would love to do that, as I’m sure my son would too.
Alex S on April 17, 2025 at 11:17 PM

It sounds like there are a lot of hidden gems to discover in the Spanish Pyrenees! Definitely adding this to my bucket list.
Tania M on April 18, 2025 at 4:11 AM

This sounds like a perfect vacation with kids, as it has so much for them to enjoy – wildlife, castles, snow, walks, chairlift rides! My kids would have loved it.
Sierra on April 22, 2025 at 3:32 PM

Spain is high on my list so definitely saving this one for later!

5 Epic Reasons to Visit the Spanish Pyrenees with Kids

Spanish Pyrenees with Kids

Are the Spanish Pyrenees good for kids?