Planning a family vacation in Spain is a great way to create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. The Iberian Peninsula is full of amazing family-friendly destinations, making it easy to feel spoiled for choice. However, some locations are so unique that my family can’t stop visiting them over and over again. Let me share the places we’ve enjoyed during our travels across Spain.

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Best Places to Visit on a Family Vacation in Spain

Is Spain a good family trip?

Spain is an amazing destination for a family vacation – take it from someone who has visited every region of the country and travels with kids non-stop. One of the main reasons is that Spain has a very family-oriented culture, similar to most Mediterranean countries. Spaniards adore children, and this is reflected in the local lifestyle. It’s common to see locals with baby strollers at bars with friends, and it’s rare to find a restaurant without high chairs, as dining out with family is a cherished ritual for many.

What part of Spain is best for kids?

Since I have already visited every part of Spain with my kids, I can confidently say that it has always been an interesting experience – even in destinations that initially seemed the least suitable for children, like the Pyrenees (known for hiking) or La Rioja with its wineries. However, for first-timers, I would mostly recommend Valencia, Barcelona, Mallorca, or Tenerife. These regions are known for great weather, plenty of family-friendly accommodations, and a wide range of activities for kids, from theme parks to educational museums.

Which Costa in Spain is best with kids?

The most popular Spanish costas to visit with kids are Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, and Costa Brava. Having visited all of Spain’s coastal areas with my kids, I can say that Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol are currently my favorites among the well-known options. However, I also really enjoyed Costa de Valencia, Costa de Azahar, and Costa Dorada.

Traveling in Spain with kids

As we continue visiting new places in Spain with the kids, you can check out fresh itineraries on the blog under the hashtag #FamilyTravel. Also, don’t miss this ultimate 10-day road trip itinerary for families and my list of favorite Spanish destinations to visit with kids.

Here’s a list of my kids’ favorite places to visit on any family vacation in Spain.

Best Places Not to Miss on a Family Vacation in Spain

1. Jardin del Papagayo in Benicarlo

Years ago, while exploring the Province of Castellón, we discovered Jardín del Papagayo in the small coastal town of Benicarló by pure accident. After visiting Peñíscola, known as a Game of Thrones filming location, and enjoying an artichoke tasting menu in Benicarló, we had a few hours left before heading back home. So, I pulled out my phone and searched on Google Maps for the nearest attractions. That’s how we stumbled upon this park back in 2016. From the moment we arrived at Jardín del Papagayo, it felt like birds were having a blast. It honestly took me a while to adjust, as I was initially expecting a more traditional bird-watching experience in Spain. But instead, I found myself with 10 birds on my head and shoulders within minutes, which was a bit of a shock! I certainly wasn’t ready to be the “pigeon lady” from Home Alone 2. You can read the full story of that first visit in this post. We have revisited Jardin del Papagayo on multiple occasions ever since.

2. PortAventura World in Salou

PortAventura World is the largest theme park in Spain, making it one of the most popular spots for family vacations in the country. Located just an hour south of Barcelona, this unique theme park offers entertainment for everyone, from thrilling rides to immersive shows. Younger children will love the vibrant Sesame Street area, while teens might not want to miss adrenaline-pumping roller coasters like Shambhala and Dragon Khan. You can read more details from our recent visit in this post.

3. Spanish Wild West in Almeria

Ever since I saw my first cowboy movie, I’ve been obsessed with visiting a Wild West town somewhere in the world. Our trip to Almeria made this dream come true. The Spanish Wild West can be found in the Las Tabernas Desert of Almería. Two must-visit spots for Western fans are Fort Bravo and Oasys Mini-Hollywood. For more details and impressions about both, check out this post.

While planning an unforgettable family vacation in Spain, Almería’s desert is definitely one of the most memorable landscapes in the country, especially for families who are into Westerns. The last time we visited, my children were toddlers, but they loved it nonetheless and were really curious about all the details. We plan to return to Almería in the near future, as now they’ll be able to understand and appreciate the Wild West theme even more.

In case you didn’t know, many iconic Hollywood movies were filmed in Almería, including Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Cleopatra (1963), The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966), Once Upon a Time in the West (1968), Trinity Is Still My Name (1971), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), Dance of the Vampires (2001), and Exodus: Gods and Kings(2014). So watching one of these films before visiting Almería is a great idea to spot those filming locations in real life.

4. Aitana Safari Park in Alicante

While Alicante is one of the top family destinations in Spain, both for locals and international visitors, we always enjoy visiting Aitana Safari Park during the off-season. This unique park offers a safari experience without needing to travel all the way to Africa. You can access the park with your own car and drive through, stopping at designated areas where staff are present (you’re not allowed to leave the car otherwise).

They also offer private tours for those who want a more immersive wildlife experience. Aitana Safari Park is a fantastic place for kids to learn about wildlife and see exotic animals from the comfort and safety of their car. I believe it’s a much better option than visiting a traditional zoo. Aitana Safari Park is easily accessible from both Benidorm and Alicante.

5. Dinopolis in Teruel

Dinopolis in Teruel is a large theme park dedicated to the world of dinosaurs and paleontology. The main exhibition is located in Teruel and can be an easy day trip from Valencia. The park offers a variety of interactive exhibits that bring the world of dinosaurs to life. Kids can explore realistic dinosaur replicas, learn about their history, and discover how these incredible creatures once roamed the earth.

The museum features a wide range of fossils and life-sized models that will captivate children’s imaginations. While Dinópolis is packed with activities for kids, history buffs will also find plenty to enjoy. Note that Dinopolis tends to be closed on weekdays during the winter months, so be sure to check their calendar and opening hours here before you visit.

6. Christmas parks in Madrid

While Madrid can’t compete with some of Europe’s top Christmas markets, every year around December, our family enjoys visiting the Spanish capital to enjoy holiday decorations and activities. You can check out more details about Christmas Madrid in this post. Last year, we had a fantastic family getaway to Manantial de Los Sueños, an immersive Christmas experience filled with magic and fairytale charm.

Highlights included a Fairy Walk, ice grottos, dazzling lights, parades, a skating rink, a holiday market, Santa and Elf houses, and a stunning ice show. You can check out the videos on my IG Highlights. We also visited Torrejón de Ardoz, a popular Christmas park near Madrid. You can read my honest review of it in this post.

7. Bosque Mágico de la Fuente del Pino in Soria

Bosque Mágico de la Fuente del Pino (the Magical Forest) turned out to be one of the most surprising spots of our family trip to Soria. This enchanting forest is located near the small town of San Leonardo de Yagüe, where we initially stopped to try one of Spain’s traditional delicacies – torreznos. I’m so glad we stumbled upon the review on Google and decided to check it out!

The entrance was free (though you could leave a donation at the end), and the forest area was filled with tiny houses for fairies and gnomes, hidden all around. Some of them were even interactive and could be touched. Needless to say, the experience of searching for flower fairies and exploring their little homes completely thrilled our kids. As I mentioned within the post about our favorite illustrators, my girls are huge fans of Cicely Mary Barker’s How to Find Flower Fairies and Flower Fairies Magical Doors. So, hunting for real-life flower fairies was definitely a highlight of the whole family vacation!

8. Muelle de Las Carabelas in Huelva

Another great way to explore Spain as a family is to take a time-traveling journey back to the Age of Discovery by following the footsteps of the famous Italian explorer Christopher Columbus across Southern Spain. There are several Columbus-related sites in Spain that no adventurer should miss, and Muelle de las Carabelas is one of them. The Caravel Dock Museum (or “Muelle de las Carabelas” in Spanish) is located in Palos de la Frontera, a small town in the Spanish province of Huelva.

Built in 1992 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Discovery of America, the museum features replicas of La Niña, La Pinta, and La Santa María – the three ships Christopher Columbus used on his first transatlantic voyage in 1492. In addition to the ship replicas, visitors can explore the medieval quarter and the Island of Encuentro, which aims to recreate the indigenous culture of Guanahani, the first island where Columbus landed on October 12, 1492. Kids will love playing pirates, explorers, and Native Americans while exploring the museum, and even adults will find it exciting to step aboard Columbus’s ships and relive history.

9. The Enchanted city of Cuenca

Although the region of Castile-La Mancha in Central Spain is globally famous for its Don Quixote route (which could also make for a fantastic book-themed road trip in Spain with kids), it also includes the province of Cuenca offers its own authentic gems, especially the natural wonder known as the Enchanted City of Cuenca (La Ciudad Encantada in Spanish). The Enchanted City is one of Spain’s most fairytale-like destinations, straight out of a storybook.

It features a circular walking route surrounded by stunning rock formations sculpted over centuries by ice, wind, and water. Once you purchase your tickets, you’ll receive a small map with 13 main stops along the route. This is the perfect opportunity to spark the imagination of young ones as you explore the fascinating rock formations of the Enchanted City. You’ll encounter shapes resembling everything from “A Fight Between an Elephant and a Crocodile” to “The Lovers of Teruel” (a famous love legend in Spain).

Read more about exploring Spain with kids:

• Family Holidays in Spain – Top 5 Destinations to Enjoy with Kids (read it)
• 10-day Spain Itinerary for Families from Barcelona (read it)
• Our Favorite Travel Essentials for Kids +Toys On The Go (read it)
• Where to Enjoy Snow in Spain with Kids (read it)
• Cute Spain Books for Kids You´ll Love (read it)
• Barcelona Weekend with Kids: Top things to see and do (read it)
• Valencia With Kids: Top Places Your Children Will Love (read it)
• 5 Epic Reasons to Visit the Spanish Pyrenees with Kids (read it)
• Travel-themed Activities With Kids: Our Creative Playroom Tour (read it)
• Kids Bookish Inspiration: Favorite International Illustrators Around the World (read it)
• Visiting PortAventura with kids (read it)

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

• Accommodation: For short stays, I usually book via Agoda, Booking, and Hotellook
• Tours&excursions: My favorites for guided tours are GetYourGuide, Viator, and Klook
• Museums&attractions: Get mobile tickets for attractions via Tiqets (use ATC5 code for a 5% discount via this link)
• Semi-private & private tours: LivTours is my favorite place for unique & crafted experiences in Europe
• For Foodies: Eatwith is a unique platform for finding culinary experiences with locals around the world
• Audio guides: Book audio excursions & tours in 35+ countries via WeGoTrip
• Flights: Find the best deals with Skyscanner, WayAway, and Kiwi
• Driving in a new country? – Check out Tripiamo guides (do not miss Tripiamo Driving in Spain Guide)
• Train&bus tickets: Currently, I book via Trainline, Busbud, and Omio
• Car rental: To find the best deals, I use Rental Cars and Discover Cars
• Top E-Sim: GigSky helps me to avoid roaming fees and provides connectivity everywhere (even on a cruise ship)
• Internet Security on the road: Connect safely to public Wi-Fi and bypass censorship with NordVPN
• Transfers: For individual transfer services, I like GetTransfer and Kiwitaxi
• Suitcases&Luggage: Discover where to store your luggage on the go with Radical Storage
• Travel Insurance: Find the best trip insurance plans via VisitorsCoverage and EKTA
• Compensation for delayed/canceled flights: Check out AirHelp and Compensair
• Renting Bikes: To find motorcycles, scooters, quads, and bicycles, I use BikesBooking
• Package Tours: Head to CheapOair and Expedia
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