11 Days in Spain - 4 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Family Trip to Spain: Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid & Andalusia

Families with a range of ages will enjoy the mix of kid-friendly activities, including a tour of Park Güell, a swim at Barceloneta Beach, a marzipan-making workshop in Toledo, and a 4WD off-roading experience in Ronda, on this family trip. This is also a good choice for those that prefer to travel by train rather than car or plane. 

Take the cable car up Montjuïc and let the kids explore the castle before dinner in Barcelona. Take a tour of Park Güell and Sagrada Família—the colorful designs and intricately detailed structures make for beautiful backdrops for your family travel photos, then head to Barceloneta Beach for a swim. Treat the kids to churros con chocolate (a popular pastry with melted chocolate) while out on a city tour that includes the Gothic Quarter and the Temple of Augustus. Catch the train to Valencia, where you'll visit the Gothic fortress of Llotja de la Seda and sample local flavors; the sweet horchata drink is a popular choice for kids. 

Engage curious minds at the interactive Prince Philip Science Museum, then delight your budding marine biologists with a visit to L'Oceanogràfic. Catch a train to Madrid and invite the kids to sample local fare at the San Miguel Food Market and play kings and queens on a Royal Palace tour. Take a day trip to Toledo to see its monuments alongside a guide, then let the little ones prepare sweet treats in a marzipan-making workshop. Board a train to Seville, where you can climb the La Giralda bell tower for panoramic views, then help the kids find a keepsake in the craft markets. Cap off the family trip with a 4WD tour of Ronda. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Family Fun in Spain: Barcelona & Andalusia

Families enthusiastic about the arts will appreciate the art-related experiences on this classic itinerary of Barcelona and Andalusia. Together, you'll participate in a ceramic workshop and Gaudí architecture walk in Barcelona and a flamenco lesson and pottery class in Seville. This trip also includes horseback riding in Barcelona, kayaking and snorkeling in Málaga, and trekking the Caminito del Rey, so it may be better suited to older children.

Invite the kids to craft souvenirs in a ceramic workshop in Barcelona, then head to Montserrat for a kid-friendly horseback ride, hike, and tour of the monastery. Fly to Málaga on the southern coast and enjoy a family day on the water with a snorkeling and kayaking excursion. Challenge the kids to a treasure hunt through the city, then pack a picnic and spend the afternoon at a local beach. Families with older children can walk along the Caminito del Rey suspension bridges, while those with little ones can visit Gibralfaro Castle or one of Málaga's museums before heading inland to Granada for a hike in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Capture family photos at the many viewpoints you'll find on a tour of Granada's Albaicín quarter. Transfer to Seville for a flamenco dance lesson (don't worry if you're a beginner, this class is fun for all levels), then watch the pros at a flamenco performance. Crafty kids will enjoy making their own ceramic tile in a pottery class in the Triana district. This neighborhood also has excellent tapas restaurants where you can celebrate your family adventures and share your favorite memories before flying to Madrid to catch your departing flight. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Family Adventures in Spain: Madrid, Toledo, Córdoba & Seville

While this itinerary offers a mix of history, culture, arts, and adventure, including a horseback riding excursion outside Córdoba, it's best suited to families that enjoy culinary experiences. You'll join a paella cooking class in Madrid, learn to make marzipan in Toledo, accompany a local chef to the market, then prepare a multicourse Spanish meal in Seville, and experience the tapas scene in Triana.

Dive into Spanish cuisine as you prepare paella together in a family cooking class in Madrid. Imagine what royal life is like on a visit to the Madrid Royal Palace, then take your young artists to the Prado Museum for an interactive, kid-focused private tour. Wake the kids up early on Day 4 for a special treat: a hot-air balloon ride over Segovia, complete with family photos, breakfast, and cava (for the adults). Transfer to Toledo, where you'll learn to make marzipan and, of course, sample your sweet creations. Older kids can also try their hand at bladesmithing, another important art form in Toledo, in a sword-making workshop.

Catch a train south to Córdoba, where you can marvel at the Moorish-Christian architecture and learn the city's history on a guided tour, then head to Villaviciosa de Córdoba for a kid-friendly horseback ride. Take the train to Seville, where you'll cruise the Guadalquivir River, make souvenirs in a pottery workshop, and let the kids help a local chef select ingredients at the market before cooking up a multicourse meal in a private cooking class. On your final night, set off on a tapas crawl and invite the kids to choose some of their favorite small plates, then end on a sweet note with churros con chocolate. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Family-Friendly Highlights of Barcelona, Northern Spain & Madrid

The variety of activities on this highlights tour—including a paella cooking class in Barcelona, a visit to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, a hike to Pasaia, and a flamenco workshop in Madrid—makes it an excellent choice for families with a range of interests. As the itinerary is quite full and there are several active adventures, such as the cycling tours in Bilbao and San Sebastián, it's best suited to energetic families.

Engage the kids with Spanish history and culture on an interactive guided walking tour in Barcelona. Then source fresh ingredients from Mercat de la Boqueria for a family cooking class in a local kitchen the next day. Take the cable car up Montjuïc Hill on Day 3, where young imaginations can run wild as you explore the castle grounds. Fly to Bilbao and cruise the city on a bike tour; Bilbao's bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly areas make this a very family-friendly experience. Refill rumbling tummies at Mercado de la Ribera, Europe's largest covered market, before transferring to San Sebastián.

Pack your swimsuits, then hop on bikes for a guided family bike ride through the Old Town, followed by a visit to the three famed beaches, La Concha, Ondarreta, and Zurriola. On Day 9, hike to Pasaia for a seafood lunch, then let little legs take a rest as you cruise the bay by boat. Catch a flight to Madrid and work together to prepare paella in a kid-friendly cooking class. Cheer each other on as you try to master flamenco footwork and floreo (hand shaping) in a dance workshop, then check out street art and lively plazas in the Chueca neighborhood before choosing a restaurant for your farewell dinner. Learn more

More Great 11-Day Spain Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Spain? Check out these other 11-day Spain itineraries, with family-friendly adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.