Family-Friendly Trips to Spain

This was hands down my favorite place from the entire trip. It truly offered the best of both worlds. We had the extra space and comfort of an apartment (similar to our stay in Valencia, with separate rooms), combined with the ease and convenience of a hotel, as we experienced in Málaga. It was the perfect balance. The space itself was modern, clean, and very easily accessible. The location couldn’t have been better, right across the street from the beach and just minutes from a stunning cathedral, parks, the town center of Palma, great restaurants, and the marina. It was also only about 10 minutes from the airport, which made travel incredibly easy. There’s a great restaurant right downstairs, a rooftop pool and bar, the staff was wonderful, and the underground parking was a huge plus. It also never felt too crowded or busy, which made the whole experience even more relaxing. Overall, this was the highlight of our stay, and I would absolutely return.

Our stay at Valenciaflats Ciudad de las Ciencias was overall good, especially depending on what type of experience you’re looking for. The space is an apartment, which was great in terms of having a kitchen and extra room to spread out. However, it doesn’t offer the same ease or convenience you might expect from a traditional hotel, so that’s something to keep in mind if you prefer full-service accommodations. One of the biggest highlights was the location in relation to the City of Arts and Sciences. It’s within easy walking distance to the aquarium and science center, which were amazing to experience. That said, it is a bit removed from the main city areas. If you’re new to Valencia, having a car can be helpful. If you're open to using the bus system, it is easily accessible and manageable, but for certain things, like getting to our guided tour, we preferred to use Uber in a new space. Overall, this is a good option if you’re looking for more space, a quieter setting, and a more cost-effective stay. Just be prepared for a bit more planning when it comes to getting around.

We initially had a bit of difficulty finding the hotel, as there isn’t direct driving access. You have to park nearby and walk in. That said, once we arrived, it was worth it. We were in the heart of everything, unexpectedly, during a widely celebrated Holy Week. ICON Malabar is a charming, boutique-style hotel located right in the heart of the city center. Everything was within easy walking distance: restaurants, shopping, the beach, and the boardwalk, which made exploring Málaga incredibly convenient. The staff was amazing from start to finish. Check-in and check-out were smooth, breakfast was included and delicious, and they offered great recommendations for local food (including some of the best churros in the area!). They were also very patient and accommodating, especially with our limited Spanish. Overall, a wonderful stay in a perfect location. We would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Málaga.

This is one I can’t fully speak to from start to finish, but I still wanted to share our experience because it says a lot about the quality of the tour and the guide. We visited on a Saturday during Easter weekend, and the area was extremely crowded, with multiple cruise ships in port. Parking was very difficult to find, and we ended up running about 30 minutes late just trying to park. In hindsight, I would highly recommend taking a taxi to the meeting point, as this area is not very car-friendly and requires walking. Because we were late, we initially struggled to find the group and almost gave up. We even took our kids to a nearby park, thinking we had missed the experience entirely. However, our guide truly went above and beyond. He stayed in contact with us, texting and calling to help us find him, and never gave up on us. After about 10 minutes of searching, we were able to meet up with the group about an hour into the tour. Although we missed the first half, the guide made sure we still had a meaningful experience. He had thoughtfully brought food from the earlier stops, wrapped and ready for us, and welcomed us in as if we had been there the whole time. The guide was incredibly kind, patient, and tenacious. Even joining late, we were able to enjoy the second half of the tour, and it ended up being a really memorable experience.

This experience was absolutely awesome and a definite highlight of our time in Valencia. While we did have some flight delays, this activity couldn’t be rescheduled due to it being a group experience, so that’s something to keep in mind. But once there, you’re fully engaged the entire time, and it’s truly worth it. The experience begins with a guided tour, where you learn about the history of Valencia and the origins of paella. Walking through key spots tied to the story made it even more meaningful and engaging. After the tour, you head to the cooking location, where the experience continues with snacks and wine before moving into the kitchen. You’re guided step-by-step through making authentic paella, all while enjoying a variety of Valencian wines and small bites along the way. The best part is sitting down afterward with the group to enjoy the meal you created together, paired with more delicious wine and finished with a dessert and dessert wine. The staff was knowledgeable, friendly, and truly passionate about what they do, which made the experience even more special. Overall, this is a must-do when visiting Valencia: fun, immersive, and incredibly memorable.

This experience was so much fun and a great way to explore Málaga, especially with kids. It combined sightseeing with interactive elements that kept everyone engaged, while also sharing interesting facts and history about the city. The treasure hunt format made walking through the city center feel like an adventure, and the treasure box at the end was a perfect and exciting reward. We also had some major flight delays, and the team was incredibly flexible and accommodating. They worked with our schedule to reschedule the activity so we could still experience it before the end of our trip, which we really appreciated. Our guide was fantastic, friendly, knowledgeable, and full of great insights about Málaga that added even more value to the experience. Overall, this is a fun, engaging, and family-friendly way to see the city. Highly recommend!

I have high energy boys so this was fantastic for them and a great way to see the city!