Do you think where you can relax with the whole family without unnecessary nerves? In Spain, you will definitely feel comfortable and cozy! The locals love children, the whole country is very kid-friendly. And in large cities, and in small villages, it will be easy to come up with entertainment for everyone.
Grocery stores always stock baby food, and pharmacies stock local Dodots diapers or the well-known Huggies. Fresh UHT milk for small children is everywhere, but it can be difficult to find milks we are used to, such as cottage cheese, unlike yogurts and many types of ricotta.
Don’t give up traveling because of a recent addition to your family – children under 2 are actually great travel companions: they don’t talk, they don’t run, and they sleep well most of the day. The sidewalks are equipped with ramps, with a baby stroller it is comfortable to walk around the city, and see the sights, and stop by restaurants.
One of the main disadvantages is that when the Spaniards smoke, they are not at all embarrassed by children. In large cities, there are many fines and restrictions for smokers, but in the suburbs it is difficult to find a table on the waterfront where the smoke does not reach.
If a child enters Spain unaccompanied by parents, or with only one of them – in addition to an identity card, he needs an exit permit signed by the second guardian.
Top 10 entertainment for children. What to see with children in Spain?
Dinopolis in Teruel, Dinopolis, Teruel . Spanish “Jurassic Park” near Valencia. The whole complex includes the main territory and 6 museums located in other cities of the province of Teruel. This is not only an entertainment exhibition, but also a research center with its own paleontological laboratory. Visitors can watch the work of scientists. There are 4 permanent expositions here: aquatic flora and fauna, dinosaurs, mammals, meteorites.
You and your kids can take a trip back in time to 4.5 billion years, not only with skeletons, but with real fossils and interactive reproductions in full size, such as a roaring and moving replica of the Tyrannosaurus Rex. There is a 3D cinema, playgrounds for the little ones, souvenir shops and many attractions. Spread over 3,000 m² of interactive space, kids will love the paleontology camp with caves, skeletons and chasms.
Spending the whole day in the park costs 29 €. For children from 4 to 11 years old and for adults over 60 years old – 23 €.
Andalusian school of equestrian art, Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre . The Royal Riding School, where horses and professional jockeys are trained, surrounded by botanical gardens. In the Picadero, an indoor arena with a capacity of 1,600 visitors, you can watch the horse show “How the Andalusian Horse Dances”, where horses perform tricks to classical music.
The Carriage Museum (a collection of carriages and sledges) and the Equestrian Art Museum are living exhibition spaces. Real exhibits are intertwined with 3D projections, interactive games and touch screens.
Port Aventura, Tarragona, Port Aventura . Huge amusement park 10 km north of Tarragona. Divided into thematic sections, each of which is filled with exciting shows and attractions: the Mediterranean Sea, China, Polynesia, Mexico, the Wild West, Sesame Aventura, aka Sesamo Aventura.
For example, in Polynesia, you will have the whole family to escape from a volcanic eruption in a canoe and wander along tropical rivers and lakes. And in China, you ride a fire dragon on a roller coaster looping at 110 km/h.
The cost of a one-day ticket for adults is 56 €, for children under 11 years old and for the elderly over 60 – 49 €. In winter, the park is only open for Christmas and major national holidays, check the opening hours on the website.
Gulliver Park, Valencia . The 70-meter figure of the reclining Gulliver, whose folds in his clothes and hair form steps and ramps, is one of the most popular playgrounds in the city. Entrance here is completely free, but the park is not always open, check the opening hours on the website.
Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao . Take your teenage kids on a journey through futuristic landscapes! The museum building itself is a huge architectural masterpiece made of titanium, which helped Bilbao not only return tourists to the city, but also become the center of contemporary art in Europe. The total area is 24,000 m², of which 9,000 m² are reserved for exhibitions.
Siam Park, Tenerife . A huge water park, according to some reviewers – the best in the world. Over 15 exciting rides, including free-fall slides about 30 meters high and Dragon, an attraction that simulates a state of weightlessness. For the little ones, Sawasdee, a water jungle and a 7,500 m² Coco Beach playground with water activities, is prepared.
The downside is not quite clear navigation, in a large area it is easy to forget where things are and lose all your loved ones.
Butterfly Garden Mariposarío de Benalmádena, Costa del Sol (20 minutes drive from Malaga). A Thai temple on the Spanish coast that has 1500 exotic butterflies from all over the world flying freely in a tropical garden among waterfalls and flowers. In this greenhouse, you can also watch other inhabitants of the tropics – chameleons, iguanas, birds, turtles and even small kangaroos.
Madrid Zoo and Aquarium . Children love this zoo, more than 3,000 animals live here: koalas, gorillas, giraffes, pandas, leopards and many others. The zoo treats animals very carefully, so the appearance of offspring among the inhabitants is not uncommon. You may be lucky and see little elephants or lion cubs. More than 300 species of fish live in the aquarium of the Madrid Zoo. In addition to the zoo and aquarium, there is also a dolphinarium. Children under 3 years old can visit the zoo for free.
Oasis Mini Hollywood, Almeria, Oasis Mini Hollywood is a Spanish theme park in the style of the Wild West. Many Hollywood westerns of the 60s and 70s were filmed here, including The Good, the Bad, the Ugly, The Magnificent Seven, and others. Visitors get to the western show, one of the elements of which is the obligatory shootout in the bar. In addition, you can walk around the zoo with more than 800 species of rare animals, get into a parrot show, swim in one of the pools and get lost in a huge cactus garden.
Magic Island, Seville, Isla Magica . The park plays up the story of how Christopher Columbus sailed to India and, as a result, discovered America. Divided into 7 themed zones dedicated to Indians, pirates, gold diggers – all those adventurers who are adored by both children and adults. And the most relevant part of the park in summer is the Aqua Magica water park. A great place to spend time with the kids, there are children’s areas for the little ones, feeding and changing rooms, children’s drinking fountains, etc.
In fact, there are many more family entertainments in Spain, it all depends on the city and the season. Carefully review the information about the region where you are going before the trip – there are sure to be exciting activities there! For example, here is our overview of holidays with children in Barcelona.
Recreation with children in nature
Spain has perhaps the most beautiful parks and nature reserves in the world, and thanks to excellent roads, you can easily reach almost everywhere by car.
Are you traveling to Spain with teenagers for an active vacation together? Super! On the islands of Lanzarote or Fuerteventura, explore by bike and experience the best surf spots in all of Europe.
On the Balearic Islands of Mallorca and Menorca, you can explore many simple tourist routes and cozy turquoise bays in pine forests, where the whole family will have a great rest under the gentle Spanish sun. Rent a boat and go looking for deserted beaches!
Malaga is an ideal place to combine acquaintance with Spanish culture and relaxation in the bosom of nature. For example, go all together on a free tour of the Costa del Sol , go kayaking in Nerja and swim in Lake Bermejales.
The island of Tenerife has a mild climate all year round, you can come here on vacation with children even in the middle of winter. It has all the infrastructure and entertainment for every taste and budget – the sea, mountain routes, water parks, surfing.
Important! During the summer months in Spain, forest fires often occur, be careful with lighting a fire in nature – causing a fire, even unintentionally, is considered a criminal offense.
Beach family vacation
Let’s not be afraid to be banal, the Spanish Mediterranean coast is a fabulous place for a family holiday. The beaches along the Mediterranean Sea seem to be created especially for children: they are protected from the open ocean by bays, there are almost no waves and a gentle coast. Check out our full overview of Spanish beaches.
If you have children of different ages, then there is something for everyone – teenagers can learn to surf or scuba dive, and kids mess around in clean sand.
Costa Brava, Tossa de Mar, Costa Dorada – you will find many charming towns along the coast, where there are pristine beaches, amusement parks, hiking trails and even Roman ruins.
The coastal resorts are very family oriented, with a large selection of hotels with kids clubs, nannies and nurseries. A more budget-friendly holiday option is scattered throughout Spain with large campsites, such as Eurocamp, where you can stay in a coastal bungalow or right in a tent on the seashore.
What to feed children in Spain
Toddlers love delicious Spanish food as it is not very spicy. It doesn’t matter if you come with children to a large restaurant, or a chaotically loaded bar, you will be welcome. In summer, almost all establishments have summer playgrounds, where it is convenient to sit with the whole family. But high chairs for feeding are not everywhere. When booking a table, check this point. And take pencils and paper with you – they are rarely given out in restaurants.
Some establishments have a special children’s menu, menú infantil, which usually includes a main course (hamburger, chicken nuggets, pasta), a drink, and ice cream or a milkshake for dessert.
And, of course, traveling with children is no reason to bypass tapas bars, on the contrary, ask for additional children’s tapas here: fried bread, olives, carrots. Overview of Spanish Tapas Bars .
If you are walking in the city with children, then they may get hungry just when all the shops are closed for a siesta. Therefore, you can carry a snack with you just in case or go to the supermarket – they work around the clock.
Traveling with a child by public transport and car
In public transport, children under 4 travel free of charge, there is a place for prams on buses and the metro. Read more about public transport in Spain .
In the car, you must have a car seat, infantil silla, for a baby below 1.35 m, and a seat belt for children who are above this mark or over 12 years old. Most car rental companies provide child car seats for rent, read more about renting a car in Spain . In taxis, child car seats are rare, in most cases, drivers expect you to carry a child in your arms, fastened with one seat belt.
Is it safe to travel with children in Spain?
Definitely yes. Follow the basic recommendations and the trip will be great:
The greatest danger is the Spanish sun, especially in the south. You need to protect yourself with a cream with an SPF factor of at least 50, wear a panama hat or a hat and sunglasses. Also, use insect repellents, mosquito repellent creams and bracelets to calmly walk in the evenings or relax in open areas in restaurants. Insects do not tolerate contagious diseases, but bites are still unpleasant.
The quality of tap water varies from region to region, it is better to use bottled water.
If you are with a baby, then know that breastfeeding on the street is acceptable, especially in large cities.
Be sure to carry insurance with you everywhere. For emergencies, dial the universal number 112 and choose an English-speaking operator.
Holidays with a child: flights and accommodation
The easiest way, of course, is to get to Spain from Russia and Ukraine by plane, a direct flight from Kyiv will take about 3.5-4 hours, from Moscow – 4.5-5.5 hours.
At the very beginning of your journey, take a bottle of water with you to the cabin of the aircraft. Swallowing helps to balance the pressure during takeoff and landing, relieve ear pain. Older children can buy lollipops for this.
Most Spanish hotels have baby cots for babies up to 4 years old, you must indicate the need for them when booking (cuna in Spanish), this will cost up to 10 € / day, depending on the class of the hotel. If the child sleeps with you in the bed, you do not need to pay anything extra.
An extra bed for an adult child in the room will cost 20-30 €.
Be careful when booking discount hotel rooms – they are often located on the top floor, where it is difficult to climb with a stroller.
It is optimal when you can cook food in the room or in the shared kitchen, as daily meals in Spanish cafes can significantly limit the vacation budget. Moreover, going to the local market for exploration and choosing food for dinner is a separate entertainment for children, no worse than going to a museum!