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Top 10 family vacations in Spain

Our best family vacations in Spain combine exploration with relaxation in some of our favorite spots – Andalucia, Catalonia and the Canaries. All-inclusive means breakfasts sourced from surrounding farms, post-dip lakeside picnics, and shared dinners with new friends under the stars. We’ve included our most popular self-catering options too – excellent inspiration for your next family vacation.

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Top 10 family vacations in Spain

Many families head straight for the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca – but an equally sun-soaked stretch of mountains and beach-lined coast lies beyond, welcoming families with activity-packed hotels and storied villas surrounded by almond groves and mountains. Take a look at our best family vacations in Spain for fresh ideas on where next to take the family next…

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1. Activity vacation in the Altiplano de Granada

Stay with hosts Ilaria and Des in their cortijo eco hotel for a warm welcome into the rural communities of Andalucia’s high plateau. They’ll match you up with the best local activity guides who’ll lead you through a week of paddle boarding, rafting, hiking and horse riding in the mountains, lakes and forests of the Altiplano de Granada – before welcoming you back to base with home-cooked Andalusian feasts and an orchard-view pool.

Minimum age: Most activities suitable for ages four upwards
Our top trip: Altiplano de Granada activity vacation in Spain
See all our trips: Family activity vacations
Read more: Andalucia family vacations travel guide

2. Eco hotel & activity vacation in Catalonia

From morning yoga practise to lessons with a renowned horse riding school, this vacation is all about making connections. Your hosts, Fiona and Gareth, know and love this peaceful corner of the Catalonia countryside, crafting active itineraries that still carve out time for basking by the pool. You’ll stay with other families too, teaming up for activities and trips to the beach. The hotel grounds encourage wildlife, so expect to see bats and swifts – and the occasional shooting star – darting above in the evenings.

Minimum age: None – activities tailored to your family
Our top trips: Catalonia family activity vacation
See all our trips: Catalonia vacations
Read more: Catalonia family travel guide

3. Watersports & cycling on the Costa Brava

The waters off the Costa Brava are so inviting that it’d be rude not to spend as much time in the sea as possible. This vacation gives you the chance to set out on paddle boarding, sea kayaking and sailing routes that unveil sandy bays and beach towns that many others staying in Palamos – your lively base – miss out on. There are chances to explore on land too, on outings spent cycling between vineyards and medieval villages. And your accommodation? A once-derelict townhouse that has been restored to its former glory by local tradespeople.

Minimum age: 12 upwards
Our top trip: Spain cycling and watersports vacation for families
See all our trips: Family activity vacations
Read more: Watersports multi activity travel guide

4. Tailor made touring by train

The beauty of our tailor made rail adventures is that they’re designed with families in mind. So think short distances by high speed trains, fun and engaging activities, local guides who know how to inspire and entertain young minds, and of course plenty of free time for you to relax and do your own thing. A typical itinerary can take you from Barcelona to Toledo via Madrid and Valencia, featuring everything from sword-making lessons to paella workshops and colourful amusement parks.

Minimum age: All ages welcome
Our top trip: Spain vacation with children
See all our trips: Spain family vacations
Read more: Spain family vacations travel guide

5. Mountain biking with pros

When mountain biking in Spain, it’s as much about the pauses in-between as the rides. This vacation, run by a pair of professional sports coaches and cycling enthusiasts, has the balance down pat. You’ll ride to lakes and rivers along country tracks and trails – but also stop to explore villages and for waterside picnics. (And a dip; pack your swimsuit in your pannier.) Rather than returning home exhausted, you’ll get back reenergised – and, if our traveler reviews are anything to go by, ready to return again next year.

Minimum age: All ages welcome (11 years plus recommended for mountain biking trips)
Our top trip: Catalonia family mountain biking and activity vacation
See all our trips: Family cycling vacations
Read more: Catalonia family travel guide

6. Camino de Santiago pilgrimage for families

“I think walking the Camino opened up the whole world to my nephew,” says Bronagh Carroll, who runs our family-friendly Camino vacation. “He learned what he was capable of and met people from so many different backgrounds.” The Camino is Europe’s most famous long-distance footpath – well-marked, well-traversed and easy to follow for children with the energy and curiosity required. You don’t have to worry about slogging out the whole distance; experts like Bronagh will tailor the hike to your family’s needs and cherry-pick the most child-friendly hotels and B&Bs en route.

Minimum age: No minimum age, but teenagers up advised
Our top trip: Camino de Santiago family walking vacation
See all our trips: Family walking vacations
Read more: Walking the Camino with kids guide

7. Horse riding in Catalonia

With its mountain foothills, riverside paths and volcanic trails, Catalonia is a great place to go horse riding. This trip puts you under the stewardship of one-time national equestrian coach (and master storyteller) Rafa Rodriguez. He’ll match you up with a horse that suits each rider, no matter how small, experienced – or inexperienced. Lessons, hacks, jumping, dressage and cart rides are all possible, as well as taster lessons on coaching.

Minimum age: All ages welcome
Our top trip: Catalan horse riding vacation in Spain
See all our trips: Family adventure vacations
Read more: Catalonia horse riding travel guide

8. Island villa stay in Lanzarote

This villa is set on an old finca estate (resident donkey and hen house included) with a pool, kids’ play area and an electricity system completely powered by on-site solar panels and wind turbines. The fishing village of Arrieta, with its sail-white restaurants and uncrowded beach, is just a five-minute stroll away. Plus, other activities can be arranged – grab a surfboard from the finca or head out on one of the many island paths.

Minimum age: All ages welcome
Our top trip: Lanzarote villa accommodation in the Canary Islands
See all our trips: Lanzarote vacations
Read more: Canary Islands travel guide

9. Self guided cycling in Catalonia

Tailor made cycling vacations are ideal for finding an itinerary that fits the whole family. Everything from landscape preferences (wetland loops, castle-topped towns or volcanic national parks?) to saddle time (morning meander or day-long adventure?) can be tweaked to your preferences. Our top cycling trip rides out of a restored pilgrim’s retreat turned eco sports hotel where cycling paths lead from the front door.

Minimum age: All ages welcome, depending on the route
Our top trip: Catalonia family self guided cycling vacation
See all our trips: Spain family vacations
Read more: Family cycling guide

10. Small group adventure in the Pyrenees

We might be cheating with this one – technically, this trip is based in Andorra, the tiny country squeezed between the French and Spanish border in the Pyrenees. But you’ll spend a lot of your time over the border in Spain. This is where the Noguera Pallaresa, one of the best rafting rivers in Europe, flows. Encouraging expert guides will ensure the whole family enjoys paddling between the waterfalls, cliffs and rapids… or there’s always the option to opt out for those who’d rather a pool day.

Minimum age: 10 upwards recommended
Our top trip: Pyrenees family vacation
See all our trips: Small group family vacations
Read more: Spanish Pyrenees family vacations guide