8 Days • 7 Nights
Spain Family Adventure: Barcelona, Valencia & Madrid
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Gaudi's colourful, fairytale Barcelona delights children and parents alike, a wonderful family highlight. Antoni Gaudi gave Barcelona an architecture that feels like a fairytale, and children adore it. Together you explore Park Guell, with its mosaic dragon, gingerbread gatehouses and undulating benches like something from a storybook, and gaze up at the Sagrada Familia, where soaring columns branch like a stone forest and coloured light pours through the windows. You ride the cable car up to Montjuic for sweeping views, wander the medieval Gothic Quarter on a fun treasure-hunt trail, and browse the Boqueria market for fresh juices and treats.
- Valencia's giant aquarium and futuristic science city are a thrilling highlight for the whole family. Valencia is one of the most family-friendly cities in Spain, and its City of Arts and Sciences is spectacular. Together you explore the Oceanografic, one of the largest aquariums in Europe, walking through underwater tunnels among sharks, watching dolphins leap and meeting penguins and beluga whales. You marvel at the futuristic architecture of the science city, with its hands-on science museum where children can touch, build and experiment, and its planetarium and IMAX. You wander the lush Turia gardens, a former riverbed turned into a giant park.
- Mediterranean beaches and warm seas offer sun, sand and splashing fun for the family. Spain's beaches are among the best in Europe, and this journey weaves in sun, sand and sea. In Barcelona you relax on the golden sands of Barceloneta, right by the city, swimming in the warm Mediterranean and enjoying beachside snacks. In Valencia you spend time on the long, sandy Malvarrosa beach, building sandcastles, splashing in the gentle waves and lunching on fresh paella at a beachfront restaurant. The warm sea, golden sand and relaxed seaside fun are a joy for children and parents alike.
- The parks, palaces and plazas of Madrid make the capital a fun, easy family highlight. Madrid is a surprisingly family-friendly capital, spacious, green and full of fun. Together you row a boat on the lake in the beautiful Retiro park, watch puppet shows and street performers, and explore its rose garden and Crystal Palace. You tour the vast Royal Palace, the largest in Western Europe, imagining the kings and queens who lived there, and enjoy the arcaded Plaza Mayor and the buzzing San Miguel market with its tempting treats. You can add the Prado for a fun, child-friendly art trail.
- High-speed trains and delicious, child-friendly food make this journey easy and fun for families. Travelling as a family in Spain is a joy. The fast, comfortable AVE high-speed trains between the cities are a thrill for children, whooshing across the countryside at up to 300 kilometres an hour with room to move around, far easier than airports. And Spanish food is wonderfully child-friendly, from paella, tortilla and croquetas to jamon, fresh fruit, and churros dipped in thick hot chocolate, while the warm, welcoming culture cherishes children everywhere you go. The ease, comfort and delicious food are a real bonus.
- Above all, this journey blends culture, beaches, science and fun into a joyful family holiday. Spain is one of the most rewarding and family-friendly destinations in Europe, and this journey is designed to delight all ages. Over eight days you marvel at Gaudi's fairytale Barcelona, explore Valencia's giant aquarium and futuristic science city, splash in the Mediterranean, and enjoy the parks and palaces of Madrid, linked by high-speed trains and paced with plenty of fun and free time. The combination of colourful architecture, hands-on science, sunny beaches, delicious food and a warm welcome makes Spain irresistible for families.
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 8-day journey.
Your family adventure begins as your flight arrives in Barcelona, the vibrant Catalan capital by the sea, where you are met and transferred to your family-friendly hotel. Barcelona is one of the most exciting and welcoming cities in Europe, with fairytale architecture, sunny beaches and endless fun for all ages. Spend the rest of the day settling in and relaxing after your journey, perhaps taking a first gentle stroll along the harbour, letting the children stretch their legs in a plaza, or enjoying an ice cream in the sunshine. This evening, a relaxed family welcome dinner introduces you to the pleasures of Spanish food, from patatas bravas to croquetas, and to the fun-filled journey ahead through Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid. As you settle in, the warmth and energy of Spain work their magic on young and old. Rest well, ready for a day of Gaudi and fun tomorrow.
Today the whole family explores the colourful, fairytale side of Barcelona. With skip-the-line tickets you gaze up inside the Sagrada Familia, where soaring columns branch like a stone forest and coloured light pours through the windows, then explore Park Guell, with its famous mosaic dragon, gingerbread gatehouses and wavy benches, a real storybook wonderland for children. You ride the cable car up to Montjuic for sweeping views over the city and sea, and the children love the thrill. In the afternoon you relax on the golden sands of Barceloneta beach, splashing in the warm Mediterranean and enjoying a beachside snack. The colour, wonder and fun are captivating. As the day ends, you return to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a relaxed family dinner. Rest well, ready for more Barcelona fun tomorrow.
Today you enjoy more of family-friendly Barcelona at a relaxed pace. You explore the medieval Gothic Quarter on a fun walking trail, spotting gargoyles, hidden squares and the great cathedral, and dive into the sensory feast of the Boqueria market, where the children can try fresh juices, sweets and colourful fruit. You head down to the lively harbour, perhaps visiting the excellent aquarium of Barcelona or taking a short boat trip along the coast, and enjoy the open space and sea air. There is time to relax, play and enjoy an ice cream. The energy, colour and fun of Barcelona are irresistible for all ages. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, happy and a little sun-kissed. This evening is yours to enjoy a family meal. Rest well, for tomorrow you take an exciting high-speed train to Valencia.
This morning you transfer to the station for an exciting ride on a high-speed train down the Mediterranean coast to Valencia, a thrill for children as it whooshes along, reaching the city in around three hours. On arrival you are met and transferred to your family-friendly hotel. Valencia, Spain's sunny third city and the birthplace of paella, is one of the most relaxed and family-friendly places in the country, with a beautiful old town, golden beaches and the astonishing City of Arts and Sciences. This afternoon you settle in and begin to explore, perhaps strolling the lush Turia gardens, a former riverbed turned into a giant park perfect for running and playing, or wandering the old town. This evening, enjoy a relaxed family dinner. Rest well, for tomorrow you explore the giant aquarium and futuristic science city.
Today is a highlight for the whole family, exploring Valencia's spectacular City of Arts and Sciences. You spend the morning at the Oceanografic, one of the largest aquariums in Europe, walking through underwater tunnels among sharks and rays, watching dolphins leap, and meeting penguins, beluga whales and turtles. You explore the futuristic science museum, full of hands-on exhibits where children can touch, build and experiment, beneath its dramatic white architecture. In the afternoon you relax on the long, sandy Malvarrosa beach, building sandcastles and splashing in the gentle waves, and enjoy a delicious paella lunch by the sea, in the very city where the dish was invented. The wonder, learning and fun are thrilling. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, tired and happy. This evening, enjoy a family dinner. Rest well, for tomorrow you travel to Madrid.
This morning you board another high-speed AVE train, gliding inland across the Spanish countryside to reach Madrid, the grand capital, in around one and a half to two hours, a smooth and comfortable journey the children enjoy. On arrival you are met and transferred to your family-friendly hotel in the heart of the city. Madrid is a spacious, green and welcoming capital, full of parks, plazas and fun for families. This afternoon you settle in and begin to explore, perhaps strolling the arcaded Plaza Mayor, watching street performers at the Puerta del Sol, or enjoying churros dipped in thick hot chocolate, a favourite treat. The space, greenery and energy of Madrid are delightful. This evening, enjoy a relaxed family dinner in a lively plaza. Rest well, for tomorrow you enjoy the parks and palaces of the capital.
Today the family enjoys the best of Madrid at a relaxed, fun pace. You spend the morning in the beautiful Retiro park, the green heart of the city, rowing a boat together on the lake, watching puppet shows and street performers, and exploring the rose garden and the glittering Crystal Palace. You tour the vast Royal Palace, the largest in Western Europe, with its opulent throne room and armoury full of shining suits of armour the children love, imagining the kings and queens who lived there. You enjoy the buzzing San Miguel market with its tempting treats, and there is time to relax and play. The space, greenery and fun are delightful. As the day ends, you return to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a final family dinner in the capital. Rest well ahead of your departure tomorrow.
After a final morning in Madrid, perhaps a last play in a park, some souvenir shopping, or one more plate of churros with hot chocolate, you are transferred to Madrid airport for your onward departure. You leave having shared a wonderful family adventure through Spain, the fairytale architecture of Gaudi's Barcelona, the giant aquarium and futuristic science city of Valencia, the sunny Mediterranean beaches, and the parks and palaces of Madrid, all linked by exciting high-speed trains and warmed by Spain's love of children. The images stay vivid long after you land, the mosaic dragon of Park Guell, the underwater tunnels of the Oceanografic, sandcastles on the beach, and boats on the lake in the Retiro. Spain offers fun, wonder, beaches and delicious food for all ages in abundance, and the whole family departs already dreaming of a return to this exciting and welcoming land.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 7 nights accommodation, a family welcome dinner and a paella lunch in Valencia
- Daily breakfast
- Airport and land transfers in comfortable air-conditioned vehicles
- Touring and sightseeing as per itinerary with expert local guides
- Entrance fees to palaces, monuments and sites as per itinerary
- private touring with family-friendly local guides, a Barcelona Gaudi and old town family tour with skip-the-line Sagrada Familia entry and cable car ride, an Oceanografic aquarium and City of Arts and Sciences visit in Valencia, a Madrid parks and Royal Palace tour, and high-speed AVE train journeys between the cities
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Some lunches and dinners not specified
- Optional experiences and tips for guides and drivers
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Spain is part of the European Union and the Schengen Area, so many nationalities (including UK, US, Canadian, Australian and EU citizens) enjoy visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days, while others need a Schengen visa; a passport valid for at least three months beyond departure is required. Requirements can change, so we confirm the exact process for your nationality and assist where needed
- Currency: The currency is the Euro (EUR); cards and contactless payment are very widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops across Barcelona, Madrid, Seville and the coast, but it is worth carrying some cash for small tapas bars, markets, tips, taxis and rural villages. ATMs are plentiful in towns and cities, though some charge a fee
- Best time to visit: Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) are ideal, with warm, sunny days perfect for the cities, Andalusia and touring; July and August are hot, especially inland in Madrid, Seville and Cordoba, but glorious on the beaches and islands; winter is mild and atmospheric in the south and the cities, and a lovely, uncrowded time for museums, tapas and lower prices
- Language & etiquette: The language is Spanish (Castellano), with Catalan, Basque and Galician also spoken in their regions, and English is widely used in hotels, restaurants and tourism, so travel is easy; a few words like 'gracias' and 'por favor' are always appreciated. The Spanish keep late hours, dinner is eaten from nine, and an afternoon pause is part of the rhythm; a relaxed, sociable pace is the joy of it
- Getting around: Spain is superbly connected, with one of the world's best high-speed rail networks (AVE) linking Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Cordoba, Valencia and beyond in a few hours, excellent motorways, metros in the big cities, and short flights and ferries to the Balearic Islands; we arrange private transfers, driver-guides, AVE tickets or a hire car as suits your journey. City centres are walkable, so comfortable shoes are essential
- Health & safety: Spain is a safe and welcoming country with excellent healthcare and low violent crime; the main precaution is against pickpocketing on busy metros, Las Ramblas and in crowded tourist areas of Barcelona and Madrid, so keep bags secure. Tap water is safe to drink in the cities, no special vaccinations are needed, and EU visitors should carry a GHIC card while others should have travel insurance
- Culture & pace: Spain rewards a sociable, unhurried pace; embrace the ritual of tapas hopping bar to bar, long lunches, a siesta pause in the heat of the day, late dinners and later evenings, and the passion of flamenco in Andalusia. Many shops close for a midday break, some museums close on Mondays, and Sundays are for family, strolling the paseo and lingering over a shared meal
- Power & practicalities: Power is 230V with European two-pin type F plugs, so bring an adapter; tipping is modest and appreciated (rounding up or five to ten per cent for good service). Mainland Spain is one hour ahead of the UK (CET/CEST), the sun is strong in summer so bring sun protection and a hat, and it is wise to reserve popular sites such as the Alhambra and Sagrada Familia well ahead, which we handle for you
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this journey suitable for younger children as well as teenagers?
Yes, it is designed to delight all ages. Younger children love the fairytale Gaudi architecture, the mosaic dragon of Park Guell, the giant aquarium, sandcastles on the beach and rowing boats in the Retiro, while teenagers enjoy the cable cars, the hands-on science museum, the beaches, the city energy and the food. The pace is relaxed with plenty of free time, breaks and treats, our guides are wonderful with children, and we can adjust every day to suit the ages and interests of your family.
Is Spanish food easy for children, and are the trains really child-friendly?
Very much so on both counts. Spanish food is a hit with children, from paella, tortilla and croquetas to jamon, fresh fruit, pizza-like coca and churros dipped in hot chocolate, and mealtimes are relaxed and welcoming. The high-speed AVE trains are a genuine highlight for kids, fast, smooth and comfortable, with space to move around and big windows, and far less stressful than flying. We reserve family seating and arrange private transfers to and from the stations, so travel days are easy and fun.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary (typically a welcome dinner and special experiences such as a tapas crawl, a flamenco dinner, a paella lunch or a Rioja wine estate meal). Spanish cuisine is one of the great pleasures of travel, from tapas and jamon iberico to paella, fresh seafood, and pintxos in the Basque Country, and we usually leave other meals free so you can explore, recommending the finest tapas bars and restaurants at every stage of your journey.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Your journey is private by default, with your own expert local guide and comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, giving you flexibility, depth and a pace tailored to you; small-group and self-drive options can also be arranged. Spain's knowledgeable guides bring Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, the Alhambra, the Mezquita, the Prado and the flamenco tradition vividly to life, greatly enriching every visit, while leaving you free time to wander, savour tapas and discover the country at your own pace.
Do I need a visa for Spain?
Spain is part of the EU and Schengen Area, so many nationalities enjoy visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days, while others need a Schengen visa. We confirm the exact, current requirements for your nationality, advise on the best option, and assist with the process where needed, so entry is smooth. A passport valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure is required.
Is Spain safe to visit?
Spain is a safe and welcoming country with excellent healthcare, low violent crime and famously warm, sociable people, so travel here is smooth and relaxed. We use trusted local guides and drivers and follow official guidance at all times. The main precaution is against pickpocketing on busy metros, Las Ramblas and in crowded tourist areas, so keep bags secure, but Spain's easy, festive character is one of the great joys of a visit.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) are ideal, with warm, sunny days perfect for the cities, Andalusia and touring, and highlights such as Seville's festivals in spring and the grape harvest in autumn. July and August are hot inland but glorious on the beaches and islands, while winter is mild in the south and wonderful for city breaks and museums. We advise on the best timing for your interests and regions.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of Barcelona, Madrid, Andalusia, the coast and the islands, add the Basque Country and Rioja, a stretch of the Camino de Santiago, or a stay in a historic parador, extend beach or wine time, and tailor the pace, comfort and focus to you. Every itinerary is a flexible starting point, and we love shaping journeys around honeymoons, families, food and wine, and special celebrations across beautiful Spain.
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