Family holidays in Spain
From the artistic beauty of Barcelona and the majestic piazzas of Madrid to the rugged beauty of the northwest and Andalucia’s Moorish wonders, Spain is an endlessly varied country. Summers are hot, especially in the south, while winters are cool enough to offer skiing and snowboarding. Spain is also terrific for family travel, and children are more than welcome in most places.
When to go
Late spring and late summer are great times to visit; summer can be very hot and the cities and beaches crowded with visitors.
Top tip
Don’t leave booking too late as cheap flights to Spain sell out quickly.
Food
The Spanish tradition of tapas (small portions of cheese, cured meats, seafood, olives and potatoes) has been adopted the world over, but more substantial foods such as paellas (rice-based dishes), zarzuelas (fish stews) and gazpacho (tomato-based soup) are also delicious. Outside of the larger cities, vegetarians might struggle, but kids are welcomed just about everywhere.
Entertainment
Families will find an abundance of entertaining options in Spain, with its natural beauty, numerous beaches, excellent galleries and museums, and wealth of historic buildings. Sporting events such as Spain’s hugely popular football matches can be great fun, and even the bustle of bigger cities is suitable for families, with parks such as Barcelona’s Parc Güell providing a beautiful, quieter escape.
Flying time
2 - 2.5 hours
Time difference
GMT + 1 hour
Transfer times
- Barcelona:
- El Prat Barcelona Airport – approximately 20 mins
- Madrid:
- Madrid Barajas Airport – approximately 25 mins
- Alicante:
- Alicante Airport – approximately 20 mins
- Malaga:
- Malaga Airport – approximately 15 mins
- Seville:
- Seville Airport (San Pablo) – approximately 20 mins
