Spain appeals to the child in everyone, so how could it not delight children? The Spanish find pleasure in the simplest of activities — sitting in a café drinking a frosty glass of horchata, watching children play soccer in a plaza, strolling through a park — and their enjoyment of life is contagious for all ages.
Any place you go in Spain will have something to delight children, but these are some of the sure kid-pleasers in the most popular cities.
© Stillman Rogers
Barcelona
Gaudi’s crazy buildings on Paseig del Gracia include Casa Batllo, with balconies like skulls and a dragon-scale roof, and Casa Mila, whose wavy façade is draped with balconies of wrought-iron seaweed. The inspiration for Darth Vader came from its chimneys, so tour the inside and roof. These buildings could interest a kid in architecture and make him/her look at buildings in a new way.
Granada
The Alhambra is a fairytale castle unlike any they have imagined, each space covered in intricate stone carving. Be sure to try the whispering corners.
Valencia
L’Oceanográfico, Europe’s largest aquarium, is only part of the brilliant complex of science parks and museums. Mangrove swamps to the igloo-shaped Arctic exhibits and Mediterranean sea life to the movie-star dolphin, Flipper, if it’s wet, the kids can learn about it here.
© Stillman Rogers
Avilla
Who could help being fascinated by an entire city surrounded by medieval walls, especially when they can walk on top of them and look down into streets right out of the Middle Ages?
Seville
Get hooked on Flamenco at the Museum of Flamenco Dancing (Museo del Baile Flamenco), attend a Flamenco show and return for dance lessons at the museum. Bring home the right clothes and shoes, too, from the museum shop.
Madrid
Visit the two giant pandas in their air-conditioned pagoda at the Madrid Zoo. It’s in a vast park behind the Palacio Real — the royal palace, well worth a visit to see the official home of a real king and queen (although they actually live just outside of the city in another palace).
© Stillman Rogers
Tenerife (Canary Islands)
Loro Parque combines a zoo, marine park and gardens, where whales, tigers, monkeys, parrots and sharks — some 4,000 creatures in all — live in their own natural environments. It is Spain’s most popular zoo, and its top attraction is the frequent daily shows featuring Europe’s largest dolphin pod.
Malaga
For those seeking sun and sand at family prices, plus multiple amusements for non-beach hours, the Costa del Sol is the place to go. Along with miles of golden beaches, diversions include Selwo (a nature park/zoo with animals of five continents living in semi-wild environments), Aquapark (Europe’s largest water park with rides for all ages) and Tivoli World (for all ages, but with a special section of 11 rides designed just for toddlers).
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations / Europe
Sep 28, 2023Visit These 3 London Spots Going All out for Halloween
This October, take the whole family to London and take time to not only enjoy the classic sites but also these scary fun Halloween events and experiences. Whether it’s a spooky-filled trip to the London Zoo or a step into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, here are the three can’t-miss experiences:
Sponsored Content
Interior Upgrades Begin Rolling Out Across United Fleet
United Airlines is in the midst of a major initiative to modernize its fleet over the next several years. After first announcing the plan in 2021, planes fitted with United’s signature interior are finally beginning to appear across the airline’s narrowbody fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes. United flyers are sure to notice these enhancements from the moment they step on board: Each new or updated plane sports remodeled seats, seatback entertainment screens for everyone, Bluetooth connectivity and more, all adding up to a better experience on every journey.
Slideshow
Sep 28, 20238 Medellín, Colombia, Destinations for Family Travel
It’s time to start dreaming of your next family trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Medellín, Colombia, with us.
Destinations
Sep 27, 2023Family Vacation Bundles in Orlando Now Include Luxury Boating Experiences
Make your family trip to Orlando so much more than just visiting the theme parks. Thanks to new vacation bundles from luxury hotels in Orlando, available as of Sept. 1, you can enjoy exclusive boating experiences during your trip.
Sponsored Content
United Airlines Celebrates its First Class of United Aviate Graduates
As the only major U.S. airline to own a flight school, United Airlines already hit a major milestone, and now the carrier celebrates another important — and historic — step as the inaugural class of United Aviate Academy pilots graduates, leading the next generation of aviators. The 51 students in the graduating class were majority, at 80 percent, women and people of color — another stride toward United’s goal of training 5,000 new pilots by 2030 with half women or POC.
Destinations / North America
Sep 27, 2023Join Hundreds of Witches for The Witches Paddle in Morro Bay, California, This October
Where can family travelers experience a truly unique (and possibly unusual) Halloween tradition? Look no further than Morro Bay, California, a city hosting the annual Witches Paddle. Just as it sounds, the Witches Paddle sees hundreds of people don witches’ costumes in honor of Halloween before taking to the water on stand-up paddleboards.
ShareThis