Spain’s Riviera: Why Families Should Escape Winter in This Sunny Destination

The fabled beaches of Spain’s southern coast might not be warm enough for swimming, but the region’s warm, sunny winter days promise plenty of activities for family travelers. While the tourist areas around Malága and in the Costa del Sol are better known, savvy travelers know to head farther east to the charming towns of the more scenic Costa Blanca and Costa Brava.

Close to Barcelona (a good daytrip from any of the beach towns), Costa Brava is one of the most beautiful of all the Mediterranean’s beach regions. Its shaggy shoreline of eroded cliffs is broken by coves hiding beautiful beaches under the cliffs. The water will be too cold for swimming, but beaches are still busy places with sand games, sun-bathers and picnickers.

Costa Brava towns are small; Tossa de Mar is the prettiest, with 12^th-century walls and towers enclosing its narrow streets lined with white houses. Nearby beaches vary from long strands to secluded coves. Another medieval village is Pals, with beautiful views from the ruins of the 11^th-century Sant Pere de Rodes monastery. Golfers should head for Caldes de Malavella’s 36-hole PGA Golf Catalunya, one of Europe’s top 10 courses.

Kids will want to visit Peniscola, a fortified medieval town near Valencia where they can explore a Knights Templar castle sitting on a high crag, almost surrounded by sea.

Sitges, southwest of Barcelona, is known for its architecture and the artists who gathered and worked here in the early 20^th century. One of these was Salvador Dalí, and two towns are a must for art lovers and kids. The Salvador Dalí House Museum is in Portlligat, and Dalí Theatre and Museum is in his hometown of Figueres. The latter is a surreal collection of Dali’s imaginative and fantastic creations, many of them three-dimensional. It’s one museum kids love.

South of Valencia is Costa Blanca, known for its white-sand beaches set between wildly eroded rock formations and sea caves. Dramatic cliffs filled with caves surround Javea, where you’ll find a golf course. Collera has a good beach for families, and nearby Denia is a quiet resort with a ruined castle and Safari Park Vergel, a hit with young kids.

Benidorm has a more international feel and nightlife popular with international tourists, but Alicante retains its authentic Spanish character, especially in the old quarter near the cathedral and castle.

While you can’t expect summer beach weather, you also won’t find summer crowds. Daytime winter temperatures are usually in the mid-60s, dropping into the 40s at night. Plan a variety of clothes for the whole family and layer to adjust to weather that varies from T-shirt days to sweater and jacket evenings.

The climate is good for hiking vacations, beach walks, sightseeing and dining outdoors. Al fresco restaurants usually have heaters for chilly evenings.