Ten types of weekend getaways with children in Spain, each with specific destinations, real prices and tips to make the plan go well. From the beach to the mountains, from the theme park to the farm, here are ideas to choose from depending on your children's age, budget and the time of year.
1. Coast and beach as a family
Sandcastles with the little ones, snorkelling with the middle ones and surfing or paddleboarding with the teenagers: the Spanish coast makes it easy. It is the classic plan for a weekend, and also the simplest to organise.
The Costa Brava (Catalonia) is the reference destination for families, with beach options for all ages. The Costa del Sol (Andalusia) has a temperate climate almost all year round and good family infrastructure. In the Rías Baixas (Galicia) the landscape is wilder and there is less overcrowding; it works very well in summer.
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In the Costa Brava it is advisable to avoid crowds between October and May. In August the water reaches 26 °C, ideal for snorkelling and swimming; in September it stays between 22 and 23 degrees and is suitable for swimming until mid-October. In Cadaqués and Cap de Creus the microclimate is windier due to the influence of the Tramontana.
The shoulder season (May, June, September) brings better prices and fewer people. If you go with a pram, prioritise accommodation with direct access to the beach. Bring sun protection, hats and armbands or a life jacket for the little ones. Book water activities for the mornings, when there is more energy, and leave the afternoons for tranquil strolls.
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2. Mountains and hiking
Mountain routes with children work better than they seem if you choose the route well. The key lies in adapting the distance and the elevation gain to the age of those walking.
At Picuco: Explore more routes in Picos de Europa and Sierra de Guadarrama.
In the Lagos de Covadonga (Picos de Europa, Asturias) there is a 6.2 km route, about 2h 30min, of easy difficulty and suitable from 5-6 years old. The mountain lakes appear between meadows and rock walls. The starting point is the Buferrera Parking and in summer there is a vehicle restriction with a shuttle bus.
The Oros Bajo Waterfall (Aragonese Pyrenees, Huesca) is the shortest option: 1.2 km round trip, 20 min per section, very easy and suitable from 3 years old. The route starts from the village of Oros Bajo and has a distance of 1.2 km round trip, with an approximate duration of 45 minutes. It is advisable not to approach the walls due to possible rockfalls, and during the thaw season or after heavy rains there may be difficulties reaching it or the flow may be excessive.
The Pradera de Aguas Tuertas, also in the Aragonese Pyrenees, is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Pyrenees and is suitable from 6-7 years old.
To start, choose marked paths with little elevation gain. Bring comfortable mountain footwear, a baby carrier for the little ones, sufficient water and energy snacks such as nuts or bars. Always check the weather forecast before heading out.
3. Theme parks
A theme park solves the getaway with children: there are options for all ages and in almost all of them you can save if you buy in advance. Spain brings together four very different proposals, from the attractions of Tarragona and Madrid to the palaeontology of Teruel and the historical shows of Toledo.
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Find tickets to theme parks all over Spain: Excursion to PortAventura · Puy du Fou from Toledo
Warner Park (Madrid) does not charge for children under 1 metre. If you stay for two days, there is a 2-day consecutive ticket, and for those over 140 cm there are open-date tickets for €62.90.
Dinópolis (Teruel) costs €34 for adults and €27 for children. The complete pack with 7 satellite centres costs only €3 more and there is a 15% discount for large families. It is the largest centre for leisure, culture and palaeontological research in the country.
Children under 3 enter for free, including with Dinobaby. The park opens every day at 10:00 and closing time varies between 19:00 and 20:00 depending on the day of the season. The accessory centres (Inhóspitak, Región Ambarina, Bosque Pétreo, Mar Nummus, Titania and Valcaria) close to the public on 2 November; afterwards only Dinópolis Teruel remains open. No food or drink is allowed inside and, once you have left the grounds, you cannot re-enter. Parking is free at the sites.
Puy du Fou España (Toledo) has adult tickets from €37 and child tickets from €30 with a reservation, a rate that applies up to 72 hours before the visit. Children under 3 enter for free. Its outdoor historical shows are not very similar to a conventional amusement park.
Four tips for the day: arrive early and start with the most popular attractions. Plan breaks in the mid-afternoon to avoid exhaustion and buy fast passes on days with high attendance. Wear comfortable footwear and bring a portable battery for your mobile phone.
4. Agritourism and farms
Sleeping on a farm changes the weekend: children feed the animals and get their boots dirty. Agritourism combines accommodation, animals and practical workshops, a way for them to disconnect from screens and connect with country life.
At La Montaña Mágica (Llanes, Asturias), there is a rural hotel with a farm of native Asturian breeds in danger of extinction, on a 17-hectare estate (170,000 m2). Children feed the animals and have dinner with products from the farm.
Eco Moyano Posada (Gaucín, Málaga) occupies a restored 18th-century inn, with an organic vegetable garden, animals and a salt-water pool. The estate is self-sufficient with solar energy and is located next to the cañada Real and the Camino de Santiago Serrano. It has free parking, and check-in is from 16:00, with check-out before 12:00.
We have a complete guide of 5 farms for children near Barcelona with verified prices, schedules and details.
Before booking, ask what activities are included for children. Bring wellies, clothes that can get dirty and a raincoat, and always supervise the little ones' interaction with the animals. Many farms offer their own fresh products: make the most of it.
Discover more nature activities and rural plans near Oviedo or Málaga.
5. Urban escapes with children
Cities with heritage work best with children if the visit is planned as a game.
Toledo is a medieval labyrinth of three cultures. Combined with Puy du Fou España, 10 min away, you can explore the city in the morning and enjoy a show in the afternoon.
Family activities near Barcelona
Mérida brings together the Roman theatre, amphitheatre and museum in an outdoor history lesson. In Córdoba, the courtyards, the Mosque and the narrow streets of the historic centre invite you to imagine stories.
Four tips help ensure the day doesn't get overwhelming. Choose 3-4 main attractions and don't try to see everything. Use children's audio guides or family tours to maintain interest. Alternate monuments with parks, ice cream parlours or play areas. Book museums for the morning, when children are most receptive, and buy tourist passes.
6. Camping and glamping
Sleeping outdoors brings the family together, from traditional tents to glamping with all the amenities. Choose the format according to the children's age and how much you feel like setting up camp.
Kampaoh Tarifa (Cádiz) has tents already set up and equipped with beds, a fridge and kitchenware. The Bell XL Tent accommodates 4 people, measures 20 m2 and is 3 m high. It is at the foot of Los Lances Beach, less than 6 km from Tarifa, within the Estrecho Natural Park, and features a swimming pool and a playground. The tent locks with a padlock and prices start from ~42 €/night in low season.
The campsites in the Pyrenees and the Picos de Europa allow you to combine your stay with hiking in a mountain environment. 79% of glampings in Spain cost less than 100 €/night, with an average of 53 €/person/night.
If it is your first time, it is advisable to choose glamping or a campsite with good facilities: toilets, showers and a play area. Bring sleeping bags suitable for the temperature and comfortable mats.
Organise outdoor games: treasure hunts, plant identification and stargazing. Teach basic safety rules: do not wander off alone, and be careful with fire and water.
7. Water parks
In summer, a water park solves the whole day: slides, wave pools, lazy rivers and children's areas for all ages. Spain has plenty of options, and these are the ones that work best with children.
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Siam Park, in Tenerife, is one of the best water parks in the world and is open all year round. Children under 3 enter for free. The park is eco-friendly and uses filtered seawater to water the vegetation. To get there, there is a bus (guagua) from Los Cristianos, Las Américas and Costa Adeje.
Buy tickets online to avoid queues and it is better to go during the week or in mid-season. Bring waterproof sunscreen, water shoes and a waterproof case for your mobile phone. Before you separate, set a visible meeting point, and pack reusable water bottles and snacks.
8. Wildlife and nature
Seeing animals in vast and natural spaces teaches children about conservation in a practical way. In Spain, you have two very different plans to do this as a family: a Cantabrian park with species in semi-wild conditions and an Andalusian wetland that can only be explored with a guide.
The Cabárceno Nature Park (Cantabria) covers 750 hectares with more than 100 species in semi-wild conditions, and the entrance includes the cable car. Children under 3 enter for free and large families get a 10% discount. Cabárceno is 17 km from Santander, in the Pisueña valley.
More activities near Santander
In the Doñana National Park (Huelva/Sevilla) the visit is guided and mandatory. The tour from El Rocío costs 33 € for adults, and the excursion from Sevilla costs 89 € for adults and 65 € for children. Access to the Biological Reserve is exclusively by off-road vehicle with an official guide through a concessionaire operator (Cooperativa Marismas del Rocío).
The typical route lasts about 4 hours and covers about 70 km, starting from the El Acebuche Visitor Centre. Book well in advance, because spaces are very limited.
For both plans, bring binoculars and a camera with zoom, get up early because the first hours are the best for sightings, and wear neutral-coloured clothing. Teach children to be patient and to stay silent.
9. Adventure and sport
In Cercedilla, one hour from Madrid, there are 114 games and 33 zip lines hanging among the pines of the Sierra de Guadarrama. Aventura Amazonia is the largest multi-adventure park in Madrid, with 7 circuits per level.
The children's circuits are for children aged 6 and up and 1.15 m in height. The park accepts people up to 70 years old and 130 kg. The prices for the children's circuits start at 20 € (21 € in high season) and include equipment, insurance, and an introductory course. It features the only Canopy circuit in Madrid, dedicated solely to zip lines, with more than 460 m in length.
It is advisable to arrive 30 minutes before the reservation time. From Madrid, the Line C8 train arrives in Cercedilla and the station is about 45 minutes walking away. You can also take the 684 interurban bus from Moncloa, every half hour on weekdays and every hour on weekends. Parking is free, except on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and long weekends.
More activities in Sierra de Guadarrama
If you are looking for more plans, Selwo Aventura (Estepona, Málaga) combines safari with adventure: a zip line of more than 100 metres and 2,000 animals in 100 hectares. General tickets cost from 19.90 € online and reduced children's tickets from 15.90 €.
Before you throw yourself in, choose operators with valid safety certifications and start with simple activities to build confidence. Verify that the equipment (harnesses, helmets, life jackets) fits well; bring comfortable sportswear and enough water for everyone.
Explore more options for active tourism throughout Spain.
10. Wellbeing and spas for families
More and more spas are opening their doors to children with kids' pools, adapted circuits and relaxation workshops. It is a different way to teach self-care over a weekend.
The Archena Spa (Murcia) has a thermal pool with a children's area featuring jets, a slide and games. The water at the Espacio Termalium is mineral-medicinal, with an average temperature of 32ºC.
The Balnea Thermal Circuit lasts 2h and costs 30 € from Monday to Friday and 40 € on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and long weekends. You need to book in advance.
In the pool area, the use of a swimming cap, swimsuit and flip-flops is mandatory, and you cannot enter with food or drink. The ticket is valid for the whole day, but if you leave the grounds you cannot re-enter, and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Before booking, choose spas that explicitly offer family packages and check the minimum age for access to thermal pools. Combine spa sessions with outdoor activities in the surroundings and plan them to be short, so that children get used to the temperatures.
Which one to choose?
The getaway changes depending on the children's age, the budget and the time of year. Here are the ten types of plans with what each one needs so you can choose quickly.
- Beach: easy plan for all ages, medium budget and best from May to June and in September.
- Mountain: for active families with children from 3 years old, low budget and best in spring and autumn.
- Theme parks: guaranteed fun, high budget and best in low season.
- Agrotourism: disconnection and animals, medium budget and valid all year round.
- Cultural city: learning and a plan for rainy days, medium-high budget and valid all year round.
- Camping or glamping: natural immersion, low-medium budget and best in spring-summer.
- Water parks: summer option for all ages, medium budget and best from June to September.
- Wildlife and safaris: educational nature plan, medium-high budget and best in spring and autumn.
- Adventure and sport: for teenagers looking for adrenaline, medium-high budget and best from spring to autumn.
- Wellbeing: family rest, high budget and valid all year round.
If you are torn between two, choose by age: with young children, the beach, agrotourism or camping works best; with teenagers, adventure or the cultural city. Book in advance on long weekends and during the high season of theme parks, when there is more footfall.
More family plans at Picuco
These ten ideas are just the starting point for organising your getaway. At Picuco you can explore family activities by destination, filter by type and book directly.
