Family Holidays in Spain with Babies, Toddlers and Young Kids
Spain is an ideal family holiday destination, offering sunshine, culture and plenty of activities to keep both parents and kids entertained. Flights from the UK and Ireland are short – between 2 – 2.5 hours – ideal with active toddlers.
Where to go
There are loads of family friendly destinations in Spain from the Basque Country in the North to the Costa Dorado, and Costa del Sol with their endless stretch of beaches and Barcelona which offers a perfect mix of a city and beach holiday. There are also loads of theme parks and leisure activities specifically aimed at kids, while you will find child friendly water parks dotted along the Spanish coastline and some wonderful destinations off the beaten track including the Costa Verde and the beautiful mountain town of Rhonda.
Accommodation
When organising accommodation ensure that you are staying somewhere away from lively nightspots as some resorts are loud and busy until the early hours of the morning and there are no guarantees in these areas that you will get a good night’s sleep. If you are staying in self-catering accommodation, ask about stair gates, blackout blinds, gated and fenced swimming pools and proximity to busy roads before booking.
Out & About in Spain
You will be able to find food and formula for babies and toddlers in towns and major resorts (See Baby and Toddler Essentials). Most bars, cafes and restaurants in Spain are baby and child friendly in that kids are welcome however, not all will have high chairs and kids menus.
Museums, galleries and sights throughout Spain either offer discounts or free entry for children (it’s often free for under-4s), as do many trains, sightseeing tours, boat trips and other tourist attractions. Many museums will be happy to store your stroller while you carry your child around.
The Alhambra, Spain
Best Months to Travel to Spain with Kids
The weather in Spain is mild and sunny. The best time to visit Spain is between April and October. If your kids are not in school yet, try to avoid the high season which falls between July and August. High season can be excessively hot (and busy) throughout the country and prices can increase by up to 50%. From April to June and September and October the weather is still warm but not as uncomfortable. This is the ideal time for family travel to Spain, particularly when travelling with a baby or toddler. The resorts are not as crowded during this time but the ocean is cooler.
Flying to Spain With Kids
Travel to Spain with a baby or toddler or kids is relatively straightforward, particularly when travelling from the UK and Ireland. Flight time is approximately 2 – 2.5 hours from most airports in the UK and Ireland and there are a number of tour operators that arrange family package holidays to Spain such as Falcon Holidays, Budget Holidays, Sunway, Thomson, Thomas Cook and First Choice. It is also quite easy to book your flight and accommodation independently and this is a better option for people who want to travel around and see a bit more of the country.
You can fly to Alicante Barcelona, Madrid, Alicante and Seville from the UK and Ireland. Another option is to fly to Faro airport in Portugal which is close to the Spanish border and to the cities of Cadiz and Seville.
For tips on the various airlines including weight allowances and policies concerning babies and toddlers click here
See also…
Baby & Toddler Essentials in Spain
Getting Around in Spain with Babies and Young Kids
