Family Adventures in Spain: Madrid, Toledo, Córdoba & Seville - 11 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Madrid, Private Guided City Tour

Welcome to Spain! Your flight lands in the capital city of Madrid, a vibrant metropolis known for its art, culture, and history. Your driver will collect you from the airport and transport you to your accommodations, and after your family has a chance to regroup, it's time to get out and explore the city with a guided walking tour! 

Meet up with your expert local guide and walk to the Plaza Mayor, once the central marketplace of Old Madrid and a major hub for locals and tourists alike. See the statue of King Philip III, check out the souvenir shops, or grab a snack and let the kids enjoy the many street performers you're likely to see here. Your guide will share interesting facts and stories, with games and activities that will entertain kids and adults alike. And depending on the season, you may even be lucky enough to be at the plaza during one of their holiday events and markets!

Visit Lope de Vega Museum, and see where the famous Golden Age writer once lived and worked, then continue to Jardines de Lepanto, with its manicured trees, lawns, and walking paths, and El Retiro, one of the largest parks in Madrid. Here, you'll find an artificial lake where the kids can spot turtles and swans, or you can rent a rowboat if you want to cruise around a bit. The park is also home to the Palacio de Cristal (Glass Palace), a 19th-century conservatory used for art exhibitions. End your tour with a snack of churros con chocolate at one of Madrid's famous churrerías, a sweet treat the whole family will love.

Day 2: Paella Cooking Class & Market Visit, Family-Friendly Royal Palace Visit

Today the whole family will learn how to make paella, one of Spain's most well-known dishes. Your class begins with a visit to the popular Antón Martín Market, where you'll shop with a professional chef. They'll assist you and the kids in selecting the freshest local ingredients while explaining how they're used in the dish. Then, it's time to head to the kitchen and get to work! Make delicious gazpacho as an appetizer, and the adults can enjoy some refreshing sangria while you cook. Learn about paella's origins and cultural significance as you go, then everyone can sit down and enjoy the meal you created together. 

Afterward, let your little ones explore the life of royals with a family-friendly visit to the Madrid Royal Palace. Arguably the city's most significant monument, this is the official residence of the Spanish royal family. Enjoy skip-the-line tickets and head straight in with your professional guide, exploring the interior and exterior grounds with exciting stories and activities. The kids can imagine themselves as kings, queens, and knights while viewing the crowns, swords, and jewels, saying hello to the palace peacocks in nearby Sabatini Gardens, and watching the changing of the guards.
 
You and your royal crew will find treasures in the Royal Armoury, the Royal Kitchen, and the Throne Room. Let your imagination go wild as you make your way through magnificent ballrooms and dining halls where kings and queens would throw lavish parties. You can also visit the Painting Gallery, which showcases works by some of Spain's most beloved artists. End your tour with a visit to the Cathedral of Madrid. The construction here didn't start until 1879 and wasn't completed until 1993, and as a result, the interior is relatively modern, bright, and refreshing, with contemporary pops of color.

Day 3: Kid-Centric Tour of the Prado Museum, Flamenco Dance Class

This morning, take an interactive, kid-focused private tour of the Museo Nacional del Prado (Prado Museum). The experience will help the whole family appreciate the museum's art and history with fun activities, games, tasks, and stories. Designed for kids aged 6 to 12 years old, your guide will share little-known facts and anecdotes about the artists and their visions, and you'll have a chance to see works by artists like Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens, and more.

 As you move through the museum, your kids will be tasked with activities to help them learn about the art and enjoy their museum experience, and your guide will use games and stories to explore individual pieces. Your little ones might be so inspired that they'll use all this newfound knowledge to create their own artistic masterpieces back home!

Later, learn all about the history of Spanish flamenco with a family dance class. Flamenco is considered a quintessential element of Spanish culture, and you'll have an opportunity to enjoy a fun and interactive exploration of this unique mix of dancing, music, and song. Learn the history behind the dance and try some dance moves alongside expert instructors and professional dancers, and after your lesson, participate in a show where you and the kids can show off your newfound skills! 

Day 4: Day Trip to Segovia: Hot-Air Balloon Ride & City Tour

Today you'll take a guided day trip to the city of Segovia, located about an hour from Madrid and known for its ancient Roman aqueduct, Romanesque churches, and Gothic architecture. Your tour starts early in the morning, soaring across the city via hot-air balloon! Your family will get to watch the crew inflate the balloon, and after a safety briefing, you'll hop onboard and take to the skies. Cruise along at more than 3,000 feet (1,000 m) up, enjoying stunning bird's-eye views of Segovia at sunrise and passing by the aqueduct, cathedral, and the Royal Alcazar. 

Upon landing, celebrate the excursion with a light breakfast and glasses of sparkling cava for the adults. You'll also receive photos and videos taken during the flight and a certificate signed by your pilot. Then, it's time to explore Segovia on foot. The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering plenty of historical gems to keep you and the kids entertained. A must-see stop includes the city's Roman Aqueduct, Spain's most important example of Roman engineering. It's also one of the world's best-preserved elevated aqueducts, built in the first century CE.

Visit the Segovia Cathedral and fairy-tale Royal Alcazar, a picturesque fortress that clings dramatically to a cliff with the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains as its backdrop. Enjoy free time at the palace, taking in the views and letting the kids burn some energy by running around the park. Then, in true Spanish style, sit down for a late lunch before heading back to Madrid. 

Day 5: Transfer to Toledo, Marzipan Workshop

You're off to historic Toledo today, as a private driver picks you up at your hotel in Madrid for the one-hour transfer. Set on a hill above the Castilla-La Mancha region, this ancient city is rich in history. Its old medieval quarter is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with architecture that showcases the Moorish influence, and you'll also find examples of Arab, Jewish, and Christian history throughout the city. Once you've gotten checked in at your hotel, learn more about Toledo's food and culture with a hands-on marzipan workshop.

The people of Toledo have been crafting natural almond marzipan since the 12th and 13th centuries, and your family will learn the history behind this sweet almond confection, working alongside local artisans as they share the secrets and specific methods for making the well-known dessert. The kids will enjoy making the marzipan and tasting the fruits of their labor, not even realizing how much they're learning about Spanish history, and you'll all have a sweet memento of your time in Toledo. 

Day 6: Fire & Steel Sword-Making Workshop, Train to Córdoba

Toledo is known for the art of bladesmithing, and today your family will have the opportunity to learn more about this craft at a sword-making workshop. Observe a master swordsmith at work, and see the traditional techniques and production stages that make the Toledan blade so famous. During the class, you'll also discover the history of Toledan steel and view several examples of blades from different regions and eras on the Iberian Peninsula. See renowned weaponry such as the Iberian falcata knife, The Cid's Tizona sword, and the swept hilts swords.

Once you've learned all about the sword-making process, it's time to create your own dagger. This hands-on part of the workshop allows you to try forging, tempering, and polishing steel yourself, with help from the experts and safety precautions. Choose from a dagger, dirk, or sword, and make it your own using your newfound skills. At the end of the workshop, you'll have a personalized (unsharpened!) dagger as a souvenir.

Afterward, you'll transfer to your next destination, Córdoba, a train ride of about 2.5 hours. Located in the Andalusia region, this ancient city was originally founded by the Romans, with the subsequent Moorish conquest bringing Arab rule and what is now considered some of the most stunning examples of Moorish-Christian architecture, which includes the impressive mosque-cathedral, La Mezquita. You'll have a chance to relax at your hotel tonight or see some of the city on your own. 

Day 7: Tour of Mezquita, Alcázar & Jewish Quarter, Horseback Riding Adventure 

Discover Córdoba's history this morning with a private tour that takes your family on a journey into the city's storied past under Roman, Muslim, and Christian rule. The tour starts with a visit to the Mezquita Cathedral. After being under Muslim rule for centuries, the Christians conquered the Iberian Peninsula, and most major cities removed the mosques and built cathedrals. But Córdoba decided to combine the two monuments, and you'll have a chance to see how the Islamic architecture blends perfectly with the decorative naves and Gothic-style ceilings. 

Next, you'll make your way into Córdoba's old Jewish Quarter, with its twisting streets and hidden corners. The kids will love the open courtyards and fountains, and the family can stroll through the beautiful gardens. From here, you can visit the Córdoba Synagogue, walk through the Calleja de la Hoguera (Bonfire Alley), and admire the art at the Capilla Mudéjar de San Bartolomé. Conclude your tour at the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos (Alcazar of the Christian Kings), where you can see the Hall of Mosaics, Courtyard of the Women, and the Royal Baths.

Day 8: Train to Seville, Cruise the Guadalquivir River 

Hop back on the train this morning for the one-hour ride to Seville. This charming town sits on the shores of the Guadalquivir River and is a mix of Moorish, Christian, and Jewish architecture, with a rich history and phenomenal gastronomy. Once you've settled at your hotel, see more of the city with a relaxing river cruise.

The river is one of the longest in all of Spain and the only major navigable river in the country. Your tour takes you past some of the city's most notable sights, which include stunning views of Seville's waterfront and the beautiful bridges designed by renowned architects like Calatrava and followers of the famous Eiffel. Watch the bustling life on the riverbank as you relax with some champagne, and the kids can keep an eye out for birds such as osprey or kites. 

Day 9: Triana Pottery Workshop, Family Cooking Class

Take a deep dive into local art and culture with a visit to Seville's arts district, Triana, for a ceramics workshop. The Triana neighborhood is known for its talents in flamenco dance, azulejos ceramic tiles, pottery, and textiles, and your family will have a chance to learn more about this historic area and the artists that live and work here. You'll meet a local teacher, and after getting familiar with your supplies, you'll enjoy an introduction to the district's famed pottery through entertaining stories, facts, and unique anecdotes.

Watch a practical demonstration of Triana's traditional ceramic decoration techniques, and once you've got it down, you'll put your newfound knowledge to work and adorn your own piece of smooth tile. Your teacher will be available to answer questions and help guide you, and you can try different techniques to decorate a basin or ridge tile. Throughout the class, you'll all be learning new skills, and the kids can let their creativity flow, ending up with a perfect memento of Seville to take home. 

Afterward, explore Seville's culinary history with a private cooking class. Meet with your chef at a local market to select your ingredients, navigating busy stalls as they explain to you and the kids how each item is used. From here, you'll head to a professional kitchen in the city center, where your family will don personalized aprons and prepare a multicourse menu of traditional Spanish dishes. Make tapas, soups, and maybe some delicious desserts just for the kids! Your chef will share stories about the origins of the recipes, and you'll leave with a full stomach and a newfound appreciation for Spanish cuisine. 

Day 10: Guided Tour of Seville's Cathedral & Alcázar, Explore the Spanish Tapas Scene

See two of Seville's most important monuments today with an in-depth tour of the Seville Cathedral and the Royal Alcázar. You'll meet up with your guide in the morning, skipping the long lines and enjoying a personalized experience that digs deep into the city's history and heritage. Start at the cathedral (the world's largest Gothic cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and climb the bell tower, La Giralda, for incredible city views, then follow your guide through the picturesque Patio de Los Naranjos, the church's courtyard filled with orange trees.

From here, make your way to the Alcázar, originally a royal palace commissioned for King Peter of Castile, where you'll find more than 17 acres (7 ha) of grounds that the kids will love exploring. Walk through gorgeous greenery, fountains, and courtyards, and visit the tapestry-filled Gothic Palace, Baths of Lady María de Padilla, and the fascinating Mercury Pond, home to a school of friendly and curious fish that the kids are sure to find entertaining! Your guide will leave you with time to enjoy the gardens on your own, a great opportunity for the family to relax amid the trees and fountains. 

This evening, head out on a self-guided exploration of one of Seville's most well-known gastronomic treats—tapas! Seville is considered the birthplace of these delectable small plates, and many Spanish restaurants offer their own contemporary take on them. Start at La Brunilda, a tiny restaurant that prepares beautiful tapas with a modern twist. Then head to Casa Morales, in business since 1850 and a popular local hangout, where you'll find delicious tiny montaditos (sandwiches). Visit Ovejas Negras for contemporary dishes, then with the kids in mind, end at Kukuchurro for delicious churros con chocolate!

Day 11: Depart Seville

Your family adventure in Spain comes to an end today. After breakfast at your hotel, a driver will pick you up and transfer you to the airport as you begin the journey back home or to your next destination. Safe travels!

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