Family Adventures in Spain: Madrid & Seville - 6 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Madrid, 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 still a major hub for locals and tourists alike. See the statue of King Philip III, visit one of the souvenir shops, or grab a snack and let the kids enjoy the many street performers you're likely to see here. Depending on the season, you may also be lucky enough to be at the plaza during one of their holiday events and markets. Then, head to the Lope de Vega Museum, where you can see where the famous "Golden Age" writer once lived and worked.

Continue to the public gardens of Jardines de Lepanto, which has manicured trees, lawns, and quiet walking paths, and El Retiro, one of the largest parks in Madrid. Here, you'll find lakes where the kids can spot turtles and swans, with rowboat rentals 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 delicious snack of churros and chocolate at one of Madrid's famous churrerías, then return to your hotel to rest up for tomorrow's adventure. 

Day 2: Day Trip to Toledo, Sword-Making Workshop

This morning, head out on a self-guided tour to the historic city of Toledo. You'll hop on the train from Madrid, a quick 30-minute ride that takes you into the heart of the city. 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. 

Start your tour with a visit to Plaza de Zocodover and the Santa Cruz Museum, once an old hospital and convent and now a cultural showplace for art exhibitions. Stop at the Toledo Cathedral, a stunning example of Spanish Gothic art, then visit the hill of Cuesta de la Ciudad, which you can climb for panoramic views of the city and countryside. Take a walk through the city's Jewish quarter, then enjoy lunch at one of Toledo's many cafés and restaurants. 

Toledo is also known for the art of bladesmithing, and after lunch, you'll have the opportunity to attend a sword-making workshop, learning the process of what is considered one of Toledo's primary cultural attractions. Observe a master swordsmith at work and see the techniques used to make the swords, then you and the kids will have a chance to try your hand at forging, tempering, and polishing the steel. At the end of the workshop, you'll have your own (unsharpened!) dagger as a unique memento of your time in Toledo! Afterward, return to Madrid via train. 

Day 3: Madrid Royal Palace, Train to Seville, Guadalquivir River Cruise

Enjoy a kid-focused visit to Madrid's Royal Palace, arguably the city's most significant monument and a symbol of the country's heritage. Discover the hidden secrets of the palace via a guided tour, or take a self-guided stroll, letting the kids roam in the main courtyard and imagine themselves as royalty while viewing the crowns, swords, and jewels, saying hello to the palace peacocks, and watching the changing of the guards. If you've got little ones who aren't great at standing in line, you can also purchase skip-the-line tickets that grant access with no waiting! 

Later today, a private car service will pick you up from your Madrid hotel and transfer you to the train station for your journey to your next destination, Seville. The ride takes about 2.5 hours, with gorgeous scenery that will keep the whole family occupied along the way. After you arrive and check in at your Seville hotel, head out for a relaxing cruise on the Guadalquivir River.

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, allowing you to soak in the amazing history here while relaxing on an enormous, fully-equipped yacht. Watch the city skyline as sunset approaches, enjoying beverages and a snack with the kids before returning to the docks and heading back to your hotel.

Day 4: Family Cooking Class, Triana Pottery Workshop

Dive into Spanish food and culture today with a fun family cooking class. You'll join a local family in their home, helping them craft a traditional meal using recipes passed down through generations. Listen to the stories behind these ancestral recipes and learn the importance of local, seasonal, and natural products. Prepare foods such as patatas bravas (fried potatoes with spicy sauce) or salmorejo (tomato and bread puree), and the kids might even get to prepare delicious desserts such as crema catalana (burnt cream custard). Then, sit down with your host family and enjoy the meal you created together. 

Later on, head 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. Discover the history of Spanish ceramic making and decoration through fascinating stories, then put your creativity to work and paint your own tiles—a perfect memento of Seville for each family member to take home. 

Day 5: Guided Tour of Seville's Cathedral & Alcázar, Flamenco Lesson & Show

This morning, meet up with a private guide and see some of Seville's most important monuments: Seville Cathedral and the Royal Alcázar. You'll skip the long lines and enjoy a personalized experience that digs deep into the city's history and cultural heritage. Start by meeting your guide 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. 

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 fish! 

This evening, learn all about the history of Spanish flamenco with a visit to the Museo del Baile Flamenco and a family dance class! Learn the history behind the dance, and try some dance moves alongside expert instructors and professional dancers. After your lesson, sit back and enjoy a live show. Even if you're a family of total beginners, you'll enjoy this fun and interactive exploration of one of the most fundamental cultural aspects of Spain.

Day 6: Depart Seville

It's time to bid a fond farewell to Spain. 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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