Family Trip to Barcelona & Mallorca - 8 Days

Highlights

• Delve into Spanish history and culture with city tours in Barcelona and Palma
• Introduce the kids to Gaudí on a private tour of the Sagrada Família and Park Güell
• Learn to cook mouthwatering seafood paella with a family-focused cooking lesson 
• Spend the day discovering Mallorca's secret coves on a private sailing trip 

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Barcelona, Free Afternoon to Explore

Welcome to Spain! Upon arrival at Barcelona's El Prat Airport, a private driver will transfer you and your family into the city. Settle in, and when you're ready, head out with the kids to explore. For sweeping views of the city, take the Montjuïc Cable Car from the metro station near Olympic Park to the summit of Montjuïc—a 1,988-foot (606 m) hill with a 17th-century castle at the top. It's a fun ride for the little ones, and the castle is a great place for a post-flight stretch of the legs, with plenty of features and history to capture the kids' imaginations. 

Grab a bite to eat and immerse yourselves in Spanish heritage with a visit to Poble Espanyol, an open-air museum featuring over 100 recreated buildings in the style of traditional Spanish villages. Wander the craft stalls, and if you and the kids are art enthusiasts, don't miss the Picasso drawings and ceramics at the site's modern art museum. In the evening, dine at one of the city's many family-friendly restaurants and cap your first night with a trip to the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, named for the dazzling display of water and colored lights that occur after dark. 

Day 2: Family-Friendly Guided Tour of the Gothic Quarter

Catalonia's enchanting capital is a treasure trove of fairy-tale buildings, family-friendly parks, and colorful history—the perfect blend to engage curious kids at the start of their Spanish adventure. This morning, you'll discover all this and more with a fun, privately guided walking tour of the city's famous Gothic Quarter. 

Start with a surprise visit to the city's oldest shop and sample Spanish favorite churros con chocolate. Then, explore the city's history and culture through the eyes of your little ones as you solve puzzles and step back in time to reveal Barcelona's Roman past with a visit to the ancient Temple of Augustus. As you and the kids listen to tales of royalty, explore the intriguing Casa dels Entremesos (Museum of Giants) and visit the atmospheric square of Plaça Sant Felip Neri. You'll finish your tour at the medieval Plaça del Rei, an excellent spot for the kids to play before returning to your hotel.

Day 3: Family-Friendly Tour of Gaudí's Masterpieces

No trip to Barcelona is complete without a visit to Antoni Gaudí's masterpieces, and this morning, you'll embark on a private family tour of the architect's best-loved sites. Even kids who've never heard of the famous architect will be bowled over by the gingerbread-style houses, whimsical mosaic walkways, and the lizard staircase at Park Güell. Continue your tour with a visit to the enchanting Casa Batlló, where young imaginations will be fueled by the quirky and colorful details, including curved walls, turtle-shaped windows, and a legendary roof that resembles dragon scales.

Tear the kids away with the promise of more Gaudí at your family's next stop—the celebrated Sagrada Família. With a fascinating history and impressive mix of Gothic, Catalan-Modernism, and Art Nouveau architectural styles, the interior is considered one of the best examples of Gaudí's unique style. Don't miss the stained-glass windows, which flood the vast ceiling and columns with dazzling color as the light streams through. Afterward, relax and soak up the atmosphere in one of the city's nearby parks. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend at leisure.

Day 4: Fly to Mallorca, Free Afternoon to Explore

Today, you'll swap Barcelona's city buzz for the laid-back charms of the Balearic Islands. After breakfast, meet your driver and transfer to the airport, ready to catch a one-hour flight to Mallorca. The island's enticing blend of beautiful Mediterranean beaches, mountains, ancient villages, and the bustling capital of Palma de Mallorca makes it one of Europe's most popular—and family-friendly—island destinations. 

Arrive in Palma and take a private transfer to your hotel, where the rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish. Grab your swimming things and head to one of the city's beaches, enjoy a leisurely lunch at a restaurant overlooking the harbor, or sit back and relax as a horse and carriage does all the work while you take in the city's landmarks. In the evening, head to one of the capital's shady squares, such as Plaza Mayor, and enjoy a cool drink before choosing a spot for dinner. 

Day 5: Spanish Cooking Experience, Family Tour of Palma de Mallorca

Immerse yourselves in Mallorca's culinary traditions this morning with a family cooking class. In a central location near the city's famous La Seu Cathedral, you and your little ones will accompany a local chef on a tour of the city's food market to shop for fresh produce. Then, in a nearby kitchen, you'll roll up your sleeves and learn to cook specialties such as Spanish tortilla, seafood paella, and crema Catalana with the guidance of a local instructor. Even better, you'll get to eat your creations together, washed down with a glass of local wine for the adults and a soft drink for the children.

After a mouthwatering few hours, you'll walk off your delicious lunch with a guided city tour. Discover attractions, including the Almudaina Gardens and Arab Baths, while your guide keeps the kids entertained with fun games, treasure hunts, and interactive activities for the whole family. Pause for a family selfie under the shade of the 600-year-old olive tree in Olivera de Cort, then continue navigating the city's highlights before wrapping up your tour with well-deserved ice cream.

Day 6: Sailing Trip Around Mallorca

The best way to appreciate the outstanding natural beauty of the Balearic Islands is by boat, and today, you and your family will do just that. After breakfast, transfer to the marina and set sail for a cruise around Mallorca's gorgeous coastline. While the island's eastern side is home to picture-postcard beaches like Cala Formentor, with white sands and crystalline beaches, farther south, toward Caló des Moro, you'll find pine-shrouded coves guarding turquoise waters. Older kids and diving enthusiasts will love the rocky inlets toward the west, with plenty of small cliffs perfect for diving.

Relax on deck as your skipper steers you across the calm waters before dropping anchor at some of the island's best spots. If the kids are water babies, there will be plenty of opportunities to snorkel, paddleboard, and swim in the idyllic coves. Enjoy lunch and snacks on board and admire the picture-perfect Mediterranean setting before returning to shore in the late afternoon. The evening is yours to spend as you choose.

Day 7: Villages, Legends & Windmills Day Trip

Embrace rural island life today with a guided trip through Mallorca's historic villages. The day begins with a scenic drive to Algaida, a small town 14 miles (22 km) from the capital. There's plenty to admire here and enchant the kids, including one of the island's best-preserved stone windmills. Wander the labyrinthine streets filled with honey-colored sandstone buildings and pause for refreshments at a local café, where you'll try local Mallorcan specialties, including cheeses and ensaimada (a Mallorcan pastry).

Next is Pina, a lovely village with sweeping views over the countryside and an ancient Islamic fountain. It's a great spot to treat the kids to ice cream and hear tales from your guide about the region's history. Drive through landscapes studded with windmills, almond groves, and traditional stone farmhouses until you reach Montuïri, where you'll pause for an al fresco lunch that showcases the region's excellent fresh produce.

Your final stop is the village of Randa, where you and the kids can stretch your legs with a visit to the Santuari de Cura, a peaceful sanctuary perched 1,804 feet (550 m) above sea level on the Puig de Randa (Randa Hill). On a clear day, the vista stretches across Mallorca all the way to Cabrera Island. After a full day of exploring, your guide will drop you back at your hotel, ready to spend your last night on the island at one of Palma's family-friendly restaurants. 

Day 8: Fly to Barcelona, Depart

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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