Family Trip to Spain: Barcelona & Madrid - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Spain, Explore Barcelona with the Family

Welcome to Spain! Upon arrival at Barcelona's El Prat Airport, a private driver will take you and your family into the city. Settle in, and when you're ready, head out with the kids to explore. The city's best view is from the top of Montjuïc—a 1,988-foot (606 m) high hill with a 17th-century castle. Make your way to the metro station near Olympic Park and enjoy a fun ride to the summit on the Montjuïc Cable Car. Reach the top, and there's plenty to entertain the kids. Play in the castle grounds, visit the Olympics Museum, or stroll the botanical gardens and admire the views.

Grab a bite to eat and a cold drink at one of the cafés in nearby Poble Espanyol, a living museum recreating typical Iberian village life through different architectural styles from across Spain. Wander the artisan stalls and appease the little ones with a trip to the Sculpture Garden, where you'll find a kid's area with several slides. It's worth staying until dusk as when the sun dips, the nearby Magic Fountain of Montjuïc puts on a colorful display that's enchanting for kids and adults alike. End your evening at one of the city's family-friendly restaurants and raise a toast to your trip!

Day 2: Visit Park Güell & Sagrada Família

There's a reason most visitors to Barcelona make a beeline to visit Antonio Gaudí's infamous works and glorious examples of Catalan Modernism, and on this morning's tour, you'll discover why. Meet your guide and head north of the city, where you'll spend an enchanting few hours at the whimsical Park Güell. It's a wonderful place to take the kids with pavilions that resemble Hansel and Gretel's gingerbread house, a mosaic lizard, and plenty of imaginative and colorful nooks and crannies for the little ones to explore. 

Next up is the Sagrada Família, a towering church considered one of the best examples of Gaudí's unique style. Hear from your guide how the church—an impressive mix of Gothic, Catalan-Modernism, and Art Nouveau architectural styles—is still unfinished, and explore the stunning interior. Even the weariest of teens will be impressed by the stained-glass windows, which flood the sky-high ceiling and vast columns with a dazzling display of color as the light streams through.

After your tour, the rest of the afternoon is yours to explore as you wish. Enjoy a long leisurely lunch at one of the neighborhood restaurants, or take a picnic at Ciutadella Park—the city's green lung that features sculptures, lakes, playgrounds, and the Barcelona Zoo. If the sun is out, follow the locals and head to Barceloneta Beach. Enjoy a swim with the kids and some downtime on the beach before heading to one of the beachfront cafés for helado (ice cream) or a glass of cava. 

Day 3: Family Tour of the Gothic Quarter, Mount Tibidabo & Theme Park

This morning, introduce the kids to Spanish culture and history with a fun, family-friendly tour of the city's famous Gothic Quarter and trendy El Born neighborhood. Stroll the narrow cobbled streets and discover the hidden Temple of Augustus, a 2,000-year-old Roman ruin nestled in a quiet courtyard and unearthed by accident in the 19th century. Wander the grand palm-tree-lined Plaça Reial (Royal Plaza), with its elegant porticoes, and stop for a delicious midmorning snack of churros con chocolate.

Kids will have a blast as they participate in a "dragon hunt," learn about Spanish legends, and see the enormous papier-mâché figures at the Casa dels Entremesos (Museum of Giants), which is used in local festivals throughout the year. Later, enjoy lunch and a cool drink at a nearby restaurant while the kids practice a few of their freshly acquired Spanish phrases.

In the afternoon, you and your family will head to the mountains in the city's north. It's a fun journey up to the 1,680 (512 m) peak of Mount Tibidabo as you and the kids board the funicular up to Barcelona's best vantage point. It's the perfect spot for a family selfie as you admire the views and take in the grand Temple of the Sacred Heart, Tibidabo's neo-Gothic marvel. Make the kids' day with a trip to the adjacent theme park, and as the sun sets, head to the famous Carrer de Blai—a street famous for its vast number of mouthwatering tapas restaurants.

Day 4: Train to Madrid, Free Afternoon

Pack snacks and head to the station this morning as you and your family catch a high-speed 2.5-hour train to Madrid. Spain's family-friendly capital is awash with playground-filled plazas and quaint streets steeped in art, culture, and history. You'll get to see the main sights on tomorrow's tour, so unwind after the journey and take the kids to El Parque Retiro—a relaxing oasis created as a retreat for the royal family and opened as a park to the public in the late 1700s. It's the perfect spot to stretch the legs, let the little ones burn off some energy, and enjoy a bit of family downtime. 

If your kids are older and keen to delve deeper into the city's culture, there are plenty of options. Take in a show on Gran Vía, Madrid's answer to Broadway, where you'll find plenty of plays and musicals geared toward the whole family as well as numerous museums and art galleries. As dusk falls, sample Madrid's world-class culinary scene. You'll be spoiled for choice with options varying from local family-friendly restaurants to the famous Botín, described by Ernest Hemingway in "The Sun Also Rises" as the best restaurant on earth. 

Day 5: Family Tour of Madrid's Royal Legacy

Spend the morning getting to grips with Spain's regal history and discover Madrid's iconic landmarks with a half-day city tour. Accompanied by your expert local guide, stroll to the Plaza Mayor in the Madrid de los Austrias area, considered one of Spain's grandest plazas. Little ones will be enthralled with tales of royalty, artists, and explorers as you see sights such as the 17th-century statue of King Felipe III. Stop for a cold drink before discovering the gourmet San Miguel Food Market and the bustling Puerto del Sol, Madrid's central square.

Then, it's time for a kid-friendly visit to the 18th-century Royal Palace, a compelling mix of neoclassical and Baroque architecture and the official residence of the Spanish royal family. Discover the crowns, swords, and jewels on display while your little ones channel their inner monarch and explore the Throne Room, Royal Armoury, and Hall of the Crown. Visit the stunning Painting Gallery with works by some of Spain's most notable artists and pop next door to the nearby Sabatini Gardens, where you and the kids can watch the changing of the guards. 

Afterward, grab some downtime back at your hotel or spend a few more hours at El Parque Retiro. If you didn't get the chance yesterday, hire a rowboat, enjoy a gentle paddle on the park's mirror-like lake, or visit the Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez, a beautiful rose garden home to over 4,000 blooms. In the evening, head to the Old Town and dine out in style as you recount the highlights of your trip so far.

Day 6: Tour the Prado Museum, Visit the Parque de Attraciones

It's off to the world-famous Museo Nacional del Prado this morning to introduce your budding culture enthusiasts to some of the most important and legendary artists of the last few centuries. Located in the city center, you'll have time to grab a croissant and a café con leche before meeting your guide. Wow the kids with a chronological tour of the Prado's masterpieces starting from the 15th century. Alongside works by Bosch, El Greco, and Goya, you'll see Velázquez's "Las Meninas," the museum's most famous piece depicting the Spanish royal family that dates back to the 16th century. 

There are plenty of activities to keep the little ones occupied if their attention starts to wander, with various games and even a treasure hunt. After lunch, it's all about the kids, big and little, with a trip to the city's premier amusement park, the Parque de Atracciones de Madrid. Located in the expansive Casa de Campo park, there are carousels for toddlers and various hair-raising rides, thrilling roller coasters, and unique experiences to enthrall even reluctant teens. Cool off with one of the park's water rides and head back to your hotel for a refresh before settling on a shady spot for dinner.

Day 7: Family Day Trip to Toledo

This morning, you and the kids will take a half-hour train ride south of Madrid to Toledo, a historic city that served as Spain's capital in the 16th century. Described in the Middle Ages as the "city of the three cultures," legend has it that Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities peacefully coexisted, with remnants of monuments of the three faiths found throughout the city. Start your guided tour with visits to the 15th-century Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, the former Roman palace Alcázar de Toledo, and the 12th-century Moorish Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca.

Continue exploring the historic sights with your knowledgeable guide. Let Toledo's towering location above the Tajo River fire up the kids' imaginations as you make your way to a nearby foundry. Here, you'll see where ancient blacksmiths forged Zorro-worthy swords, learn about the forging process, and admire the famous Toledo steelwork of the blades on display. End your day with a fun-filled marzipan workshop and tasting where you and the kids will learn how to confect this traditional Spanish treat.

Day 8: Depart Madrid

It's time to say farewell. After a leisurely breakfast, a car will pick you up and transfer you to the airport, where you'll catch your flight home or continue your European adventure. Adios!

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