Highlights
- Tour the colorful plazas and markets of vibrant Madrid
- Learn the art of making traditional Spanish paella in a family cooking class
- Put on your dancing shoes and practice your best moves with flamenco lessons
- Hike the breathtaking vistas of the Sierra Nevada mountains
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Madrid, Guided Family-Friendly City Tour | Madrid |
| Day 2 | Paella Cooking Class & Markets, Visit the Prado Museum | Madrid |
| Day 3 | Self-Guided Walking Tour, Family-Friendly Royal Palace Visit | Madrid |
| Day 4 | Train to Seville, Guadalquivir River Cruise | Seville |
| Day 5 | Guided Tour of Seville's Cathedral & Alcázar, Flamenco Lesson & Show | Seville |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Granada, Explore | Granada |
| Day 7 | Alhambra & Generalife Gardens, Hiking Adventure in the Sierra Nevadas | Granada |
| Day 8 | Depart Granada |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Madrid, Guided Family-Friendly 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 private, guided walking tour! Meet up with your expert local guide, who will entertain the kids with stories and games as you make your way through this remarkable city. And because this is a private tour, you can personalize it however you like, matching your guide with your family's specific interests.
Start with a walk to the Plaza Mayor, once the central marketplace of Old Madrid and still a major hub for locals and tourists alike. See the impressive statue of King Philip III, visit one of the souvenir shops, grab a snack, and let the kids enjoy the many street performers you're likely to see here. Depending on the season, you may 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 and 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 con chocolate at one of Madrid's famous churrerías, then return to your hotel to rest for tomorrow's adventure.
Day 2: Paella Cooking Class & Markets, Visit the Prado Museum
Learn how to make one of Spain's most iconic dishes today with a family paella-cooking class. With the help of a local chef, you'll start by visiting Antón Martín Market, one of Madrid's most popular for fresh foods. Your instructor will assist you and the kids in selecting the freshest local ingredients, explaining how they're used in the dish. Then, you'll head back to the kitchen and get to work! Make delicious gazpacho as an appetizer, and the adults can enjoy some sangria while you cook. You'll learn more about this unique dish, its origins, and cultural significance as you go, and then everyone can sit down and enjoy the meal you created together.
Later today, explore the Museo Nacional del Prado (Prado Museum). This interactive and kid-focused private 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!
Day 3: Self-Guided Walking Tour, Family-Friendly Royal Palace Visit
Spend the morning on a self-guided walking tour of the city, taking a closer look at the elements that make Spain's capital so special. Start with a stroll through the Madrid de los Austrias area, the old city center of Madrid, which was built in the 16th century. This is also home to the lively Plaza Mayor, and if you didn't get to visit earlier, be sure to spend some time walking around. If the kids are clamoring for breakfast, stop at the Chocolatería San Ginés for some churros con chocolate. From here, it's a short 10-minute walk to the Plaza de Oriente, a splendid arc of greenery and graceful architecture.
Head north to Sabatini Gardens, which is lined with fountains and statues of past Spanish kings. Then head to the Cathedral de la Almudena and its gorgeous Gothic-style architecture. Walk down the Cuesta de la Vega to a section of the original Arab Wall built by Madrid's early-medieval Muslim rulers, then visit Plaza de la Villa. And be sure to stop at the Mercado de San Miguel, where you and the kids can meander through the stalls and sample delicious local treats. See the Puerta del Sol and its clock tower, then finish in the Malasaña neighborhood, which has quirky coffee shops and vintage boutiques.
Later today, let the little ones step into a fairy tale with a kid-focused 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 royalty while viewing the crowns, swords, and jewels, saying hello to the palace peacocks, and watching the changing of the guards.
Day 4: Train to Seville, Guadalquivir River Cruise
This morning, 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, you'll have a chance to see the city from a different perspective with a relaxing cruise on the Guadalquivir River.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
As one of the longest rivers on the Iberian Peninsula, the Guadalquivir runs from a national park in eastern Spain all the to the Atlantic Ocean. You'll board an exclusive 65-foot (20 m) yacht just north of the Puente de los Remedios, touring past some of the city's most notable sights and learning more about the history of the river itself—it played a leading part in many historical moments, to include Magellan sailing his shops from the city on his first trip around the world in 1519! Watch the city skyline as sunset approaches, enjoying beverages and a snack with the kids before returning to the docks.
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 and a stunning example of Mudéjar architecture. Here, 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, the Patio of the Virgins with its elongated pond, Casa de Contratación, and the 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, enjoy a live show! Whether you're a total beginner or have danced before, you'll enjoy this fun and interactive exploration of one of the most fundamental cultural aspects of Spain.
Day 6: Transfer to Granada, Explore
You're off to the city of Granada today, located in the Andalusia region and known for its medieval architecture, peaceful plazas, and delicious food. A private car and driver will pick you up at your accommodation in Seville and take you on a comfortable and scenic 2.5-hour journey. Once you get settled at your hotel, you can take the family out on a self-guided tour of this fascinating city.
Make your first stop at the Granada Cathedral, which was designed by two architects, each with distinct styles, resulting in the mismatch of Gothic and Renaissance features. See the grand marble columns, delicate paintings, and stunning stained glass windows, then head to the triangular Plaza de la Romanilla and the Royal Chapel, the resting place of monarchs Isabella I and Fernando II. Afterward, visit the colorful Alcaicería, once a traditional Moorish bazaar, now full of colorful Andalusian treats, trinkets, and souvenirs. Take a moment to peruse the stalls, and maybe let the kids pick out a souvenir!
Walk to the Plaza Nueva, the city's oldest square, then to the old Arabic quarter, Albaicín. This is considered Granada's artistic center, with beautiful street art on every corner. End with the uphill walk to the Mirador San Nicolás for views of the Alhambra and the Sierra Nevadas. On your way back to your hotel, stop in at one of the many local restaurants for tapas, as your family has probably worked up quite an appetite. Granada is famous for its tapas, and with good reason: with every drink you order, you'll receive a free plate of tapas. The portions are often generous, making them fun to share!
Day 7: Alhambra & Generalife Gardens, Hiking Adventure in the Sierra Nevadas
Make the most of your last full day in Spain by combining history with the great outdoors. Start with a private tour of the Alhambra fortress and the Generalife Gardens. Meet your personal guide at the Alhambra, and walk with them among the same paths as the kings who once lived here. See the architecture of the Palacios Nazaries and visit the palaces, which include the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) and Palacio de los Leones (Palace of the Lions, once the sultan's private quarters). Take in the intricate artwork here as your guide regales the family with fascinating facts and anecdotes about the fortress.
Next, you'll head to the Generalife Gardens, possibly the most photographed spot in Granada. You'll find that famous picture-perfect scene at the 13th-century Palacio del Generalife, the summer palace of Moorish kings, with its flower- and fountain-lined pond. Then visit the Patio de los Cipreses (Patio of the Cypresses) and Patio de la Acequia (Patio of the Irrigation Ditch) with their fragrant orange trees and rose garden. Let the kids explore the gardens and ponds, and of course, take advantage of those amazing photo ops!
Day 8: Depart Granada
It's time to bid 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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