Highlights
- Learn the art of making traditional Spanish paella in a family cooking class
- Cruise along the scenic Guadalquivir River via luxury yacht
- See the ancient medieval architecture in the historical "white village" of Ronda
- Walk through the lush and fragrant orange trees of the Generalife Gardens
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Madrid, Family Walking Tour | Madrid |
| Day 2 | Paella Cooking Class, Family-Friendly Prado Museum Visit | Madrid |
| Day 3 | Self-Guided City Tour, Family Fun at the Madrid Royal Palace | Madrid |
| Day 4 | Train to Seville, Guadalquivir River Cruise | Seville |
| Day 5 | Seville Cathedral & Alcázar, Family Flamenco Class & Show | Seville |
| Day 6 | Guided Walking Tour of Seville, Private Cooking Class | Seville |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Granada via Ronda | Granada |
| Day 8 | Alhambra & Generalife Gardens, Self-Guided Walk Around Granada | Granada |
| Day 9 | Depart Granada |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Madrid, Family Walking 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, 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 to 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. Stop for some delicious churros con chocolate at one of Madrid's famous churrerías, then end your tour at 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.
Day 2: Paella Cooking Class, Family-Friendly Prado Museum Visit
Today the whole family can roll up their sleeves and 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 will assist you and the kids in selecting the freshest local ingredients while explaining how they are 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. Your hosts will also provide a small recipe booklet as a souvenir, so you'll have the chance to recreate these dishes at home.
Day 3: Self-Guided City Tour, Family Fun at the Madrid Royal Palace
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 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 make your way 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.
End the day with a guided visit to the Madrid Royal Palace, the official residence of the Spanish royal family. Enjoy skip-the-line tickets and head straight in, exploring the grounds while your guide shares exciting stories and activities. Your little ones 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. See the Royal Armoury, Throne Room, and the Painting Gallery, with a final stop at the Cathedral of Madrid, which, because it wasn't completed until 1993, is relatively modern.
Day 4: Train to Seville, Guadalquivir River Cruise
This morning, check out from your Madrid hotel and take a private transfer to the train station, where you'll hop on board for the scenic 2.5-hour ride to your next destination, 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 gotten settled at your hotel, head out for a relaxing yacht cruise on the river.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Seville Cathedral & Alcázar, Family Flamenco Class & Show
Meet up with a private guide for a private tour through two of Seville's most important monuments: the Seville Cathedral and Royal Alcázar. You'll skip the long lines and enjoy a personalized family experience that digs deep into the city's history and cultural 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 see the colorful peacocks that live here. 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. 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.
Afterward, it's time to put on your dancing shoes as you learn the art of flamenco! Visit the famed Museo del Baile Flamenco, where, with help from expert instructors, you and the kids will be shown the basic moves of the dance and practice with a real bailora (flamenco dancer). You'll then tour the museum and discover the critical role flamenco has played throughout Spain's history, ending with a live show where you'll see the dancers display their skills. Even if you're a family of total beginners when it comes to dance, you'll all enjoy this exploration of what is a vital part of Spanish culture.
Day 6: Guided Walking Tour of Seville, Private Cooking Class
Seville is a very walkable city, which makes a guided walking tour one of the best ways for your family to explore. Today, you'll head out with a local expert guide, taking in some of the top monuments, museums, and historic sites. You'll start at Plaza Nuevo and City Hall, then head toward the Seville Cathedral, home to Christopher Columbus's tomb. Right next door is the Indian Archives, where documents from the Spanish Empire are housed, and see the Royal Tobacco Factory, now part of the University of Seville. Though you won't enter the buildings, your guide will share the historical details of each site.
Continue to the Plaza de España, where your guide will take you along the artificial river, and you and the kids can admire all the beautifully-painted ceramic tiles. You'll also visit the monument's neighboring Maria Luisa Parque, home to tiled fountains, pavilions, pathways, trees, flower beds, and a great spot for the little ones to run and play. The tour closes with a walk along the shores of the Guadalquivir River, past the Palacio de San Telmo, Torre del Oro, and royal bullring. Your guide will leave you here to enjoy the vistas and make your way back to the city center.
Day 7: Transfer to Granada via Ronda
Your driver will collect you from your hotel this morning and take you on a scenic two-hour drive to the historic city of Ronda. One of Andalusia's Pueblos Blancos (White Villages), this is considered one of the most beautiful towns in the region, with breathtaking views and a huge river gorge that drops 383 feet (120 m) straight down. Enjoy a guided walking tour and family photo ops, then explore a bit on your own, taking in medieval buildings and ancient Moorish architecture.
After the tour, you'll get back on the road and continue for another two hours to today's final destination, the city of Granada, which sits nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Here, you'll find a wealth of medieval architecture, including the famed Alhambra fortress, as well as peaceful plazas, gardens, and delicious food. Your driver will drop you off at your hotel, and after check-in, you're free to relax or explore the city on your own tonight.
Day 8: Alhambra & Generalife Gardens, Self-Guided Walk Around Granada
Start your day with a private tour of the Alhambra and the Generalife Gardens. You'll meet your personal guide at the Alhambra, walking along 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). The kids will be fascinated by the intricate artwork here as your guide regales the family with unique facts and anecdotes about the fortress.
From here, continue 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!
Later, take your family on a self-guided walking tour to further immerse yourselves in this fascinating city. Start at the Granada Cathedral, then visit the Plaza de la Romanilla and the Royal Chapel. Stroll through the colorful marketplace of Alcaicería, where you can peruse the stalls and maybe let the kids pick out a souvenir. Continue to Plaza Nueva, the city's oldest square, and the old Arabic quarter, Albaicín. End with a walk to the Mirador San Nicolás for views of the Alhambra. On your way back to your hotel, be sure to stop at a local restaurant for tapas. Granada is famous for its tapas, and these small plates are fun to eat and share!
Day 9: 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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