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For a family who craves adventure and relaxation combined in one vacation, Spain is the country to pick. There’s nothing quite like that friendly openness of the locals, the delicious spiciness of their food, and the vividness and hunger for life you’ll feel when you step onto Spanish soil. Whether you’re history buffs, seek to teach your children more about the world’s cultures, or just want to chill out on some beach, here are some great, unique family-friendly destinations in Spain that will give your family everything it needs to enjoy a great holiday.
Torremolinos
One of the best options for families with small children, Torremolinos boasts six beaches and several kid-friendly attractions that your little ones will be drawn to. Crocodile Park, Aqualand and Paloma Park are all great choices if you want good entertainment, and all these places are fun and colourful enough for adults to enjoy as well. Since this town is famous for its fish, you can also enjoy various restaurants and get your fill of delicious food each day. Make sure to check out La Carihuela district if you want fine dining, and if you’re in the mood for nature and long walks, you can always go to the Molino de Inca Botanical Garden.
The whole town is very clean and neat, and the streets are full of charming Moorish architecture and plenty of spectacular sights. If you want to gaze upon beauty, take a look at Casa de los Navajas. It’s a mansion that’s almost a century old, and is now open to public viewing. For shopping, go to Calle San Miguel where you can find modern stores and souvenir shops, and if you like golf, you’ll be happy to know that there are plenty of wide, green courses for you to enjoy along Costa del Sol.
Torremolinos is certainly one of the best family-friendly destinations in Spain!
Read more: The Best Beaches in Spain: From the Mediterranean to the Atlantic Coast
Chinchón
This town is off the beaten track and you’ll enjoy it if you’re a little tired of tourist-heavy areas and want to experience something a bit more unique. It has a huge, beautiful town square, and one of its most interesting buildings is the Clock Tower, which is the only remnant of the old church. The new church, called Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, has no tower whatsoever, and that’s where the saying ‘Chinchón has a tower without a church and a church without a tower’ comes from.
Since the town is barely 50 km away from Madrid, you’ll have the option of either enjoying the simple privacy of this small place, or taking a detour to the big city and enjoying its sights. Chinchón is famous for its food, and if you like chorizo sausage, lamb, or pork roasted in wood-fired ovens, you’ll love it here.
The Camino de Santiago
Probably the most adventurous option on this list, the Camino de Santiago (also known as the Way of Saint James) is perfect for families who prefer active walking holidays and want to make sure their trip is truly memorable. This is a pilgrim’s path that ends in a small town called Santiago de Compostela, and there are actually several routes that you can take to get to it. From the very long French Way and Portuguese Way that can take a month to cross each, to a shorter section of the path that starts in Sarria and can be finished in a week. You can modify the vacation to suit your family and the time you have at your disposal, and if you like hiking, you’ll definitely love the Camino.
The best thing about this is that you get to teach your family all about the joy of minimalism—rather than lazing around opulent, expensive hotels, it’s all about the humble pleasure of walking with only your backpacks with you. You don’t need heavy luggage. In fact, carrying as little as possible is pretty much necessary, so your fussy teen can learn to let go of material things and enjoy the spiritual aspect. Depending on which route you take, the Camino can lead you through several big and small cities, towns, and villages, and offer you the chance to enjoy gorgeous scenery and untouched nature.
Santa Eulalia
If you do want a little more lavishness, then Santa Eulalia in Ibiza is a good pick because it can still offer you a pretty quiet holiday. With plenty of family-friendly hostels and luxury hotels, there are many places to stay and even more things to do. Restaurants, bars, and clubs along Calle San Jaime will introduce you to Mediterranean cuisine and excellent drinks, and you can enjoy the craft markets, the marina, and the beautiful seafront promenade.
There’s also a nice sports centre here—the Acrobosc. It’s an adventure park that’s great for children, and if you want to have fun in your swimming suits, you can also visit Cesar’s Watersports and splash around in the pools. For those who love culture, you’ll have several galleries and art shops to enjoy.
These destinations are all great because each of them is unique in its own way. If you were looking for an experience that doesn’t necessarily involve Barcelona or Madrid that are the usual recommendations, pick one of these family-friendly destinations in Spain and you won’t regret it.
