Looking to head to Spain with the kids? Here are 10 unique and delightful places that are top-notch for families.
Spain has it all: a long varied coastline, beguiling islands in the Med, vibrant cities, verdant hills and historic towns, even winter sun. Where to start?
We’ve rounded up our favourite places that go the extra mile for families – from kitted-out kids clubs and baby and toddler equipment to fun activities for the whole family.
1 Caserio del Mirador, Costa Blanca
This intimate and sociable resort hotel is heaven for young families. Set on a mountainside above the Costa Blanca, Caserio del Mirador comes with a heated pool and terraces with long views. Sarah and Johnny are excellent hosts who serve up paellas on Sundays and tapas nights (breakfast is included in the rates). There’s also a great range of activities for little ones on tap and babysitting on offer if you want a night out.
Family rooms: 2 of the 5 apartments have a second bedroom – the rest can take an extra bed or baby cot. There’s also a separate Casita which can sleep up to 4 adults and 2 kids.
Best for: Babies, toddlers, younger children
Family rating: 3/3 stars – play areas, lots of animals to pet, sandpit and trampoline, a huge range of baby & toddler gear to borrow, daily kids suppers, toys and games
2 Baobab Suites, Tenerife
An elevated apart-hotel spread across a hillside in the resort of Costa Adeje, on the southwest coast of the island, Baobab Suites gives you the independence of an apartment and the luxury of a hotel. It has 2 swimming pools, a sports centre, lovely staff, family-friendly eateries, and is walking distance to a great family beach and watersports. Plus it’s only 20 minutes from the airport.
Family rooms: choose from a range of apartment sizes and configurations: Euphoria Suites sleep up to 8, Infinity Suites up to 6 or 7, Serenity up to 5. Many come with Jacuzzis or plunge pools or both.
Best for: Babies, toddlers, children (4-12 years)
Family rating: 3/3 stars – daily free Saplings Kids Club with evening sessions, toys and activities galore, pools and splash pools, tennis, playground
3 Finca de Arrieta, Lanzarote
This welcoming collection of eco-friendly self-catering stone cottages and yurts is clustered amongst 3 hectares of mango and peach trees, just 300m from a sandy family beach, and only 35 minutes from the airport. Finca de Arrieta is off-grid, with wind turbines and solar power which heat the pool. The complex is close to restaurants, and you can order picnic boxes and deli meals at your door too.
Family rooms: the Eco Barn, Luxury Villa and Cabin all have 2 bedrooms, the Farmhouse has 3. Both the Eco Yurt Suite and the Yurt Royale have several beds apiece, while the Eco Twin Yurt, Chiquitita Yurt and Beach Yurt span 2 yurts which is good for older children.
Best for: Toddlers and Children (4-12 years)
Family rating: 3/3 stars – great playground with a giant chess set and boat, trampoline, table tennis, ducks and chickens to visit, toy box, weekly movie nights, donkey walks
4 La Bobadilla, Andalucia
A large and luxurious country estate in the Sierra de Loja, under an hour north from Malaga (and about an hour west of Granada), La Bobadilla is a magical peaceful place. You get 3 restaurants, friendly and attentive staff, courtyards, fountains and marble halls. The biggest draw is the enormous shimmering freeform swimming pool, and there’s 350ha of private estate to explore including pétanque, biking and farm animals to meet.
Family rooms: Deluxe Family Suites have a second twin bedroom, Junior Suites and Suites can take extra beds, and there are connecting rooms too; every bathroom has a tub.
Best for: All ages
Family rating: 3/3 stars – the pool, free Mini-Club in the Easter and summer holidays, kids menu, babysitting, free spa access for families with under 12s (at set times), kids pool, playground, horse riding, tennis, table tennis
5 Esplendido Hotel, Mallorca
Occupying the best position in the middle of Soller’s picturesque bay in the north-west of the island, stylish and fun Esplendido Hotel is a perennial favourite with families. There’s a popular bistro-restaurant and bar, pretty terraced gardens and sea views almost at every turn. Plus 3 swimming pools (one is adult-only), a safe sandy beach below, and the town is very child-friendly.
Family rooms: the Suites have second bedrooms, Large rooms come with a queensize sofa bed, and there are 10 pairs of interconnecting double rooms. Many have sea views and terraces, some with Jacuzzis. Garden view rooms are more peaceful.
Best for: All ages
Family rating: 2/3 stars – heated main pool with kids shallow section, children’s spa treatments, beach and pool toys, kids menu, babysitting
6 Molino Rio Alajar, Andalucia
Close to a beautiful mountain village, surrounded by forests of oak and chestnut, is this tranquil self-catering retreat comprising a clutch of charming stone cottages. These are arranged around a sweep of garden looking out to a verdant valley, and share a library, organic vegetable patch, boules court and swimming pool. Walk from Molino Rio Alajar to the village in 15 minutes for groceries and eateries.
Family rooms: 5 of the 6 guest cottages have a second bedroom for families of 4 or 5, and the 6th can take a baby.
Best for: All ages
Family rating: 3/3 stars – weekly kids activities programme (day trips, picnics, donkey or horseback riding, scavenger huts, eco trail, farm visits), baby gear to borrow, tennis court, toddlers’ paddling pool, table football, outdoor chess
7 The Manor House, Menorca
For a big family gathering or two families travelling together, this palatial seaview villa sleeps up to 14 and will impress all ages. The Manor House is surrounded by 300-acres of open farmland, so is very private, and has various lounges, terraces and expansive grounds for all to spread out in. And it’s well-positioned for day trips and the island’s south coast beaches.
Family rooms: There’s a top floor bedroom with 2 sets of bunk-beds and toys. 3 other bedrooms can be made up as twins.
Best for: Babies, Children (4-12 years), Teens
Family rating: 2/3 stars – stunning infinity pool, bikes and kayaks to borrow, caves behind the village, 1.5km private track to a white sand beach
8 Ea Astei, The Basque Country
Above the rugged Basque coast is this small slice of heaven, a passion project consisting of beautiful eco houses of glass and wood, and apartments in the main house, all set in forested hills. Ea Astei’s self-catering boltholes share a swimming pool, sauna, hot tub, barbecue and lovely views.
Family rooms: Four of the apartments have 2 bedrooms, the two passivhaus apartments sleep 4 or 6, the cabin sleeps a family of 3.
Best for: Children (4-12 years)
Family rating: 2/3 stars – heated pool, swings and slide, barn with foosball and table tennis, tractor rides, scooters, hammocks, basketball hoop
9 Can Talaias, Ibiza
High on a hill, with a boho vibe and lush exotic gardens, this small, lovely laid-back hotel has a vast terrace from which to admire the sensational Mediterranean views, and take breakfast (or dinner on request). Can Talaias is just ten minutes from innumerable beaches and coves, this is the secret side to Ibiza.
Family rooms: The two Suites can sleep a family of 4 (one has a bunk room), the Superior with Lounge a family of 3.
Best for: Babies, Toddlers, Children (4-12 years)
Family rating: 2/3 stars – toddler-friendly swimming pool, trampoline, books, lots of animals to meet, gardens to roam
10 Boutique Apartments Barcelona, Catalonia
Centrally located, and great value, these sets of apartments are found in El Born (full of cool bars, restaurants and boutiques, a short walk to the beach) and Sants (close to the railway station in a quiet pedestrian street) districts of this buzzy city. Boutique Apartments Barcelona have 1-2-3 bedrooms, living area and kitchen, and some have a balcony or roof terrace.
Family rooms: The 2-bedroom apartments are in both locations, the 3-bedroom ones in Sants.
Best for: All ages
Family rating: 2/3 stars – some baby equipment to borrow, easy access to Barcelona’s many kid-friendly attractions from the beach to the zoo, playgrounds, Gaudi’s Park Guell, cable car rides and the aquarium