Spain is a perfect destination for a family friendly vacation. You can have an amazing time in Spain with babies, toddlers, and older kids. This diverse country has something for everyone, regardless of your family’s budget, interests or stage. Whether you want to lounge on the beach, hike scenic tracks, indulge in local cuisine, or explore museums and historic sights.
Spain is also an ideal location for a family holiday as children are very much part of public life. Wherever we went, the vibrant town plazas were full of families late into the evening. I will always remember taking my toddler to a busy beach kid’s fair which ran until midnight, and strangers happily playing peek-a-boo with him through long train rides.
Finding information about visiting Spain with toddlers can be difficult. In this blog, I’ve put together things you should know when travelling Spain with toddlers, a baby, or young kids. We spent almost two months in Spain with our 18-month old. There are things I learned that I hope will help other families to make the most of their holiday. Please also post feedback in the comments if you have any questions about visiting Spain with toddlers.
My other blogs are written with families and young children in mind. Check out my other Spain posts for more details about particular destinations and road tripping in Spain. In my posts I also include accommodation, attractions and restaurants we’ve been to with our little one.
Spain with toddlers: Things you should know
Spain baby gear hire
Travel cots are widely available in Spain, including through hotels and airbnb. Check the accommodation listing to see if cots are available. Travel cots usually need to be requested in advance, and the website should tell you if there will be an additional charge.
Larger cities and popular tourist destinations also have Spain baby gear hire companies that deliver to your accommodation. This includes Madrid, Barcelona, Costa del Sol, and Mallorca. A baby gear hire company allows you to travel light to your destination and have the convenience of baby gear when you arrive.
We used Easy Travel Kids in Barcelona to hire a travel cot. They had excellent communication and were really accommodating when our flight was delayed.
Baby supplies: Formula, baby food, and nappies in Spain
Baby products are readily available at supermarkets. We found local Spanish brands of nappies, wipes, formula, and baby food. Baby food pouches were usually fruity or more of a dessert. Fortunately, our toddler quickly adapted to soft slow-cooked meats and hot chip sides on many tapas.
Opening hours in Spain
Many supermarkets and shops are closed on Sundays, especially in smaller towns. Check your nappy stash on a Saturday to avoid getting caught out.
In the afternoon, most small shops close from about 2pm to 5pm. This is particularly the case outside of the major cities. Malls and larger shops tend to be open until late into the evening, around 9pm.
Most tourist attractions are open seven days a week, particularly in summer, and do not close during the siesta period. Some religious sites may be closed or have shorter hours on a Sunday.
Spain with toddlers: Siesta and meal times
Dinner time is a lot later in Spain than many other countries, and many restaurants don’t open for dinner until 8 or 9pm. If travelling with an early sleeper, consider making lunch your main meal. Restaurants are generally very welcoming of children, even late at night.
Embrace the siesta lifestyle. From about 2pm – 5pm, most small shops are closed and the streets are quiet, especially in summer. We would head back to our accommodation for our toddler (and us) to nap. If your little one is past naps, museums, tourist buses, and shopping malls are typically open through the day and offer a welcome escape from the heat.
Tap water in Spain
The tap water in Spain is generally considered safe to drink and my partner and I drank tap water throughout Spain with no issues. Our toddler drank tap water at times and was always fine when he did. We usually filled his bottles with pre-boiled water.
Depending on the age of your baby or toddler, your local advice may be to give them bottled or pre-boiled water. Bottled water is widely available and is very cheap.
High chairs in Spanish restaurants
Despite being very welcoming, we found many restaurants in Spain did not have high chairs. Even when they did, these were hard to see from the door. We took a portable high chair so we could pick where we wanted to eat without needing to find a place that had a high chair.
Nappy changing facilities
All restaurants in Spain are legally required to have toilets, but they don’t often have changing tables. Changing facilities were more common at tourist spots, large hotels, and department stores. A small portable change pad in your stroller may be your best bet for a nappy change on the go.
Playgrounds in Spain
We found plenty of playgrounds in Spain, but these were not always easy to find. Search ‘Parque Infantil’ for a playground close to you. We found that playgrounds were hard to find in the tourist centres and old towns, and more common in residential areas and close to the beach.
Spain with toddlers: Visiting Spain in Summer
Parts of Spain get extremely hot in summer. There are things you can do to make your time in Spain with toddlers successful, even if you’re travelling in peak heat.
- Explore early in the morning. Tourist spots are almost always quieter at opening. We found the hottest time of day often wasn’t until mid afternoon.
- Plan activities that avoid the height of the afternoon heat.
- You can be out late at night in Spain with toddlers or young kids. Children are welcomed at most restaurants and the town plazas are full of young kids late into the night. It also doesn’t get dark until much later. We generally stayed in central accommodation so we didn’t need to use public transport after dark.
- Check whether your accommodation has air conditioning. If you are staying in an apartment with multiple rooms, it may be worth enquiring whether air conditioning is available in the bedrooms.
Smoking in Spain
We found smoking quite common in Spain compared to other countries we have visited. Smoking is illegal in enclosed spaces such as bars and restaurants, but is generally allowed when dining outdoors and in outdoor public spaces.
Getting around Spain
The major cities of Spain are well connected to the rest of Spain through the public transport network. Domestic flights are also an option when travelling between two cities with airports, and can save you a lot of time if you are trying to cover a great distance.
We found that a road trip worked really well when travelling Spain with a toddler. This is a great option if you are visiting multiple cities that are relatively close together. You can explore off the beaten path at a pace that works for your little one.
A rental car is great for getting between cities, but it can be difficult within many cities. Historic centres have many restricted or pedestrianised streets, and parking restrictions are complicated. Once you’re in a city, you’re best to leave your car in a parking lot and rely on public transport or walking within the city.
Many of the historic cities in Spain are relatively small. We explored many cities entirely on foot with our toddler in a stroller. Larger cities are well served by public transport, but not all stations have elevator access. You may need to take steps to get to some platforms. A light travel stroller or baby carrier is really handy for this.
Best holiday destinations in Spain for families
There is truly something for everyone in Spain, regardless of your child’s age or interests. In this list, I’ve put together some of my favourite places for visiting Spain with toddlers.
Valencia
This is the city to go to for a bit of everything: historic sites, beautiful beaches, delicious food and museums. Our toddler’s highlights were cycling through Turia park and swimming at the warm beaches. My highlight was eating paella in the vibrant plazas filled with street performers and other families.
Costa del Sol
A perfect spot for a relaxing beach holiday with a toddler. Explore the old towns and markets in the morning and head to the beach or pool in the afternoon. In the summer evenings, the streets come alive with al fresco dining, street performers and pop-up carnivals. Our favourite towns to visit with our toddler were Estepona and Marbella.
Madrid
I find big cities can be difficult to navigate when travelling with a toddler. However, the centre of Madrid was surprisingly compact and much of the area is pedestrian only. El Retiro park is a main attraction and an ideal spot to enjoy with your toddler.
Cordoba
We thoroughly enjoyed our time throughout Andalucia but Cordoba was a particularly great city to visit with a toddler. The Mosque-Cathedral and Alcazar can easily be visited with your little one, and the pedestrian streets of the historic centre are a joy to explore even while chasing a toddler. The top sites and restaurants are close together and the city is relatively flat.
Barcelona
The main attractions of Barcelona are appealing to young kids. Park Guell, Sagrada Familia, Las Ramblas, and Barceloneta Beach can all easily be visited with a little one. There are also many family-focussed activities, including the aquarium and zoo. Be prepared for crowds at many of these spots, especially if travelling during busy periods.
Seville
The Capital of Andalucia is an exciting city to explore with a toddler. Our highlights were visiting the Real Alcazar, seeing public flamenco performances at Plaza de Espana, and strolling along the river at sunset.
Cadiz
The oldest city in Spain provides a delightful combination of history, vibrant city culture, beautiful beaches and lush green spaces.
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