Whether you love the mountains, beaches, cities, art, architecture or just good food, Spain has something for everyone.
And after my husband and I took our two sons (ages 16 and 22) to the Iberian Peninsula, we more fully appreciate why this country is perfect for families.
Culture and activities
We visited Madrid and Barcelona, vibrant world cities that have so much to see and do. From the iconic architecture of Gaudi in Barcelona to the famed galleries of Madrid’s Prado museum, you’ll really have to pace yourself. In both urban centers, we used Go City, which has a variety of city passes for shorter or longer durations. We liked the flexibility offered, as our kids could choose whatever they wanted to see — and we didn’t feel like their choices were constantly emptying our wallets.
San Gines on Calle Arenal in Madrid is one of the oldest churches in the city. Photo Credit: Paul J. Heney
In Barcelona, we used our passes for a relaxing waterfront cruise that enabled us to admire the city from the Mediterranean. We also sampled the newest architecture, with a visit to the top floor of Torre Glories, the city’s modern, gherkin-shaped tower.
While in Madrid, the Prado was a hit with all of us, given its extensive collection that includes Rubens, Caravaggio, Goya, Velazquez and Picasso.
At our older son’s request, we also booked an e-bike ride through the city to admire the architecture of El Retiro Park. This was a new experience for us, and we discovered that we all really love the freedom e-bikes provide on busy city streets.
But we know that kids — even older ones — only have so much interest in museums and parks, so we also allowed time for some sillier activities. We followed the boys to the Museo de Cera (the wax museum), where they had a fantastic time chuckling at some of the famous figures on display and rolling their eyes on the not-so-scary Horror Train ride (it’s intended for little kids, but they insisted on getting their free ride). Plus, an hour in the air conditioning, away from the Madrid heat, ended up being a great side benefit for all of us.
Pausing for a bit of local history on an e-bike tour in Madrid. Photo Credit: Paul J. Heney
Inspiring tours
Together, we searched the Viator website for some day tour options while in Barcelona. Our kids pushed for a combo Spain/France/Andorra tour; they loved the idea of visiting two additional countries on this vacation.
My husband and I were also intrigued by the idea, and we ended up having a nice time together.
We visited lovely small towns in each country, enjoying a meal in each and soaking in the local culture — and met an interesting variety of travelers in our small group. And although it was a full day, we all were able to nap in our comfortable tour bus, so we returned from the tour reasonably refreshed.
We wanted the boys to experience and learn about some of the incredible Gaudi architecture in the city, but I knew from past experience that no kids want to hear a parent drone on and on about buildings and history. So we hired a local company, Private Cicerone, for a custom Barcelona tour of Park Guell, Sagrada Familia and the city’s famed beachfront. Our guide, Joana Wilhelm, provided the perfect mix of historical knowledge, humor and interesting asides, and she kept our kids’ attention the whole time with her easy banter and fun personality.
The writer (right) and his family at breakfast in Madrid. Photo Credit: Paul J. Heney
Great food
Even with a wide range of palates, you can’t go wrong with food in Spain, and we ate to our hearts’ delight, with paella, seafood, tapas and more.
We loved the countless options in each city and felt like we could spend a lifetime just sampling incredible hole-in-the-wall restaurants on almost every street. Our sons enjoyed the concept of tapas, enabling them to try things without committing to an unfamiliar dish as their entire meal. And indeed, they each discovered some dishes that were pleasant surprises.
In Barcelona, be sure not to miss tiny, adorable Ocho Bcn, run by a couple with a passionate desire to serve excellent small plates. We’ve eaten there several times over the years, and our kids, while initially skeptical of the tiny restaurant, were quickly won over by the gnocchi and the grilled octopus.
We also had a delightful meal at the Majestic Hotel & Spa’s rooftop restaurant, the views of the city matching the fresh dishes. Try the tandoor chicken, Iberian meatballs and the fresh pasta there. The boys still talk about the amazing desserts.
Speaking of rooftop restaurants, we ate well in Madrid at the Four Seasons’ stunning Dani Brasserie, which also offered unmatched city views and breathtaking architecture. You can’t go wrong with any of their seafood entrees, but we also found the pasta and steaks to be perfectly prepared. For a simpler meal, we enjoyed the chef’s menu at La Musa — everything was conveniently preselected for us, and we scarfed down every course.
Beach time, too
We actually spent much of our Barcelona time in the quaint little Mediterranean beach town of Sitges. While my husband and I love Barcelona, I thought that Sitges was a better option with the boys. If they didn’t quite get the charm of the big city, they could spend more time at the beach on their own.
This picturesque Spanish town is an easy 35-minute train ride to the center of Barcelona. The kids loved being able to walk to the beach in less than five minutes, rent a cabana and have a lazy European beach day.
Here, you can order drinks or food from the beach staff or wander across the street and choose from a variety of nearby restaurants for a quick burger or pizza. Plus, the boys were each posting to Instagram, making their Midwestern friends jealous of their posh seaside surroundings.
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Publish date : 2024-10-05 13:38:19
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