Top Family-Friendly Road Trips in Spain

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Spain ranks high among the world's most family-friendly destinations. If you're planning a family vacation with kids in Spain, you're in for a fantastic time. The country is adorned with numerous stunning locations, making it a bit overwhelming to navigate, especially when traveling with children. In such cases, renting a car and embarking on a road trip across Spain can be an excellent option. Road trips offer the ideal means to discover Spain's vibrant cities, charming small towns, and varied landscapes. Here are some of the top family road trip options to explore in Spain.

Trip to Menorca

Situated at the heart of the Balearic Islands, Menorca offers an authentic island life experience. For families with a penchant for exploration, embarking on a road trip across Menorca is a delightful adventure. It allows you to discover the island's prominent attractions at your own pace, veer off the typical tourist paths, and make spontaneous stops.

For families seeking an adventurous outing, consider a drive to Cami de Cavalls, a 185-km track perfect for hikers, trail runners, and mountain biking enthusiasts. After parking your car, put on comfortable shoes and set off on this trail, leading you through wetlands, valleys, and various coves. Travel along Son Ametller Road and pause at Pregonda Beach, a beautiful shoreline with a serene ambiance, often offering the beach all to yourself on quieter days. Take a refreshing swim before returning to your car to continue your journey.

Venture towards Ciutadella, the former capital city of Menorca. Explore its ancient landmarks, such as the Roman Catholic church of Ciutadella de Menorca. If you've worked up an appetite during your day of exploration, indulge in a meal at one of the city's cliff-side restaurants.

Trip in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria beckons families with a wealth of attractions, and the optimal way to experience them all is through a road trip. Roaming across Gran Canaria in a car grants you the freedom to traverse numerous places, including the exploration of less-traveled destinations.

Gran Canaria hosts a multitude of captivating spots to discover by car. If your family thrives on adventure, contemplate a drive through the mountains, allowing you to visit Tejeda and Artenara villages. Pause at Cruz de Tejeda, affording breathtaking island views. The journey to the peak entails navigating winding roads, offering a backdrop of awe-inspiring mountain vistas.

With your own vehicle, you can thoroughly explore the island's capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, at your own pace. Being a sizable city, it presents a plethora of exploration opportunities. Visit Veguetta and uncover Casa Colon, a place where Christopher Columbus spent a portion of his journey to the new world.

Trip to Tenerife

Tenerife, one of the captivating Canary Islands, boasts volcanic landscapes, serene beaches, and a multitude of wonderful destinations to explore on an enjoyable road trip. During your adventure around this picturesque island, you'll come across numerous appealing holiday rentals and accommodations in Tenerife, providing an ideal stop to rest after a day on the road. Navigating the island can be a thrilling experience, guiding you through narrow mountain roads and challenging terrains. If you're up for the adventure, it's truly worthwhile!

Embarking on this journey, it's best to begin by heading south towards Los Gigantes, where you'll encounter rugged cliffs and breathtaking natural swimming pools for a refreshing dip. Continue your expedition to Masca, a quaint mountain village offering some of the island's most panoramic vistas. Proceed to the town of Garachico, renowned for Tenerife's popular natural pools, and spend the night here before resuming your travels.

On the subsequent day, make your way to Icod de Los Vinos, home to the oldest and largest dragon tree globally. From here, you can opt to continue your trip to Puerto de la Cruz or drive back to Costa Adeje.

Trip in Ibiza

Although Ibiza is renowned for its vibrant nightlife and party scene, it is also a wonderful destination for families. Even families with young children will discover a plethora of exciting attractions to explore on the island, particularly if you embark on a road trip.

When venturing around Ibiza with children, be sure to visit Cala Benirras, a charming beach boasting crystal clear waters, perfect for safe swimming for the little ones. For those seeking adventure, snorkeling is a must-try activity. Following a delightful time at the beach, drive to Port de Sant Miquel, a narrow bay located in the northwest region of the island. You can opt to spend the night here and explore its diverse range of restaurants and shopping opportunities.

The next day, set off for Cala Xaracca, a small bay with captivating turquoise waters embraced by rugged cliffs towering above. From this point, head towards Sant Joan de Labritja, a delightful village featuring a beautiful town hall and an 18th-century church. En route to Sant Joan de Labritja, take a break at Portinatx, a stunning beach offering sun loungers and soft, powdery white sands, where your children can enjoy playtime.

Trip to Andalucia

Andalucia, situated in southern Spain, boasts a unique geographic feature as the sole European region with coastlines on both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, connected by the Strait of Gibraltar. Traveling through this captivating region allows you to traverse the famed Costa del Sol.

Commence your journey in the sun-soaked coastal city of Málaga, soaking in breathtaking vistas of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Proceed to the enchanting cities of Granada and Córdoba, which hold historical significance as legacies of the Muslim dynasties that once governed Spain until the 15th century.

Granada is renowned for the Alhambra palace, an ancient fortress and citadel of the Nasrid Dynasty, showcasing a blend of Moorish and Christian decorative styles. Your entrance ticket also grants access to the nearby Palacio de Generalife, a summer palace for the Nasrid sultans of yore.

Córdoba is an alluring city, housing La Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba (the Córdoba Mosque), a gem of the city that, like the Alhambra, represents a pinnacle of Islamic architecture. Constructed by Abderramán, the Emir of Córdoba from the ruling Umayyad dynasty, it was built over the remnants of a 6th-century Visigothic cathedral in 786.

Take time to immerse yourself in the unique dreamscape of Seville, the capital of Andalusia. This city enchants with its horse-drawn carriages, citrus groves, majestic Gothic cathedrals, Mudéjar (Moorish) architecture, and vibrant flamenco tablaos (flamenco performance venues).

Castilla y León

Fantastic Journey Exploring Medieval Castles and Churches

Explore Central Spain's Rich Medieval Heritage

Embark on a journey through time on this central Spain road trip, immersing yourself in walled medieval cities, formidable castles, Romanesque and Gothic architecture, and UNESCO World Heritage sites. The picturesque route showcases the breathtaking Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range as a stunning backdrop while leading you to some of Castilla and León's most captivating historic towns.

Your adventure begins in Madrid, and a little over an hour away, you'll arrive in Segovia, renowned for its awe-inspiring Roman aqueduct, Gothic cathedral, and the 12th-century Alcázar of Segovia castle.

Next on your itinerary is the medieval walled town of Ávila, often dubbed "the town of Stones and Saints," celebrated for its abundance of Gothic and Romanesque churches—the perfect place to wander cobblestone streets and visit architectural marvels like El Salvador Cathedral, San Vicente Basilica, and the Convent/Museum of Saint Teresa, an icon of the town.

Conclude your road trip in the enchanting university town of Salamanca, also known as “La Ciudad de Oro” (The Golden City), where the honey-colored sandstone walls radiate a golden glow in the late afternoon light.

Insider's tip: Summers are hot and sunny, but winters can be chilly. The region experiences a relatively dry climate, even in winter, with rare occurrences of snow, so prepare for a proper winter experience.