If you are happy with just a beach holiday, then all of Spain’s coastal regions and islands will be able to cater. But, if you are looking for a corner of the country with everything imaginable for family adventures, from beautiful beaches to spectacular mountains, and with one of the world’s top cities to boot, then a Catalonia family holiday should be at the top of your list.
Why Catalonia is ideal for a family holiday in Spain
This region in the north-east corner of Spain has some of the country’s most beautiful coastline, from the Mediterranean pine grove bays of the Costa Brava in the north to the long stretches of sandy beaches on the Costa Daurada in the South, which is also home to the unspoilt nature reserve of the Ebro Delta.
But excellent beaches are not where Catalonia’s attraction ends. Here are some of the reasons why a Catalonia family holiday makes a lot of sense.
Wonderful Beach Holidays
Spain has no shortage of options for family beach holidays, from the Atlantic coast of Galicia in the northwest to the black volcanic sands of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands. But the Mediterranean coast, with its turquoise waters and golden beaches shaded by aromatic stone pine trees, have an attraction all of its own.
Some of the best beaches in Spain are on Catalonia’s Costa Brava. From Lloret and Tossa del Mar up to Cadaques and Llança near the French border there are countless quiet coves to explore, many of which escaped the developers of the last century and are still more or less virgin.
Spend the morning snorkeling or kayaking before heading for a perfect paella at a favourite “chiringuito” beach restaurant. And one of the best places for scuba diving in Spain is the nature reserve of the Medes islands near the fishing port of Estartit.
South of Barcelona are the long golden beaches of the Costa Daurada, which are ideal for a family beach holiday. And there are also some quiet, unspoilt places to discover here if you are prepared to head off the beaten track, especially in the nature reserve of the Ebro delta.
Here conditions are perfect for kitesurfing and windsurfing, and there is no better place for a seafood lunch than on one of the floating restaurants built above the mussel beds that are only reachable by boat.
Pyrenean Mountain Adventures
The beautiful and majestic Catalan Pyrenees have plenty to offer for an activity-packed family holiday in Spain for those with older children.
High on the list for families who visit the Catalan Pyrenees are the incredible opportunities they offer for hiking. If this is you then there’s no better place to head for than the spectacular Saint Maurici National Park, with its forested mountains and beautiful lakes. Mountain refuges are available for longer treks, and there’s plenty of accommodation in the village of Espot.
If you’re looking for something more challenging you can hike the Cathar Trail from France to Spain, an old pilgrim way and a great alternative to the rather overcrowded Camino de Santiago.
The route starts in Foix in France, takes you across the Pyrenees before finishing up in Berga in Catalonia, and traverses some beautiful scenery. We organise private group hiking holidays on the Cathar Trail, that are adapted to your group’s hiking level.
The Catalan Pyrenees also offer plenty of opportunities for families looking for cycling holidays, horse-riding, rafting, and canyoning, an adrenaline-filled sport that takes you abseiling down mountain streams and diving into waterfalls.
Barcelona Family Holidays
For all kinds of reasons, kids of all ages love Barcelona as much as their parents do. Whether it is the whimsical architecture of Gaudi and his contemporaries or the cool vibes created by the easy mix of traditional and ultra-modern there’s something about Barcelona that appeals to just about everyone, which is why a Barcelona family holiday is always a hit.
The architecture and playfulness of modernist buildings like Parc Guell, Casa Batllo, La Sagrada Familia, and la Palau de la Musica appeal to all ages and are a must-see for any family holiday to Barcelona. But there is a lot more for families to do besides.
You can take a trip up to Tibidabo to enjoy the funfair that’s been a favourite with the locals for generations. Rides are a fun mix of classical and modern, but one of the main reasons for going is to enjoy the spectacular views that Tibidabo offers of the city.
Barcelona has cable cars, adventure parks, and also plenty of good museums to keep the children happy, and none better than the Cosmo Caixa science museum, which has an enormous, living Amazonian rainforest to explore, along with plenty of fun exhibits to interact with.
