Looking for an amazing one week in Spain itinerary? Spain is a fantastic country to visit with kids. Not only can you find historical and cultural activities for adults, but child-friendly attractions too.
If you only have seven days in Spain, we have come up with the perfect itinerary for you. Plus, you don’t need to rent a car, you can do this trip by train, as all the cities are well-connected.
The trip includes the famous city of Barcelona, Spain’s capital (Madrid), Seville and finally, the sunny and warm city of Malaga.
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One Week in Spain Itinerary for Families
Barcelona (2 days)
Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in Spain, and there is no doubt why – its outstanding Gaudi buildings, vibrant atmosphere, beaches, and food are a few reasons to discover Catalonia’s capital.
There are plenty of things to do in Barcelona, and you could easily spend more than two days, but visiting some of its best attractions is possible while keeping your little ones entertained.
Day 1: One Day in Barcelona with Kids
La Sagrada Familia is a must-see building during your trip to Barcelona with kids. It isn’t the most exciting thing to do for small kids, but it is still possible to enjoy visiting this attraction.
To have a better and smoother experience, book your tickets in advance, involve your kids in the experience by asking them to take photos of beautiful things and reward them with spending some time in the playground outside Sagrada Familia.
If your kids are between 3 and 16 years old, your next visit could be Museu de la Xocolata. Who doesn’t like chocolate? They have fun workshops and games to keep everyone entertained.
When visiting Barcelona in summer, you can always head to La Barceloneta Beach, the closest beach to the city centre, and spend some time there with your family.
If you visit Barcelona at other times of the year, switch the beach to Ciutadella Park, home to playgrounds, Barcelona Zoo and green spaces to enjoy a picnic.
Considering you and your children aren’t scared of heights, the Montjuïc cable car is another fantastic activity to add to your itinerary. Get your cable car tickets here.
Day 2: Two Days in Barcelona with Kids
Start your day by visiting another major attraction like Park Güell. This one seems more fun for smaller children because of all the outdoor space to run, but it can be a good visit for older kids and teenagers who love art and photography.
If you love football, you can do a stadium tour of Barcelona Football Club, one of the most popular teams in the Spanish League. It is also a fun activity for children who love football and all sport-related things.
A kind of hidden gem location that kids enjoy in Barcelona is Parc del Laberint d’Horta, a beautiful park with a big maze.
Another activity for your second day in Barcelona can be going to the Tibidabo amusement park.
Hotel recommendation in Barcelona: Sensation Sagrada Familia. Lovely apartments where you can feel at home. You can read more about the top hotels in Barcelona for families here.
How to get from Barcelona to Madrid: take the train from Barcelona to Madrid, which takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. View train times and ticket availability here.
Madrid (2 days)
Madrid is one of the best Spanish destinations for culture lovers. The city is home to famous museums and galleries that attract millions of travellers every year.
However, unless you and your family are really interested in history and art, you might want to skip some of these museums.
Day 1: One Day in Madrid with Kids
Start the day with one of Spain’s most famous breakfasts, churros! Chocolatería de San Ginés serves the best churros in Madrid, but you must go early to avoid crowds.
If you prefer a healthier breakfast or aren’t into churros, you can find better options at Federal Café.
For history buffs, head to the Royal Palace of Madrid, where you can learn about the royal family and admire the detailed and grand rooms across the building. Get your tickets here.
If you are travelling with toddlers, you might want to get the hop-on hop-off bus and stop at El Retiro Park, Madrid’s most beautiful and biggest park.
You can easily spend there a few hours. Prepare a picnic, explore the gardens, stop at the playgrounds and maybe go on the rowing boats at the artificial lake.
Then, you can head to one of the many kid-friendly museums in Madrid. The National Museum of Natural Science is fantastic because they have plenty of fun activities for children above 5. The Museum of Illusions is another fun museum for all ages.
Day 2: Two Days in Madrid with Kids
During your second day in Madrid, you also have endless options. One of the most popular things is a day trip to Toledo. The city is home to impressive cathedrals and other historical buildings. However, this can be a better option for families with teenagers.
If you want something more enjoyable for children, visit some theme parks near Madrid. Parque Warner Madrid and Parque de Atracciones de Madrid are the two most famous.
Regardless of your chosen theme park, you can spend most of your day there. There are numerous attractions and performances. You can read more about the best theme parks in Spain here.
Hotel recommendation in Madrid: Atocha Hotel Madrid, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. It is in a good location and offers fantastic family rooms, including interconnecting ones for bigger families.
How to get from Madrid to Seville: take the train from Madrid to Seville, which takes about 2 hours and 50 minutes. View train times and ticket availability here.
Seville (2 days)
Andalusia’s capital is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, and luckily, there are great things to do with your family.
Day 1: One Day in Seville with Kids
Seville is home to incredible historical buildings that must be on everyone’s itinerary.
One of the main attractions in Seville is the Royal Alcazar of Seville. This palace has impressive Moorish architecture and manicured gardens where you can see animals like peacocks. Therefore, this is an excellent place to visit for adults and children.
Another unmissable place to see in Seville is Plaza de España, one of the most beautiful squares in Spain.
You can watch street artists singing and dancing flamenco, take photos at the mosaic benches representing different Spanish cities, and then visit Maria Luisa Park, located next to Plaza de España.
Other fun activities for families include visiting the Seville Aquarium, going on a river cruise, and going to the Museum of Illusions.
Day 2: Two Days in Seville with Kids
If you want to have a fun day with your family, Isla Mágica is the place to go. This theme park is close to Seville city centre and has plenty of attractions for all ages. You can easily spend half a day there.
Hotel recommendation in Seville: Hotel Fernando III. It is in the heart of Seville and has connecting rooms, free breakfast for children under 12 years old and free-of-charge cradles.
How to get from Seville to Malaga: take the train from Seville to Malaga. The fastest journey by train is 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Malaga (1 day)
Malaga is a fantastic destination to visit for families. It is safe and walkable, and you can visit its main attractions in one day.
If you and your family love cultural activities, you can visit the Alcazaba Fortress Palace, one of the most beautiful Moorish buildings in the city, Gibralfaro Castle and Malaga Cathedral.
When it comes to museums, Malaga is home to over 40 museums.
The best museums to visit in Malaga with kids are the Carmen Thyssen Museum, the Automobile and Fashion Museum, the Interactive Music Museum and the OXO Videogame Game Museum for older ones.
In the summer months, you might want to visit one of the waterparks in Malaga. The most popular is Aqualand in Torremolinos, which is a 15-minute drive from Malaga. Aqualand is one of the best waterparks in Spain.
Although Malaga has many things to do in a day, another fantastic place near Malaga is Benalmadena. It is one of the best beach resorts for families because of its many kid-friendly attractions—for example, the Butterfly Park, the cable car and Selwo Marina.
Hotel recommendation in Malaga: Petit Palace Plaza Hotel. It is a fantastic family-friendly hotel in the centre of Malaga. They have quadruple rooms ideal for anyone travelling with children.
Final Words: 7 Day Spain Itinerary for Families
Overall, Spain is a fantastic destination for families. Most places are family-friendly, and there are plenty of activities for all ages, from interactive museums and theme parks to beautiful green parks with playgrounds and beaches.
Also, travelling in Spain by train is very comfortable, so you simply relax and avoid the stress of driving with your little ones in a different country.
If you are travelling on a budget, consider visiting Spain during the off-peak season and major events like Christmas, Easter or traditional events.
Last but not least, this itinerary is quite complete and ambitious as it covers different regions across the country. It is perfect for families who can’t usually travel to Spain as you can explore the main cities and learn a little about the cultural differences and buildings in each destination.
If you prefer a more relaxed itinerary, I recommend choosing one region or island to explore in seven days. For example, you can do a road trip around Andalusia or Tenerife, another good destination for families.
If you love this one week in Spain itinerary, make sure you read our 1 month in Europe itinerary for families!
Cristina is the founder of My Little World of Travelling, a blog about travelling and living in Spain. She shares everything about Malaga, her hometown, as well as other beautiful destinations across the country. She aims to help other travellers have more authentic experiences by sharing her local knowledge.