Are you planning an escape to Europe this summer? Spain is an unbeatable destination for a family-friendly beach holiday.
Spain’s mainland coastline offers a multitude of beach holiday options, ranging from dedicated hotels and resorts with water sports to tranquil coves away from the tourist trail. In addition, the country’s territory includes a number of islands that are an idyllic setting for a coastal getaway.
Use this guide to the best family-friendly beach destinations in Spain to find your perfect Spanish holiday spot.
Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands are an autonomous province of Spain east of the mainland. These islands enjoy the benefits of a typical Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters. Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera are the four largest islands, all with great activities for families.
Majorca
Majorca is probably the best Balearic for younger children. In addition to a range of family-focused beach resorts with all the latest facilities, Majorca boasts water parks and a great aquarium in the capital city Palma.
Menorca
For more intrepid families and older children, Menorca is a great stay in the Balearic Islands. It is a more peaceful alternative to Majorca, but equally beautiful: the entire island was designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1993.
On the coast, you can sail to quiet coves, try your hand at sea kayaking and snorkel in colourful coral reefs. Inland activities include jeep safaris and exhilarating go karting inside the centuries-old castle.
Mainland Coast
The coastline of mainland Spain is split into various ‘Costas’, each named after a particular characteristic of that area. There are several main Costas, but these two are the best for children.
Costa del Sol
The southern tip of Spain is known as the Costa del Sol, named for its frequent sunny weather. Malaga is a great location here for a family-friendly summer holiday as it prides itself on offering an excess of things to do for kids.
Apart from beautiful beaches with volleyball nets and sea-based water-sports like paddleboarding, Malaga offers lots of inland activities from amusement parks to more challenging outdoor experiences such as horseback riding, mountain biking, and a treetop adventure playground.
Costa Blanca
Spain’s Costa Blanca stretches 200km along the south-east of Spain, served by the airport in Alicante.
The beach resort of Benidorm is a particular favourite with families, especially those with toddlers and younger kids. Just a 45-minute drive from Alicante airport, Benidorm boasts child-friendly hotels right on the sand as well as a theme park, zoo, and tranquil nature reserve. You can pre-arrange your transfer from Alicante to Benidorm to help ensure a stress-free journey from home to hotel.
Canary Islands
Although officially Spanish territory, the Canary Islands are positioned off the north-west coast of Africa. This means that they have a very temperate climate with reasonable beach weather year-round, great for an Easter break or out-of-season family holiday.
All of the islands in this archipelago offer a great holiday experience, but favourites include Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura. Unique highlights of a family holiday in the Canary Islands include dolphin watching, hikes in sensational national parks, and strolling the iconic black-sand beaches.