Of all the places to travel with children, Spain is up there with the best of them.
Generally speaking, the population loves to dote on little ones. Be prepared for abuelas (grandmothers) to coo over newborns, and children's presence is accepted – celebrated, even – in almost every aspect of day-to-day life, from shopping to eating out in restaurants. On balmy evenings, it's common to see families out way past sunset. In pretty plazas, children whizz down slides and make friends despite the language barrier while parents watch over from the terrace nearby, sipping a chilled vermouth.
One of the most brilliant things about Spain is the sheer amount of playgrounds. They're everywhere: airports, historic plazas, even next to bars.
Most restaurants in Spain are family-friendly, too. 'Highchair' in Spanish is trona, very similar to trono, which means throne. It says a lot about the attitude towards children in restaurants and tapas bars, where little people are treated like royalty. What's more, restaurant staples like tortillas and patatas bravas (potatoes in spicy tomato sauce) are often a hit with little ones.
While historic city centers are beautiful to look at, navigating them with a buggy can be a chore. A sling may be more convenient for carrying small babies, but the summer months (July, August) are just too hot for them. Overall, the stroller is usually best for breezy naps and sun protection.
Rippled with mountain ranges, full of culture-charged cities and fringed with a sandy coastline, Spain has a huge variety of terrains for families to get stuck into. For seaside adventures, take a dip in the turquoise water of the Balearic Islands, grab a sun lounger on the Costa Brava, or make sandcastles on the lush north coast. For city breaks, Valencia and Palma are well-sized for young families, while Barcelona and Madrid feature zesty galleries and theme parks for older kids.
Splash on the beach
The Costa Blanca is full of family-friendly beaches, but for a quieter break, try the island of Formentera, only accessible by ferry from Dénia or Ibiza. It has plenty of quiet, clean beaches where babies can take their first dip. Try the milky-white sand of Ses Illetes for starters. Wilder still is Islas Cíes, a tiny archipelago in Galicia with no cars or hotels. Illa de Monteagudo has pristine beaches and simple campsites with pre-pitched tents (and cots to hire) next to the sea. For a more cosmopolitan beach, make tracks for Patacona in Valencia, dotted with laid-back chiringuitos (beach bars) – hire a deckchair and parasol for shade – and brilliant brunch spots.
Potter in plazas
Elegant squares are an idyllic setting for a toddler's first steps. With its enclosed playground in the center, Plaza de Santa Ana
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