An Itinerary For Families in Spain
This itinerary from Madrid to the Costa del Sol suggests ideas to keep the children occupied and entertained, while allowing parents to enjoy the sights, too. Book rooms in Madrid for the first 2 nights, then 1 night in Sevilla, 1 night in Málaga, and 2 nights in Fuengirola.
Days 1 : Madrid
First take the children to the Prado to see Las Meninas. They’ll thank you later in life. Then stroll in Parque del Retiro for a puppet show and boat row on the lake. If they have the stamina for the Palacio Real, they should enjoy the Royal Armory and Kitchens. Relax with an early evening drink in Plaza Mayor, while the kids scamper around the cobbles and maybe have their caricatures drawn. Hit Chocolatería San Ginés for hot chocolate and churros before bedtime.
Day 2: Day Trip to Toledo
Regular trains to Toledo take just half an hour. Once there, the motorized tourist train is a fun way for the kids to see Toledo as El Greco saw it. Everyone should enjoy the Museo del Greco house museum, and older kids will wince at the museum of Inquisition Torture Instruments. Then take them to see sword-making and damascene craft and visit the nuns to buy marzipan, before catching the return train to Madrid.
Day 3: Sevilla
Taking an early AVE train, arrive in Sevilla by 10am. Visit the Alcázar, where the children can play in a garden maze featured in Game of Thrones, and climb the 35 ramps of Giralda tower. Then explore the swooping walkways of the futuristic Setas de Sevilla (see below) and grab lunch at its covered market. In the golden hour of early evening, treat them to a horse-and-carriage ride from Plaza de España.
Day 4: Málaga
Take a morning Avant train from Sevilla and explore the atmospheric fortress ruins of the Alcazaba. Take water for the hike up the city ridgeline to the Castillo de Gibralfaro where, on a clear day, you can glimpse North Africa. If one parent wants to shop the marble-paved Calle Larios, the other can walk the kids along El Palmeral de las Sorpresas to catch a sightseeing cruise at Muelle Uno. Keep an eye out for dolphins!
Day 5: Fuengirola
Take the C1 commuter rail from Málaga and check into your hotel. You’re finally at the beach. Bring plenty of sunscreen and enjoy a morning swimming and sunning. Lunch at a chiringuito, then spend the afternoon at the Bioparc Fuengirola (see below) where you’ll be immersed in re-created habitats for lowland gorillas, Sumatran tigers, and Madagascan lemurs.
Day 6: Mijas & Benalmadena
A half-hour bus ride to Mijas deposits you and the kids in a wholly different world from the beach towns. Hire a donkey taxi to explore this whitewashed mountain village, then hike up to the castle ruins to see the high-rise beach towns spread out below. Take an hour’s bus ride down the steep road to Benalmadena, where the kids will love the pirate-themed aquarium Sea Life. Return to Fuengirola for some beach time.
Day 7: Fuengirola & Return to Madrid
Relax on the beach in the morning, grabbing a breakfast of churros at the kiosks nearby. Allow at least an hour to get back to the Málaga train station, where you’ll change from the commuter rail to the high-speed inter-city trains. You’ll be back in Madrid in about 3 hours.