How to plan a stress-free family road trip in Spain

Spain is an ideal destination for families. However, when traveling around with kids, it is important to be well prepared, as road trips with children can be stressful, especially when they are hungry or bored. Maerle, owner of Traveltocatalonia.com, has been living in Spain for almost ten years, and together with her family, she has been on many road trips across Spain. In this article, she shares everything you need to know to plan a stress-free family road trip in Spain.

Why Spain is perfect for a family road trip

Spain is a great destination for families with children. You’ll find plenty of playgrounds, beaches, parks, child-friendly restaurants and the food is often popular with kids too. The country also has well-maintained roads, making it comfortable and safe for driving long distances with children.

What you need to know to plan a stress-free family road trip in Spain

Before planning your family road trip in Spain, there are a few important things to keep in mind. From choosing the right route and accommodation to preparing for the Spanish heat and long driving days with kids, a little preparation can make a huge difference. Below, I’ll share my best tips to help you plan a relaxed and enjoyable road trip through Spain with children.

Plan the right family-friendly Spain itinerary

One of the most important things to make your road trip successful is planning the right trip. When traveling with kids you should bear in mind that you aren’t able to see and do as much as you would without kids. I recommend you choose a region instead of wanting to visit the whole country in one trip. Spain is just too big for that.

To give you an idea: We live near Barcelona in the north of Spain and last Christmas we drove to the south of Spain in about 12 hours. So please be aware that distances are long. Depending on the age of your kids, I would say that a maximum of 5 hours per day is doable, but 2-3 hours would be better. Wherever you go in Spain, it’s best not to plan too many stops, because you will be packing and unpacking your suitcase more than you would like. I’d recommend a minimal stay of two nights in one place, but if you can, try to plan even longer stays.

Spending more time in one destination will make your road trip feel much more relaxed for both you and your children.

As I just mentioned, it’s best to choose a region for your road trip instead of visiting the whole country. Both Catalonia and Andalusia are amazing regions for a stress-free family road trip in Spain.

Where to stop

Catalonia is lovely and there is lots to see and do in this region. There are incredible beaches and beach towns on the Costa Brava and Costa Dorada, but you’ll also find picturesque medieval villages, mountainous areas and of course the cities of Barcelona and Girona. Another reason why Catalonia is a great option is the driving distances. They are short, which makes it ideal to travel around in this region with children.

Another reason why Catalonia is a great option is the driving distances. They are short, which makes it ideal to travel around in this region with children. I would recommend spending around 7–10 days in Catalonia, visiting Barcelona and spending time relaxing on the Costa Brava.

The Costa Brava is especially great with kids because there are so many beautiful beaches, playgrounds and family-friendly towns. There are loads of day trips you can do from the Costa Brava to nearby villages and natural areas. If you and your kids enjoy nature, you can also add some time in the Pyrenees, where you’ll find beautiful mountain scenery, easy family hikes and cooler temperatures during summer.

Mix cities with kid-friendly activities

Spain has some incredible cities, like Barcelona, Granada and Seville, which I’m sure you want to visit. But keep in mind that kids do not like to go sightseeing the whole day. We therefore always try to make a mix of visiting cities and doing things the kids really enjoy, like going to the beach, spending time in the playground or going into nature, where kids can explore and get to spend all their energy. I would recommend you build in slow days, where you only spend time on the beach or by the pool or only go sightseeing for half a day and after that spend some time relaxing as a family. If you’re visiting Barcelona, check out this guide of fun things to do with kids in Barcelona.

Look for family-friendly accommodation for a road trip in Spain

Once you’ve chosen your route, accommodation becomes key. In Spain you’ll find all sorts of accommodation types and it’s a good idea to think about which option is best for your family. We always like to choose places that have a garden and kitchen facilities. Having outdoor space makes a huge difference when traveling with kids. After spending time in the car or sightseeing, it’s so nice when children can run around and play while you relax for a moment. Especially for younger kids, a garden can really help make a trip feel less stressful and more comfortable.

Kitchen facilities are also very useful when traveling in Spain with children. It’s good to know that the Spanish eat quite late at night. Restaurants often don’t open before 20:00 and most people don’t get there before 21:00 or even later. For our kids this is way too late, and therefore we always like to cook ourselves at night. If we want to eat out, we normally go at lunchtime instead.

Another thing that we always look for in a place to stay is a separate bedroom. This way you can have some time to yourself when the kids are sleeping, without worrying that you’ll wake them up. We’ve stayed in hotels too, but I always find it inconvenient when everyone has to stay together in one room and you cannot even turn on the light once the kids are in bed.

Be prepared for driving in Spain

Try to make sure your rental car is booked in advance and please don’t just look for the lowest price but also take comfort into account. It’s best not to book a very large car, since many towns in Spain have narrow streets and parking spaces are often small. At the same time, with kids you still need enough space to put all the luggage, a stroller and other essential items. If you do rent a slightly larger car, it’s often easier to park outside old town centres and walk the last bit, which makes driving and parking less stressful.

It’s also good to think about taking your own child seats or renting them at the car rental company. In Spain, children need to use a child seat until they are 135 cm tall. Driving in Spain is easy. Roads are in a good state, signs are clear and people follow the driving rules. Google Maps works well for navigating around the country. Many highways are free, but there are some autopistas that require toll payments. Make sure to bring your credit card or if you have this option, you can pay with your phone.

Make sure you are prepared for a family road trip in the Spanish sun

Please bear in mind that the Spanish heat in the summer will probably be a bit much for kids, which is why it’s important to protect them like crazy. I recommend staying out of the sun between 11:00 and 16:00, so if you go sightseeing, try to get up early or visit later in the afternoon.

When driving around in Spain it’s a must that you have sun covers for the windows in the car. Also, when parking the car for a while, we often try to put something on the car seats to keep them from overheating. We still forget sometimes, which means the kids cannot sit in their seats because they are way too hot. So do your best to remember.

Also make sure to use lots of sunscreen. You can buy it in Spain, since it’s widely available, but if you have your favourite brand at home, it might be best to bring enough with you. When sightseeing or playing on the beach it’s also important to have them wear sunglasses and hats and let them drink enough.

Adapt to your kids’ needs while on the road in Spain

When traveling through Spain, it is very important to adapt to your children’s rhythm. Make sure they are able to eat when they are hungry, sleep when they need to and get out of the car when they need a break.

Get stocked up on your road trip snacks at one of the Spanish supermarkets, like Mercadona, Lidl, Alcampo or Carrefour. They have loads of healthy snacks like fruit, cherry tomatoes, nuts, or corn crackers. The typical bocadillo con jamón (ham sandwich) is a family favourite too.

Entertainment wise, my kids always love to listen to audiobooks, but we also play games like road bingo, where you search for all types of things (you can find lots of free printable versions online). Water drawing books and window stickers are also easy, mess-free options. What I always do when we go on a road trip in Spain is take some small gifts that I can give them when they get really bored. Or if they really need to get out, you can stop at a gas station. Most of them have a small small playground, so they can move around a little before continuing your road trip.

When your kids are still small, I recommend driving during their nap times. It makes long drives much easier, as they can sleep through part of the journey and you won’t have to worry about keeping them entertained. Driving between 12:00 and 17:00 also helps you avoid the hottest part of the day and enjoy the air conditioning in the car. Also, lots of stores and highlights are closed at these hours, so you won’t miss out on anything.

Conclusion

If you ask me, Spain is one of the best countries to plan a stress-free family road trip. The country and its people are relaxed and very child- friendly. Make sure to embrace this relaxed feeling and focus on experiencing the country as a family instead of ticking off all the boxes.