Date of publication 20/09/2019
Family tourism Family vacations with kids: a trip everyone can enjoy
Trends and lifestyle: everything about vacations with kids, a trip for the whole family.
Discover the best getaways with kids for a truly memorable family vacation
Planning a family vacation is one of the most exciting times of the year, especially for the youngest members of the family. Get ready to discover new natural wonders, learn about the culture and history of exciting destinations and, above all, have fun while learning important values!
A family trip to the Canary Islands
Spotting whales and dolphins in the wild, riding a cable car up Mount Teide or discovering the wonders beneath the sea aboard a submarine. Nature and fun will be constant companions on your family vacation in the Canary Islands, whether you choose Tenerife, Lanzarote or Fuerteventura.
At 12,198 feet above sea level, Mount Teide is the highest peak in Spain. The cable car takes you up to La Rambleta, at an elevation of 11,663 feet, where several high-mountain trails begin. To reach the summit of Mount Teide on foot via the Telesforo Bravo trail, you will need the corresponding permit. The volcano lies within Teide National Park, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
Tenerife is also a wonderful place to see whales and dolphins in the wild year-round. Authorized boats operate around the island with a commitment to responsible wildlife watching that respects the animals' habitat and the environment.
Some of the best excursions for a vacation with kids depart from Puerto Colón, Los Cristianos or Los Gigantes in the south of the island. A beach hotel in Tenerife such as Iberostar Waves Bouganville Playa or Iberostar Waves Las Dalias puts you close to these departure points, with entertainment and activities waiting back at the hotel so younger family members can keep having fun after the excursion.
Have you ever dreamed of swinging through the trees like Tarzan? At Forestal Park, you can soar through the leafy canopies of Canary Island pine trees, a species native to the islands. Afterward, take a walk through the nearby countryside and enjoy the lush surroundings for another memorable family experience.
Traveling to the stars and discovering other planets is one of childhood's great dreams. At the Museum of Science and the Cosmos in La Laguna, budding astronomers can uncover the secrets of space. They can experiment with telescopes, learn the names of stars and constellations, and visit one of Spain's best planetariums.
Aboard a submarine based in Puerto Calero, you can descend to a depth of around 100 feet and observe fish, shipwrecks and other forms of marine life through panoramic windows.
To stay close to the action, the All Inclusive hotel Iberostar Selection Lanzarote Park is designed with families in mind, with pools and kids' clubs to round off the day after an underwater adventure. And if golden dunes and calm waters are more your style, Fuerteventura is an ideal island for a relaxed family vacation. There, a hotel with a pool such as Iberostar Waves Gaviotas Park makes a comfortable base between excursions, with activities designed for both younger children and teenagers.
Discovering Mallorca with kids
The largest of the Balearic Islands, set in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, is an ideal place to plan a family vacation, especially if you are looking for excursions in Mallorca that everyone will remember for years to come.
On the north coast, Playa de Muro is ideal for younger children thanks to its calm, shallow waters. Nearby, you can discover Es Comú de Muro, an undeveloped stretch of beach that forms part of S'Albufera Natural Park. This is also where you will find two beachfront hotels in Playa de Muro, Iberostar Waves Playa de Muro and Iberostar Selection Playa de Muro Village, both family hotels in Mallorca with spaces where children can have fun at their own pace.
Just a five-minute drive from the city center, Playa de Palma offers endless entertainment for families alongside its long sandy beach. At Aqualand, meanwhile, the water slides will get everyone's adrenaline flowing.
If you are looking for a hotel with activities in Mallorca where there is always something to do, Iberostar Waves Cala Domingos offers pools and entertainment that make for a fun family plan after a day at the beach.
Traveling through the Tramuntana Mountains aboard the Sóller train, which first began operating in 1912, is a delightful family experience that combines a piece of the island's history with beautiful scenery along the way.
You can also journey to the center of the Earth, just like in Jules Verne's novel, inside the magical Drach Caves. Wander through an otherworldly setting filled with stalactites, stalagmites and fantastically shaped rock formations created by thousands of years of erosion. And don't forget to try some of the most traditional dishes in Mallorcan cuisine. The whole family will be asking for seconds.
Marrakech: souks, gardens and desert adventures
Discovering Marrakech is a fascinating way to introduce children to a completely different culture, with new colors, aromas and surprises around every corner. Jemaa el-Fna square, in Marrakech's UNESCO-listed Medina, transforms as evening falls, filling with snake charmers, traditional music and stalls serving freshly squeezed orange juice. The cultural space of Jemaa el-Fna is also inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Nearby souks form a maze of rugs, spices and artisans working leather in full view, a scene sure to intrigue curious young travelers. With its intense blue hues and abundant exotic plants, Jardin Majorelle offers a peaceful setting where children can discover species they may never have seen before.
An excursion by ATV or camel through the Agafay Desert, just outside the city, gives children the chance to set off on an adventure of their own. The Ouzoud Falls, with cascading water and troops of wild monkeys, make another day trip they are unlikely to forget. Between outings, Iberostar Waves Club Palmeraie Marrakech is a hotel made for family fun, with pools, entertainment and kids' clubs in the shade of the city's famous palm grove.
Vacations with kids in Cádiz
The deep blue waters of the Bay of Cádiz have a charm all their own, especially once you discover just how much there is to do with children in this part of Andalusia. A beachfront hotel in Cádiz such as Iberostar Waves Royal Andalus lets you begin and end each day with your feet in the sand, while still having the pool close by whenever the family feels like staying at the hotel.
A boat excursion from Tarifa offers the chance to observe several species of whales and dolphins in the wild in the Strait of Gibraltar. Dolphins and pilot whales are regularly found in these waters, while other species are more seasonal: orcas are mainly seen in July and August, while sperm whales are more common in spring and fall. Since these are wild animals, sightings and the species present cannot be guaranteed. Setting sail from La Caleta Beach aboard a catamaran, cruising around Cádiz's city walls, seeing historic Santa Catalina Castle and viewing the city from the sea can fire children's imaginations with thoughts of the great Spanish sailors who navigated these waters centuries ago.
Did you know that Doñana National Park is one of Europe's most important nature reserves? From Sanlúcar de Barrameda, cross the Guadalquivir River aboard the Real Fernando and discover this unique environment, home to hundreds of mammals, reptiles and amphibians living in the wild, during your family vacation in Cádiz.
Riviera Maya with kids
Crossing the Atlantic to discover the Riviera Maya is the kind of experience children remember for years, with jungle, history, and almost impossibly turquoise waters all part of the adventure. Swimming in a cenote is something everyone should experience at least once, and here you can choose from dozens of them. Surrounded by underground stalactites and crystal-clear water, children can feel like real explorers.
Nearby, Xcaret and Xel-Há offer different ways to discover the natural world of the Riviera Maya. Xcaret brings together Mexican culture, underground rivers and wildlife areas, including a coral reef aquarium and an aviary, while Xel-Há is a natural water park centered around its inlet, snorkeling and other water activities. Exploring the Tulum archaeological site, with El Castillo overlooking the Caribbean Sea, or discovering the ruins of Cobá amid the jungle introduces children to the Maya civilization in a way no history book can quite match. In Akumal, you can also swim alongside sea turtles in their natural habitat, an experience that stays with adults and children alike.
For families looking for space and a relaxed atmosphere, Iberostar Selection Paraíso Lindo is a family hotel in the Riviera Maya with large pools and kids' clubs. Surrounded by tropical vegetation, Iberostar Waves Tucán is temporarily closed for renovations from May 15 through November 30, 2026, inclusive.
Discovering Lisbon as a family
There's a reward waiting at the top of São Jorge Castle, right in the heart of ever-appealing Lisbon. Its walls, drawbridges and cannons will ignite children's imaginations with stories of pirates, princesses and knights.
Staying at a family hotel in Lisbon, such as Iberostar Selection Lisboa, makes it easy to reach many of these attractions on foot, without relying on a car. At the Lisbon Oceanarium, children and parents alike can discover its marine and amphibian species, along with a play area where Vasco, the resident mascot, teaches kids about recycling and caring for the oceans.
The Pavilion of Knowledge is also known as the Lisbon Children's Museum. Dedicated to science, it features four areas designed around exploring, observing, experimenting, and learning through play. It's one place you won't want to miss on a family vacation in Lisbon.
KidZania is a miniature city where children can try being whoever they want to be: choose a profession, go shopping, visit the bank or simply spend time playing with friends.
Along the banks of the Tagus River, Parque das Nações has large children's play areas, a Japanese garden with water features, bike and pedal-cart rentals, picnic spots and even a cable car that crosses the park.
The best beaches in Portugal for families
In the Algarve, in southern Portugal, you'll find some of the country's most beautiful beaches. Iberostar Selection Lagos Algarve is a family hotel that makes a comfortable base for discovering them one by one with the kids, at your own pace.
The Michelin Guide has named Praia da Marinha one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in Europe and one of the 100 most beautiful in the world.
Praia da Falésia is a long, straight stretch of sand extending for around 6 miles east of Albufeira, backed by striking cliffs in shades of white and ocher.
Also framed by high cliffs, Praia de Odeceixe is a ribbon of sand that meets the mouth of the Mira River.
Four beautiful beaches make up Ilha de Tavira, with quiet stretches of sand, an anchor cemetery and an area for birdwatching, as well as laid-back bars where you can watch the sun set over the Atlantic.
Meia Praia, meanwhile, is a favorite with families and Lagos locals thanks to its wide expanse of sand and peaceful atmosphere.
Punta Cana with kids: tropical islands and marine life
Punta Cana's white-sand beaches and turquoise waters set the scene for a family vacation that balances relaxation with adventure. An excursion to Saona Island, located within Cotubanamá National Park, is a family favorite, with picture-perfect beaches, protected mangroves, and natural pools where starfish can be observed in shallow water, always respecting their habitat and never touching them or removing them from the sea.
If your trip falls during the first few months of the year, an excursion to Samaná to see humpback whales breaching the surface is an experience that can leave children and adults equally amazed. Snorkeling at Catalina Island, among colorful fish, seahorses and coral formations in calm, sheltered waters, is another favorite with families visiting the area. To keep getting around simple, Iberostar Waves Dominicana has everything children need to stay active, from the pool to organized activities, while Iberostar Waves Punta Cana is a hotel for teenagers in Punta Cana with a lively atmosphere, ideal for families traveling with older children who are ready to enjoy plans of their own in the afternoons.
