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17 days Spain first time with kids

We are visiting Spain for the first time this July. Have about 17 days including international travel. Flying to and from Barcelona. I’m having a hard time planning this trip. I have already booked a hotel for 3 nights in Barcelona for first 3 nights. I’m thinking of Andulusia for one week ( I struggle the most with a reasonable summer itenerary for this area) and 5-6 days in Costa Brava region, maybe renting an apartment in Girona before heading back home.
1) is this reasonable or I should just focus on 1 area of Spain
2) what would you fit in Andulusia in one week without burning out? My family is adventurous but kids get tired easily. We like cultural experiences but they won’t hold well for too many run arounds.
Thank you so much in advance!

Thank you so much in advance.

Posted by
6532 posts

How old are the kids? What are their special interests? Can you and spouse trade off kids-in-hotel time every now and then, if the kids are nap aged?

Posted by
1305 posts

Andalucia will be scorchio in July. Most people taking children there (assuming these are youngsters, not able to explore by themselves), would pick a seaside destination and take one or two day-trips to the urban centres, rather than base in somewhere like Sevilla or Granada. For example, somewhere on Costa de la Luz and visit Cadiz or Jerez. But July is high season, so many of the best coastal hotels and rental flats will already be full.

You might be better concentrating on the north east, i.e. Catalonia, rather than heading south, especially as you need to begin and end in Barcelona and the heat won't be quite so oppressive up there. Costa Brava is very nice and has some less busy parts, though I suspect by now many places will be filling up. Many Europeans going there will have booked months ago, so don't delay

Posted by
2 posts

Jane kids are 5 and 8.
Nick, is Girona is a good spot for getting a rental and day trips or you have any other recommendations?

Posted by
28092 posts

From my perspective as a childless adult, Girona makes a great base. It has a walkable wall and a medieval district that's made for wandering, and it's close enough to day-trip to Figueres (Dali Theatre and Museum), the lovely (though tiuristy) former fishing village of Cadaques, and Besalu with its fortified bridge. There are other possibilities as well, presumably including some beach towns. But we need input from folks who have kids.

Posted by
1305 posts

I'm afraid I've only been to Girona once, as day trip from Barcelona. It seemed a nice enough place, if nothing special. But I'm not knowledgeable enough to advise on your questions - though given its size I'm sure there are hire car places there and it's well located for day-trips to other smaller towns in the province or region. It is, though about 50km from the nearest coast, I suspect. But there are some theme parks around there which might be interesting day trips.

Hopefully, others can give you better advice.