Family days out in Spain, region by region
Finding something to do with children close to home or for a short break is easier if you know where to start. We have gathered well-known ideas in each region: parks, zoos, aquariums and science museums designed for families to enjoy.
Andalusia
Parque de las Ciencias (Granada): an interactive science museum, one of the great benchmarks in the south for hands-on learning.
BIOPARC Fuengirola (Málaga): a zoo devoted to the conservation of tropical ecosystems, right on the Costa del Sol.
Aragon
Dinópolis (Teruel): a park devoted to dinosaurs and palaeontology, with its main site in Teruel and other centres spread across the province.
Asturias
BIOPARC Acuario de Gijón: an aquarium next to Poniente beach, in Gijón.
Museo del Jurásico de Asturias (Colunga): a museum shaped like a dinosaur footprint, right on the Dinosaur Coast.
Balearic Islands
Palma Aquarium (Palma, Mallorca): the islands’ big aquarium, devoted to the Mediterranean and the oceans.
Canary Islands
Loro Parque (Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife): it began as a parrot refuge and today combines a zoo and an aquarium.
Siam Park (Costa Adeje, Tenerife): a water park themed on the ancient kingdom of Siam.
Cantabria
Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno (Obregón, Villaescusa): animals in large enclosures on a former open-cast mine, to explore on foot or by car.
Castilla-La Mancha
Puy du Fou España (Toledo): a show park that takes you through the history of Spain, with daytime productions and a big night-time show.
Castilla y León
Museo de la Evolución Humana (Burgos): the benchmark museum on the Atapuerca sites and human evolution.
Museo de la Ciencia de Valladolid: a science museum beside the river Pisuerga.
Catalonia
PortAventura World (Salou and Vila-seca, Tarragona): a resort with PortAventura Park, Ferrari Land and Caribe Aquatic Park.
CosmoCaixa (Barcelona): a science museum with the Bosc Inundat, which recreates a stretch of the Amazon with plants and animals.
Valencia region
City of Arts and Sciences (Valencia): it brings together the Museu de les Ciències, the Hemisfèric and the Oceanogràfic aquarium.
BIOPARC Valencia: a zoo that recreates habitats of Africa and Madagascar.
Galicia
Museos Científicos Coruñeses (A Coruña): the Casa de las Ciencias, with a planetarium, the Domus and the Aquarium Finisterrae, three interactive science museums.
Madrid region
Faunia (Madrid): an animal park with ecosystems from different parts of the world.
Museo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (Alcobendas): a state museum devoted to scientific and technological heritage.
Zoo Aquarium de Madrid (Casa de Campo): a zoo and aquarium with giant pandas, koalas and sea lions.
Region of Murcia
Terra Natura Murcia: a zoo in Espinardo, on the outskirts of Murcia.
Museo de la Ciencia y el Agua (Murcia): a science museum devoted to water, designed for a family audience.
Navarre
Sendaviva (Arguedas): a nature and leisure park next to the Bardenas Reales, with animals, rides and shows.
Basque Country
Eureka! Zientzia Museoa (San Sebastián): an interactive science museum for all ages.
Aquarium de San Sebastián: an aquarium and oceanographic museum with a 360-degree underwater tunnel.
La Rioja
El Barranco Perdido (Enciso): a «palaeoadventure» park devoted to dinosaurs.
Before you go
Always check the calendar and opening times on the official website: many centres change their hours with the season and some close on certain weekdays.
Buying your ticket in advance usually saves queuing, especially during school holidays and long weekends.