Spain attractions

The Gaudí House Museum (Casa Museu Gaudí) was the home of architect Antoni Gaudí for the last 20 years of his life. Today, his former residence serves as a time capsule of his life and work. Inside, you can see walls covered with his drawings and other original artwork, furniture that the modernist master designed, and an elaborate garden that includes wrought ironwork from Casa Vicens and La Pedrera (Casa Milà).

Although southern Spain is known as the hub of flamenco performance, Madrid visitors can still find traditional venues—called tablaos—to see this timeless art. Corral de la Morería is one of the best. With more than six decades of history, this restaurant and venue is known for its flamboyant, energetic shows from world-renowned dancers.

This amusement park on the outskirts of Madrid caters to young kids and thrill seekers alike with its collection of more than 30 rides and attractions inspired largely by Warner Bros., plus a host of live shows, parades, character meet-and-greets, and restaurants.

With a prime location just off the Plaza Santa Cruz, the family-owned Los Gallos Tablao Flamenco is one of the world’s most prestigious flamenco venues and the oldest in Seville. Attend one of Los Gallos’ two nightly flamenco shows, each featuring ten different dancers, for an intimate insight into Spanish culture.

Discover the Costa del Sol’s largest seahorse collection, stroke a starfish or a sea anemone, catch a glimpse of Yellow, the giant green turtle, and more at SEA LIFE Benalmádena. Explore the underwater world first-hand—whatever the weather—in the aquariums several exhibits, and get up close and personal with marine animals.

Known for its stomping, clapping, and colorful costumes, the Andalusian art of flamenco is showcased front and center at Baraka Sala Flamenca, a traditional venue in the heart of Seville. Enjoy clear views of the performers on a raised stage while learning about the different styles of flamenco.

With gravity-defying waterslides, wave pools, and water-play areas for all ages, Siam Park offers every opportunity to get your adrenaline pumping. Ranking among the largest and most popular water parks in Europe, it’s a firm favorite for families visiting Tenerife.

One of Mallorca’s biggest aqua parks, Western Water Park boasts a wide array of rides and pools, including The Beast—the world’s 11th-highest slide—to keep all ages entertained. Fittingly set in western Mallorca near the resort of Magaluf, the park has a Wild West theme, giving it extra family appeal.

Housed in the palatial former home of the 17th Marquis of Cerralbo, Enrique de Aguilera y Gamboa, the Cerralbo Museum is one of Madrid’s most opulent collections of furniture, statues, and other 19th century artifacts.

This 19th-century theater on Las Ramblas—Barcelona’s most storied street—is a cultural hub for performances ranging from fiery dance shows to theater acting. While the stage shows are the main draw for visitors, the building itself is impressive, too. Housed within the Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences, the elegantly designed theater previously functioned as a cinema and a comedy club, and was even the site of skirmishes during the Spanish Civil War.

For a sky-high look at Madrid's cityscape, the views from the Madrid Teleférico (Teleférico de Madrid) are hard to beat. The 11-minute ride in a 6-person cable car whisks you over the Manzanares River and deposits you in the hills of Casa de Campo Park. Spend time here hiking, picnicking, or relaxing with a glass of sangria.

Situated in a former archbishop’s palace, Tablao El Cardenal is one of Cordoba’s most coveted spots to watch Spain’s beloved art form: flamenco. Southern Spain is steeped in flamenco history, as it is believed this is where the tradition originated, andtablaos (flamenco venues) are the ideal place to experience the soulful tradition.

With more than 40 water slides and attractions to choose from, there’s fun for all ages at Aqualand Maspalomas on Gran Canaria. Relax on a lazy river, bob in a wave pool, race friends and family on multi-lane slides, or experience the high speeds and curves of Snake Falls or Anaconda. Kidzworld caters to younger visitors.

Situated in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Poema del Mar Aquarium is a world leader in aquatic animal conservation and education. Here, adults and children can learn about the underwater ecosystems of five continents and have a rare opportunity to observe endangered species such as tequila fish, axolotes, and Thai sharks.

One of Madrid’s slightly off-the-radar gems, the Museum of Romanticism encapsulates the lives of the city’s nobility during what’s known as the Romantic era–the early 19th century. Occupying an 18th-century mansion in Madrid’s lively Chueca district, its rich paintings and collections offer a rare glimpse into the art, customs, and lifestyle of wealthy Madrileños of the time.

Buried and overlooked for centuries until their excavation in 1903, the Caliphal Baths (Baños del Alcázar Califal) offer a revealing look at daily life in 10th-century Córdoba. Constructed as a hammam for the Moorish Alcázar complex—now the Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs (Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos)—the baths have since been reborn as a popular museum.

In 1937, at the behest of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, German Nazi and Italian Fascist air forces bombed the Basque town and its inhabitants. Years later, Pablo Picassoxa0 immortalized the suffering in his masterpiece of the same name, and now, with an excellent Peace Museum, the revitalized town is a symbol for global peace.

Enjoy a family adventure at Aqua Natura, Benidorm’s super-sized water park home to 2625 feet (800 meters) worth of slides. Splash in the pirate playground, or relax by the lagoon, and enjoy the thrill of the park’s high speed La Cresta slide. Keep cool in the heat of the summer, and spend a day away from the beach that the whole family can enjoy.

A popular character in Spanish culture, Raton Perez is a celebrated part of childhood—like the Tooth Fairy—that exchanges a child's lost tooth for a gift. At the family-friendly Raton Perez House Museum, visitors learn about this Spanish tradition, the history of the fable, and see baby teeth of historical figures, like Beethoven and Newton.

Located in the resort town of Benidorm on Spain’s sun-drenched Costa Blanca, Aqualandia ranks among Europe’s biggest and most popular water parks. Opened in 1985, the expansive park was the first of its kind in Spain. It encompasses wave pools, play areas, and waterfalls, plus the highest waterslide in Europe.

Rocky volcanic peaks and verdant pine-clad hills stretch out on the horizon from La Caldera—”The Cauldron”—at the eastern edge of La Orotava Valley. A natural monument, the scenic spot is Tenerife’s best-preserved volcanic crater and a popular destination for hiking, camping, and picnicking.

The highlight of the family-friendly Museum of Natural Sciences of Barcelona (Museu Blau), devoted primarily to natural history, is the Planet Life exhibition, which chronicles the history of life on Earth. Among its extensive collection, the museum has exhibits that trace Earth’s changes over the ages and all the animals and other organisms that call it home, complete with fossils, dinosaur skeletons, rocks, minerals, and its own rooftop garden.

Salt Mountain, deep in Catalonia’s countryside, was once one of the world’s most important salt mines. Visitors to the Salt Mountain Cultural Park (El Parque Cultural de la Montana de Sal) can tour the 280-foot (85-meter) deep mine to see its beautiful formations, such as jagged stalactites, stalagmites, and deposits of various minerals, including potassium salt. Streaks of gray and reddish-brown salts enhance the mountain cave’s natural beauty, while a museum showcases the machinery once used in its heyday.

Situated in Agüimes, on the island of Grand Canary (Gran Canaria), Cocodrilo Park is the principal exotic animal rescue center in the Canary Islands. Here, education and fun come together with live crocodile, bird, and monkey feedings, plus zoo exhibits and opportunities to interact with the animals.

With its arid ravines and purpose-built film villages, the Tabernas Desert (Desierto de Tabernas) is one of Almeria’s more offbeat natural attractions that’s ideal for families. Famed for being the backdrop to several Hollywood-produced spaghetti westerns, here you can visit one of the several Western theme parks or tackle one of the many hiking trails.

It may no longer be a working brewery, but the Old Estrella Damm Brewery (Antiga Fàbrica Estrella Damm) still invites visitors to see old equipment and machinery once used on-site, learn about the history of Barcelona’s iconic beer brand through the permanent exhibit of its historical archive, and, of course, sample different beers. The space also hosts cultural and musical events, including shows, concerts, and festivals.

Located in Aranda de Duero on the Ribera del Duero wine route, Bodega Histórica Don Carlos is a historic 15th-century winery. Four miles (seven kilometers) of cellars, originally used for storing wine, run beneath Aranda. In a medieval cellar, this bodega offers tours, tastings, food pairings, and a wine store.

Explore historic Greece, Rome, and Egypt at the ancient civilisations-themed Terra Mítica, a theme park with an educational twist in Benidorm. Here, history and fun come together with shows and rides suitable for all ages—including big wheels, roller coasters, and log flumes—making Terra Mítica an ideal family vacation stop.

Let loose at Aqualand El Arenal, Mallorca’s biggest water park. Situated just south of Palma on the island’s west coast, this popular park is stacked with slides, pools, and amusements for all ages and tastes, from adults who simply want to relax to teens wanting to brave daredevil rides.

Perched on a dramatic hill, Ibiza Castle (Castell d'Eivissa in Catalan) marks the top of Ibiza’s Dalt Vila, or Upper Town. The island landmark was built over the course of more than 1,000 years and is an architectural hodgepodge of pale-colored stone that combines elements like a 12th century medieval design with 18th century barracks.