Ten days down Spain's Mediterranean coast: Aquarium Barcelona's shark feeds, Barcelona Zoo, Park Güell and Tibidabo, PortAventura and Ferrari Land with their height bands, Valencia's Oceanogràfic, Science Museum and Bioparc, and Terra Mítica in Benidorm.
Spain’s Mediterranean coast combines beaches with a long list of family days out. Barcelona has an aquarium where divers feed the sharks and an amusement park on a hilltop reached by funicular. Near Tarragona, PortAventura has a whole area for small children. Valencia has an aquarium, a science museum and a zoo, and Benidorm has a theme park that crosses from Egypt to Rome. This guide sets out a 10-day route down the coast, with height limits, ticket rules and practical tips for children.
Every attraction here has its own page on JuniorTravelClub with details from its official website. Distances are straight-line figures worked out from each place’s coordinates.
The route at a glance
- Barcelona: 4 days
- PortAventura, near Tarragona: 2 days, about 90 km south-west of Barcelona in a straight line
- Valencia: 3 days, about 220 km further in a straight line
- Benidorm: 1 day, about 100 km south of Valencia in a straight line
Barcelona: days 1–4
Day 1: Aquarium Barcelona and the beach
At Aquarium Barcelona, feeding time is the draw: divers feed the sharks on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (not on public holidays). Children aged 0 to 2 get in free and need no ticket. It’s open every day, but once you leave you can’t go back in. Take Metro L4 to Barceloneta or L3 to Drassanes. Spend the afternoon at Barceloneta beach.
Day 2: Barcelona Zoo and Parc de la Ciutadella
Barcelona Zoo makes a real effort for children who need things a little different: an adapted playground with a wheelchair-accessible route, identification lanyards for hidden disabilities, and free wheelchairs at either entrance. Buy tickets online to avoid queues. Next door, Parc de la Ciutadella has several playgrounds, the Laludo family play space and rowing boats on the lake every day.
Day 3: Park Güell and the Sagrada Família
Park Güell is a garden made of stone and mosaic, all outdoors: the dragon staircase, the hypostyle hall and the terrace at Plaça de la Natura. Combine it with the Sagrada Família on the same day if your children are happy with a slower pace.
Day 4: Tibidabo
At Tibidabo Amusement Park, the ride up is part of the fun. The Cuca de Llum funicular climbs the hill from Plaça Doctor Andreu, and it’s covered by the same ticket as the rides.
PortAventura World: days 5–6
PortAventura Park has an area just for small children, SésamoAventura, where every ride is a children’s ride and Waikiki has no minimum height (maximum 1.20 m). Many rides elsewhere take children with an adult alongside: from 0.90 m on Street Mission and Tea Cups, and from 1 m on Templo del Fuego, Silver River Flume and Tami Tami. First coasters come next: Tomahawk from 1.05 m and Stampida from 1.20 m. The big coasters, Shambhala, Dragon Khan and Furius Baco, need 1.40 m. Restaurants offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free food.
Next door, Ferrari Land has Kids Podium for ages 3 to 12, with under-3s allowed when accompanied. With an adult, children from 0.90 m can ride Champions Race and Junior Championship, and from 0.95 m Junior Red Force. Red Force and the F1 simulator need 1.40 m. On some children’s rides, adults aren’t admitted alone.
Valencia: days 7–9
L’Oceanogràfic and the Science Museum
L’Oceanogràfic has no timed entry: you can go in any time during opening hours. Combined tickets with the Museu de les Ciències and the Hemisfèric can be spread over up to three consecutive days, each building visited once. All venues have adapted access, lifts and accessible toilets.
At the Science Museum, L’Espai dels Xiquets is a play-based space for ages 4 to 8, and children aged 0 to 3 get in free. It’s indoors on four floors, so it’s a good rain plan.
Bioparc Valencia
At Bioparc Valencia, children under 4 get in free and an included activity programme runs through the day. Entry is by time slot, chosen when you book; afternoon entry is cheaper. No food or drink may be brought in except water in non-glass containers. Children under 14 must be with an adult.
Benidorm: day 10
At Terra Mítica, children cross from Egypt to Greece to Rome in a day. The reduced ticket applies to ages 4 to 12. Ask staff for a hand stamp on the way out, and you can come back later the same day. Food bought outside may not be brought in.
Good to know with kids
Measure for PortAventura and Ferrari Land
Both parks publish exact heights, with bands where a child can ride only with an adult. Measure your children in shoes and plan the day around what they can ride.
Re-entry rules
Aquarium Barcelona and Bioparc don’t allow re-entry, while Terra Mítica gives a hand stamp. Plan breaks accordingly.
Food
Bioparc and Terra Mítica don’t allow outside food, so eat at the parks or before you go. PortAventura has options for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets, and Bioparc has children’s options at all its restaurants.
Rainy days
The Valencia Science Museum and Aquarium Barcelona are indoor options.
Plan and book
Compare car hire: car hire in Spain on AutoEurope. For Barcelona, compare a sightseeing pass: Go City Barcelona. Mobile data: Spain eSIM on Airalo.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, JuniorTravelClub may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tickets & tours for these places
Bookable tours via GetYourGuide. Affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Where to stay with kids in Barcelona
Port Vell is home to Aquarium Barcelona, served by Barceloneta (L4) and Drassanes (L3) metro stations. Barcelona Zoo is inside Parc de la Ciutadella, which also has playgrounds and rowing boats. Gràcia is the usual way into Park Güell, which is reached on foot from the neighbourhood with an uphill walk.
Hotel map by Stay22 with prices from partner booking sites. Affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Final thoughts
Measure the children in shoes for PortAventura and Ferrari Land, check re-entry and food rules before each park, use Valencia's combined tickets, and keep the Science Museum or the aquarium for a rainy day.
Frequently asked questions
Is PortAventura good for young children?
Yes. SésamoAventura is just for small children, and Waikiki has no minimum height. Many rides take children from 0.90 m or 1 m with an adult. Ferrari Land's Kids Podium is for ages 3 to 12.
What are the height limits for PortAventura's big coasters?
Shambhala, Dragon Khan and Furius Baco need 1.40 m. Tomahawk starts at 1.05 m and Stampida at 1.20 m.
When do divers feed the sharks at Aquarium Barcelona?
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, except public holidays.
Can we combine L'Oceanogràfic and the Science Museum?
Yes. Combined tickets with the Science Museum and the Hemisfèric can be spread over up to three consecutive days, visiting each building once.
Which places are free for toddlers?
Children aged 0 to 2 are free at Aquarium Barcelona, 0 to 3 at Valencia's Science Museum, and under 4 at Bioparc Valencia.
Can you leave Terra Mítica and come back?
Yes. Ask staff for a hand stamp on the way out, and you can return the same day.
How many days do you need?
Ten days covers Barcelona, PortAventura, Valencia and Benidorm. With a week, skip Benidorm and shorten Barcelona to three days.
