Autovía Palma-Arenal El Arenal
Mallorca 07600, Spain

This huge water park features a host of rides that are variants of water slides, like the Grand Canyon, Devil's Tail, Kamikaze, and Black Hole. The children's favorites include the Mini Park, Dragoland, and Polynesia. In Polynesia, children dive into a world of colors, go down water slides, and swim around a huge aboriginal mask that throws out water-jets. In Banzai, the latest addition, bathers slide down water-slides in a plastic dinghy and drop into a swimming pool at a speed of 50 kmph (31 mph). Other attractions include a surf beach and gardens.

Moll d'Espagna
Barcelona, 08039 Spain

The highlight of Barcelona's aquarium is a Plexiglass lined tunnel more than 80 meters (262 feet) long. Take the moving walkway and go head to head with stingrays, turbot, tuna, and sand tiger sharks. One of the largest of its kind in Europe and an excellent source for Mediterranean marine biologists, the aquarium is a great destination for families. There are several different tanks, from shallow water rock pools (containing sea urchins, anemones, and moray eels) to a huge ocean tank that holds 4.5 million liters of sea water. Among the inhabitants of the ocean tank are bluntnose sixgill sharks, false scads, dolphinfish, rubberlip grunts, and the colossal sunfish. For qualified divers, there's a special a guided tour with particular attention to sharks, including whitetip reef sharks, sandbar sharks, and blacktip reef sharks.

Telefèric de Montjuïc

Avinguda Miramar, 30
Barcelona, Spain

The Montjuïc cable car has been the most special way to discover the charms of Barcelona for many years. Its 750 meters (2,460 feet) of route allow you to gaze at unparalleled views, culminating your journey in the Montjüic Castle, on the top of a mountain that represents the living history of the city. Enjoy the most emblematic symbols of Barcelona as never before, such as the Sagrada Familia, Camp Nou, or Magic Fountain of Montjuïc. You will have Barcelona at your feet! On Montjuïc mountain you can enjoy museums such as the Fundació Joan Miró, Archaeology Museum, and Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya. See historic sites including parks and gardens as well as Olympic Ring.

—Information provided by Telefèric de Montjuïc

Parc de la Ciutadella
Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona Zoo is in Parc de la Ciutadella in the heart of the city, a stone's throw from the Born district. Considered one of the most beautiful venues of its kind in Spain, it has the advantage of allowing visitors to almost touch the animals thanks to its open fences. Created in 1892, the zoo is home to around 2,000 animals representing 300 species as well as 1,300 trees, plants, and flowers of 332 different varieties. Among the animals are Sumatran tigers, meerkats, lions, elephants, red pandas, kangaroos, rhinoceros, sea lions, an assortment of birds, and many more. Land of Dragons houses Komodo dragons and a dome houses flying birds. Other attractions include a primates gallery, marmosets gallery, 13 aviaries, and Children’s Zoo featuring farm animals.

—Information provided by Barcelona.com

Barcelona, Spain

It’s difficult to top a day at the beach, especially when kids are along for the trip. Have some refreshing and carefree fun as the whole family splashes and plays along the Mediterranean Sea at Barceloneta Beach, one of the city’s oldest and most popular. Located in the fishing district of the same name, it is easy to reach though often crowded. Olympic Village’s beach, in the Sant Martí district, has a playground with structures that little ones can climb. Close to Olympic Village is Nova Icària Beach, a peaceful area that includes lifeguards, showers, bathrooms, food kiosks, and play areas. Bogatell Beach is found between Nova Icària and Mar Bella beaches, offering play areas, beach umbrellas, bathrooms, showers, and vendors selling ice cream. In total, Barcelona has eight blue flag beaches, designated so for clean sand and water, easy access, good signage, and environmental education campaigns. The city’s eight beaches are: Sant Sebastià, Sant Miquel, Barceloneta-Somorrostro, Nova Icària, Bogatell, Mar Bella, Nova Mar Bella, and Llevant.

La Rambla, 88
Barcelona, Spain

Kids of all ages will want to visit this Barcelona museum, with surreal experiences and amazing photo ops. Inside Big Fun Museum are 3D facilities, mazes, and illusions that offer an unforgettable time. Themed areas include Believe It or Not, the Giant’s House, Topsy-Turvey House, Sweet Museum, Museum of Madness, Food Art, and Alice Through the Looking Glass. Learn incredible facts, walk on the ceiling, swing between cotton candy clouds, and see a collection of art made from food. The Museum of Illusions uses 3D props and fun and engaging paintings to create imaginative scenes where you’ll want to pose for photos. Ever stood “inside” a dinosaur’s mouth? You can here! There also is the Time Out Zone-Dry Pool, offering let-loose playtime amid a pit of colorful balls.

Passeig de Gràcia, 43
Barcelona, Spain

Casa Batlló is one of the two great buildings designed by Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudí. A pioneering figure of Art Nouveau and modernism, Gaudí has several famous buildings in Barcelona, many featuring wavy shapes, patterns, bright colors, and designs that seem from a fantasy world. Casa Batlló is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Barcelona’s most iconic avenues thanks to its modernist legacy. From the outside the façade looks like it has been made from skulls and bones. The skulls are in fact balconies and the bones are supporting pillars. Gaudí used colors and shapes found in marine life as inspiration for the building. An audio tour gives fascinating insights into Gaudí and his influences when designing the house. A theatrical tour takes place only on Sundays, and admission for children under age 7 is free.

—Information provided by Barcelona Tourist Guide and Casa Batlló

Puerta del Angel
28011 Madrid, Spain

Madrid’s largest park, Casa de Campo encompasses 1,722 hectares (4,257 acres) west of the city center. Once a royal hunting estate, the park’s name means “country house.” It offers a variety of recreation including an amusement park, zoo, aquarium, outdoor swimming pools, and lake with rental boats available. A cable car stretching over the Manzanares River connects Casa de Campo with Parque del Oeste (West Park).  

Museu de la Xocolata

Carrer del Comerç, 36
Barcelona, Spain

The chocolate museum Museu de la Xocolata shows the history of chocolate in Europe: its origins, how it got to us, and how it was traded as an element between myth and reality as well as medicine and food. Visitors learn how chocolate was brought from South America to Europe by the Spanish conquerors, about the cocoa drink of the Aztec called Xocoatl, and the importance of chocolate for ancient cultures of Latin America such as the Aztec and Maya. The tour continues with the history of chocolate in Europe and its influence on art and baking. The museum displays several works of art made of chocolate. A piece of melty goodness is offered to every visitor prior to the tour, and more can be purchased to take home.  

Parc de la Ciutadella

21 Passeig de Picasso
Barcelona 08003, Spain

On the site of a much feared 18th-century fortress built by Philip V, Barcelona constructed one of its favorite parks (the former arsenal is now the city's Parliament building). Although perfect for picnics or recuperating from a hard day's footslogging, the park is filled with distinctive features. Look for the Arc de Triomf, built by Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas for the 1888 Universal Exhibition in the city. Rent a boat on the lake and keep an eye out for the statue of a woolly mammoth on the edge. Try to figure out Antoni Tàpies' bizarre sculpture Homage to Picasso. Learn about volcanic mineralogy at the Geology Museum. Visit the zoo, formerly the home of an albino gorilla named Snowflake. Or see one of Antoni Gaudí's first Barcelona creations, the Cascade Fountain, on which he worked as an apprentice.

Carrer d'Isaac Newton, 26
Barcelona, Spain

CosmoCaixa Barcelona is a science museum where all ages can spend an interesting day. Universe Room offers an interactive journey of the cosmos and its evolution, from the Big Bang to present day. The Geological Wall is made up of seven large, real pieces originated by different geological processes, which have contributed to shaping the structure of Earth. The Flooded Forest immerses visitors in an ecosystem where 50 percent of the planet's biodiversity lives. In this 1,000-square-meter (10,763-square-foot) fragment of rainforest, they will discover some of the most representative species of the Amazon such as alligators, ants, boas, fish, tropical birds, and plants. Among other exhibits are Two Glances at Antarctica and Sustainable Building.

—Information provided by CosmoCaixa

Parque Nacional de Doñana

Almonte, Spain

Popularly known as Coto de Doñana, Doñana National Park covers an expanse of 54,300 hectares (134,178 acres) and supports diverse ecosystems. A part of the area is a protected reserve for migratory birds and endangered species like Spanish imperial eagles and Iberian lynxes. The park offers visitors a variety of facilities including campsites, bird watching stations, and recreation grounds, and long stretches of beaches are open to the public. The park also provides guided tours on boats that sail from Sanlúcar de Barrameda and up the river.

Parque del Buen Retiro

Independence Square
28001 Madrid, Spain

The centerpiece of Madrid’s Retiro neighborhood, the park sharing its name opened to the public in 1868. It offers a variety of outdoor recreation for families such as hiking, biking, and boating. Visitors can explore trails, boardwalks, sculptures, fountains, gardens, and playgrounds as well as the Crystal Palace, built in 1887 and now part of Reina Sofia Museum. There also is a large pond where paddle boats are available to rent. The park’s various gardens include a Rose Garden with more than 4,000 rose bushes.  

Barcelona, Spain

Discover Barcelona at your own speed and on your own time with the Hop On Hop Off Bus. The three routes of the famous tourist bus take you to all of Barcelona’s famous landmarks and top attractions. Get on and off as many times as you want with a single ticket. Included is the free audioguide, available in 11 languages. The Blue and Red lines run year-round and are approximately two hours long. The Green Line is available from April to November and is about 40 minutes long. Choose the Blue route to see the city’s central square, Plaça Catalunya, Casa Batlló, Sagrada Familia, Park Guëll, and the city’s high-end shopping street, Passeig de Gracia, among the total of 12 stops. The Red route offers 21 stops, including: Port Olimpíc (retail and dining hub), Port Veil, Montjuïc, the village of Poble Espanyol, and Barrio Gótico in the heart of Barcelona, where the Picasso Museum and Palau de la Música are located. Lastly, the Green route runs along the city’s coastline, accessing beaches, parks, bars, and restaurants, many of which are at Port Olimpíc. A two-day ticket option gives you more time to see the sights, with bus stops accessible throughout Barcelona.

—Information provided by Hop On Hop Off Barcelona

Pabellón de Espana Isla de Cartuja
Seville 41092, Spain

This theme park in Seville is designed around a lake and includes seven themed areas that offer some very exciting rides like the Jaguar (a rollercoaster with five inversions), Quetzal, Fury of the Gods (a Mayan world with 10 exhilarating rides) and El Dorado (a 500-meter/1,640-feet descent by rubber boat). Other attractions include the Cinemoción (a cinema with moving seats), Dimension4 (4D Cinema showing films such as Phantom Manor and SOS Earth), El Cubo (a cinema, with laser and other special effects), Iguazú, Treasure Galleon, and El Desafío.

Parc del Laberint

Passeig dels Castanyers, 1
Barcelona, Spain

Labyrinth Park is the green jewel of the Horta and Guinardó district, totaling 55 hectares (135 acres). Barcelona's oldest garden and a matchless example of artistic gardening, it features flower beds, tall trees, and a waterfall. Kids and adults can challenge themselves to complete the green labyrinth made of cypress trees. The park also includes a 14th-century house, Torre Soberana, restored and redecorated in the Arabesque style. The grounds are full of hidden corners to be discovered, some of them decorated with sculptures of mythological figures.

—Information provided by Turisme de Barcelona

100 Carrer La Rambla
Barcelona 08001, Spain

Barcelona's most famous street, Las Ramblas in Castellano or La Rambla in Catalan, which translates to "an intermittent water flow," is a 1.2-kilometer (.75-mile) tree-lined pedestrian street that is a popular locale for both locals and tourists. The walkway is full of street performers, cafés, kiosks, flower stalls, and shops. This central gathering place offers a variety of activities, goods to buy, great places to eat, and a wonderful place to take a stroll and people-watch.

Ermita del Santo
28011 Madrid, Spain

Situated south of the city center along the Manzanares River, Madrid Río Park is a great place to let kids burn some of their boundless energy. With 17 playgrounds to choose from, there are plenty of play areas for all ages that include hammocks, swings, rope bridges, slides, and climbing structures. In addition, bikes are available to rent. On hot days, Madrid Río Beach is the park’s splashpad where visitors can cool off as they wade in the water and get sprayed by various features.

Zoo Aquarium de Madrid

Casa de Campo 28011, Spain

Established in 1770 to show Spaniards the diversity of life in the Americas, the Madrid Zoo and Aquarium arranges more than 500 different species by continent. The zoo is renowned for its dolphin habitat—get there a few minutes before shows start for the best seats. Kids will enjoy the petting zoo, as well as tours by boat and train. Other animals include the Asian elephant, white-handed gibbon, greater kudu, Masai giraffe, Atlas lion, mandrill, red panda, Malayan tapir, meerkat, Nile crocodile, and poison dart frog. The aviary is another highlight, with 5,000 square meters (53,819 ft2) for condors, vultures, and eagles to fly across.

Plaça de Carles Buïgas, 1
Barcelona, Spain

Magic Fountain of Montjuic is a spectacular water fountain with shows featuring millions of combinations of water, sounds, and lights. It is the main element of a collection of waterfalls and lakes on the Maria Cristina axis, which runs from the Palau Nacional to Plaça d'Espanya in Montjuïc. In this large spring, 2,600 liters (687 gallons) of water per second flow in three concentric lakes using a water recirculation system. The immersive fountain show is most impressive when seen in the darkness after dusk.

Museu Maritim

s/n Avinguda de les Drassanes
Barcelona 08001, Spain

Though Barcelona's gilded city districts draw millions of tourists every year, the sea was once its true crown. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the city was a genuine power in the Mediterranean. The Drassanes Reials (Royal Shipyards) are a showcase for this maritime might. Among the collection are navigation charts, nautical figureheads, and displays telling the story of a 19th-century submarine, the Ictineo. In pride of place is the Galera Real, an exact replica of the galley in which Don Juan of Austria defeated the Ottomans at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. You can see images of the slaves who once rowed the galley projected on the ship's walls. The collection is diverting, but it is the building itself that is most impressive, a cathedral-like structure with a roof held high by Gothic arches.

Avenida de los Reyes Católicos 6
Madrid, Spain

Along with annexing new territory in South America, Hernán Cortés and his conquistadores brought back galley loads of old treasure. This museum features statues, costumes, jewelry, and items from everyday life. One example is the Tudela Codex, the Aztec book of law, a priceless pictographic illustration of the civilization's way of life. Other pieces came as gifts South American governments to Spain. Look out for the golden Quimbaya figures from Colombia, as well as Inca stone statues, Mayan manuscripts, and black Aztec masks carved from obsidian. Beware the shrunken heads, and also the unusually early closing time: The museum is open every day except Monday, but it shuts its doors at 3 p.m.

Carrer d'Olot, s/n Gràcia District
Barcelona 08024, Spain

This fairytale park, designed by Antoni Gaudí and opened in 1922, is a garden complex that incorporates architectural elements based on religious mysticism, ancient poetry, and motifs of Catalan nationalism. Two buildings with unusual roofs and pinnacles flank the entrance. Gaudi lived in one of them for a brief period, and it currently houses a collection of his furniture and drawings. The pavilions and the staircase are designed with curved roofs and ornamental spires, resembling a scene from Hansel and Gretel. The dragon-like lizard at the center of the park and the serpentine bench leading up to the Gran Placa Circular, which affords spectacular views of Barcelona and the Bay, are some of the high points of the park.

Loro Parque

s/n Av Loro Parque Puerto de la Cruz, Canary Islands
Santa Cruz de Tenerife 38400, Spain

Loro Parque (Parrot Park) was opened in 1972 with 50 parrots. The park now shelters the largest collection of parrots in the world, with a representation of over 300 species. It also houses the world's largest penguinarium (a recreation of the Antarctic). Other animals include dolphins, sea lions, gorillas, chimpanzees, and tigers. The park's major attraction includes four orcas (killer whales) that are a regular feature of the park's aquatic shows. The Fundación Loro Parque is greatly involved in the conservation of parrots and hosts an international parrot convention every four years. The park has a Botanical Garden covering an area of 13.5 hectares (33 acres).

Avenue Alcalde Pere Molas
Vilaseca 43840, Spain

This theme park, one of the largest in Europe, is divided into five distinctively themed worlds, namely, Far West, China, Mediterranean, Polynesia, and Mexico. The park's major rides include the Dragon Khan Rollercoaster, the Tutuki Splash, Stampida wooden roller coaster, the Hurakan Condor, the Tomahawk, and the Furious Baco. During Christmas and Halloween, the park opens some special walk-around rides and shows, like Psycho's Circus, Bang Bang Halloween, and Monster High. PortAventura also has a water park and a themed area for little kids.

Museo Nacional del Prado

s/n Paseo del Prado Madrid
Madrid 28014, Spain

The Prado is a museum and art gallery that houses one of the world's finest collections of European art typical of the period between the 14th and 19th centuries. Besides exhibiting paintings and sculptures, it also houses an important collection of drawings, prints, coins, medals, decorative objects, and the entire collection of Dauphin's Treasure. The museum exhibits works of masters like Spain's Diego Velázquez, Francisco Goya, and El Greco, as well as Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch, a favorite of King Philip II of Spain. There also are tours just for kids as well as several playgrounds.

Plaça del Tibidabo, 3, 4
Barcelona, Spain

Tibidabo Amusement Park offers classic rides and a throw-back atmosphere that will have parents feeling like kids again. Opened in 1905, it is Spain's longest running amusement park and Europe's third oldest. Though the rides may please the littler family members most, a day here offers many features all ages should enjoy. The fun begins with the journey to reach the park, located on Tibidabo Mountain, accessed by first taking the Tramvia Blau Tram halfway up before jumping aboard a funicular. The amusement park overlooks Barcelona, so the views from the park are impressive, and a ride on the Ferris wheel enhances the experience. There are a total of 30 attractions including a modern rollercoaster that speeds along at 80 kilometers (50 miles) per hour. Other attractions include the Free Fall Ride, a carousel, hall of mirrors, ghost castle, swinging and spinning rides such as the Aeroplane, and train that runs through the park. You can access the park as well as its skywalk and observation deck for free before purchasing ride tickets. Find the tram to reach Tibidabo Amusement Park via the L7 train that leaves from Plaça de Catalunya station in the center of Barcelona. 

Parque Warner Madrid

Kilometer 15.5, M-301
San Martín de la Vega, Madrid 28330, Spain

Opened in 2002, Warner Bros. Park of Madrid is located 26 kilometers (16 miles) southeast of Madrid. Its rollercoaster rides include Batman la Fuga (a steel inverted rollercoaster resembling Batman) and Coaster Express (a wooden roller coaster). Other popular rollercoaster attractions include Stunt Fall, Superman: Ride of Steel (a floorless roller coaster), and Tom and Jerry. Other rides include La Venganza del Enigma and Riddler's Revenge.

Zoo Aquarium de Madrid

Casa de Campo
Madrid, Spain

Established in 1770 to show Spaniards the diversity of life in the Americas, Madrid Zoo Aquarium arranges more than 500 different species by continent. The zoo is renowned for its dolphin habitat-get there a few minutes before shows start for the best seats. Kids will enjoy the petting zoo, as well as tours by boat and train. Other animals include the Asian elephant, white-handed gibbon, greater kudu, Masai giraffe, Atlas lion, mandrill, red panda, Malayan tapir, meerkat, Nile crocodile, and poison dart frog. The aviary is another highlight, with 5,000 square meters (53,819 square feet) for condors, vultures, and eagles to fly across.