Spain and France invite families to wander from sunlit Mediterranean plazas to storybook palaces and the romantic banks of the Seine. In just 10 days, you’ll experience Barcelona’s playful Modernisme, Madrid’s regal heart, and Paris’s art, parks, and pastries—all paced for two adults and two children ages 6 and 9.

Expect short travel hops, skip-the-line entries, and hands-on activities that keep kids engaged. You’ll ride a mountain cogwheel to Montserrat, row a boat on Madrid’s Retiro Lake, and bake croissants in a Parisian workshop. Meals mix markets, tapas bars, crêperies, and brasseries that welcome younger diners.

Practical notes: carry small change for metro tickets and park rides, plan early dinners (8 pm is early in Spain), and prebook major sights—this guide includes family-friendly tours with skip-the-line options. Train and flight tips via Omio are included, plus lodging via Hotels.com and VRBO that suit families of four.

Barcelona

Barcelona blends beachy energy with Antoni Gaudí’s whimsical architecture. Kids spot dragons on rooftops, mosaic lizards in Park Güell, and stained-glass rainbows inside the Sagrada Familia. The Gothic Quarter’s narrow lanes feel like a medieval maze—perfect for gelato walks and souvenir hunts.

• Top family sights: Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Montjuïc cable car, Ciutadella Park with playgrounds and rowboats, Barcelona Aquarium.
• Easy eats: tapas that arrive fast, fresh seafood, paella, and churros with thick hot chocolate.
• Stay near Eixample or the beach for playgrounds, wide sidewalks, and metro access.

Where to stay (family-friendly picks): Novotel Barcelona City (rooftop pool and family rooms), H10 Marina Barcelona (near the beach), Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona (near parks and the tram), value Generator Barcelona. Prefer apartments? Browse VRBO Barcelona.

Getting to Barcelona: Within Europe, compare flights and trains on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). If you’re flying long-haul from outside Europe, check fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Welcome to Barcelona

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch legs with a stroll through the tree-lined Passeig de Sant Joan toward Arc de Triomf and Parc de la Ciutadella—there’s a lake with rowboats and plenty of playground stops.

Evening: Dinner near El Born: try tapas at Cal Pep (counter show, fast plates), pintxos on skewers at Euskal Etxea (kids choose by sight), or seafood pasta at La Fonda del Port Olímpic by the marina. Gelato at Gelaaati di Marco before bedtime.

Day 2: Gaudí Day—Sagrada Familia and Park Güell

Morning: Join a guided, skip-the-line visit to Gaudí’s masterpiece. Barcelona: Sagrada Familia Skip-the-Line Guided Tour and Tickets

Ask your guide to point out the turtle and tortoise at the base of the columns—kids love the details.

Afternoon: Head to the mosaic hills of Park Güell with timed-entry and a guide to keep things moving. Park Guell Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket

Reward the crew with chocolate and churros at Granja Dulcinea in the Gothic Quarter.

Evening: Explore the Gothic Quarter’s tiny squares. Dinner ideas: El Xampanyet (bubbly and bright anchovies), La Veinte (paellas sized for sharing), or pizza al taglio at NAP for a quick kid-pleaser.

Day 3: Montserrat and Beach Time

Take a half-day small-group outing to the serrated peaks of Montserrat—monastery visit, mountain air, and tasting options for adults. Montserrat Half-Day Tour with Tapas and Gourmet Wines

Back in Barcelona, unwind on the sand at Bogatell Beach or ride the Montjuïc cable car for harbor views.

Evening: Dinner at La Paradeta (choose-your-own seafood, cooked to order), or Bormuth for friendly tapas and patatas bravas. Early night—train to Madrid tomorrow.

Madrid

Spain’s capital mixes grand boulevards and royal palaces with leafy parks and playful food markets. Retiro Park’s boat lake, puppet shows on weekends, and shaded playgrounds make it a family favorite. Historic plazas serve up hot chocolate and churros between museum stops.

• Top family sights: Royal Palace, Retiro Park, Plaza Mayor, San Ginés for churros, Railway Museum, Temple of Debod at sunset.
• Food fun: bite-sized tapas, bocadillo de calamares (fried calamari sandwich), and jamón tastings for curious eaters.

Where to stay: Novotel Madrid Center (great value and pool), Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques (rooftop views near the Royal Palace), Hostal Persal (budget near Plaza Mayor). Prefer a flat? See VRBO Madrid.

Day 4: Barcelona → Madrid (AVE) and Retiro Park

Morning travel: Take the high-speed AVE from Barcelona Sants to Madrid Puerta de Atocha (2.5–3 hours). Book on Omio (trains); typical fares €30–€80 adult; children’s fares often 40–50% off when booked early. Grab snacks at the station bakeries.

Afternoon: Check in, then wander Retiro Park: rent a rowboat on the lake, visit the Crystal Palace, and hit the playground near Paseo de Colombia.

Evening: Dinner near Las Letras: plates to share at Lamucca de Prado, tortilla española at Casa Dani (often voted top tortilla), or wood-fired pizzas at Oven Mozzarella Bar. Sweet stop: Chocolatería San Ginés for churros.

Day 5: Royal Madrid and Tapas Night

Morning: Explore the Royal Palace with a guide and skip the lines—grand staircases, armory, and gilded halls. Madrid: Royal Palace Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket

Then let the kids run in the Sabatini Gardens.

Afternoon: Plaza Mayor for a calamari sandwich, Mercado de San Miguel to sample croquetas and olives, and the Temple of Debod for Egyptian history in the city center.

Evening: Choose between a tapas walk or a flamenco show. Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Walking Tour – Small Group Local Bars

or Essential Flamenco: Pure Flamenco Show in the Heart of Madrid Flamenco is intense but short; choose earlier seatings with kids.

Day 6: Day Trip (Toledo & Segovia) or Park Day

History lovers can take a full-day guided trip to two storybook cities—Toledo’s hilltop lanes and Segovia’s Roman aqueduct and fairy-tale Alcázar. From Madrid: Toledo & Segovia with Cathedral, Alcazar & Lunch

If you’d rather keep it light, stay in Madrid: visit the Railway Museum’s vintage carriages or the National Museum of Natural Sciences, then picnic back in Retiro.

Dinner: Family-friendly options: Casa Mono (comfort classics), StreetXO (loud, theatrical street-food riffs), or juicy roast chicken at Casa Mundi.

Paris

Paris dazzles with big sights and little pleasures: sailing toy boats on the Luxembourg Gardens’ pond, buttery pastries in every neighborhood, and bridges perfect for family photos. Art feels accessible when you pick highlights, and river cruises make sightseeing relaxing.

• Top family sights: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame area, Luxembourg Gardens, Jardin des Plantes, Tuileries carousel.
• Food favorites: jambon-beurre baguettes, croque monsieur, crêpes, and macarons—easy wins for kids.

Where to stay: Latin Quarter charmer Hotel du College de France, artsy Montmartre’s Hôtel des Arts Montmartre, budget-friendly Generator Paris, or classic palace hotels like Le Meurice. Apartments: VRBO Paris.

Day 7: Madrid → Paris and a Seine Cruise

Morning travel: Fly Madrid to Paris (CDG or ORY) in about 2h 10m; typical fares €60–€150 when booked in advance on Omio (flights). Trains are possible but long from Madrid; if you prefer rail, consider an evening hop to Barcelona the night before.

Afternoon: Check in, then head to Luxembourg Gardens for playgrounds, pony rides (weekends), and the model sailboats—a Paris childhood rite since the 1920s.

Evening: See Paris from the water with flexible departures and commentary. Paris Seine River Sightseeing Cruise with Commentary by Bateaux Parisiens

Dinner nearby: crêpes complètes at Breizh Café, steak-frites at Relais de l’Entrecôte (quick, set menu), or rotisserie chicken at Chez l’Ami Jean (reserve early).

Day 8: Louvre and Notre-Dame

Morning: See the Mona Lisa and masterpieces with an expert guide (short, focused routes are best with kids). Louvre Museum Access Guided Tour with Mona Lisa

Afterward, ride the Tuileries carousel and grab ice cream from Berthillon (Île Saint-Louis).

Afternoon: Learn the story of Notre-Dame with a family-friendly guide. Notre Dame Cathedral:Interior & Exterior Small Group Guided Tour

Explore Île de la Cité and the flower market.

Evening: Le Marais dinner: falafel at L’As du Fallafel (casual and quick), roast chicken at Ma Bourgogne on Place des Vosges, or kid-friendly pasta at BigLove.

Day 9: Eiffel Tower and Playtime

Morning: Beat the queues with reserved access to the Iron Lady—make it a highlight day. Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift

Picnic after at the Champ de Mars with a baguette, ham, and cheese from a nearby boulangerie.

Afternoon: Science time at the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie (hands-on exhibits) or animals at Jardin des Plantes’ Ménagerie. Rain plan: Musée d’Orsay’s impressionists—short, colorful hit list.

Evening: Montmartre at golden hour: ride the funicular to Sacré-Cœur, sketch artists on Place du Tertre, and dinner at Le Petit Parisien (simple French dishes) or Coquelicot bakery for quiches and tarts.

Day 10: Bake and Depart

Morning: A sweet finale—bake your own croissants and pains au chocolat with a Parisian chef (kids love the rolling and shaping). Paris Croissant Small-Group Baking Class with a Chef

Pick up picnic treats for the journey home.

Afternoon: Depart from Paris. For airport trains and regional rail, compare on Omio. For flights within Europe, use Omio (flights); for long-haul, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

City-to-City Travel Summary

• Barcelona → Madrid (Day 4): AVE high-speed train, ~2.5–3h, €30–€80 adult on Omio (trains). Family tip: choose 4-seat bays around a table.
• Madrid → Paris (Day 7): Flight ~2h 10m, €60–€150 on Omio (flights). Rail is scenic but long from Madrid; break in Barcelona if you prefer trains.

Bonus Food & Coffee Shortlist (Kid-Approved)

• Barcelona breakfasts: Chök (creative doughnuts), Forn Mistral (ensaimadas), La Despensa de Laforja (omelets).
• Madrid bites: Mercado de San Ildefonso (quick stalls), El Tigre Sidra (generous tapas with drinks), Casa Revuelta (legendary fried cod).
• Paris sweets: Pierre Hermé (macarons), Du Pain et des Idées (escargot pastries), La Crème de Paris (crêpes, savory and sweet).

Family tips: Prebook all timed entries; carry a small daypack with water, sunscreen, and snacks; and plan playground breaks every couple of hours. Most metros offer discounted children’s fares—ask at kiosks. Dinner early? In Spain, aim for 8 pm; in Paris, 7 pm is normal.

In ten days, your family will trace Roman stones in Segovia, gaze up at Gaudí’s stained glass, and float under Paris’s bridges at dusk. With simple travel legs, smart skip-the-line tours, and kid-friendly meals, this Spain and France itinerary balances wonder with ease—memories ready to last long after the last croissant crumb.