4. Eat like a local and try child-friendly Spanish food
Spanish food is often a hit with kids, with many simple, tasty dishes likely to please even the pickiest of eaters.
For example, your kids might just love tortilla Española (Spanish omelet), croquetas, patatas bravas (fried potatoes with mild tomato sauce), paella, and churros with chocolate.
Also look out for places with a “menú infantil” — these are likely to offer a few international dishes.
It’s worth noting that Spanish mealtimes are late — lunch is around 2 pm, and dinner starts at 8pm — so stock up on snacks, and plan big meals for early lunchtime. Restaurants often serve an affordable “Menú del Día” (set menu) in the day.
5. Keep your kids safe in crowds
Markets and attractions can be very crowded in summer, especially in the likes of La Rambla in Barcelona and Puerta del Sol in Madrid.
In case you and your kittle ones become separated, it might be an idea to write your phone number on a bracelet or card for younger children. You could also look to avoid midday crowds at major sites. Instead, visit in the early morning or late afternoon.
Pickpocketing is also pretty common in tourist hotspots like La Rambla and Puerta del Sol, so keep any valuables in a crossbody bag, and watch out for phone snatching.
6. Be safe on the beach
Alongside using plenty of sunscreen, you should also follow a few additional guidelines during your beach trips.
First up, while many beaches are well-maintained and great for families, some have strong currents, which means you should stick to lifeguard-patrolled beaches. Look for the green flag (safe) and keep an eye out for red flags, which means dangerous waves.
Also check for jellyfish warnings, especially in the Mediterranean.
7. Be safe on boats and ferries
Staying on the coastal theme, if you plan to take a ferry, chose larger vessels for longer rides as these are more stable, and less likely to result in motion sickness.
Also try to avoid speed boat trips with younger kids — instead, opt for trips on glass-bottom boats or large catamarans.
In either case — traveling by ferry or boat — bring motion sickness tablets to be on the safe side, and hold hands when boarding ferries as ramps can be slippery.
