Most hotels and resorts in the Spanish Islands are family-friendly. But some holiday destinations and hotels go further, offering excellent family and child-focused holidays with mini clubs, kiddy pools, playgrounds, many activities and experiences, enthusiastic entertainers and fun evening entertainment for the entire family.
Best family hotels in the Spanish Islands
I don’t want to take more of your time than needed, so if you don’t have much time to read, here is the quick answer. After living, working and travelling all over the Spanish Islands for 20 years and having visited over 500 hotels, here is my selection of the best family hotels in the Spanish Islands if I could only pick one for each island. Do know that I take into consideration much more than just the hotels but also the location and what there is to do in that holiday destination for families, parents and children:
- Zafiro Menorca, in Cala en Bosch in Menorca, for family holidays with babies, toddlers and young children.
- Sol Katmandu, in Palma Nova (border of Magaluf) in Mallorca, for an active family holiday.
- Tui Blue Aura, in Cala de Bou in Ibiza, all-inclusive with a large waterpark.
- Iberostar Bouganville Playa, on the border of Playa de las Americas and Costa Adeje, with great pools for the entire family.
- Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort, in Playa Blanca in Lanzarote, for a luxury family holiday next to the beach.
- Barcelo Fuerteventura Royal Level Family Club, in Caleta de Fuste in Fuerteventura, for a family holiday in a cosy modern bungalow complex.
- Riu Papayas, in Playa del Ingles in Gran Canaria, all-inclusive family hotel.
What about the smaller islands?
Fomentera, La Gomera, El Hierro and Las Palmas are less interesting for family holidays. This is because of the extra travel time and complexity, as there are limited direct flights to these islands. Also, Formentera does not even have an airport, so you first have to fly to Ibiza and then take the ferry from Eivissa. Since these islands are smaller and don’t have as many attractions and parks as the bigger islands have for families, most families will not consider this an option. It is usually better to visit the smaller ones later if you have not been to the big islands yet.
Best family holiday resorts in the Spanish Islands
Mallorca
Playa de Muro – Families who love beach holidays
Playa de Muro is great for a family beach holiday with one of the most beautiful beaches in Mallorca. Since this beach is located in a sheltered bay, the water is shallow and has few waves, making it safe for all ages. Also, this is one of the only places in Mallorca with direct beach access, where you don’t have to cross a street or promenade before you get to the beach if you are staying in one of the first-line hotels. To the North, the resort is the most family-friendly, with funfairs, bouncy castles, trampolines and many family-friendly restaurants.
Nightlife is limited, with most places shutting by midnight, but a few stay open later. The South of Playa de Muro is more pristine, and the beach is more natural and more beautiful, but there is less to do and see and few bars and restaurants. The North of Playa de Muro has more things for families to see, do and experience.
Best family holiday hotels in Playa de Muro
Iberostar Playa de Muro – Lots of entertainment, next to the beach and close to the centre of town
Zafiro Bahia – Lots of different pools for the entire family to enjoy and next to the most stunning part of the beach
Puerto de Alcudia – Bustling family holiday resort
Puerto de Alcudia is ideal for families with older children, offering a livelier and more bustling atmosphere than Playa de Muro. With many more bars and restaurants, it is better for those looking for a more vibrant nightlife, including family-friendly and karaoke pubs. The beach is similar to that of Playa de Muro, with calm waters and gentle waves but more touristy. There is much more to do for families than just the beach with a large waterpark, horse ranch and karting.
This holiday destination is one of the larger ones on the island, split into two very different areas. The more posh and upscale marina area and the more budget-friendly “Greasy Mile”. Since Puerto de Alcudia is so vast, it is vital for the success of your holiday to choose the right hotel in the right location to avoid excessive walking or taxi rides.
Best family holiday hotels in Puerto de Alcudia
Zafiro Palace Alcudia – Luxury family holiday close to the more upscale marina area
Zafiro Tropic – If you want to be closer to the beach
Alcudia Garden Aparthotel – Great on a budget
Cala Bona – Quiet and relaxed family holiday
Cala Bona offers a serene holiday destination with authentic Spanish vibes and does not feel overly touristy. This area has a few excellent restaurants around the marina but is otherwise pretty quiet with few bars or nightlife, keeping the area relaxed and quiet. For those days you want a more busy scene, a short taxi ride or walk takes you into neighbouring Cala Millor, which has many more restaurants, bars and shops. Also there is much more nightlife here.
Best family holiday hotels in Cala Bona
Protur Bonaire Aparthotel – Great for family holidays early in the season or late season with a heated pool
Hipotels Cala Bona Club and Grupotel Mallorca Mar – Also good options for family holiday
Cala Mesquida – All-inclusive and beach family holiday
If you want a tremendous all-inclusive holiday with your family, Cala Mesquida is one of your best holiday destinations in Mallorca. There are only three huge hotels here and not much else. This might make it sound like there is little to do or see here, but the hotels offer everything you need, from multiple pools, kids’ clubs, playgrounds, all-day entertainment and a variety of themed restaurants. For those who love the beach, there is a lovely one that is still pretty natural. If you have a long holiday and want a change of scenery, a short taxi ride or 30-minute hike over the mountain will take you to nearby bustling Cala Ratjada.
Best family holiday hotel in Cala Mesquida
Viva Cala Mesquida Resort & Spa – Great for an all-inclusive holiday with everything in the hotel you could want
Palma Nova – Bustling area ideal for teenagers and older children
Palma Nova is ideal for families with older children or teenagers who like to have a lot of things to do, see and experience. These include the famous Pirates Adventure show, Katmandu Park, karting, minigolf and the Western Water Park. But there are also three great beaches and lots of water sports. Nightlife is pretty loud and lively, especially with Magaluf close by. With one of the largest choices of restaurants ranging from fast-food to themed restaurants, all-you-can-eat places and buffets, even the most picky eaters will find what they like here.
Best family holiday hotels in Palma Nova
Sol Katmandu – With unlimited access to a selection of attractions in the Katmandu park
Zafiro Palmanova – If you want to be closer to the town and beach
Menorca
Cala en Blanes – A change of scenery every day
Cala en Blanes is one of Menorca’s most family-friendly holiday destinations. With four distinct beaches and places to swim sheltered in long coves, all these are safe for families to swim. There is also a waterpark for those days when it is more windy or the waves are higher. In the centre of town, there are also many restaurants, fun things for kids to do and live family-friendly entertainment and shows in the evenings. All are located together on the main central square.
Best family holiday hotel in Cala en Blanes
Globales Los Delfines – Close to everything
Cala en Bosch – For young families
Cala en Bosch in Menorca is a great holiday destination for young families with babies, toddlers and young children. There are two lovely sandy beaches here, a karting track for young children and a waterpark tailored for young children with no extreme rides. Most of the restaurants and bars are located around the central marina. This is also where there are shows and entertainment in the evening. Because of this, most streets near the hotels are tranquil in the evening, ideal for families with children with early bedtimes.
Best family holiday hotels in Cala en Bosch
Zafiro Menorca – Ideal with babies, toddlers and young children
Ibiza
Es Canar – For a family beach holiday with younger children in Ibiza
While Ibiza is not generally considered a great family holiday destination, Es Canar offers a good option for those who want to visit Ibiza with a family. The nightlife here is much less loud and chaotic than other places in Ibiza and more focused on families. There are still many bars and pubs here, but they offer more shows and karaoke than a clubbing scene. Also, while a few stay open till later, most close before midnight.
But nightlife is not the main focus here. There is an excellent beach with shallow waters and gentle waves to enjoy during the daytime. If you like a change of scenery, you can visit the nearby Cala Nova within walking distance or take the tourist boat to many other nearby beaches. Also, this is the home of one of Ibiza’s Hippy Markets, and there are water sports for the entire family.
Best family holiday hotels in Es Canar
Leonardo Royal Hotel Ibiza – Best family hotel in this area and directly next to the beach
Anfora Ibiza – Great for couples with a 1 or 2-year-old who want a relaxing holiday
Cala de Bou – For a family holiday with older children and teenagers
Cala de Bou is an excellent choice for families visiting Ibiza with older children and teenagers. This is because this area requires more activity to get the most out of it. There are lots of things to see and do here for families. These include watersports like parasailing, skiing and banana boats, a karting track nearby, trampolines, arcades, mini golf and much more. There is also the Sirenis Watergames Park, but this waterpark is more for young children and not for older teenagers. During the day you can also visit many nearby beaches easily by ferry.
This area does not have the crazy, loud and hectic nightlife scene you find on the other side of the bay in San Antonio but does have some clubs and places open till early in the morning.
Best family holiday hotels in Cala de Bou
Marvell Club – If you want to be close to town
Tui Blue Aura – For the waterpark
Tenerife
Costa Adeje – For families with babies, toddlers and young children
Costa Adeje is the most family-friendly holiday destination in the Canary Islands, in my opinion. Since it is so vast, there are many different beaches to explore, lots of watersports, arcades and many excursions of the island and boat tours leave from here. Also, you have fantastic attractions and amusement parks like Siam Water Park nearby. This also means it is highly touristy and can get crowded during high season. Since it is close to the airport, it is also ideal for those traveling with babies, toddlers and young children since the flight to Tenerife from most places is already pretty long.
You can also find pretty much everything for restaurants, evening and nightlife here. From karaoke to family fun pubs and lots of different themed, international, buffet style and family focussed restaurants with playgrounds and bouncy castles. This is also one of the only holiday destinations on the islands where you find all the major fast food chains.
While Costa Adeje offers a bit of everything, it is vital to understand that this resort is huge. Checking your hotel’s location on a map is very important before booking. The further you move away from Playa de las Americas, the further you move away from all the nightlife and things to see and do. The further you go away from the beach, the higher uphill you go, which can be difficult with push-chairs and little kids.
Best family holiday hotels in Costa Adeje
Iberostar Bouganville Playa – Great pools for kids to play and adults to relax
HOVIMA La Pinta Beachfront Family Hotel – Great location close to everything
Playa de Las Americas – For a luxury family holiday with teenagers
Playa de Las Americas is located next to Costa Adeje. It used to be only known for its clubbing scene but has become more family-friendly and luxurious in recent years because of significant investments in this area. For families, there are many places to dine and all different kinds of cuisines to try. If you are looking for things to do, you have Siam Water Park, karting, arcades and lots of watersports. This area also has an active surfing scene with many places where you can learn how to surf. In the evening, you have the vibrant clubbing scene of nearby Las Veronicas, but the other area closer to the shopping centres offers more family-friendly pubs with karaoke, entertainment, shows and bouncy castles.
Best family holiday hotels in Playa de las Americas
Spring Hotel Bitacora – Playgrounds, kids pool and great location
HD Parque Cristobal Tenerife – Budget-friendly bungalow complex
Fuerteventura
Caleta de Fuste – For a family holiday with older children
Caleta de Fuste is a great family holiday destination for those with older children. This area offers everything most people look for in a family-friendly resort, like lots of family-friendly restaurants, beaches and things to do. Because of the marina here, you can also do many watersports and boat trips from here. In the evening there are many restaurants and bars with shows, karaoke and live shows to enjoy. It is also close to the airport, making for a quick airport transfer, and because of its central location on the islands, it is also in an excellent location to visit many parks and attractions.
Important to know is that Caleta de Fuste has multiple areas. The area in the back and across the big road is high uphill and far from everything. Staying near Playa del Castillo beach, you are closest to everything, but near Caleta de la Guirra beach, you have the best beach.
Best family holiday hotels in Caleta de Fuste
Broncemar Beach Suites – Great value for money
Elba Sara Beach & Golf Resort – Huge hotel with lots of activities and next to the best beach in Caleta de Fuste
Barcelo Fuerteventura Royal Level Family Club – Centrally located modern bungalow complex
Lanzarote
Costa Teguise – For families who love beach holidays
Costa Teguise is great for a family beach holiday because of the many different beaches here. It is also popular on the island for watersports like surfing and windsurfing. The nearby Aquapark offers more water fun, but it is more fun for young children than older teenagers. In the evening there are lots of little town squares and areas where you can enjoy the evenings with drinks and dinner.
Best family holiday hotels in Costa Teguise
H10 Suites Lanzarote Gardens – Ideal for young children and babies
Los Zocos Impressive Lanzarote – All-inclusive holidays
Playa Blanca – For an all-inclusive-family holiday
If you are looking for an all-inclusive family holiday, Playa Blanca is a great place with many new, enormous, modern hotels. Most of these, because of the size, have everything you want for an all-inclusive holiday, like lots of entertainment, multiple restaurants and dining experiences, lots of sports facilities and multiple pools. Some of these even have small mini beaches in the hotel. For a self-catering or dining out holiday, this area is less good as from many hotels, the bars and restaurants are far away.
Best family holiday hotels in Playa Blanca
Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel – Luxury family holiday, fun for kids and space for adults to relax
Iberostar Selection Lanzarote Park – Close to the beach
Gran Castillo Tagoro Family & Fun Club – All-inclusive family holidays
Gran Canaria
Playa del Ingles – For a budget family holiday
Being one of the first constructed and most visited holiday resorts in Gran Canaria, Playa del Ingles is great for a budget holiday. Because of the large range of hotels, there are also many hotels and apartment complexes that offer budget deals. This is a very touristy holiday destination with many things to see and do. There is a great beach and many shopping centres, restaurants, arcades, minigolf and numerous activities you can do in the resort. Located around this holiday destination, you also have many attractions like a waterpark and jeep safaris. Because this area is huge, checking your accommodation location on a map before booking is smart, as some are located hundreds of meters from the beach, shops, bars and restaurants.
Best family holiday hotels in Playa del Ingles
Servatur Waikiki – Budget-friendly
Riu Papayas – Great all-inclusive family holiday hotel
Sol Barbacan and HD Parque Cristobal Gran Canaria – Family bungalow park
Taurito – For a family holiday in a small and cosy holiday destination
Taurito is excellent for those looking for something a bit more small-scale and cosy than the massive Playa del Ingles. Because of the size, it is never far to walk with small children, and most places here have fantastic ocean views. In the central town square, you find restaurants, a waterpark, minigolf, bowling, arcades and lots of great entertainment in the evenings. While some of the hotels here are high up the hill, don’t worry, as handy lifts connect most places.
Best family holiday hotel in Taurito
Hotel LIVVO Costa Taurito & Aquapark – Waterpark in the centre of town included
