Spain with Kids: Valencia & Costa Blanca

Spain with Kids: Valencia & Costa Blanca

ByEvan Parker

Planning a trip to Spain with kids? If you’re eyeing Valencia and the sparkling Costa Blanca coast, you’re in for a treat. After a month-long remote stint in the region (with a 7-year-old in tow and a partner who loves paella), I put together an honest, family-proof itinerary that balances the good stuff: culture, beach time, and not breaking the bank. Whether you’re traveling with toddlers or teens, here’s how to make your week in Valencia and the Costa Blanca both smooth and memorable.

Your 7-Day Family Itinerary: Valencia & Costa Blanca

Let’s cut to the chase—here’s what works when you want to see the best sights, eat well, and still have energy for a beach sunset. The plan assumes you’re arriving in Valencia, and you’ll use trains and trams (plus the occasional bus or taxi).

Day 1: Arrival in Valencia

Context: Most flights land midday. Valencia’s airport is compact and family-friendly.

  • Transport: Metro line 3 or 5 gets you downtown in 25 minutes (€5 per adult, kids under 10 free with a parent’s ticket).
  • Where to stay: Ruzafa (trendy but not noisy, tons of playgrounds) or El Carmen (closer to sights, a bit tighter streets for strollers).
  • Quick dinner: Look for menu del día options—€12-15 gets you a main, drink, and dessert.

Day 2: Turia Park & City of Arts and Sciences

Case: Turia Park is basically every parent’s dream: no cars, endless playgrounds, and a biking path running the city’s length.

  • Start with breakfast in Mercado Central (fresh pastries, €1-2 each).
  • Rent bikes (from Valenbisi or DoYouBike, from €12/day for adults, €6 for kids).
  • Cycle (or stroll) through Turia Park—stop at Gulliver Park (giant playground shaped like Gulliver himself—free).
  • City of Arts and Sciences: The aquarium (Oceanogràfic) is not cheap (€31/adult, €23/kid), but it’s truly world-class. If your budget’s tight, just walk the grounds for free—the buildings are a sci-fi wonderland.

Pro tip: Pack a picnic from a local supermarket and eat in Turia Park. You’ll save €20+ versus tourist cafes.

Day 3: Valencia Beach Day

  • Hop on tram L6/L8 to Playa de la Malvarrosa (20 minutes from center, €1.50 per ride).
  • Rent umbrellas/chairs directly on the sand (about €5-7 each, half-day rates in the afternoon).
  • If you’re up for a splurge, try La Pepica—legendary paella since 1898. Or grab bocadillos (sandwiches) from beach kiosks for €4-5.
  • Let the kids run wild at Parque de la Marina—a nautical-themed playground right off the beach.

Day 4: Day Trip to Albufera

  • Bus 25 from Plaza Ayuntamiento to El Palmar (runs every 30-40 mins, €1.50 per person, free under 6).
  • Boat tour: €5-6 per person for a 40-minute ride through the rice fields and lagoons (kids love spotting birds and turtles).
  • Eat paella where it was invented—Restaurante Mateu is a local favorite (reserve ahead, €15-18 per paella portion).
  • Optional: Walk the nature trails, bring binoculars for some birdwatching.

Heading South: Costa Blanca By Train

Here’s where it gets fun—and affordable. The cercanías train from Valencia Nord to Alicante is clean, scenic, and starts at €13 one-way (kids under 4 ride free; 4-13 get 40% off). Book at Renfe or at the station. The ride is just under 2 hours.

Day 5: Alicante—Castles and City Beaches

  • Stay: Look for apartments near El Postiguet beach or the Mercado Central area (expect €70-100/night for a 2-bedroom in shoulder season).
  • Visit Castillo de Santa Bárbara—walk up for views, or take the elevator (€2.70 adult, kids free under 5).
  • Playa del Postiguet is right in the city, sandy, and has gentle surf. Lifeguards on duty.
  • Try a turrón (nougat) at the market—kids will love the sweet samples.

Real talk: The castle is a steep climb. I carried a tired kid on my shoulders half the way up—go early or grab the elevator if you’ve got small children!

Day 6: Coastal Adventure—Altea & Villajoyosa

  • Hop on the TRAM Alicante (Line 1 or 9) to Altea (1 hour, €4.80 pp). Altea’s white-washed old town is stroller-friendly and full of gelato shops.
  • Continue to Villajoyosa (known for colorful houses and Valor Chocolate Museum, free tours but book ahead).
  • Both towns have quieter, family-friendly beaches. Pack water shoes for pebbly stretches.
  • Return to Alicante in the evening—trains run until 10:30pm.

Day 7: Back to Valencia (or Airport)

Depending on your flight, you can either:

  • Take the morning train back to Valencia (2 hours, book in advance for best price).
  • Or fly out of Alicante’s airport (well-connected, especially for budget airlines).

Budget Breakdown: Real Numbers

Item Cost (2 adults + 1 child, 7 days) Notes
Accommodation €550–€750 Apartments, not hotels
Transport (trains, trams, metro) €120–€180 All long-distance + local
Food (groceries + eating out) €280–€350 Breakfast at home, lunch out, picnic dinners
Attractions (museums, aquarium, boat tour) €100–€160 Oceanogràfic, castle, boat, chocolate museum
Beach gear/incidentals €30–€60 Umbrella, chairs, sunscreen, water shoes
Total €1080–€1500 For a week, all in

Family Packing Checklist (Spain Edition)

  • Sunscreen (SPF 50+, you’ll pay double locally)
  • Reusable water bottles (tap water is safe)
  • Light layers—nights can be cool, especially by the sea
  • Sand toys (buy at a local bazaar for €3-5 if you forget)
  • Sturdy stroller or carrier (old towns have cobbles)
  • Travel-size first aid kit
  • European plug adapters
  • Download offline maps (Google Maps or Maps.me)
  • Snacks for trains—fruit, crackers, or local empanadillas

Useful Links & Tools

One last story: Our last night in Alicante, we picnicked on the beach. Our kid made friends with local kids over a shared soccer ball. No one spoke the same language, but everyone understood the rules: keep the sand out of your snack, and don’t let the ball roll into the sea. Sometimes, travel wins are simple.

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