Family Holidays · Costa Brava travel guide
Travelling with toddlers and young children is a little different from a holiday with teenagers. The Costa Brava offers plenty of opportunities for easy days together, particularly if you choose a convenient base and leave room for naps, snacks and changes of plan.
Thinking about where to stay? Explore our family-friendly holiday homes while you plan the details of your trip.
Plan around your child’s routine
The first day can be tiring after a long journey. Avoid filling the itinerary immediately and allow time to settle in. On hot days, make the most of the cooler morning hours and keep the middle of the day for shade or a rest.
A simple rhythm often works best: go out after breakfast, return before everyone is overtired and keep the afternoon flexible. Choose outings you can shorten without disappointment. A sudden nap or a change of plans is part of travelling with little ones, not a problem to fix.
Keep beach days simple
A beach with an easy approach and nearby facilities is often more useful than the most dramatic hidden cove. Pack plenty of drinking water, hats, sunscreen and spare clothes. Children need close supervision near the sea, even in shallow water; conditions can change quickly.
The seafront at Sant Antoni de Calonge can work well for a gentle stroll, especially if you want an easy way back. Sant Feliu de Guíxols offers another mix of harbour, town and beach. Check accessibility before you set off; some of the Costa Brava’s prettiest coves have steep steps that are awkward with a pushchair.
Choose short outings
An ice cream in Platja d’Aro, a stroll along the waterfront in Sant Antoni or a gentle visit to Sant Feliu de Guíxols may be enough for a memorable day. Not every coastal walk is pushchair-friendly, so check gradients and steps in advance.
Pack a small everyday bag with water, snacks, a spare change of clothes and a sunhat. It makes spontaneous stops far easier than returning to the car for everything. In hot weather, plan to be in the shade for the warmest hours, and leave adventurous coastal walks for another stage of family life.
Look carefully at the accommodation
Consider stairs, access to the terrace, a safe space for play and how far bedrooms are from the living area. A garden is not automatically childproof, and a pool may have no barrier. Ask about the actual facilities, rather than relying on general descriptions.
Ask about practical details rather than relying on a broad “family-friendly” description. Where are the stairs? Can you see the outdoor area from the living room? Is there a quiet bedroom? Are a cot or high chair available, and do they need to be reserved? Answers to these questions can matter more than extra square metres.
Small comforts make a big difference
A kitchen with space to prepare meals, some shade for outdoor eating and somewhere quiet to sleep can make your stay much easier. For more inspiration, browse our Costa Brava ideas for families with children.
Keep swimming flexible
If you are visiting outside peak summer, outdoor pools may feel chilly unless heated. Ask about water temperature and availability before assuming you can swim every day. You can also read our guide to swimming seasons on the Costa Brava.
Swimming can be wonderful, but it should not determine every day. A morning splash may be plenty before heading inside for lunch. Never assume a pool has a protective fence or shallow area unless that feature has been explicitly confirmed for the property you choose.
When you are ready to find accommodation, browse our family-friendly holiday homes. You can also view all holiday homes on the Costa Brava to compare locations and facilities.