12 Best Things to Do on the Costa Brava With Kids

You’ll find endless family adventures on Costa Brava, from splashing through Water World Lloret de Mar‘s 20+ attractions to exploring Tossa de Mar’s medieval fortress walls. Your kids can discover 20,000+ tropical butterflies at Empuriabrava, tackle treetop challenges at Parc Aventura, and kayak through Sant Pol Bay’s sea caves. Don’t miss the pristine beaches, hot air balloon rides over Empordà, or birdwatching at Els Aiguamolls wetlands. Each destination offers unique experiences that’ll create lasting memories for your entire family.

Splash Into Fun at Water World Lloret De Mar

Water World Lloret de Mar delivers Spain’s original water park experience, having thrilled families since opening in 1985. You’ll find over 20 attractions spread across 35 acres of hillside terrain, just minutes from Lloret de Mar’s center.

Your little ones can explore seven dedicated kids’ zones, including Kids Water World with slides, water cannons, and a pirate ship. The Kids’ Lagoon features shallow pools perfect for younger children, while height restrictions ensure age-appropriate fun. The park’s newest addition, Tornado Land, launched in 2024 as a specialized KIDZ zone featuring eight children’s slides and innovative family attractions.

Family favorites include the Water Mountain aquatic roller coaster and 215-meter Rafting River. Thrill-seekers shouldn’t miss the 77-meter Kamikazes reaching 60 km/h or the new Tornado King, Europe’s first Double TornadoWAVE.

You can bring food in cool boxes, rent lockers, and enjoy free hotel shuttles. Budget around three hours minimum for your visit.

Explore the Medieval Walls and Streets of Tossa De Mar

Step back in time as your family explores Vila Vella, Spain’s only fully preserved fortified medieval town on the Catalan coast. Your kids will love wandering the narrow cobbled streets and climbing the 12th-century defensive walls that protected fishing families from pirates.

The perimeter walk offers stunning panoramic views of Tossa Bay and the Mediterranean.

You’ll discover seven impressive towers, including the famous Joanàs Tower overlooking the bay and the Clock Tower at the entrance. Don’t miss the ruins of the Gothic Church of Sant Vicenç with its beautiful ribbed vaulting.

Access is completely free year-round, making it budget-friendly for families. If little ones get tired, there’s a small tourist train for easier ascent to the lighthouse area. The fortress was built in the early 13th century specifically to protect the coastal settlement from frequent pirate attacks.

Discover Wild Landscapes at Cap De Creus Natural Park

When you reach Spain’s easternmost point, your family will encounter one of Catalonia’s most dramatic natural landscapes at Cap de Creus Natural Park. This maritime-terrestrial park spans 13,886 hectares of rugged cliffs, hidden coves, and bizarre rock formations sculpted by the Tramuntana wind.

Take your kids on waymarked trails leading to stunning viewpoints above Cadaqués and Port Lligat. The 1853 lighthouse offers panoramic sea views and educational displays about local wildlife.

For marine adventures, book family boat trips from Roses or Cadaqués to explore crystal-clear coves perfect for snorkeling. The region enjoys over 300 sunny days annually, ensuring excellent conditions for outdoor family activities throughout most of the year.

You’ll discover endemic plants like sea daffodils and might spot dolphins offshore. Spring visits provide the best weather and blooming wildflowers, while shuttle services help families reach viewpoints without strenuous hikes.

Experience Thrills at Parc Aventura in Platja D’aro

For families seeking adrenaline-pumping adventures, Parc Aventura in Platja d’Aro delivers Spain’s largest treetop adventure experience with over 120 activities suspended among natural forest canopies.

You’ll navigate over 1,500 meters of zip lines across eight aerial courses designed for different skill levels.

Your youngest adventurers (ages 3-7) can tackle the Dumbo Balance Park‘s climbing walls and trampolines, while older kids explore the challenging Mamut circuits.

Safety remains paramount—qualified instructors provide equipment training and continuous supervision throughout your visit.

You’ll receive helmets, harnesses, and expert guidance before attempting tree climbing or void jumps.

With 20 circuits spanning five hectares, everyone discovers age-appropriate challenges. The park also features exciting paintball activities using air guns in a safe environment, perfect for older kids and family team events.

The park’s convenient location near Platja d’Aro’s promenade lets you combine forest adventures with seaside relaxation.

Relax on Family-Friendly Beaches and Hidden Coves

Where can your family find the perfect balance between adventure and tranquility along Costa Brava’s stunning coastline? These five exceptional beaches offer crystal-clear waters and safe environments for children.

Cala S’Alguer near Palamós provides a peaceful atmosphere surrounded by fishermen’s houses, accessible via Camí de Ronda.

For snorkeling enthusiasts, Cala del Pi‘s secluded location offers excellent marine life discovery opportunities. This hidden gem remains relatively secluded despite its proximity to the popular resort town of Platja d’Aro.

Cala Giverola combines natural beauty with family amenities, featuring kayaking and easy access from Tossa de Mar.

Sant Antoni Beach delivers shallow waters perfect for young swimmers, plus restaurants and play areas along its promenade.

Port Bo Beach in Calella de Palafrugell offers authentic charm with calm waters ideal for kids using diving goggles.

Each destination provides unique experiences while prioritizing family safety and comfort.

Meet Tropical Butterflies at Empuriabrava Butterfly Park

Step into a living rainforest where over 20,000 tropical butterflies create a magical world that’ll captivate your children’s imagination. This 2,000 m² greenhouse in Empuriabrava maintains a constant 28°C temperature year-round, making it perfect for rainy days or winter visits.

Your kids will marvel at over 30 butterfly species, including the world’s largest Attacus atlas, while observing complete life cycles from caterpillars to adults.

The experience extends beyond butterflies—hand-feed colorful parrots and toucans with purchased nectar, spot iguanas and turtles, and explore the outdoor area with wallabies. Don’t miss the small cave where bats add another layer of excitement to this diverse ecosystem.

Plan 1-1.5 hours for your visit. The park’s educational focus teaches children about habitat protection while they enjoy direct animal contact in this safely controlled tropical environment.

Wander Through the Fortified Village of Peratallada

Transport your family back nine centuries to one of Catalonia’s most perfectly preserved medieval villages, where massive stone walls and deep rock-cut moats create an authentic fortress experience that’ll spark your children’s imagination.

Peratallada’s labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets leads to the impressive castle-palace complex, where you’ll explore the towering Homenatge keep and walk along battlemented walls. Kids love discovering the arrow slits and defensive towers while learning about medieval life. The Museum of History housed in a 17th-century noble house provides fascinating insights into the village’s past that will captivate curious young minds.

The village’s three concentric wall rings offer perfect photo opportunities at Plaça Major and Plaça del Fossar.

Keep little ones close on uneven stone surfaces and near the ancient moat areas. Visit during cooler morning hours for comfortable exploration.

The village’s compact size makes it ideal for families, providing an educational adventure through authentic medieval architecture.

Observe Migratory Birds at Els Aiguamolls De L’empordà

Since Els Aiguamolls de l’Empordà spans nearly 5,000 hectares of pristine wetlands between Empuriabrava and Sant Pere Pescador, you’ll discover one of Europe’s premier birdwatching destinations where over 300 species call these eastern marshes home.

You’ll find the information center provides essential maps and birding resources before exploring. Position yourself in hides at Cortalet lagoon for ideal viewing of herons, ducks, and waders.

March, May, and August offer peak migration viewing, while early morning and evening hours maximize sightings. You’ll spot Purple Swamphen, Common Kingfisher, and various cranes during spring migration.

The compact layout suits families perfectly, allowing easy navigation between observation points. The park features a circular trail that accommodates both foot traffic and wheelchairs for accessible family exploration. Stay on marked paths for safety and bring binoculars for enhanced wildlife viewing experiences.

Kayak and Snorkel in Sant Pol Bay Sea Caves

Eight double kayaks glide through Sant Pol Bay’s emerald waters as you’ll set out on the acclaimed “route of the caves,” where hidden sea caves, narrow channels, and protected coves await exploration along this sheltered stretch of central Costa Brava coastline.

Your 2-3 hour adventure begins at Escola de Vela i Caiac Sant Pol with a thorough beach briefing covering paddling basics and safety procedures.

You’ll navigate sit-on-top double kayaks through spots like Cala Masset, Cueva del Mussols, and Cap de Mort, accessing areas impossible for larger boats.

The snorkeling stop in a protected cove provides excellent visibility for spotting local fish, sea urchins, and starfish. During underwater exploration, you might encounter fascinating marine creatures like octopuses and moray eels in their natural habitat.

With an easy difficulty rating and minimum age of seven, this family-friendly experience requires swimming ability but no previous kayaking experience.

Stroll Through Marimurtra Botanical Garden in Blanes

Perched dramatically on steep sea cliffs above Sa Forcanera cove, Marimurtra Botanical Garden transforms a simple family walk into an adventure through five continents of flora. Your kids will explore 3,000+ plant species across themed zones—from Mexican cacti to Asian bamboo forests—while following clearly marked arrows that prevent getting lost.

The compact 10-acre layout works perfectly for 1-2 hour visits with children. You’ll find drinking fountains, shaded paths, and benches throughout for rest breaks during hot weather. Don’t miss the iconic Templet of Linné pavilion at the cliff edge—it’s one of Costa Brava’s most photographed spots and offers breathtaking turquoise cove views below.

Founded in the 1920s, this scientific garden combines education with stunning Mediterranean scenery, making botany genuinely exciting for young explorers. Children can discover the garden’s organic gardens and observe how sustainable practices create thriving ecosystems right before their eyes.

Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Empordà

While most family adventures keep you grounded, a hot air balloon ride over Empordà lifts your crew 1,000 meters above the Costa Brava for breathtaking views that stretch from the Mediterranean coastline to the distant Pyrenees. This peaceful 60-90 minute flight offers minimal vertigo sensations, making it perfect for children aged 5 and older.

Licensed pilots with decades of local experience operate from take-off points near Colomers, with operators like Globus Empordà and AirCat providing family-friendly baskets accommodating 16-22 passengers. Early morning departures ensure stable conditions, though strict weather checks mean possible cancellations for safety.

Expect to pay €170-€180 per adult with children’s discounts available. The complete experience includes pre-flight briefings, inflation demonstrations, and often concludes with traditional cava toasts and local pastries. This scenic region has long inspired artists and poets who were captivated by its combination of rural charm and coastal beauty.

Visit the Picturesque Coves of Calella De Palafrugell

Along the rugged coastline of Calella de Palafrugell, five distinct coves offer families crystal-clear waters and golden sand beaches that rank among Costa Brava‘s most photogenic spots.

Start at Calella Beach, where calm waters provide safe swimming for children while you’ll enjoy the central promenade lined with restaurants.

Port Bo Beach captivates kids with colorful fishing boats scattered across golden sand, plus easy wooden walkway access for strollers.

For quieter family time, explore Cala del Golfet‘s small cove surrounded by lush vegetation, perfect for supervised snorkeling among rocks.

Canadell Beach offers the longest stretch with gentle, shallow waters ideal for toddlers and complete amenities.

Don’t miss intimate Cala de Sant Roc, where peaceful shallow waters and coastal path views create perfect relaxation spots. For the ultimate hidden gem experience, venture to Cala de la Portella accessible via coastal path with spectacular coastline views.

The Sum Up

You’ve got incredible adventures waiting on the Costa Brava with your family. From splashing at water parks to exploring medieval streets, there’s something for every age. Don’t forget to pack sunscreen, water, and comfortable shoes for your outdoor excursions. Always supervise kids near water and check safety equipment before activities like kayaking or adventure parks. Book popular attractions in advance during peak season. Your Costa Brava family vacation will create memories that’ll last a lifetime.