Family holidays are still an important diving force of the Spanish tourism. Although during 2014, Spaniards have reduced the number of trips to national destinations in search of places beyond the borders, families are still a main figure in local tourism: people travel with children especially around Spain: the Catalonian coast and Andalusia, along with the islands, are the favourite destinations.

But, in the same way, new tendencies are beginning to stand out in this country. Sun and beach have been essential at the time of travelling with children, but it is less and less common. Nature, ecological camps, towns where you can know the rural and quiet life, learn a new sport, attend English courses… these are some of the most successful motivations when choosing the destination to visit with children.

In fact, figures from Familitur tourism survey show that in last years the rural tourism has been gaining ground in this sense and, along with it, destinations which are not precisely the first image on your mind when you think of the classic holidays. Avilés, in Asturias; Nigrán and Balona, in the Galician Rías Baixas, Castile and León, Santander…

Besides these new destination, there is more demand in coasts targeted at family and traditional holidays, such as Maresme coast, in Barcelona, with family hotels in Calella, Santa Susanna and Pineda de Mar.

There is also an upturn in Granada: Almuñécar and Motril, and the demand for holiday hotels in Fuengirola remains in force; likewise, the demand increase in the wonderful beaches of Calas de Conil and Chiclana, specifically in the area of hotels next to La Barrosa, one of the most recommended beaches for children in the entire coast of Cádiz. Hotels in Cabo de Gata, Almeria, with spaces for sports and wellness are also benefited from this new rise in the number of national tourists travelling with family.

Islands never fail

Beach and sunshine guaranteed. They offer diversified services and provide a range of experiences which cover almost all the things the peninsula can offer, but in a limited territory, therefore more controllable, manageable, and safe: what all the families look for. This is why it is so successful season after season.

The most visited by families are still beach destinations with several services. Hotels for children in Tenerife, All inclusive hotels in Costa Adeje and hotels with miniclub in Majorca get the main part of the bookings, although customers are opting for diversity and choosing more specific destinations and more specialized accommodations such as the theme hotels for families or beach resorts for children in Lanzarote and Tenerife which are standing out since a couple of years ago.

Here is a list with the most visited places during the three last holiday season:

–        Alcudia and Playa de Muro (North of Majorca)

–        Puerto del Carmen (Lanzarote)

–        Calella, Santa Susanna and, specially, Pineda de Mar (Maresme)

–        Punta Umbría (Huelva)

–        Playa Jandía (Fuerteventura)

–        Cabo de Gata and Roquetas de Mar (Almería)

–        Torremolinos and Fuengirola (Málaga)

–        Almuñécar and Motril (Granada)

–        Salou (Costa Brava)

–        Andorra and Vall d’Arán (for winter holidays)