Spain Family Travel: 6 top things to do in Aragon with kids

Family holidays in Spain are always going to be a good idea — there’s great food, fantastic wine and amazing history as well as fun and adventure. Aragon is a special place to go for Spain family travel, with babies, kids and teens. Here top family travel experts share their top things to do in Aragon with kids.

Where is Aragon?

In the Aragon region in northeastern Spain, bordering France, where it nestles up against the Pyrenees and stretches to the charming town of Teruel (pronounced Ter-well). It’s made up of the provinces of Huesca, Zaragoza and Teruel. You’ll find ornate Moorish Mudéjar architecture and the celebrated Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar in Zaragoza. It was the site of the medieval Kingdom of Aragon and in 1479 the crowns of Aragon and Castile united to form the core of modern Spain.

What to do with kids in Aragon, Spain

BritMums and the Spanish Tourist Board explored the region with a group of top family travel bloggers. Here, they each share one of the things they loved best.

(The trip was organised by the Spanish Tourist Board, who covered the costs of flights, accommodation and meals.)

6. Whitewater rafting on the Rio de Gallego

“I’ve rafted down the rapids before, but I wasn’t prepared for the natural beauty of the Rio Gallego with the spectacular tercotta-coloured Mallos de Riglos as a backdrop. Local adventure companies will take children as young as 8 whitewater river rafting on the River Gallego. We’re definitely coming back and trying it as a family!” — Susanna Scott, A Modern Mother

 

5. The Piedra Monastery and its historic gardens 

“This magnificent 12th century Cistercian monastery is located near the Piedra river canyon in the Nuévalos province. Elegant long corridors, immense ceilings and antique chapels are just a few of its many features. The historic gardens surrounding the monastery are astonishing and have to be seen to be believed. With beautiful paths, intriguing caves and majestic waterfalls, this idyllic wonderland provides a perfect playground for kids aged five and over. Monasterio de Piedra really has the wow factor, so much so we’re already planning a return trip!” — Charly Dove, Pod Travels

See more of the Monasterio de Piedra.

4. Castle Loarre, Huesca Province

“Who doesn’t love a castle? Aragon’s Castle Loarre is not only one of the best preserved in Europe but its position perched 500m at the foot of the Pyrenees means it has breathtaking views! My daughter would love exploring the Romanesque structure, creating her own stories as she climbed up its stone stones, discovered secret tunnels and its old chapels. It never saw active battle so no ghosts here. Phew! I could easily have bought up the whole of the gift shop too which is packed with princess and knight paraphernalia. Make sure you have plenty of storage on your camera as there’s Instagram-worthy photos to take at every turn.” — Elizabeth, Wander Mum, http://www.wandermum.co.uk

3. Romance and dinosaurs in Teruel

“It’s a tragic love story of star-crossed sweethearts caught between warring families in a Medieval small town. No, not Romeo and Juliet in Verona but the Spanish version in the pretty little town of Teruel in Aragon, northern Spain.

“In addition to a monument to the doomed lovers, Teruel is loaded with historic architecture. You have pretty Modernist buildings, the earlier Mudéjar architecture (Islamic-influenced works in Christian Spain) and even a Roman aqueduct. The compact town centre is perfect for strolling with children and the town square is buzzing in the evening with families hanging out enjoying the balmy night air. Nearby Dinopolis will be a big hit with children of all ages because it makes learning about dinosaurs fun.” —  Shobha, Just Go Places

2. Mallos de Riglos

“These dramatic rock formations, rising 300 meters straight up, are perfect for exploring with kids. It’s an easy walk up from the parking lot to the base of the rocks, and a circular walk takes you all around them. Birds of prey nest on the rocks and circle overhead, and you’re likely to come across rock-climbers clinging to the edge or rappelling swiftly down a rock face. Nearby you can go canyoning (that’s where you jump into pools of water between rocks) or even take a proper rock climbing lesson with a guide. Lots of photo ops, plus there are two cafes near the parking lot to enjoy a cool drink after you explore.” — Jennifer Howze, Jenography.net

1. Revel in the kid-friendly mix of culture and adventure

“Visiting a spectacular medieval castle like Loarre in the morning and then whitewater rafting down the Gallego River in the afternoon is my idea of the perfect day. We do a lot of cultural visits with our family but being able to combine culture with the excitement and fun of adventure turns a good trip into an unforgettable one. Even more so when the castles and rivers come with scenery that takes your breath away at every turn.” — Clare at Suitcases and Sandcastles

More great places to go in Spain

• 5 castles you have to take the kids to in Spain
• Where to go with family in Costa Barcelona
• 34 of the best family resorts in the Canary Islands
• What to eat in Spain on holiday
• 11 top family destinations in Spain
• Spain: 7 fantastic hotels for families

Also check out this great list from CultureTrip that focusses on fantastic cultural sites in Aragon.