mmodrich

So my husband just found out he can take a sabbatical this year for four weeks and we were thinking that it would be so much fun to go to Spain for the entire four weeks. I am looking for advice on this. We have two young kids, a four year old and a two year old. First question is are we crazy??!! Next question is what would be a good home base for while we are there? I was thinking Barcelona because it would be nice to be on the beach since we have kids. Does this seem like a good home base? If we selected Barcelona as a home base what are the must see cities? I have been to Madrid, San Sebastian and Granada before. I will want to skip Madrid this time. But am really interested in hidden gems and beach towns that any of you have been to and would recommend. This is kind of a last minute trip and want to try and go the third week of May. Thank you in advance for any advice!

yipper

I really do not have any advise, but I love spain and think you will be fine with being Barcelona. We went to spain for 7 days with little children and it was great. go for it.

nytraveler

Depending on what time of year I would do Andalusia - which to me is by far the most interesting part of Spain. And you can easily spend part of the time in a city and part along the Costa del Sol.

But I would only do this March/April or Oct/Nov - since in the summer temps are hellishly hot.

amer_can

The answer to the your first question is yes but who cares!! Go when you can, how you can, with whom you can and have no regrets! You need big smiles, lots of patience and keep everyone hydrated and naps are mandatory for all. Barcelona will do nicely. Good beach, Good food,fun on Las Ramblas with the mimes and buskers..timing sounds good also..If you plan to stay there 4 weeks you might want to head out to Sitges by train for another beach town..don't know how your kids willtake to day trips so consider another, secondary, base..Costa Brava might be worth looking into and of course Costa Del Sol which might be warmer for the water. Have a ball!!

iberiantraveler

The first question would be, when will you be able to go? Andalucia will be very warm, and crowded during July and August. Barcelona is an option, but the best beaches are south and north of the city, Sitges and the Costa Brava.

www.visitsitges.com/en/
www.baixemporda-costabrava.org/en

Since you've already been to San Sebastian, you should be familiar with the three major beaches in the city. Ondarreta Beach is primarily designed around families, while La Concha Beach is once again considered one of the top ten beaches in Spain. Zurriola is for the little more adventurous children, the most popular with surfers.

West of San Sebastian you'll find very popular beaches of Zarautz and Getaria. To the west are the beaches at the headwaters of the Urdaibai Nature Reserve. Moving further west you'll find the beaches of Bakio, after passing by Mundaka.

Iberiophile

If you're staying in or around Barcelona, visit Tarragona (approx an hour's drive or train journey south). It's on the coast and, as well as beaches, has some interesting Roman ruins - and it's just a very pleasant town.

Close to that is the PortAventura Theme Park - but perhaps your children are too young for that?

If you're looking for a rather different Spain, head for Asturias and surrounds - lots of little coves, attractive beaches and pretty fishing villages. Oviedo's one of the main towns and is very pretty.

May's a lovely time to visit any part of Spain so DO make the effort to go, you won't regret it.

mmodrich

Thank you everyone for the tips and words of encouragement! I am definitely feeling like we can do this. I was wondering if anyone knows of any reputable apartment rental agencies in Barcelona? I know the usual ones like vrbo, home away and airbnb. Also we plan on going in mid May.

mmodrich

Also is mid May beach weather?