What are the best family hotels on the Costa Brava?

We might be biased but we think that Costa Brava is the prettiest of the Spanish coastlines. Here you'll find rugged cliffs, secret coves and long sweeping beaches punctuated by colourful fishing villages and whitewashed towns. Plus, buzzy Barcelona is right on your doorstep. Catalonia’s cool capital is a great place to spend a few days with its whimsical Gaudi architecture, cobbled Gothic quarter and countless tapas bars.

For families seeking non-stop fun there are waterparks and PortAventura World, the biggest theme park in Spain and the third largest in Europe. For active families there are watersports galore plus hiking opportunities along the coastal paths that crisscross the Costa Brava region. Also ready to be enjoyed are pretty bougainvillaea-strewn villages, Blue Flag beaches and delicious local food.

For more Spanish holiday inspo, check out our guides to the best Costa del Sol hotels, the best destinations in Spain, the best Canary islands for families, the best Balearic Islands and the best hotels in Marbella, Benidorm and Barcelona.

1

Best overall hotel

L’Azure Hotel, Lloret de Mar

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What we like

Family-friendly beaches including Lloret and Fenals nearby
Within walking distance of Lloret de Mar
The adult-only infinity pool on the rooftop

What we don't like

The restaurants can get very busy during peak summer months

Our verdict

In the heart of Lloret de Mar, L'Azure Hotel is one of the newer family hotels to call the Costa Brava home. It's spacious and modern with bucketful’s of family-friendly facilities. Top of our list is the cool campervan-themed splashpark closely followed by the large main swimming pool and dedicated children's pool.

Then there's Azuland, the hotel's kids' club, that organises workshops, games and activities, a generous spa, two restaurants and some of the area's best family beaches nearby. The light-filled bedrooms are excellent for families with some accommodating six people and an option for single parent rooms as well. With all this on offer, it’s no surprise that the property won the TripAdvisor Travellers Choice award in 2023.

Nearest beach: Platja de Lloret de Mar (0.5 miles)

Nearest airport: Girona–Costa Brava Airport (15 miles)

2

Best budget hotel

Hotel Tamariu

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What we like

We're big fans of family-run hotels and this one, which opened in 1930, is the oldest in Tamariu
Nothing is too much trouble for the friendly staff

What we don't like

This is not the hotel for you if you're looking for kids' clubs and waterslides, but the beach is on your doorstep.

Our verdict

Occupying a prime position on the sandy bay of Tamariu, this charming budget hotel is one of the oldest in Costa Brava. It's been run by the same family for the last four generations and is currently captained by friendly sisters Susan and Anna.

Despite its long history, the hotel feels modern and has 17 immaculate sunny rooms decorated with simple but stylish furnishings. Cots and extra beds are available for children and there are two sea-facing rooms that interconnect. Particularly good for families are the apartments that can sleep up to eight people.

The beach is the star attraction here - you can tumble out of bed and into the warm waters before you've even had your coffee if you like - but the hotel is happy to help arrange other activities such as kayaking and diving.

Nearest beach: Tamariu beach is on your doorstep

Nearest airport: Girona–Costa Brava Airport (30 miles)

3

Best for self-catering

Apartments Cap Sa Sal, Begur

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What we like

Great sense of history; the communal areas hark back to the building's glamorous past with vintage movie posters and black-and-white photos of Rock Hudson on display
Views from the apartments are magical
Electric bikes are available to hire and explore the coastline

What we don't like

There's no supermarket here or within walking distance so you will need a car
No dedicated activities or amenities for younger kids

Our verdict

Carved into a cliff and framed by bendy palm trees and craggy rocks, Apartments Cap Sa Sal consists of six stylish apartments (that sleep between two and eight people) and a six-bedroom villa. The apartments are housed in a building that, during the 1960s, was the famous 5-star "Hotel Cap Sa Sal" frequented by movie stars and celebrities including Elizabeth Taylor and Princess Grace. Today, the original building has been transformed into apartments and private residences.

This is a great option for families looking to self cater. Located in a quiet corner of the Costa Brava, the apartments are modern and ultra-comfortable boasting spellbinding coastal views. Use this as a base from which to explore the surrounding area or simply spend your days moving between the apartment and communal pool.

Nearest beach: The rocky Cap Sa Sal beach sits just below the complex.

Nearest airport: Girona–Costa Brava Airport, 38 miles

4

Best for water slides

Hotel Rosamar Garden Resort, Lloret de Mar

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What we like

Guests consistently report that the staff at Hotel Rosamar Garden Resort are excellent.
The location near the beach and the town of Lloret de Mar is great for families.

What we don't like

There's a good range of accommodation, including apartments sleeping up to five people but the rooms are very simple.

Our verdict

Family-friendly all-inclusive fun can be found at the Rosamar Garden Resort. This 4-star hotel sits just 300 metres from the beach in the coastal town of Lloret de Mar and is jam-packed with everything you might look for in a family holiday.

There are four swimming pools and basketball courts, a mini football pitch and a pétanque court. There's a playground for young children and an animation team dedicated to keeping kids (and their parents) entertained. Best of all, however, is the fantastic splash park that occupies the heart of the resort. Speed down the waterslides, clamber over the pirate ship, float along the lazy river, and enjoy another sun-filled day in family paradise.

Nearest beach: Lloret de Mar is 300 metres away.

Nearest airport: Girona–Costa Brava Airport, 15 miles

5

Best for multi-generational trips

La Costa Beach & Golf Resort, Pals

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What we like

The endless activities are ideal for busy families.
Children under 10 go free in low season and there are often deals at other times of the year including some good golfing packages.
There are some interesting local excursions to enjoy including to the nearby medieval villages of Pals and Begur.

What we don't like

There's not much that we don't like about this hotel!

Our verdict

Bordered by the Golf de Pals, the oldest golf course in Costa Brava, to one side and the golden sands of Playa de Pals beach to the other is this large, family-friendly hotel that offers something for everyone. It is the ideal hotel for multi-generational holidays.

The 122 rooms are housed within pink hacienda-style buildings and range from doubles sleeping two adults and a baby cot to the Family Suite that has four separate bedrooms. Our favourites are the Chalets with Pools, the largest of which can sleep 10 people.

There's a children's pool, outdoor play area and indoor playroom and, during July and August, entertainers are on hand to keep kids busy while you go sailing, kayaking, horse riding or simply flop on the beach.

Nearest beach: The hotel is located a few metres from Playa de Pals.

Nearest airport: Girona–Costa Brava Airport, 23 miles

6

Best with a waterpark

Golden Taurus Aquapark, near Barcelona

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What we like

It’s location near to Barcelona make this the ideal spot for combining a beach and city break.
The water park is great fun and kids will spend hours (if not days) here.
Families consistently report good things about the animation team.

What we don't like

The only restaurant is buffet style; if you want table service you will need to look outside the hotel.
If you are a family of five you will need to book two rooms

What Mumsnet users say

MarigoldBletherington · Recommended

"Have a look via TUI at the Golden Taurus Park in Pineda, you can get a 2 bedroom suite. Loads going on, so not exactly a quiet or cultured holiday! Easy train ride into Barcelona."

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Our verdict

Located just 40 minutes from colourful Barcelona is the four-star Golden Taurus Aquapark Resort, one of the best family hotels on the Costa Brava. Between May and September, the resort turns on the taps of its very own waterpark with a range of slides. Slide down the Fast River, get competitive on the Aquaracers and send your heart racing when you whizz down the two Kamikaze slides. There are also dedicated play areas for younger kids, an additional four swimming pools to enjoy and direct access to Pineda de Mar beach.

The accommodation has been designed specifically for families and range from Standard rooms that sleep three to two-bedroom suites that sleep four. Our favourite are the two-bedroom Family Swim-Up rooms that have direct access to a private pool.

Nearest beach: The hotel is located on Pineda de Mar beach.

Nearest airport: Barcelona-El Prat Airport, 38 miles

7

Best countryside retreat

Hotel Mas Tapiolas, Solius

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What we like

Quiet and low-key, this is the perfect antidote to the stresses of daily life.
It enjoys all the amenities of a large hotel but feels far more intimate.

What we don't like

If you have more than two children, you will need to book two rooms.

Our verdict

Tucked away in the peaceful Solius valley is this luxury family-friendly hotel set in a renovated Catalan stone farmhouse. The light-filled rooms are spacious and modern and the two categories of family rooms both sleep up to four people; our favourites are Family Room with Garden that come with their own private grassy lawn.

There's a large central pool bordered by zen-like Balinese beds plus a paddling pool for younger kids alongside a playground and indoor playroom jam-packed with toys and games. The latter is conveniently located near to the main restaurant that serves tasty local cuisine. There are also bikes to borrow and a padel court, a dedicated reading room in case you experience the odd rainy day, and a wine cellar that's available for private sessions.

Nearest beach: The nearest beaches are 6 miles away.

Nearest airport: Girona–Costa Brava Airport, 15 miles

8

Best eco-friendly hotel

Can Mascort Eco Hotel, Palafrugell

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What we like

The hotel offers a range of workshops and talks including healthy cooking classes, yoga lessons, massages, an introduction to bioconstruction and more.
Activities including hiking, mountain biking and water sports can all be organised via the hotel.
The nearest beaches at Calella, Llafranc and Tamariu are just a short distance away.

What we don't like

The hotel restaurant serves breakfast and can put together a picnic for you, but you will have to look elsewhere for lunch and dinner.
There's a small central caladrium for plunging but no main swimming pool.
You will need a car for getting around.

Our verdict

Located in the heart of beautiful Costa Brava, in the mediaeval town of Palafrugell, is this family-friendly eco-hotel. Housed within a 300-year-old building steeped in history (it was an apothecary during one of its former lifetimes), the property has been sensitively restored to create a dreamy contemporary hideaway. Renovations were carried out using eco-friendly materials, the hotel employs clean and renewable energies and the hotel restaurant serves delicious, wholesome organic breakfasts.

With just 15 rooms, this very much feels like staying in your friend's (very stylish) house rather than a hotel. Families are warmly welcomed, and additional beds (maximum two) can be added to four of the hotel's Junior Suite rooms or you can reserve the rooms Havaneres and Garoines, that are located next to each other.

Nearest beach: Beaches at Calella, Llafranc and Tamariu are 2.5 miles away.

Nearest airport: Girona–Costa Brava Airport, 37 miles

Is Costa Brava good for families?

This corner of Spain is a wonderful place for a family holiday with family-friendly beaches, endless sunshine and a wide choice of hotels and resorts. Oh, and the food is fantastic, too. It’s also easy to reach with regular flights from the UK to both Girona-Costa Brava Airport and Barcelona Airport.

Which part of Costa Brava is best for families?

You can't really go wrong when choosing where to go in the Costa Brava with kids. Some villages along the coast, including Blanes, Lloret de Mar, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, and Castell-Platja d’Aro, have been certified family-friendly by the Catalan Tourism Agency. This means that they have activities, accommodation and beaches suitable for children. Other towns with the family-friendly label are Calonge-Sant Antoni, Torroella de Montgrí - L’Estartit, Sant Pere Pescador, and Roses.

What’s the best family-friendly hotel on the Costa Brava?

One of the reasons we love the Costa Brava so much is because there is such a wide range of hotels to choose from, but we’ve picked L’Azure Hotel because it ticks so many of our boxes: excellent accommodation, fun activities for the kids, a beachfront location and a restaurant that even non-hotel guests rave about.

How we chose our recommendations

Because we know that there’s nothing like a real recommendation, we first headed to the Mumsnet holiday forums to find out what family hotels in Costa Brava were being recommended.

We then did some research across the wider web, looking at what family hotels in Costa Brava had won accolades or been featured in ‘best choice’ lists across websites, and what customer reviews said about them. Having collated all that information, we then narrowed our list down to the best family hotels in Costa Brava at the moment.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.

About the author

Katja Gaskell is a freelance journalist and blogger with over 20 years of experience producing travel content including guidebooks for Lonely Planet, hotel reviews for Mr & Mrs Smith and feature articles for a range of publications including The Telegraph, Wanderlust Magazine and the Mail on Sunday. She's passionate about family travel and loves to explore new places with her husband and three kids, documenting their adventures on her blog, globetotting.com.