Football Holidays: The best destinations in Spain

Combining football and holidays, travelling with football-loving kids – Spain is the perfect destination for this. Event-breaks.com suggests top spots for a trip to Spain where holidays, kids’ activities, and relaxation form the perfect hat-trick. 

The big La Liga clubs, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Atlético, and more are popular among children all over the world – and you can find cheap jerseys on almost every beach promenade.

What’s more: Spain is a top destination for La Liga football trips and tickets – and attending a match with the whole family doesn’t have to be expensive. 

In short: The country of the reigning European champions and 2010 World Cup winners has a lot to offer football-loving families. 

Football and holidays in Spain: The Estadio San Mamés in Bilbao is an experience in itself. Photo: Shutterstock.

Football Holidays in Spain: From the Basque Country to Andalusia

We kick off our football-meets-holiday journey in Spain’s Basque Country, in San Sebastián, home to one of the country’s traditional clubs, Real Sociedad. 

San Sebastián was a founding member of La Liga in 1928 and won the Spanish championship in 1981 and 1982. Real Sociedad has featured players like World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann, Txiki Begiristain, Hakan Mild, and Jesús María Zamora.

The coastal city of San Sebastián, with a population of 198,000, is renowned for its top-tier gastronomy, including several Michelin-starred restaurants. It’s also famous for its pinchos (Basque: pintxos), small bites served on skewers or toothpicks. 

A beach holiday with kids is perfect in the beautiful La Concha Bay, and you can also enjoy hiking in the nearby mountains or go surfing. 
Basque Country expert Dirk Segbers, author of Athletic Bilbao – Unique by Principle (Publisher: DIE WERKSTATT, 2022), told event-breaks.com: “The stadium of Real Sociedad, also known as the Reale Arena, is modern and atmospheric, with a family-friendly crowd.”

Bilbao is urban, edgy, a culinary hotspot (pintxos), and home to the Guggenheim Museum, opened in 1997 on the banks of the Nervión River. Within the first ten years, the museum welcomed its ten-millionth visitor. 

The Estadio San Mamés, affectionately known as “La Catedral” by Basque fans, is an unforgettable experience. Don’t miss our feature Match of the Week – Basque Berets and Lion Masks about the derby between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad. 

Holiday destinations include the coast of Bizkaia, and day trips to Gaztelugatxe or Gernika. 

Autumn Holiday Tips: Why not Andalusia with FC and Betis Sevilla?

Football holidays during the upcoming autumn break – how about Seville? The city and region represent pure Andalusian culture, with many attractions – from the Alcázar Palace to the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, and the art of Flamenco, which originated here. 

Both stadiums, the Estadio Sánchez-Pizjuán of FC Sevilla and the Estadio Benito Villamarín of Real Betis, offer a fantastic atmosphere, especially during evening matches. Event-breaks.com offers tickets for both Seville clubs. 

The steep spectator stands are the trademark of Valencia CF's Estadio Mestalla. Photo: Shutterstock

Football Holidays with Kids: Valencia as the Full Package

For day trips with children, we recommend Córdoba, Granada, or Cádiz.

Valencia and its famous Club de Fútbol also offer a fantastic all-in-one package for football and holidays. 

City beaches, the historic old town, and modern architecture at the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias all contribute to the experience. 

The Estadio Mestalla is one of the most atmospheric stadiums in Spanish football. 

Although the Nou Mestalla has been under construction since 2007, the current Mestalla, with its steep stands, remains home to the “Blanquinegros” – the White and Blacks – and fans can still enjoy its incredible stadium atmosphere. Valencia is also a favourite venue of the Spanish national team for a reason.

Holidays with children can include visits to the Albufera Natural Park, Cullera, or Xàtiva – the former offers kid-friendly hiking trails and lookout points for birdwatching.