The most fun and responsible eco-adventures for family vacations in Spain

Travel responsibly these days and you’re bang on trend: responsibility is right up top with adventure and activity on the family holiday wish list now. But how easy is it to fit a clean conscience into a fun time for kids?

It seems that Spain is ahead of the curve in Europe. Not only is it a long standing advocate of agritourism, land of the eco-friendly Parador, and home to some of the world’s most astonishing national parks, it’s managed to give everything from whale watching to stargazing an eco-slant.

Have a look at how easy it is to play all over Spain this summer, and take nothing home but amazing holiday memories – and a few thousand Instagram likes: of course.

1/6  Tenerife: Whale watching – and listening – eco-cruises

Whales like Tenerife almost as much as families: 21 different species migrate along the island’s west coast every year. Which means there’s a good chance of spotting the likes of Minke, Orca, and Sperm Whales, even in summer.

Family-friendly eco-cruises sail from Puerto Colon from March to October. Just 10 passengers in each tour is a good size for kids, and smaller boats don’t disturb whales. Guides are qualified, multi-lingual marine biologists, and there is specialist audio equipment on board too, so whales can be seen, and heard. 

• Small size, low-impact tours of no more than 10 passengers.
• On-board audio-equipment for listening to whales underwater.
• Guided by qualified marine biologists.
• Three hour tours, twice daily from March to October.

2/6  Asturias: Brown Bear and Iberian Wolf safaris

Take a low-impact look at Somiedo Natural Park in northern Spain. It’s a UNESCO World Biosphere, tucked into the beautiful Cantabrian Mountains, and one of the best places in Europe to spot wild Brown Bears and Iberian Wolves in spring and summer.

A full-day guided safari is fascinating for kids. Apart from the chance of spotting bears and wolves in their natural habitat – often with cubs – they’ll learn how to identify animal tracks, and signs of activity, find out about the park’s conservation work, and have time for a tour of the fascinating Somiedo Brown Bear House too.

• Small size, hiking/driving safaris with local guides.
• Eight hour day, with morning and afternoon observation tours.
• Steiner and Nikon telescopes and binoculars for viewing.
• Brown Bear and Iberian Wolf tours run during August and September.

3/6  Galicia: eco-camping on the Cies Islands

Sail out into the Galician Atlantic Maritime Reserve during summer and explore the Cies Islands. This tiny archipelago is known as ‘Spain’s Seychelles’, and the long white beaches and lovely lagoons are similar. But, unlike the Seychelles, these eco-icons are uninhabited, car-free, and limit visitor numbers. 

If a day isn’t long enough, come stay in a ready-pitched tent at the Cies campsite. It’s in a conservation area, but two excellent local restaurants keep you from going hungry. And the beachfront location on Praia de Rodas, one of Condé Naste Traveller’s top 10 best beaches in Europe, makes it the most popular campground in northern Spain, so advance booking is essential.    

4/6  Andalusia: hiking Rio Chillar in summer with kids

A 16km summer hike in Andalusia is a cool eco-adventure with kids, when you walk most of the way with your feet in water. The Rio Chillar flows down through the Sierra de Tejeda to Nerja on the Mediterranean, and local families have walked its course in July and August, for generations.  So don’t be surprised to spot all ages, from toddlers to octogenarians, trekking through the river’s shallow waters, snaking along its gorges, clambering over rocks, and splashing around in natural swimming pools, and waterfalls.

• Starts 10 minutes north of Nerja, well-signposted.
• 16km linear route from Nerja to head of Rio Chillar, and back to Nerja.
• Popular with local families at weekends, so leave early.
• Don’t forget a picnic, bottled water, sunscreen, and hats. 

5/6  Tenerife: stargazing summer tours on Mount Teide

As far as low impact goes, it’s hard to beat gazing in silent awe at the star-filled night sky from the top of Spain’s highest mountain. 83 of the 88 constellations can be seen from Mount Teide and, in summer, it’s a meteor shower hotspot, as well as one of the best places in Europe to witness super-moons and glimpse Saturn and Mars during August.

• An afternoon tour of Teide Observatory: the world’s largest solar observatory.
• After-dark stargazing with long-range telescopes.
• Starlight tour guided by local astronomers, in English and Spanish.
• An incredible, only in Tenerife, experience for over eights and teens.

6/6  Tenerife: eco-kayaking with dolphins

Testimony to the clean, warm Atlantic waters, Tenerife has dolphins in residence year round off its west coast, and the best way to see them is on silent, sea kayaking tours.

The aim is to create as little disturbance as possible and slow gliding kayaks are all about peace, quiet and staying still long enough for curious cetacean to make their appearance. Tours are guided by local experts who are so confident that careful kayakers will see dolphins that, if you don’t, they’ll take you sailing again for free.

• No kayaking experience necessary, full instruction given.
• Tours are two to three hours.
• Minimum age 14 years.
• 95% certainty of dolphin sightings, and close encounters with pods.

Where: Costa Adeje, south west Tenerife.