Two Weeks, Ten Trains, Infinite Memories: Interrailing Through Europe as a Family

There’s a certain kind of magic to traveling Europe by train, the way vineyards give way to mountains, how one station platform can transport you into a completely different culture. And when you’re traveling as a family, it’s even more special: no airport stress, plenty of legroom, and the thrill of watching the world roll by together. This 14-day itinerary blends the best of France and Spain, from Parisian boulevards to the sun-washed shores of the Costa Brava.

Days 1–3: Paris, The Perfect Beginning

Start your adventure in Paris, a city that delights all ages. Check into Hôtel Madame Rêve, an elegant retreat near the Louvre, where you can watch the city glow from your window. Wander the Tuileries Garden, climb the Eiffel Tower, and picnic on baguettes and strawberries by the Seine.

For family-friendly bites, try Breizh Café for perfect galettes or Le Relais de l’Entrecôte for steak-frites. End the evening with a carousel ride under the twinkle of the Tour Eiffel.

On your final morning, explore Montmartre’s cobblestone lanes and street artists before boarding a TGV (France’s high-speed train) south toward Provence.

Days 4–6: Avignon and the Provençal Countryside

A few hours later, you’ll find yourself surrounded by lavender fields and sunlit stone villages. Stay at La Divine Comédie, a family-friendly boutique hotel in Avignon with lush gardens and a plunge pool perfect for cooling off.

Explore the Palais des Papes, wander across the famous Pont d’Avignon, and sample goat’s cheese and honey at the local market. Day trips by train or car to Gordes or Roussillon reveal the true rhythm of Provence, slow mornings, olive groves, and long, lazy lunches.

Dinner at La Fourchette in Avignon serves Provençal classics with charm, while the kids can indulge in lavender ice cream for dessert.

Days 7–9: Nice, Glamour by the Sea

Next, head south on the TGV to Nice, where France meets the Mediterranean. Check into Hotel Rossetti, tucked in the old town, and spend your days beach-hopping along the Promenade des Anglais or taking short train rides to Villefranche-sur-Mer and Antibes.

Kids will love riding the open-air petit train around town or visiting the Marc Chagall Museum, while adults can sip rosé by the water. Dine at La Petite Maison for seafood and sunshine or grab socca (chickpea pancakes) from a street stall for something quick and local.

Days 10–11: Barcelona , The City of Gaudí and Sunshine.

From Nice, catch the high-speed train across the border into Spain. In just over six hours, you’ll be in Barcelona, where Gothic alleys, beaches, and bold architecture collide. Check into Hotel Neri, a serene hideaway in the Gothic Quarter with family suites and a shaded courtyard.

Spend your days exploring Park Güell, marvelling at La Sagrada Família, and enjoying churros and hot chocolate at Granja Dulcinea. Don’t miss a late afternoon stroll along Barceloneta Beach, where locals gather for golden-hour swims.

Dinner at El Xampanyet is a Barcelona institution, cava for the grown-ups, croquettes and patatas bravas for everyone else.

Days 12–14: San Sebastián — Food, Surf, and Family Fun

Finish your journey with a train ride north to San Sebastián, Spain’s culinary heart. Stay at Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra, overlooking the glittering La Concha Bay, and let the kids run wild on the sand while you order pintxos (Basque tapas) from nearby bars.

Spend one day surfing at Zurriola Beach and another wandering the old town’s markets and bakeries. For your grand finale, book a table at Bodegón Alejandro, a family-friendly Mich

elin-starred spot that proves haute cuisine can still feel like home cooking.

The Takeaway

Traveling Europe by train isn’t just about getting from one destination to the next, it’s about savoring the in-between moments: the laughter shared over window views, the quiet awe of a changing landscape, and the joy of discovering new flavors, faces, and stories together. From Parisian charm to Mediterranean sunshine, this journey through France and Spain reminds us that the magic of travel lies as much in the journey as in the destinations themselves.