A metropolis break with younger kids isn’t at all times the primary vacation that springs to thoughts – however Barcelona with children is at all times tempting, not least because of its miles of golden sands. And that’s just the start.
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The town has loads of family-friendly sights as effectively, some quirky structure that can attraction to all ages, nice museums, an amusement park, soccer, animals, dragon-themed strolling excursions, boat experience, views galore, parks and extra.
Plus in fact, in case your children need to construct sandcastles and paddle, the seashore is on the doorstep and there’s lot extra coast close by inside a simple day journey from Barcelona with children. So in the event you’re questioning what to do in Barcelona, learn on for my prime suggestions.
Barcelona seashore with children
There’s not one however a number of seashores to discover in Barcelona with kids, with round 2km of sand stretching from close to Marina Vela (not removed from the port cable automotive) right down to Parc del Port Olimpic alone.
Barceloneta is probably the most central of the seashores, though this does imply it will get very crowded at weekends and through the summer time, however close by Sant Sebastià (close to the W Resort) has shallow water that’s good for teenagers.
For those who enterprise a bit of additional up the coast, there’s more room to be discovered and a few higher seashores in Barcelona for households – to not point out one other 2km of seashores to find.
Platja de Bogatell is quieter and there’s good water for swimming – though it will get deep rapidly, so not ultimate in the event you’re visiting Barcelona with toddlers. For probably the most family-friendly, proceed on to Mar Bella and Nova Mar Bella seashores, with a playground close by.
Or it’s straightforward to hop on a practice and revel in among the Costa Barcelona seashores south of town, together with Castelldefels.
Tibidabo Amusement Park & Sky Stroll
You possibly can’t miss Mount Tibidabo throughout a Barcelona household vacation – fairly actually because the hill is 512m excessive and looms over town. However save a while to go to, as even the journey up Tibidabo is enjoyable, together with a tram and a funicular practice to succeed in the highest (or catch the TibiBus).
When you attain the summit, the Tibidabo Amusement Park is among the many oldest on the planet at over 120 years previous. Fortunately the 25 rides aren’t fairly that vintage, together with a ferris wheel and carousels or rollercoasters which whirl excessive above town, plus Talaia, the very best level within the metropolis with a 360 diploma view from 550m above sea degree.
There’s a single entry charge to the amusement park so you’ll be able to’t pay for particular person rides: it’s value checking the totally different top restrictions relying how tall your children are.
However you don’t have to pay a penny for the views right down to Barcelona from the Tibidabo Sky Stroll, that are incredible. The Panoramic Space is totally free to go to and you may see so far as Montserrat, over 30 miles away, on a transparent day.
There are additionally extra views from the tower of the Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor, the church which crowns Mount Tibidabo, so it’s straightforward to whereas away loads of time up the mountain. Simply be sure to don’t miss the final practice downhill!
Automaton Museum
Alongside the Sky Stroll, you’ll additionally discover the curious Automaton Museum, simply one of the uncommon Barcelona household sights so as to add to your wishlist.
The gathering of greater than 40 items contains every little thing from coin-operated figures to classic mechanical video games and toys, a few of which date again to the nineteenth century – the oldest was created in 1880, though there are extra trendy additions from the twenty first century as effectively.
One of many most interesting collections of its sort, with fashions from a string of nations, the quirky reveals are in pristine situation.
Mirador Collserola Tower
Whilst you’re close to Tibidabo Amusement Park, there are extra views to find in the event you head as much as the remark deck of the enduring Mirador-Collserola Tower.
Standing 445m excessive, its remark deck is 560m above sea degree and from the Mirador Torre Collserola, you’ll be able to see so far as 70km on a transparent day.
The viewing platform is on the tenth degree, however there’s a quick elevate whisking you up there in round two and a half minutes.
You’re additionally contained in the Sierra de Collserola Pure Park, so it’s straightforward to get pleasure from a stroll in the event you’re in search of one thing extra energetic to do.
L’Aquarium Barcelona at Port Vell
You possibly can spot 451 separate species and an astonishing 11,000 totally different creatures within the 35 totally different tanks and habitats at Barcelona Aquarium.
Situated at Port Vell, it’s only a 10-minute stroll from the Columbus Monument on the finish of La Rambla, with a lot to tempt the entire household – youthful kids can benefit from the contact swimming pools or making an attempt to identify Nemo in one of many smaller tanks, for instance.
The massive Oceanarium, with 4.5 million litres of water, has transferring walkways to take you round, passing below a glass tunnel alongside the way in which: recognizing the 80 or so species, together with sharks and manta rays, is unforgettable. There are occasional particular occasions like ‘ Sleeping with Sharks’ that are good for older children as effectively.
Open year-round, there are many additional household actions to get pleasure from as effectively, plus in the event you’re unfortunate sufficient to spend a wet day in Barcelona with children, it’s an ideal choice.
Cosmocaixa Science Museum
In case your children are into science and nature, then a visit to the Cosmocaixa Science Museum (or Museo de la Ciencia CosmoCaixa to present it its correct identify) is unmissable.
One of many largest museums in all of Spain, you’re greeted by a determine of Albert Einstein, earlier than spiralling down 5 flooring to the basement, weaving round an Amazonian tree.
Designed to be interactive, kids are inspired to get arms on with a whole lot of experiments overlaying every little thing from maths and geology to chemistry and extra.
Alongside the way in which, you’ll discover the Flooded Forest, a formidable recreation of 1,000 sq. metres of Amazonian rainforest ecosystem, inhabited by piranhas, crocodiles, plus different animal and plant species, in addition to taking a journey by way of the evolution of life on our planet within the Room of Matter.
Entry is included within the Barcelona Go Metropolis Explorer Move and the Barcelona Card go
Museu de Xocolata (Chocolate Museum)
What sort of museum are you able to assure that youngsters will love? A chocolate museum, in fact. The Museu de Xocolata even features a chocolate bar with entry.
There’s a critical facet, so you’ll be able to see how essential chocolate has been to the historical past and commerce of Barcelona – as soon as the principle port the place cacao was essential and distributed – in addition to quirky particulars together with the actual fact it was as soon as given to the military in its rations, and as soon as utilized in medication.
For a a lot much less critical facet, there are some incredible kids’s actions to find too: every little thing from making a chocolate sculpture and drawing with melted chocolate, to excursions aimed toward three to six-year-olds.
Simply one of the enjoyable issues to do in Barcelona for households, even with out tasting the completed product – though clearly there’s loads of probability to try this too.
Montjuic Magic Fountain
Designed for the 1929 Common Exhibition, the Montjuic Magic Fountain was restored in 1992 for the Olympics, and it’s a spectacular show of color, gentle, movement and music – excellent in the event you’re in search of enjoyable issues to do with children in Barcelona within the night.
The transferring water jets in a shifting rainbow of color are synchronised to music as 2,600 litres of water are pumped by way of each second. For those who’re notably fortunate, you could be there for one of many accompanying firework shows.
Closed throughout January and February, there are extra restricted shows in spring and winter, however these do happen at earlier instances – normally 8pm or 8.30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Throughout the summer time months, from June to September, there are shows from Wednesday to Sunday, usually at 9.30 and 10pm.
Casa Batllo
Famend structure Antoni Gaudi’s distinctive fashion is an unmissable a part of a go to to Barcelona with children – even when your loved ones wouldn’t usually take a detour to identify structure, don’t miss Casa Batllo no less than.
Probably the most central of Gaudi’s designs, the fantastical home is greatest recognized for its cranium and bone impressed balconies and particulars, and homes a museum.
A part of the Manzana de la Discordia, or block of Discord, it’s certainly one of a sequence of buildings in Passeig de Gracia (and doubtless probably the most well-known).
Inside you’ll be able to study this jewel of Modernism, plus there are two new immersive rooms, the Gaudí Dome and the Gaudí Dice, that are a enjoyable interactive choice for teenagers.
For one more enjoyable approach to get pleasure from Gaudi’s works with children, strive the Gaudi Expertise – in addition to a small exhibition, there’s a 4D expertise appropriate for ages 6+ to immerse you within the artist’s world
Sagrada Familia
Nevertheless many instances you’ve visited Barcelona, you’ll be able to’t miss the great Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s masterpiece which was begun in 1882 and continues to be being constructed.
Getting ever nearer to completion, now you can go to among the cathedral’s towers – that are persevering with to alter Barcelona’s skyline – in addition to having fun with the quirky structure and fabulous colors.
Like all Gaudi’s work, the small print and sometimes fantastical really feel means it’s going to attraction to children in addition to adults – decide up a skip-the-line ticket to the Sagrada Familia to keep away from the queues.
Park Güell
Park Güell is a large personal park within the north of Barcelona that’s well-known for its many architectural parts designed Gaudí.
Declared a Unesco World Heritage Web site, the distinctive gardens are stuffed with distinctive modernist buildings, uncommon sculptures, damaged tile mosaics, and many extra.
From the colorful Salamander staircase to the fairytale-esque gatehouse, the magical park is certain to fascinate company of all ages.
Away from the monuments, you too can observe the various trails and pathways by way of the luxurious forest to find some beautiful viewpoints over town.
Discover by Open Prime Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Barcelona is an enormous and sprawling metropolis, that means it isn’t the quickest or best vacation spot to maneuver round. Happily, the Bus Turístic is a handy approach to journey round Barcelona for households with youthful children who might battle strolling lengthy distances.
The bus runs 2 totally different routes – the Blue route and the Pink route – providing you with the choice to cease at over 40 of town’s most well-known landmarks and in style neighbourhoods, so it’s a extremely baby pleasant approach to see and expertise extra of the Catalan capital.
As you journey round Barcelona, there’s an audio commentary, so children can be taught concerning the websites whereas having fun with 360 diploma views from the highest deck of the open-top double-decker bus.
Take a strolling tour
For those who’re in search of a strolling tour of Barcelona for teenagers, there are a string of various decisions that are excellent for conserving kids entertained as you discover.
The Dragons, Giants and Kings tour is an element household strolling tour, half scavenger hunt because it whisks you thru 2,000 years of town’s historical past, whereas this dragon-themed tour contains fixing riddles as you stroll and this household strolling tour options sweets together with giants.
This strolling tour with children takes you thru Barcelona’s medieval quarter, with a facet of churros and chocolate, plus there’s a two-hour strolling tour of the Gothic Quarter, Barcelona’s Barri Gotic.
Bike by way of Barcelona
For those who’d wish to see extra of Barcelona than simply strolling, there are some nice household biking excursions to strive as effectively.
This two-hour Barcelona bike tour for households is a good way to get an summary of town, pedalling by way of the Previous City, previous the seashore, by way of parks and to the previous harbour. Plus it’s appropriate for all ages over one yr.
Or enterprise even additional – with out an excessive amount of effort – with an e-bike tour of Barcelona, which heads out to Montjuic and the Olympic Stadium in addition to the previous harbour, Gothic Quarter and Born space of town.
Take a ship journey
For a household metropolis break by the ocean, you shouldn’t miss the possibility to see Barcelona from the water with one of many boat journeys obtainable.
Probably the most in style boat excursions in Barcelona is seeing the seashores and skyline with Golondrinas Excursions. There’s a selection of two quick excursions: the 60-minute choice, which takes you alongside the coast, or a 40-minute cruise on a traditional picket boat across the port.
For an extended and extra luxurious boat tour of Barcelona for teenagers, this household crusing tour is appropriate for kids aged 8+, with an opportunity to be taught some extra concerning the metropolis as you sail alongside.
Eat at La Boqueria
La Boqueria market is certainly one of Barcelona’s hottest vacationer sights and an ideal place to discover with youthful guests to town as effectively.
Situated simply off Las Ramblas, the big meals market sells nearly each kind of meals you’ll be able to consider, from recent fruit and greens to ready-to-eat tapas, fabulous juice and a lot extra.
Even in the event you’re solely shopping relatively than shopping for, the colorful market is an thrilling expertise for kids, with energetic merchants peddling their assorted produce to the 1000’s of holiday makers who go by daily.
Seize a fruit smoothie and take a wander by way of the market to see what tempting treats you could find. It’s additionally ultimate in the event you’re questioning the place to eat in Barcelona with children, as you possibly can decide up a picnic to get pleasure from in one of many metropolis’s parks or on the seashore.
Drink at El Bosc de les Fades
On the backside of La Rambla, round a 10-minute from La Boqueria (and an analogous distance from the aquarium), you could find fairies at El Bosc de les Fades.
A restaurant-bar with its personal distinctive promoting level, it’s touristy for positive, however nonetheless a magical spot to pause for a drink in Barcelona for households.
Head there through the daytime when it’s much less busy, and you may uncover the fairy grotto and sweeping bushes which remodel the courtyard, full with woodland sounds and the occasional pretend storm.
Parc de la Ciutadella
Parc de la Ciutadella is an attractive historic park to the northeast of Barcelona’s central Gothic Quarter, the Barri Gotic, and simply the most effective free issues to do with children in Barcelona.
The 70-acre park has a lot to do for guests of all ages and is a good place to flee the bustle of the busy metropolis centre for some time.
You possibly can pack a picnic and revel in a peaceable lunch amongst the luxurious greenery whereas the little ones run round and stretch their legs. There’s additionally a pond in the midst of the park the place you’ll be able to rent rowing boats to go out on the water, and two children playgrounds.
The big woolly mammoth is the park’s most iconic attraction. The life-sized sculpture is at all times a giant hit in Barcelona for teenagers who can climb its trunk for a enjoyable photograph opp.
Parc de la Ciutadella can also be house to the metropolis’s Zoo, one other of the highest issues to do with children in Barcelona.
Barcelona Zoo
One of many world’s largest metropolis zoos, Barcelona Zoo is house to over 2,000 animals, in addition to being concerned in a string of conservation programmes.
Set in Parc de la Ciutadella, it’s straightforward to whereas away a few hours exploring, as you see every little thing from Catalan donkeys to Komodo dragons, to not point out gorillas, giraffes, birds and bugs.
There are additionally common talks, together with the possibility to be taught extra concerning the zoo’s penguins and sea lions, plus additional household actions.
For those who’re visiting Barcelona with children who love animals, there’s additionally a joint ticket for Barcelona zoo and aquarium plus the zoo is included within the Barcelona Household Enjoyable Move
Journey Barcelona’s cable automobiles
Barcelona has two cable automobiles; the Port Cable Automobile and the Telefèric de Montjuic.
The older Port Cable Automobile runs from Barceloneta seashore, over the historic harbour, and ends on the Miramar viewpoint on Montjuïc hill. The extra trendy Telefèric de Montjuïc then continues the journey as much as the summit of Montjuïc hill.
The cable automobiles are a enjoyable approach to discover Barcelona with children and see town from a novel perspective.
You possibly can simply switch between the 2 cable automobiles on Montjuïc hill, with the stations sitting simply 2 hundred metres aside, though you will want to buy separate tickets.
For those who’d relatively experience only one, we’d suggest leaping on the funicular at Paral-lel metro station to Telefèric de Montjuïc. You possibly can then take the scenic 750-metre-long experience as much as Montjuïc Fort on the mountain’s summit.
Admire the views from Montjuïc Fort
When you attain the mountain’s summit on the Telefèric de Montjuïc, you’ll discover mediaeval Montjuic Fort. The big army fortress dates again to the seventeenth century and was constructed 173 metres above sea degree to offer a strategic vantage level over town and waters.
As you go to the fortress, take a stroll alongside the ramparts for superb panoramic views over town, the port, and the Mediterranean sea. There’s additionally an attention-grabbing customer’s centre that takes you thru the historical past of the fortress and area.
Alternatively, take a stroll across the fortress’s exterior and the encircling park, which is house to some enjoyable slides, a playground, and loads of broad open house for little ones to get pleasure from.
Take a tour of Camp Nou
A go to to Camp Nou is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Barcelona with children who love soccer. Residence to one of many world’s greatest soccer golf equipment – FC Barcelona – the stadium grounds are open to the general public for guided and audio-guided excursions on non match days.
On a stadium tour, you’ll get to go to the pitch, dugout, stands, dressing rooms, gamers tunnel, trophy room, and press field.
Alongside the route, you’ll discover quite a few enjoyable household photograph alternatives, together with the possibility to take a photograph together with your favorite participant – with the assistance of a inexperienced display screen and photoshop, no less than.
Youngsters may also benefit from the further (paid) actions, reminiscent of capturing towards the Robokeeper or experiencing the Camp Nou pitch in 360 digital actuality.
Tickets to Camp Nou additionally embody entry to the FC Barcelona Museum, the place guests of all ages will get pleasure from studying concerning the historical past of the membership and its most legendary gamers.
Poble Espanyol
The most effective museums in Barcelona for teenagers, Poble Espanyol is a novel open-air museum that shows the architectural types and cultural heritage from totally different areas of Spain.
Translating to ‘Spanish village’, the 49,000-square metre gallery is designed to imitate a conventional Spanish village, proper within the coronary heart of the Catalan capital.
You possibly can wander by way of the slim streets to find charming city squares, historic buildings, and among the most well-known landmarks from throughout the nation.
Youngsters may also get arms on with the normal arts and crafts workshops, from glass blowing to wicker basket making and extra. Plus, maintain an eye fixed out for particular household actions, exhibits, and live shows going down on the museum all year long.
Huge Enjoyable Museum & Museum of Illusions
The Huge Enjoyable Museum is an entertaining family-friendly museum stuffed with mind-boggling illusions and interactive exhibitions which might be positive to excite children (and children at coronary heart).
Good for just a few hours of foolish household enjoyable, you’ll be able to try to remain upright within the Topsy-Turvy Home, get misplaced in a fascinating wonderland with Alice by way of the Trying Glass, dive into the ball pool, and even study probably the most excessive psychiatric strategies all through historical past on the Museum of Insanity.
For an extra charge, you too can go to the close by Museum of Illusions, the place you’ll be able to snap much more enjoyable household pictures with superb 3D artworks and mysterious illusions.
For those who do plan to go to each, it’s value shopping for a combo ticket upfront to get a reduction.
Easy methods to get round Barcelona with children
With the metro, trams and buses, it’s very straightforward to get round Barcelona on public transport with children and youngsters below 4 journey free.
The centre of town can also be very walkable, whilst you can simply rent bikes in the event you’re visiting with older children.
The hop on hop off vacationer bus can also be a great way to get from A to B, in addition to serving to you discover town, whereas the funicular and cable automobiles are a enjoyable additional that you just don’t discover in all cities.
There are numerous totally different tickets and journey passes obtainable, which can be utilized throughout the general public transport community (remember that single tickets will not be legitimate to do that, particularly in the event you’re altering the kind of transport).
Or there are additionally day passes and longer journey playing cards to select from. The opposite choice is to purchase a Barcelona Card (or Barcelona Household Card) which incorporates free public transport, with 3, 4 and 5 day playing cards.
It’s additionally straightforward to journey alongside the coast and additional afield for day journeys from Barcelona by practice – relying in your vacation spot, digital tickets aren’t at all times obtainable so you could want to purchase them on the station.
Try my suggestions for visiting the Costa Barcelona too, the coast simply outdoors town to the north, in addition to the very best issues to do in Sitges with children, a simple day journey to the south
*First printed 2013, final up to date 2022*
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Casa Batllo copyright MummyTravels, all different pictures courtesy of Depositphotos