Travel Mamas typically receives compensation and/or hosted journey and pattern merchandise associated to weblog posts. This story might embody affiliate hyperlinks for which we obtain a small fee at no further value to customers. As an Amazon Associate I earn cash from qualifying purchases. Be positive to test with companies and places relating to journey restrictions and security precautions earlier than visiting.
Barcelona would be the friendliest metropolis I’ve ever visited. There are many sights for the entire household to get pleasure from within the Catalan capital from the inexperienced Parc de la Ciutadella and the well-known La Rambla pedestrian-only avenue to a chocolate museum. Would I like to recommend a go to? Definitely! Would I’m going once more? Probably not. Find out why in my stunning tackle the most effective and worst of Barcelona with children.
Barcelona Basics
This widespread metropolis is the capital of the Catalonia area of Spain. Catalan is considered one of its official languages, which sounds to me like a combination of French, Spanish, and Portuguese.
I at all times prefer to make an effort to talk not less than a number of phrases of the native language wherever I go to. Since everybody speaks Spanish as nicely, although, I didn’t trouble tackling Catalan and as an alternative bought by with un poquito d’Español.
La Rambla
Barcelona’s most well-known avenue is La Rambla. It is crammed with distributors and avenue entertainers in addition to a reside chook honest.
My favourite half is La Boqueria, a vibrant meals market. You can pull up a stool at one of many grills or seize a cornucopia of fruits, veggies, nuts, bread, meats, and cheeses. Then discover a picnic space at Parc de la Ciutadella for an inexpensive lunch.
I really like a very good open-air market, and this is without doubt one of the greatest I’ve ever visited. With the burst of colours, scents, flavors, and upbeat power — it’s overwhelming in its magnificence.
To me, that is THE greatest a part of Barcelona. Beware, nonetheless, of pickpockets that concentrate on vacationers on this space.
Chocolate Museum
Any household journey to Barcelona with kids ought to embody a cease on the Museu de la Xocolata. Visitors can study at this chocolate museum how chocolate got here to be eaten and the way it’s made. Afterward, you’ll be able to (and may!) buy a chocolate deal with or two on the onsite café.
The most enjoyable, although, is looking via varied sculptures fabricated from chocolate in kinds. We noticed a chocolate bullfighting scene, Mickey Mouse fabricated from chocolate, and our daughter’s favourite, Finding Nemo.
Parc de la Ciutadella
Although the architectural types in Barcelona is gorgeous, the town heart felt a bit stifling to me attributable to its lack of greenery. To get your nature repair, take the kiddos to Parc de la Ciutadella. Rent a rowboat and take a spin round a tiny inexperienced lake. Be warned that there have been no life jackets accessible after we visited, which made me a wee nervous whereas paddling about with a wriggling toddler.
After our boat tour, Karissa swung on the swings and dug within the sand at a crowded playground. Visiting a park is considered one of my favourite issues to do when touring with children. Parks provide free entry and it is good to take a metropolis break. Young kids make buddies simply irrespective of the language barrier and it is the easiest way to get a glimpse into the on a regular basis lives of native households.
Barcelona Beaches
If visiting throughout summer time months, you then’ll need to hit considered one of Barcelona’s seashores. You might simply spend an entire day or extra splashing and taking part in with older children and youthful children alike alongside the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
Bring alongside some water sneakers or pop into one of many outlets to get an inflatable ring. The pebble seashores could also be uncomfy for tootsies.
My daughter appreciated digging together with her bucket and shovel greatest. I appreciated absorbing some Mediterranean sunshine. And my husband? Well, as an American dude, he was thrilled to get his first peek at a number of topless sunbathers. (Sheesh…males!)
Picasso Museum
My husband and I took turns making an attempt to maintain our toddler from destroying valuable artworks on the spectacular Museu Picasso. The well-known painter Pablo Picasso grew up in Barcelona and this museum accommodates probably the most in depth assortment of his early works. This isn’t essentially probably the most kid-friendly vacation spot however it’s positively value a go to, particularly when you’re a giant fan of Picasso’s art work.
La Sagrada Familia Basilica
Construction of considered one of Barcelona’s hottest vacationer sights, La Sagrada Familia Basilica started in 1882 and continues to be underway right now. This distinctive church was designed by Antoni Gaudi, considered one of Barcelona’s most well-known residents. The basilica ought to attain completion by 2026. Get extra out of your go to by buying La Sagrada Familia tickets upfront with audio information.
Promise the youngsters you’ll cease for ice cream on the park throughout the road in change for good habits at this one-of-a-kind architectural feat.
Park Güell
Gaudi designed Park Guell as a high-end residential space for the Barcelona elite. Today it is a vacationer attraction crammed with beautiful paths, some breathtaking structure showcasing Gaudi’s work, and nice views of the town.
Although extremely fairly, there is not an entire lot to “do” at Park Guell moreover stroll round. And, it’s kind of of a trek to get there. If you are on a decent schedule with out sufficient time, then this one will be skipped, particularly if visiting Barcelona with youthful kids.
Family-Friendly Tours
From skip-the-line tickets and guided strolling excursions to boat journeys and day journeys from Barcelona, GetYourGuide has bought you coated. Take a have a look at our trusted accomplice’s hottest Barcelona excursions for households.
Dining in Barcelona with Kids
I’ve buddies who’ve traveled to Barcelona (with out kids) and rave in regards to the array of tapas bars. The Travel Channel’s Anthony Bourdain has known as Spanish delicacies, “the best food in the western world” and right here’s a video of Samantha Brown enamored with a garlic-slathered piece of fish alongside Barcelona’s harbor. (I feel my household ate at this very restaurant!)
Our expertise, nonetheless, was fairly completely different from theirs. Our toddler hated all Spanish meals. She refused to eat something in Barcelona. This consists of gadgets she loves at house like pasta with crimson sauce, a fried egg served with French fries, and bread with a gentle cheese from La Boqueria. In Barcelona, she lived off of fruit, ice cream, and hen nuggets bought on a each day trek to McDonald’s in an try to get some protein into her stomach.
I’ve to confess, I wasn’t a giant fan of the meals in Barcelona both. Many of the tapas we tried had been too dang greasy for my liking since many got here deep-fried. The paella was first rate however crammed with too many odd creatures from each land and sea for my consolation. In truth, my favourite meal in Barcelona truly occurred at an Italian restaurant.
Now, the Crema Catalana was a unique story. It was like a cross between flan and crème brulée. Muy delicioso!
Keep in thoughts that individuals in Barcelona sometimes eat dinner fairly late within the day. Restaurants could also be closed throughout what most Americans take into account dinnertime. Add jet lag to the combination and it may be tough to search out the meals you need while you need it. If you’ll be able to, then plan to eat your remaining meal with the locals between 9 and 11 pm.
Kid-Friendly Accommodations in Barcelona
My household visited Barcelona earlier than our Disney Cruise within the Mediterranean and Disney beneficial Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel. It’s an amazing place for the complete household, only a brief stroll from the Las Ramblas space. The décor was without delay fashionable and stylish, too.
We got a free improve to a one-bedroom suite each on our pre-and post-cruise stays, only for asking. (And this was earlier than I launched Travel Mamas, so it’s not like we bought any particular remedy!) Our room was HUGE, particularly contemplating European requirements.
The workers was past courteous. Every time lodge workers noticed our daughter, they cooed at her and handed her a lollipop. In truth, we lastly needed to ask the workers to cease providing candies to our toddler!
One of my favourite reminiscences of our keep in Barcelona was splashing within the lodge’s rooftop pool with its gorgeous view of the harbor unfold out earlier than us.
For extra choices, check out the greatest resorts for households in Barcelona at Booking.com or these Barcelona lodging suggestions from The Broke Backpacker.
The Verdict on Barcelona with Kids
To benefit from our pricey air tickets to Europe for our cruise, we determined to increase our household vacation in Barcelona by a number of days earlier than and after our crusing. This actually gave us an opportunity to discover this welcoming Spanish metropolis.
The neatest thing about Barcelona is its folks. Everyone we met was pleasant and real. They positively went out of their manner to ensure we had fun of their city.
There are loads of family-friendly actions on this vibrant metropolis, too. I extremely suggest visiting Barcelona with children.
As for me, I’ve been to Barcelona twice and that’s in all probability sufficient. The meals wasn’t my household’s favourite and I felt a bit of nature-starved right here. Plus, I really feel like I’ve already skilled what I needed to discover in Barcelona, and the world is crammed with locations I’ve but to see.
Explore More of Spain
Ironically, Spain has turn out to be considered one of my favourite nations on Earth and I hope to reside there sometime! Discover my options for exploring the wonderful metropolis of Seville with children.
Explore extra of Spain with this listing of the greatest issues to do in Málaga.
Take a have a look at probably the most romantic issues to do in Southern Spain.
Learn about an uncommon Catalonian vacation custom on this round-up of wacky Christmas traditions in Europe.
Save These Fun Things to Do in Barcelona with Kids
For future reference, preserve this listing of ideas for visiting Barcelona with children. Simply pin the picture above to Pinterest. We hope you’ll observe Travel Mamas on Pinterest whilst you’re at it!
What are your ideas on visiting Barcelona with children? I do know a few of you have to suppose I’m nuts for poo-pooing Barcelona’s meals. Go forward…add a remark!
A Note from The Travel Mama: This story was initially written in 2009 and is recurrently up to date to replicate the present high issues to do in Barcelona with children.
You may additionally like: