Barcelona with children

Jolita from Travel 4 kids has visited Barcelona three times with her two children, Greta and Oskaras. All the visits to Barcelona with the children were not long – three or four days – and also with time between transfers, as Barcelona airport is not far from the city. Barcelona is a great destination for both longer holidays and a short getaway – for example, a weekend.

Barcelona is not only rich in history and colourful culture, but is also an ideal destination for a trip with children. There are plenty of places to visit with children. In this article, we share our tips and recommendations on how to make the most of your time with children in Barcelona.

Barcelona with children – a guide to attractions and activities with children.

Barcelona with children – entertainment

Many attractions, parks and museums in Barcelona are suitable for children. In Barcelona, you’ll find a zoo with large animals, an aquarium with tunnels, a free science museum for children and even the oldest attractions in Europe.

Barcelona Zoo

We always check out the animal parks and zoos in every city we visit.

Barcelona Zoo is home to more than 400 animal species. It’s a great place for children to learn more about nature and its beauty.

The famous Barcelona Zoo focuses on 3 main themes: spreading awareness, research and protecting endangered animals. The zoo also has restaurants and cafés, and you can go pony riding.

Spend at least 2-3 hours at the zoo.

We bought our Zoo tickets in advance on our trusted partner system.

Barcelona Aquarium

This is one of Europe’s largest aquariums, home to over 11,000 marine inhabitants. There are various exhibits and mazes, so the kids will definitely be interested.

It’s not just an aquarium, it’s also a place for activities and things to do. There are playgrounds, a cinema, a fast-food café, and activities for children – during our visit, the children were making badges, and this is included in the price.

An incredibly fun activity, though at an extra cost ( €4/piece), is the bottle-feeding of the big carp.

We bought our tickets in advance on our trusted partner system.

CosmoCaixa Science Museum

This is a great place to learn and observe. CosmoCaixa offers a wide range of interactive exhibits that will interest both young and old children.

The museum has a variety of permanent and temporary exhibitions showcasing the environment, nature, science and space. CosmoCaixa also has a planetarium and interactive play areas. There is also a bookshop, a gift shop, a library, a training centre and a café.

CosmoCaixa spaces:

• The Flooded Forest, where visitors can experience the Amazon rainforest environment. More than 100 species can be seen here, including birds, insects, frogs, fish and alligators.
• The Geological Frontier. Large sections of geological formations show erosion, volcanism, faulting, sedimentation and related processes.
• The Hall of the Universe is the main space of the museum.
• Clik and Flash is one of three interactive exhibitions for young children, with games to encourage children’s interest in science. The space is divided into two rooms: Clik uses play, observation through smell, touch and sight, while Flash uses technology to demonstrate exploration, environment, construction and electricity.
• “Touch, touch!” features living creatures from around the world and the Mediterranean. Museum staff and scientists present animals and plants from three environments.
• Bubble Planetarium, an astronomy-based exhibition for children aged 3-8.

Free admission for children under 16! With a Barcelona Card, there is also no charge.

Tibidabo Amusement Park

Tibidabo Amusement Park is one of the world’s oldest amusement parks. Located on the banks of Tibidabo, on the Kolserola Ridge, the park offers not only entertainment but also great views of the city. Most of the original rides are still in operation, some dating back to the early 20th century.

There are also places to eat, from diners to restaurants. The park is open all year round, just not on all days.

This park is still on our list because we think it should be given almost a full day.

Interactive exhibition IKONO

This unique installation gives you the opportunity to let your senses experience a technological adventure. IKONO is located in our favourite shopping centre, Arena Mall, which is very convenient to visit even if you have more time to catch your next flight in Barcelona.

IKONO has over ten rooms, three floors and 600 square metres. Take photos, be entertained and immerse yourself in the world of the future.

Buy your tickets online.

“Big Fun” Museum

Visit the “Big Fun” Museum – the most original illusion and entertainment museum in Barcelona and in Spain. Enjoy themed rooms, incredible 3D installations or walk through an upside-down house.

9 different spaces:

• House of the Giants: a room where all the objects are giant, making you feel very small.
• The Upside Down House: everything upside down!
• Sweet Museum: a room with the sweetest decorations you can imagine.
• Alice Through the Looking Glass – Alice in Wonderland: a room of mirrors inspired by the Alice in Wonderland stories.
• Believe it or not: an exhibition featuring the world’s most incredible wonders and Guinness World Records. Believe it or not, it’s all true!
• The Art of Food: an exhibition featuring works of art recreated using a wide variety of foods.
• The Museum of Madness and the Madness Exhibition: a horrifying exhibition featuring the most brutal psychiatric treatment in history.
• The Magic Room: here you can immerse yourself in a new digital experience, explore a magical forest, admire the stars and enjoy incredible views of Barcelona.
• Museum of Illusions: a gallery of 3D-effect paintings where you can play with perspectives and feel like you are part of them!

Buy your tickets in advance. Or, if you prefer, buy a COMBO ticket together with entrance to the Museum of Illusions.

Boating

The catamaran departs from Port Vell, the city’s coastal port. Sail through the port of Barcelona and enjoy the views. You’ll sail on an eco-friendly catamaran, powered by solar panels and respectful of the environment.

We’ve found a great price in our partner system.

Arena Mall Shopping Centre

A convenient place with children if you have time between flights but don’t want to sit in the airport.

The mall has many cafés, one of which (UDON) we have visited several times. There is an observation deck which you can go to for free.

If you have more time, you can also visit the interactive exhibition IKONA.

For younger children, the free interactive playground with a screen is great fun.

Barcelona with children – what to visit

Montjuïc Park (Parc de Montjuïc) and cable car ride

See Barcelona from above. You can take the city bus or the cable car, which is much more fun.

We bought our tickets in advance because, unfortunately, the Barcelona Card doesn’t allow you to take the cable car for free.

The cable car is 752 m long, with a vertical distance of 84.55 m and a speed of 2.5 m/s. The castle can also be reached from the upper cable car station by public bus 150.

After the climb, take a walk, enjoy the views, picnics at the top and cafés.

Park Güell

Designed by the famous architect Antoni Gaudí, the park is one of Barcelona’s jewels. Children will enjoy the colourful and fantastical buildings, while parents will enjoy the wonderful views of the city. Gaudí was given the plan for the park by the Catalan entrepreneur Eusebis Güell, who wanted to recreate a British residential park on the Muntanya Pelada. It was opened as a municipal park in 1926, designated a monument of art in 1969 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

Purchase in advance. Although you have to enter the park at the time you booked, you can stay as long as you like afterwards to see everything.

Take a break from city life by strolling through the green gardens and admiring the views of Barcelona from the park’s observation decks.

Playa de la Barceloneta (Barceloneta Beach)

Barceloneta Beach is the oldest and most famous beach in Barcelona. It is located in the district of La Barceloneta (Ciutat Vella). Together with Barcelona’s San Sebastian Beach and La Victoria Beach, it is one of the longest beaches in the city, at 1,100 m. Along with nearby San Sebastian Beach, it is one of the city’s oldest and most traditional beaches, and one of the most popular with international visitors.

It has a volleyball court, paddle courts and a playground.

La Rambla and the old La Boqueria market

La Rambla is considered Barcelona’s most famous street, but it is also the most popular with tourists.

Be sure to visit the Old La Boqueria Market too, where you can grab a bite to eat, a meal, some fruit or fruit juice.

Walk along La Rambla de Mar

La Rambla de Mar is a waterfront promenade in Barcelona’s Old Quarter. It is a floating bridge that connects Plaça del Portal de la Pau with the Moll d’Espanya, where the Barcelona Aquarium and the Maremagnum Shopping Centre are located. It is considered a natural extension of the Rambla.

Barcelona Stadium and FC Barcelona Museum

“The Camp Nou Stadium is the stadium of the Catalan football club Barcelona, the largest stadium in Europe. The Camp Nou was inaugurated on 24 September 1957 and has been renovated several times since then.

The stadium has a museum where you can learn about the history and honours of Barcelona’s football and basketball clubs. You can buy a museum ticket.

What and where to eat in Barcelona

There’s a place and a meal for everyone in Barcelona. We share some of our discoveries.

Restaurant UDON

UDON Japanese food restaurant. We love all the noodle dishes, soups. The portions are large.

You can order conveniently on your phone, the staff is helpful and answers all your questions.

CHURRASCARIAS BRASAYLEÑA

This is a typical Brazilian steak restaurant. Slow-roasted chicken, pork and beef.

You pay one price and eat as much as you like, and side dishes are also included. You can also choose the menu price with drinks.

Mercado de La Boqueria

Here you can grab a bite to eat and try Spanish tapas, have a more serious meal, or simply enjoy some fresh fruit or fruit juice.

Where to stay in Barcelona

The city offers a wide choice of hotels and apartments.

We choose accommodation ONA LIVING further away from the centre and larger properties to be comfortable with two children. And because we bought the Barcelona Card, there’s no extra cost to get to the sights.

As always, we find the best deals here:

Practical tips

Transport

Use a day pass or travel card to save on public transport costs. Children’s tickets are often cheaper or free. We always buy a Barcelona Card when staying for a few days.

The Barcelona card is a card that not only gives you free public transport, but also access to more than 25 museums and attractions. Buy it if you’re planning to travel around the city and its museums. By the way, children travelling together (up to 4 years old) don’t need to buy separate cards – they’ll travel and go to museums for free too!

If you are travelling into the city between flights, you can take the city bus (number 46) or the express bus, which is more expensive but has no extra stops at city bus stops. You can buy in advance. Both stop at Plaça d’Espanya, near the aforementioned Arenas mall.

And for panoramic buses to see the city’s highlights, use the HOP-ON HOP-OFF service.

For our kids, the most fun was travelling on the metro trains, both in terms of comfort and space when the buses are crowded.

Flights to Barcelona

There are several airlines flying from Vilnius (Wizzair, Ryanair) and we usually find the best prices here:

Safety when travelling with children in Barcelona

Be vigilant in the city and keep your belongings safe, as Barcelona is unfortunately notorious for pickpockets. For more of our tips, see Safety and security when traveling with children.

Make your everyday life easier when travelling with the whole family with myTU Lietuva mobile banking. Parents can conveniently access free financial services.

Barcelona is the perfect choice for a family holiday. When planning your trip, take these tips into account to have a fun and safe time with your children in this fascinating city.

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