Plan a trip to Barcelona with the family! It's so exciting for both parents and children. If you're looking for information on what you can do with the whole family, this is a must-read. Barcelona has a lot to offer for both adults and children. Here, we'll introduce things to do with your kids, categorized by genre your family would be interested in, so you can plan your trip according to your family's goals and preferences.
1. Create the best memories at tourist attractions and facilities for the whole family to enjoy!
The first thing you must want to do is to create the best memories possible. Here we will introduce some information that will help you and your kids create fun and wonderful memories together without kids getting bored!
1-1. Park Güell
Relax and play together with kids!
All children love parks! Relax and play in the spacious space. There is also playground equipment that children over the age of walking can enjoy, making it a great tourist spot for families with children. This is one of Antonio Gaudi's works, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even children who are not interested in art will find plenty to be excited about, such as the cute house that looks like a gingerbread house inspired by Grimm's fairy tales, benches decorated with colorful tiles in wavy shapes, and a square supported by Greek temple-style columns with a panoramic view of Barcelona. You will see your kids running around excitedly. It’s also comfortable for families with children to find benches, tables, and other resting areas here and there.
(As of July 1, 2024, the ticket booth at the entrance to Park Güell will no longer exist. Currently, all tickets must be reserved online.)
1-2. 4D Experience G Experiència
Immerse yourself in the creative world of the modernist architectural geniuses with a 4D experience!
It's located just a few steps from Park Güell, so it's easy to combine with a visit to the park. The G Experience offers a true 4D audiovisual experience through a Scope screen. With surround sound, moving seats and special effects, you'll experience first-hand how nature inspired Gaudí's work and see his main iconic landmarks from a new perspective.
(Children under 3 years old are not allowed to enter. Children aged 4-6 years old are free, but some attractions are not recommended for little children.)
[Official website] https://www.gaudiexperiencia.com/en/4d-and-exhibition/
1-3. Ciutadella Park and Barcelona Zoo
Take a stroll through this popular park and interact with local animals at Barcelona Zoo!
Inside the park, there are plenty of things to see, such as the Fountain Square, an early work by Gaudi, the Red Arc de Triomf, and Lluís Companys Street, which is bustling with street performers. Barcelona Zoo is home to over 7,500 animals from over 400 species, and is known as the zoo where the white gorilla Copit de Nieve was born. In addition to bottlenose dolphin shows, the zoo also offers the chance to interact with Catalan livestock such as Iberian pigs, hens, and donkeys. Children who love animals can spend a whole day here playing.
[Official Website] https://zoobarcelona.cat/en
1-4. Tibidabo Amusement Park
Run around and enjoy a picnic!
How about enjoying a picnic at the world's oldest functioning amusement park? Bringing lunch must be fun. It's small for an amusement park, but it's big enough for children to run around.There is a height restriction, so if your child is around 1 meter tall, we recommend purchasing a ticket that allows a chaperone to ride.
The view is amazing, and the Sagrado Corazon Church next to the amusement park is a must-see.
[Official Website] https://tibidabo.cat/en
1-5. Boqueria Market - Enjoy interacting with the locals!
All the shopkeepers are friendly and quick to respond. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. There is a wide variety of things to buy and eat. From fruits to meat, seafood, crafts and dried goods, there is everything. Everything is available fresh at the outdoor market. Since it is outdoors, you can enjoy the atmosphere of a farmers' market. It is also convenient that credit cards are accepted everywhere you go. For adults, it is also nice to stop by one of the many small restaurants around the market where you can sit and enjoy a cold sangria.
[Official Website] https://www.boqueria.barcelona/home
1-6. Las Ramblas
Enjoy a leisurely stroll on Las Ramblas, a street between the Gothic and Raval districts that stretches for 1.2 km from Plaça Catalunya to the port!
Las Ramblas is divided into three areas. From Plaça Catalunya to Bethlehem Church, there are many cake shops and ice cream shops, and from Bethlehem Church to the Liceu Theatre, there are many flower shops. Also, from the Liceu Theatre to the Columbus Tower, there are many caricaturists and street performers. You can have your child's portrait drawn, and you'll surely be interested in the street performers unique to this area.
1-7. Montjuïc Hill
Enjoy a picnic or a walk at the observation deck of Montjuïc Hill, where you can see the whole of Barcelona city and the Mediterranean Sea!
This hill is also home to Montjuïc Castle, the Miro Museum, the Olympic Stadium, the Olympic Sports Museum, and the Spanish Village.
For children who are not interested in museums or art galleries, we recommend the Spanish Village. This is a theme park-like place that introduces Spanish culture since 1929, where you can buy souvenirs of crafts from all over Spain, and enjoy demonstrations by artisans and flamenco performances.
1-8. Santa Eulalia Cathedral
Go back in time to ancient times at the Cathedral, one of the most iconic buildings in Spain!
This Cathedral has many hidden histories and unknown episodes.
In the Cathedral courtyard, there are 13 white geese of Santa Eulalia. Why 13?
Did you know that each of the 21 bells has a name?
If you want to see the miracle of the "dancing eggs", an interesting traditional event in Barcelona, this is the place to do it. It will be twice as fun to visit the Cathedral while solving the mystery with your kids.
[Official Website] https://catedralbcn.org/en/
1-9. Sagrada Familia - Enjoy a visit to Sagrada Familia with your kids, a must-visit tourist spot for families!
Children under 6 years old are not allowed to climb the tower, and boys up to 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult, but you can still enjoy the inside of the cathedral without climbing the tower. Children under 11 years old can enter for free, and tickets can be purchased in advance from the official website.
There is also a park nearby where children can play, so after enjoying Sagrada Familia, it's time for the kids! While they are playing to their heart's content, you may be able to see the Sagrada Familia dyed orange by the sunset during magic hour.
[Official Website] https://sagradafamilia.org/
1-10. Casa Batlló
Both Adults and children can enjoy a magical experience in a one-of-a-kind space with the magic of Gaudi!
There are various cultural plans to enjoy with your kids here. Immersive rooms, virtual reality, 360° projections, the Batlló family's private residence, interactive art, holograms, and more. Casa Batlló is full of exciting experiences for children, and also offers a wide range of services that are appreciated by families, such as baby strollers and baby carriers. Admission is free for children up to 12 years old.
[Official Website] https://www.casabatllo.es/en/
1-11. Chocolate Museum
For families with a sweet tooth, come see, buy, make and eat!
See cool chocolate sculptures and learn about the origins of chocolate and how Europe received and improved this new flavor from the Americas.
The museum shop sells a variety of delicious chocolates, mugs and other items, making them great souvenirs from your trip to Barcelona.
There are also fun programs for children, so be sure to check them out!
[Official Website] https://museuxocolata.cat/en/
1-12. Barcelona Aquarium
Learn about Mediterranean creatures through fun and exciting interactive exhibits!
The largest aquarium in the Mediterranean region is located near Port Vell in the center of Barcelona, a famous tourist spot. There are lots of fun and exciting interactive exhibits where children can press buttons, go through tubes, and slide down slides.
Looking through the 80-meter-long glass tube makes you feel like you're really watching the fish moving in the deep sea.
You can also watch the feeding of various animals. If you arrive at the aquarium by 11:30am you can see the first feeding of the day, penguins being fed. You may be able to get a discount if you buy your tickets in advance online.
[Official Website] https://www.aquariumbcn.com/en/
1-13. Giants/Big Fun Museum
Take lots of memorable photos with trick art!
It's a great place to play with the kids, with an upside-down house, a giant's house, a candy world, and more. Opposite is the La Boqueria food market, so it's a great place to visit for a fun lunchtime. The bustling market is filled with stylish food stalls and small restaurants with seating. The kids will love it!
[Official Website] https://bigfunmuseum.com/en/?museo=home-giant
1-14. Barcelona Bosc Urba Blue Circuit
For the adventurous family!
Access 19 points using zip lines, bridges and ladders. A perfect activity for the adventurous family. Both adults and children are sure to have a blast. There are age restrictions depending on the zone.
[Official Website] https://www.barcelonaboscurba.com/en/
2. Strengthen family bonds in nature!
Enjoying an adventure together in nature that is different from your usual surroundings will surely deepen the bonds between family members.
2-1. Take a Barcelona bicycle tour!
Enjoy sightseeing that will be unforgettable for a long time on a bicycle tour! Barcelona also offers bicycle tours that the whole family can enjoy, regardless of age.
From friendly family tours to more active bikers, find a tour that suits your family and pedal together, stopping here and there to take photos and listen to your guide to learn about history, culture and architecture.
[Highly recommended]
- 2 Hours Bike Tour for Families in Barcelona
- 4 Hours Bike Tour Barcelona
- 4 Hours Bike Tour: The Hills around the City of Barcelona
- 4 Hours Discovering Barcelona with an e-bike
2-2. Enjoy hiking in Parque Natural de la Serra de Cuiserola
Enjoy hiking in Barcelona's secret forest! Hiking in the vast 8,000-hectare natural park is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Children's eyes sparkle as they make new discoveries through bird watching and plant observation. There are also areas where you can enjoy a variety of sports.
[Official Website] https://parcnaturalcollserola.cat/es/
2-3. Hide and seek in the maze at Horta Labyrinth Park!
Both adults and kids can enjoy spending some relaxing time in this maze-like park! The highlight of each is the maze, which is about 2 meters high, taller than you are. There are many fun games to enjoy, including hide and seek.
Despite being easily accessible by metro from the center of Barcelona, the park is not very touristy, and you can see locals coming with their families and old people enjoying their walks. You might make some local friends while playing in the park. However, you cannot bring food with you into the park, so a picnic is not possible.
[Official Website] https://www.barcelona.de/en/barcelona-parc-laberint.html
2-4. Create lifelong memories on a Barcelona Sailing Tour
How about a private cruise from Barcelona to the Mediterranean Sea? You will discover a different charm from the vibrant Barcelona seen from the coast. In between sailing, jump into the sea with the whole family and have fun!
[Highly recommended]
2-5. Relax on Barceloneta Beach with the family
Barcelona's most popular beach!
Just 10 minutes from the city center, this 4.2km stretch of golden sand features four main beach areas. There's more to do at the beach than just swimming; windsurfing and kitesurfing are popular activities. You can also enjoy a refreshing drink at one of the many beach huts. Or, when you need a rest, just lie back and soak up the warm Spanish sunshine with a good book.
3. Learning together with your kids! Barcelona's art, culture and science.
These are the places to see, touch and learn about Barcelona's art and culture! Children absorb experiences that are different from their usual environment more deeply.
3-1. Experience Spanish culture at Spanish Village!
If you have small children with you, it's hard to get around to all the different areas quickly. This is the place to go! There are replicas of buildings from all over Spain, so you'll feel like you've been to each of them. You can also see a flamenco show. Because it's located in the Montjuïc district, the view of Barcelona's cityscape from the top of the hill is said to be picturesque. While other tourist attractions are crowded with people, this place is relatively quiet, so it's safe even for families with children.
[Official Website] https://poble-espanyol.com/
3-2. Take part in interactive STEM workshops!
Designed to nurture the creative mind within children, the various workshops span the fields of science, technology and engineering. It's the perfect place for kids to have fun and make discoveries.
[Official Website] https://thestemworkshop.co.uk/
3-3. Come join us for a Family theater workshop!
Experience the magic of theater as a family and have a shared experience to build your confidence! The number of participants is limited so be sure to make a reservation.
[Official Website] https://plaudite.org/en/family-heater-workshop/
3-4. See a live flamenco performance up close and share the excitement and thrill!
Spain is synonymous with flamenco. By experiencing flamenco in person, rather than just watching it on TV or in movies, you can gain a deeper understanding of Spanish culture. If you choose a restaurant where you can enjoy the best dancing and the best food together, the whole family will be very satisfied.
3-5. See, touch and learn at the CosmoCaixa Science Museum!
The museum has 9 floors, with 3 above ground and 6 below. It is cleverly designed to take advantage of the sloping terrain and allow natural light to reach the underground areas, and boasts an area of 50,000 square meters, featuring very large-scale exhibits. The museum's biggest selling point is the spectacular "t," which recreates the Amazon forest! The science museum also has a planetarium. There is also "TOCA TOCA," which means "touch, touch" in Spanish, and you can touch fossils, various animals, insects and plants directly. Reservations are required for this.
[Official Website] https://cosmocaixa.org/es/
4. Spanish dishes to eat with your kids! Must-eat 10!
Enjoying local food is a great way to learn about the local culture. Let’s eat and learn!
4-1. Tapas
Tapas is the popular Spanish cuisine which is served on a small dish. It can be enjoyed as a snack or appetizer with alcohol. French fries and croquettes with delicious sauces are also popular with kids.
Tapas tours where you can enjoy a variety of small dishes are popular.
[Highly recommended]
4-2. Pintxos
The difference between pinxos and tapas is that the food is served on a small plate or on a skewer. The word pinchos comes from the Spanish word "pinchar" (to stab). It's a great idea to try different kinds as you want!
4-3. Tortilla
A Spanish omelette that kids will love. It's packed with onions and potatoes, so it's very nutritious!
4-4. Paella
Paella is a rice dish that originated in the Valencian Community. It is considered one of the symbols of the Valencian Community, but is now known as one of the representative dishes of Spanish cuisine. It is perfect for sharing with the whole family.
4-5. Chocolate Churros
Churros y chocolate, a typical Spanish sweet, is a very popular treat for kids. Churros are often sold from carts at fairs and markets, but they are also served in typical Spanish cafes called "granjas". These cafes (sometimes called chocolate restaurants) are popular with children as they generally do not serve alcohol and specialize in soft drinks and cakes. Churros are served with rich, creamy hot chocolate and are typically eaten with a spoon, although you can also dip the churros in it.
4-6. Empanadas
Empanada means bread to cover or wrap in Spanish. As the name suggests, it is made by wrapping ingredients such as beef, onion, olives, and boiled eggs and baking them. It is also perfect as a snack.
4-7. Gazpacho
The Mediterranean climate has strong summer sunshine and little rain. Gazpacho, which was born in such a region, is a cold soup perfect for summer. Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions and garlic. Plenty of summer vegetables and fragrant extra virgin olive oil will keep your body in shape for the summer.
4-8. Spanish Rice Pudding
Spanish-style cold rice pudding is delicious and easy to eat even in hot weather. It's the perfect way to get some nutrition when you don't have much of an appetite due to the heat.
4-9. Bocadillo
A Spanish sandwich, bocadillo. It is a classic dish of various ingredients sandwiched between a baguette. Ingredients include fried squid, ham, cheese, and tortilla, making it a very filling sandwich. There is a wide variety, so you're sure to find something your kids will like.
4-10. Flan
It's a bit like pudding, but pudding is steamed, whereas flan is made by pouring custard cream into a tart crust and baking it in an oven, giving it a rich texture. Flan is one of the most popular desserts in Spain, with a history dating back to before Christ. It's also interesting to learn about history through food.
Conclusion
Above are the things to do in Barcelona for a family based on purpose. We will also add some advice to make your trip easier. Be well prepared and go on a family trip that will be a lifelong memory! Bon voyage!
If you already have the duration of your trip picked and it just so happens to be 3 days, we have the perfect guide for you! Check out our article: Unforgettable 3 Days in Barcelona with Family: The Best Itinerary
Great value Barcelona Card Family
The Barcelona Card Family is the official visitor card of the city of Barcelona, which allows the whole family to enter 10 attractions in Barcelona. It is valid for 72, 96 or 120 hours from the first use. It is also valid at the facilities introduced. You can choose the type of ticket according to the schedule of your family.
About Private Guide
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