The Ultimate Guide to Amusement Parks in Barcelona: Fun, Culture and Family-Friendly Adventures

Summary

• Barcelona has several amusement parks, each catering to different preferences and age groups. 
• Tibidabo Amusement Park is ideal for families and those who enjoy classic rides with stunning city views. PortAventura World is perfect for thrill-seekers, with high-speed roller coasters and themed attractions. Water parks like Illa Fantasia and WaterWorld are great for families looking to cool off and have fun.
• For families with young children, Tibidabo, Illa Fantasia, Gnomo Park and WaterWorld have a variety of kid-friendly attractions. 
• Those who love adventure and outdoor activities may prefer Barcelona Bosc Urbà, while budget-conscious visitors can enjoy WaterWorld and Illa Fantasia at a lower cost.
• To avoid long lines, it’s best to visit during the off-season, either in spring or autumn/fall, or on weekdays. 
• Booking tickets online can save time and sometimes money. 
• Many parks host special events and themed workshops during holidays, making visits even more exciting. 

Booking a trip to Barcelona can be incredibly exciting: the lovely weather, the history, architecture food and nightlife, there’s plenty to see and do here. If you’re heading to Barcelona with kids, though, have you thought about specific activities to incorporate into your itinerary to keep them entertained?

There are plenty of family-friendly activities in the city and this article focuses on just one of them: amusement parks!

A Simple Breakdown of the Best Amusement Parks

So, does Barcelona have amusement parks? 

Barcelona and its surrounding areas are home to some of the most exciting amusement parks in Europe. Whether you're looking for thrilling roller coasters, family-friendly water parks or unique themed experiences, there's something for people of all ages.

Here's a breakdown of the top parks, their highlights and who they’re best suited for.  

Tibidabo Amusement Park

Best For: This Barcelona theme park is great for families, classic ride enthusiasts and those wanting panoramic views of Barcelona.  
Highlights:

• Iconic rides like the Avió (a vintage plane ride) and the Sky Walk.  
• Stunning views of Barcelona from Mount Tibidabo.  
• Family-friendly attractions like the Crash Cars and Castel dels Contes.  
• Do the Tibidabo hike or take the Tibidabo funicular, another fun activity for the kids.

Timings: 11am–7pm (weekends only).  
Entry Fee: €35 - €45. 

Official Website of Tibidabo Amusement Park

PortAventura World Parks & Resort

Best For: Thrill-seekers, families and Ferrari fans.  
Highlights:  

• PortAventura Salou Park: Theme park Barcelona, PortAventura, has six themed areas with over 40 rides, including the Dragon Khan and Shambhala roller coasters. 
• Caribe Aquatic Park: A tropical water park with Europe’s highest water slide.  
• Ferrari Land: A Ferrari-themed park with high-speed rides like the Red Force.  

Timings: 10am–7pm.  
Entry Fee: €48 (adults), €40 (children 4-10).

Official Website of PortAventura World 

Illa Fantasia

Best For: Families and water park lovers.  
Highlights:

• The Ilia Fantasia water park has 22 water attractions, including spiraling slides and wave pools.  
• Three giant swimming pools and picnic areas.  

Timings: 10am–5pm.  
Entry Fee: €17 - €29.  

Official Website of Illa Fantasia

Barcelona Bosc Urbà

Best For: Adventure seekers and active families.  
Highlights:  

• Zip lines, climbing circuits, and bungee jumping.  
• Four difficulty levels (Orange, Blue, Red, Red + Blue).  

Timings: 10am–3pm (weekends, November-March).  
Entry Fee: Varies by circuit.  

Official Website of Barcelona Bosc Urbà

WaterWorld

Best For: Looking for the best water park, Barcelona? WaterWorld is for budget-conscious families and water park enthusiasts.  
Highlights:

• WaterWorld Barcelona has wave pools, lagoons to relax at and thrilling slides like the 75-degree water mountain slide.  

Timings: 10am–8pm.  
Entry Fee: €8.88.  

Official Website of WaterWorld

Gnomo Park

Best For: Families with young kids.
Highlights:

• Indoor and outdoor games, including obstacle courses, wading pools, and go-karting.
• Creative room for toddlers to engage in crafts.

Timings: 12pm–8:30pm.
Entry Fee: From €33.

Aquopolis Costa Dorada

Best For: Families and water park lovers.
Highlights:

• 15 attractions, including the Kamikaze slide, Black Hole, and Wave Beach.
• Dolphin and sea lion shows.
• Restaurants and bars serving Spanish delights.

Timings: 10am–8pm.
Entry Fee: €20.

Official Website of Aquopolis Costa Dorada

Who Each Park is Best For

• Families with young kids: Tibidabo, Illa Fantasia, Gnomo Park, WaterWorld.  
• Thrill-seekers: PortAventura World.
• Adventure lovers: Barcelona Bosc Urbà.  
• Budget-conscious visitors: WaterWorld, Illa Fantasia.  
• Water park enthusiasts: Illa Fantasia, Aquopolis Costa Dorada, WaterWorld.

Amusement parks aren’t just for young kids, of course, but big kids, too! If you’re looking for what else to do in Barcelona for young travelers, we have you covered with some of the top activities.

Practical Tips for Families

To make the most of your trip, here are some practical tips to help you plan your visit, avoid crowds and make sure the trip is smooth and easy for the whole family.

Best Times to Visit to Avoid Long Lines and Crowds 

• Avoid peak season (July and August): These months are the busiest, with long lines and crowded parks. Instead, visit during the spring (March–May) or autumn (September–October) when the weather is still pleasant and crowds are thinner.  
• Visit on weekdays: If you’re visiting during the summer, aim for weekdays when local crowds are smaller compared to weekends.  
• Arrive early: Most parks open around 10am. Arriving at opening time means you can enjoy popular rides with minimal wait times.  
• Check park schedules: Some parks, like Tibidabo Amusement Park, have limited opening hours outside of summer, so plan accordingly to avoid disappointment.  
• Use Park Maps: Familiarize yourself with the park layout to choose which rides your kids want to visit the most, heading there first as soon as you arrive.
• Check if it’s raining: Consider booking tickets to an amusement park on a day that it will rain when the park opens. While you cannot guarantee when the rain will stop, this happened to a friend and I at Everland in Seoul, Korea, and we never had to wait for a ride when rides usually have an hour wait, since people hadn’t booked tickets for that day, despite there being no rain in the afternoon. 

Source

Information About the Parks

Many parks offer combo tickets that include transportation from Barcelona, making it easier for families to get there without the hassle of driving. Here’s a breakdown of your options, along with what you can expect at the parks:

Tips

• Book tickets online: Save time and often money by purchasing tickets in advance.  
• Pack essentials: Bring sunscreen, hats, water bottles and snacks to keep everyone comfortable.  
• Plan for breaks: Theme parks can be tiring for little ones. Schedule downtime to rest and recharge.  
• Check park maps: Most parks are stroller-friendly, but some, like Tibidabo, have steep areas. Check the park map for accessible routes. You can also check maps to see if they have nursing rooms.
• Explore During Major Shows: When popular shows or parades are scheduled, other attractions often become less crowded.

Need some more travel tips for Barcelona?

Insider Recommendations & Hidden Gems

Traveling anywhere with children can be a hardship, but exploring another country and dragging your children outside of the city to amusement parks can be a hassle. For this reason, it’s a good idea to plan ahead, knowing what food is available, where to sit and relax, what other activities the kids can join in on as well as learning any tips that can help you along the way.

Hopefully, you’ve learned quite a few tips so far, but here are some other ways to help make sure your full or half-day trip to a fun park Barcelona is smooth and enjoyable for everyone.

Workshops and Activities at the Parks

The Aquopolis Costa Dorada water park Barcelona Spain sometimes has group dances and musical activities by the pool in the summer, along with craft workshops like painting seashells and bracelet making during peak times. Likewise, the amusement park, Barcelona, Port Aventura, has various craft workshops during Christmas and Halloween, along with cultural-themed workshops during events like Chinese New Year and Dia de los Muertos, where kids can learn about these events through crafts, stories and activities.

Check out what’s on when you’re heading to these adventure parks in Barcelona, Spain, as parks update their event calendars regularly. This way, you can combine your park visit with other activities, making the day even more engaging for the kids and giving you a break from running around.

Family Photos

It’s awkward stopping someone and asking them to take your photo but if you’re traveling as a family, you’re bound to want family photos. Rather than stressing at the end because you haven’t got a good photo and the kids are all drained, here are some great photo locations to keep an eye out for at each theme park.

Be sure to get some grad unplanned and candid shots too, as these are genuine and often the best ones of the day.

Want to make sure the rest of your Barcelona trip is filled with fun and interesting things to do? Here are some hidden gems in Barcelona!

Which Amusement Park Will You Head to In Barcelona?

Choose the amusement park that most suits your needs, or head to a few over the course of your stay in Barcelona! Each has its pros and cons, so, hopefull,y this guide has helped narrow down which is best for you and your family.

If you need help booking the rest of your trip to Barcelona, why not hire a private tour guide? GoWithGuide’s tour guides are vetted to make sure they provide you with the best experiences possible, so have a browse and get in touch with one to see how they can help you fit in everything you want to see when in this stunning city.