5 Things Your Family Can Do in Barcelona
Barcelona is the city with 9 UNESCO World Heritage sites, which is why it’s easy to lose yourself in a cultural tour. But, when you’re visiting with children, you may want to tame down the cultural sighting. The good news is that there are plenty of child-friendly locations and many tourists come with their entire family.
However, since this is a city with numerous attractions, below we listed the ones that will keep kids engaged and wanting to see more.
#1: Visit the Cultural Points of Interest
Barcelona is one of Spain’s most cultural cities and there are lots of places to visit, but I recommend starting with the cultural ones first. The kids will be well-rested and more interested in visiting cultural locations than if you would leave this for the end of your vacation.
The most iconic cultural places to visit in Barcelona are:
- Sagrada Familia – the famous (unfinished) Roman Catholic Church designed by Antoni Gaudi. The church combines several architectural styles and is unique in the world – a must-see if you’re ever in Barcelona!
- Park Güell – In this park you can continue to admire Gaudi’s architectural genius by admiring houses out of Hansel and Gretel, ornamental dragons, and more – and it’s all for free!
- La Rambla – While it may not be exactly what you’d expect from a cultural point of interest, this boulevard if famous among tourists. The trip starts at Plaça Catalunya and goes towards the port, but there are lots to see down the road.
- Casa Milà – Another of Gaudi’s masterpieces, this house is famous all over the world for its unique design.
#2: Take a Tour
Barcelona has plenty to offer and it may be quite difficult to see everything in one vacation. That’s why you should prioritize and take a tour. For instance, you could focus on visiting cultural points of interest and then hit the beaches and the harbor.
Since the city has a long coastline, there are plenty of sand-filled beaches where everyone can find a bit of space under the Sun. If you’re with small children, I recommend the Olympic Village (the area is more child-friendly).
Of course, if you don’t feel like planning ahead, there are local companies that will be happy to offer their services (for instance, barcelonaexclusiveprivatetours.com/). There is also a touristic bus that goes on different color-coded routes (red and blue are most recommended) and gives you the chance to relax and discover the city.
#3: Water Attractions
Speaking of beaches, Barcelona also offers other ways to enjoy the water and its amazing creatures! One of these ways is their famous aquarium, where you get to see the sea world from a different perspective.
If we’re used to seeing the fish through a glass wall and only from one side, this time you’re introduced in a glass tunnel and the aquatic life happens around you. This is actually Europe’s largest sea tunnel and allows visitors to admire rays, sharks, and more amazing creatures.
Another water-related attraction is the Magic Fountain Montjüic, a water fountain that dances to lights and music. As you can imagine, the show happens at night, which may be difficult to watch with small children, but if you can, you shouldn’t miss it.
#4: The Garden of Barcelona
Also known as the Ciutadella Park, this area offers a series of attractions that will keep the kids busy. Starting with the local zoo and moving to a life-size replica of a mammoth, you’ll also find boats, fountains, and plenty of space for the kids to burn some energy.
#5: Tibidabo Amusement Park
The park is situated at the end of a trek, so it may be out of limits for smaller kids, but it is worth it if the kids are older. The amusement park offers some fun attractions, but the most interesting one is a rollercoaster which also shows you the countryside. It may not be the ideal fun for adults, but kids will love it!