Top 10 things to do in Barcelona with kids
Barcelona is a signature city of the Catalonian region of Spain. Stroll down Las Ramblas and soak in the exquisite mix of Catalan culture, stunning architecture, fabulous nightlife, and trendy hotels.
The city’s also a perfect destination if you’re planning a trip Barcelona with kids. They’ll love every minute of their holiday. Whether your children prefer football, the beach, amusement parks, history or science, Barcelona brings something to the table for everyone.
Get ready to discover all you can do in Barcelona with your kids with Gotland Charter, and enjoy an amazing experience!
Barcelona with kids, things to do as a family
Your children will enjoy the Gothic Quarter’s square with medieval alleys where they’ll have fun exploring to find the treasure jewel-sweets hidden in the original Papabubble shop on Calle Ample.
Also, the open-top buses are amazing rides for children. But they’ll really love the old Tramvia Blau or blue tram which travels from John F. Kennedy Square and the cable car which takes you to the amusement park on Tibidabo mountain.
So, if you’re planning a holiday with the family, here’s a list with the top 10 things to do when you travel to Barcelona with kids.
Park Güell
Put on your walking shoes, take your camera and kids and head to Park Guell.
You’ll need to climb a huge set of stairs and walk on difficult terrain to get to the entrance but the scenery is worth it, and your kids will adore the modern architecture with fairytale-like buildings and the play areas.
A visit to Park Guell is an opportunity for your kids to learn interesting facts about Antoni Gaudi during their holiday. It’s one of Gaudi’s artworks and your kids will be fascinated by the houses inspired by the Hansel and Gretel story.
Follow the narrow paths in Park Guell’s free zone which will lead you under the majestic trees, through the many Gaudi columns, and pass by the small shops with artwork and souvenirs to enjoy a stunning view of Barcelona from the top of the park.
There, you can have a relaxing picnic with your kids and appreciate a panoramic city view. Also, the Monumental Zone is worth visiting, although tickets can cost up to €8.50.
Private Motor Yacht Tour
To fully admire and appreciate Barcelona’s beauty from a completely different point of view you can book a motor yacht tour around the city.
With this experience you will enjoy the other side of the city as you get to discover the interior of the Mediterranean Sea and its weather away from the crowds. But children will absolutely love feeling like they’re pirates or big sailors while they try to observe the animals from the depths.
You want to live an experience you won’t forget once you get home? Renting a private motor yacht tour like the ones we have in Gotland Charter can be one of your best options.
During the 2 to 4 hours trip, you’ll sail along the Barcelona coast and enjoy stunning views of the city. And, so you can also enjoy the surrounding of Barcelona, Gotland Charter also offers one-way trips to other cities.
A popular destination is Sitges which lasts around 2 and a half hours with a stop on Garraf Coast so you can enjoy a swim in the Mediterranean Sea. Another example is a trip to the north for up to 30 minutes leading to Montgat which is a delightful fishermen town that your kids will love if you’re travelling with them.
Your kids will like the exciting activities organised on board and they’ll have fun playing with the water toys. Also, Gotland Charter provides special kids menus and life jackets so that your children immerse in the adventure of sailing along Barcelona’s coast.
Chocolate Museum
The Chocolate Museum in Barcelona is a tribute to one of the most famous desserts in the world. Chocolate has always been a major part of Barcelona’s gastronomic culture as the Bourbon soldiers could have 1.5 ounces of chocolate on bread for breakfast each day.
The museum attracts millions of tourists of all ages, who’re eager to visit the old and new equipment found inside the museum and learn how chocolate is prepared from start to finish.
If you visit Barcelona with your kids, they will have a great time becoming chocolatiers for a day and learn how to make their own chocolate bars. They’ll also enjoy seeing chocolate models of the Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudi.
Parc de la Ciutadella
The Parc de la Ciutadella is an absolute heaven for kids. You’ll find it in the city centre next to the Arc de Triomf. The park dates to the 17th century and it was originally a military citadel.
Today it comprises two museums, the Catalan parliament building, a zoo and a stunning area filled with the greenest grass where you can enjoy an afternoon picnic with your family.
The magnificent waterfall is a perfect place where your kids can play football, volleyball and run around freely. But, there’s also a special playground fully equipped with the best amenities such as swings and slides which your children will love.
You can also take your kids for a boat ride on the lake or visit the zoo which, however, has a separate entrance.
Cable Cars
You’ll enjoy a trip with the cable car de Montjuic which connects the Paralel Metro Station to Montjuic Castle, which overlooks the Barcelona Harbour. When you reach the castle, you’ll be stunned by the panoramic view of the city and the Mediterranean.
However, if you’re with your kids on the beach, you can reach the Montjuic castle with the Teleferico del Puerto which connects the beachfront to Montjuic. Make sure you book a round trip if you want to return to the beach. The ride offers amazing views of the port below and your kids can take exciting photos of the scenery.
Also, there’s a different ride you can take up to Ulriken mountain. Although your kids won’t have much to do when you reach the mountain top, they’ll enjoy the ride.
And, you can also take a cable car ride to reach Montserrat mountain, which is next to Barcelona. On the top of the mountain, you’ll find the Montserrat monastery and a stunning open-air museum which the kids will enjoy.
Tibidabo Amusement Park
The Tibidabo Amusement Park is a must-see in Barcelona. Its vintage style is a reminder of the 70s, but all of its rides are safe and brand new. You can ride the carousel or the shiny Ferris wheel which offers a beautiful view of the city.
You may have experienced a panoramic view of Barcelona, but nothing comes close to the view from atop the Tibidabo mountain. Ride the blue tram to visit the old-style residential areas and the Catholic Cathedral which took over 60 years to build.
Barcelona’s Beaches
Barcelona’s beaches are the perfect destination for a family trip. The Barceloneta beach is the first beach you’ll notice in the city but it can get pretty crowded.
It’s a place where you can windsurf, kite surf, go sailing or swim in the clear waters. But you can also have a relaxing drink at one of the many terraces or taste the delicious food prepared at the beach restaurant. And the Homenatge a la Barceloneta – the leaning monument – as well as the Monument a Colom – a tribute to Christopher Columbus – are interesting architecture pieces which you’ll notice when you’re in Barceloneta.
Other beaches which are worth visiting include Icaria beach and the Olympic beach, where your kids can have fun at the playgrounds as you enjoy the sun and the sea.
Port Aventura Theme Park
The PortAventura Park which is set right next to Barcelona is a place which your kids will remember for years to come and a different place where you can go as you visit Barcelona and their surroundings with your kids.
Toddlers can enjoy the lovely Sesame Street rides, while older children can check out the thrilling and tallest rides in Europe such as the Stampida, the Shambhala, Dragon Khan, Ferrari Land or join the fun at the Caribe Water Park. They’ll love the King Khajuna free-fall slide and the dives into El Torrente.
Also, you’ll find a lovely central pool and bar with a variety of drinks so you can relax while your kids play. And, you can also have a meal at the on-site restaurant.
Water Parks
Kids of all ages love the carefree fun and excitement of water parks filled with imaginative slides and pools. They always have a great time trying out water chutes with spectacular twists and turns plus exhilarating dips and tunnel sections. There’s usually exciting jumps that older kids can’t resist.
Even the youngest toddlers can join in the fun on specially designed slides where they can safely discover the thrilling experience of splashing about in water.
Illa Fantasia is just 25km to the north of Barcelona and has a popular selection of slides. There’s also a spacious picnic area with facilities for holding your own barbecue.
50km further on is the coastal attraction of Marineland. Alongside the exciting water slides is a dolphinarium plus a selection of exotic reptiles and birds.
The water park at Aqualeon includes a safari landscape where hundreds of animals roam free.
Miniature Catalonia Park
You and your kids can explore the beautiful region of Catalonia the easy way in this fascinating architectural display that’s been delighting visitors since 1983. There are more than forty miniaturised models built perfectly to scale of some of Barcelona’s most famous buildings and monuments.
Exhibits include Antonio Guadi’s majestic cathedral, La Sagrada Familia and a replica of Montserrat’s Benedictine monastery perched high amongst the Pyrenees.
When your kids have appreciated the splendour of Girona, Lleida and Catalonia’s ancient port of Tarragona, they can enjoy letting off steam in the adventure park. This features a variety of exciting tree-top routes that older kids will adore.
Tiered walkways and suspended platforms of timber and rope provide the exhilarating challenge of an assault course that’s set amongst unforgettable scenery. And for the finishing touch to a perfect day, there’s a great choice of cafes and restaurants.
The best kids activities to do when you visit Barcelona
Barcelona’s family-friendly character stretches across a wide variety of fun activities and locations which your kids will never forget.
Aside from the magical castles, the thrilling cable car trips or private yacht tours along the Barcelona Coast, you can visit the Magic Fountain to end a beautiful day in Barcelona. Or, check out the Parc del Laberint d’Horta to experience an adventure through the maze and see the topiary sculptures which the kids love.
Parc del Laberinto d’Horta
The Parc del Laberint d’Horta was designed by Domenico Bagutti and it’s one of the oldest parks in Barcelona, dating to 1792.
Here you’ll find the Neoclassical Garden with the famous maze with beautiful sculptures and fountains. Letting your kids discover the exit of the maze can be a funny experience for them!
When you manage to get out, you can enter the cave at the Jardin de los Musgos. On the upper level of the garden, you’ll discover the Mirador with Italian-type statues and fountains.
Magic Fountain
The Magic Fountain of Barcelona was originally designed by Carles Buigas and renovated in 1992. You’ll see huge cascades of water spouting from the fountain during magical shows with music and lights which create an unmatchable atmosphere.
When you travel to Barcelona with kids, the Magic Fountain should be on the top of your list of landmarks to see.
During summer, hundreds of people watch the rainbow spectacle and many tourists sit on the steps which lead to the MNAC museum. The operating hours vary depending on the time of year, so you should check the schedule to make sure you arrive at the right hour.
From thrilling adventures in amusement parks to chocolate Heaven to the water sports and cable car rides, Barcelona is a vibrant city for you and your family to visit.
It entices all your senses and becomes a huge playground for your children. The city highly values time spent with the family and kids are a central part of its culture.
So, if you want to travel to Barcelona with kids, you’ll find plenty of places where they can have a wonderful time with you!