Barcelona is a friendly, hospitable city, with something to offer everyone. From historical and architectural marvels, the best in food, art and music, and an indefinable bustling beachside vibe that carries you along with it, you can’t help having fun here. It’s never easy travelling with children, but Barcelona has a set of attractions that are diverse enough to keep the whole family entertained.
Our top picks take in culture, outdoor activities and some of the city’s finest sights – a sign of just how much there is to do during your stay.
Cuitadella Park
Always popular with younger visitors – especially the life-size mammoth statue – “The Garden of Barcelona†has the city zoo, rowboats, and much more.
Tibidabo Amusement Park
Something for older kids perhaps – and although most of the attractions at this Amusement Park are relatively tame compared to some of the bigger parks in the UK and Europe, the Ferris wheel gives an unrivalled view over the whole city, and the Muntanya Russa rollercoaster that rolls through forests and over hills is enough to give even jaded teens a thrill.
L’Aquarium Barcelona
Just as the name suggests, Barcelona boasts a world-class aquarium, including Europe’s largest sea tunnel, where you can see rays, sharks, moonfish and even – in a special exhibition – some cute penguins. A treat for Madagascar fans.
Cable Car Rides
Strung from Montjüic, one of the two mountains that flank this sea city, the cable cars run down to the old fishing port of Barceloneta, the other up to the old castle atop the mountain. Not for the faint-hearted perhaps, but it’s the best view of the city.
The Beach
Obvious perhaps, but Barna is blessed with some stunning beaches a stone’s throw from the city. Barceloneta is the most famous beach, and The Olympic Village, left over from 1992, is now a kid-friendly environment. Sitges Beach is 30mins from town and may be a little quieter. Just bear in mind, Mar Bella is an unofficial nudist beach…
Park Güell
One of Barcelona’s nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, designed by master local architect Antoni GaudÃ, this place is a fairy-tale landscape for kids. Originally designed as a chic locale for Barcelona’s aristocracy, GaudÃ’s nature-inspired pillars and twisting tree-trunk pillars, along with the technicolour tiles of the open-air seating area, and the world-famous tiled Dragon Fountain, all make a dreamlike space for everyone to walk through. If they’re up to it, GaudÃ’s former house is now a museum within the park.
Magic Fountains Montjüic
It’s hard to name a can’t-miss attraction in a city this jam-packed, but this is definitely one. Especially in late summer when the nights are darker, the fountains and light shows are a beautiful sight – if the kids can stay up!
How to Get There
With three airports and flights all year, getting to Barcelona is easy wherever you are. To make things as convenient as possible for the whole family, fly to El Prat Barcelona Airport, transfer from there with a pre-booked bus, or better yet a private car, and you’ll be in holiday mode in no time.
Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers all over Europe and northern Africa. If you’re looking for an affordable Barcelona airport transfer Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you and your luggage get to and from the airport swiftly and safely.
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