Things to do in Barcelona with Kids | The Ultimate Barcelona Guide
The capital city of Catalonia, Barcelona, is settled on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, which means miles of sandy coastline and spellbinding views. Traveling to Barcelona with kids is a treat for the family with fun activities, intriguing architecture that even the kids will stop to stare at, and a culture that is fascinating and inviting.
Whether you wish to participate in a cooking class and learn to make paella with the kids or if you want to visit a museum to teach kids a bit of history, there is something that will catch your eye in Barcelona. Take a walk on Las Ramblas, go on an Antoni Gaudí tour, and watch the mesmerizing water show at the Magic Fountain in Montjuic. Here is our guide to the perfect, fun-for-all, trip to Barcelona with kids!
Is it Easy to Travel to Barcelona with Kids?
Barcelona is a modern city that goes the extra mile to preserve its heritage and tradition. The city caters to different types of travelers with different needs and for families, it is especially exciting. The city has a lot to offer in terms of activities including bike tours of Barcelona where the entire family can hop on bicycles and visit the best spots around.
Barcelona has an efficient public transportation system with its metro, FGC, tram, and buses serving the locals and tourists. Visit the beach, like Barceloneta, for volleyball, cycling, boat trips, and sunset cruises. Kids will love building sandcastles as you relax on the beach.
Best time to visit Barcelona with Kids
March to May is the best time to visit Barcelona with Kids
Spring
Spring, March-May, is one of the best times to visit Barcelona with kids as the temperature is mild and pleasant while the atmosphere is electric owing to the many Spring festivals like Sant Jordi’s Day. Spring is also the ideal time to visit nearby areas like Costa Brava and Girona as the crowds are thinner.
Summer
Summer, June-August, in Barcelona is sweltering and sultry, think umpteen ice-cream cones for the kids and Sangria for the parents. Summer is peak tourist season in Spain. For the best experience, visit popular landmarks like La Sagrada Família as early as possible before the post-lunch crowds.
Autumn
Autumn, September-November, signals the end of sultry afternoons with a cool breeze lifting spirits for a more festival atmosphere. La Mercè Festival is the most-awaited fall event with citywide celebrations, firecrackers, dancing, and pageantry. Autumn is also the rainy season, so if you’re traveling to Barcelona with kids, this is something to take into consideration
Winter
Winter, December-February, in Barcelona is a mild affair with temperatures hovering around 16°C, perfect for kids as you don’t have to worry about runny noses and untimely colds. The crowds are thinner after the busy autumn season and you can enjoy the city a lot more luxuriously.
Spend at least four days in Barcelona with kids as you can cover a lot of ground in terms of popular attractions, amusement parks like Tibidabo, and the beaches.
Top 15 Things to Do in Barcelona with Kids
L’Aquarium Barcelona
What: L’Aquarium houses 35 unique aquariums with thousands of species of marine animals and an interactive children’s area, Explora!
Where: del Port Vell (Maps)
Price: Adult €21; Child €8-€16 (Free below 3 years)
Nova Icària Beach
What: Nova Icària is one of the most popular beaches in Barcelona as it is calmer with finer sand, safer for kids. You can play beach volleyball in the courts.
Where: Nova Icària (Maps)
Price: Free
Parc Del Laberint d’horta
What: A charming garden with a popular Cyprus tree maze, fountains, and canals for a quiet day with kids.
Where: Passeig dels Castanyers (Maps)
Price: Adult €2,23; Child (under 4) Free
La Ramblas
What: The main street in Barcelona lined with trees on either side and a bustling center for travelers looking for food, drink, and entertainment.
Where: La Ramblas (Map)
Price: Free
Barcelona Cable Car
What: A gondola ride up to Montjuïc with stunning city views and a panorama comprising the harbor.
Where: Avinguda Miramar (Maps)
Price: Adult €13,50; Child €9,70
Chocolate Museum
What: Learn all about chocolates at the Chocolate Museum from how it is made to its purpose. Kids can even participate in the chocolate workshop!
Where: Carrer del Comerç (Maps)
Price: Adult €6; Child (under 7) Free
Theatrical Tour of Casa Batlló
What: A theatrical tour of Casa Batlló, an example of the unique nature of Gaudí’s craft and a UNESCO World Heritage Site finished in 1906
Where: Passeig de Gràcia (Maps)
Price: Adult €37; Child (under 7) Free
La Boqueria Food Market
What: A large open-air food market with fresh vegetables, fruits, and local dishes.
Where: La Rambla (Maps)
Price: Free
Magic Fountains Montjuic
What: A mesmerizing sound and light show set to music.
Where: Plaça de Carles Buïgas (Maps)
Price: Free
Paella Cooking Class
What: Learn to make the famous traditional rice dish in Spain, paella, with kids.
Where: Passatge Madoz (Maps)
Price: €36 per head
Poble Espanyol
What: A recreation of Spanish Villages in an expansive open-air museum that was built in 1929.
Where: Av. Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia (Maps)
Price: Adult €12,60; Child €6,30 (online booking)
Barcelona Walking Tour
What: A walking tour of Barcelona with kids covering popular landmarks and areas like the Gothic Quarter.
Where: Plaza Sant Jaume (Maps)
Price: €18
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Barcelona Hop-on-Hop-off Tour
What: A HOHO bus tour of Barcelona covering major attractions around the city.
Where: Any destination
Price: €30
Tibidabo Amusement Park
What: One of the oldest amusement parks in Europe with fun rides and events for the family.
Where: Plaça del Tibidabo (Maps)
Price: €10,30 - €28,50
Montserrat Mountain
What: Ideal for hiking and adventure with spectacular views from the top.
Where: Montserrat (Maps)
Price: Free
Suggested Itineraries for Barcelona with Kids
Two-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Morning – Ciutadella Park
Noon – Nova Icària Beach
Evening – La Boqueria Food Market
Night – Live Music at Casa Batlló
Day 2
Morning – Tour of the Gothic Quarter
Noon – Parc Güell
Evening – La Ramblas
Night - Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
3-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Morning – Barceloneta Beach
Noon – Las Ramblas
Evening – Camp Nou
Night – Paella Cooking Class
Day 2
Morning – La Sagrada Família
Noon – La Boqueeria Food Market
Evening – Open-air Cinema at Montjuïc
Night – Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
Day 3
Morning – Picasso Museum
Noon – Nova Icària Beach
Evening – Sant Antoni
Night – Live music at Casa Batlló
Kid-friendly Hotels in Barcelona
B&Bs
La Casa Gran B&B
Where: Avinguda Diagonal
Google Maps | TripAdvisor
Price: €85-€110 (Image Credits)
Murmuri Residence Mercader
Where: Paastge de Mercader
Google Maps | TripAdvisor
Price: €180
Grandom Suites
Where: Plaça del Dr. Letamendi
Google Maps | TripAdvisor
Price: €180-€198
Budget
Hotel Colonial Barcelona
Where: Via Laietana
Google Maps | TripAdvisor
Price: €60-€70
Hotel Ciutat de Barcelona
Where: Carrer de la Pricesa
Google Maps | TripAdvisor
Price: €50-€60 (Image Credits)
Economy
Hotel Europark
Where: Arago
Google Maps | TripAdvisor
Price: €117
Hotel Jazz
Where: Pelai
Google Maps | TripAdvisor
Price: €120-€135 (Image Credits)
Luxury
Seventy Barcelona
Where: Carrer de Còrsega
Google Maps | TripAdvisor
Price: €170-€180
Majestic Hotel & Spa
Where: Passeig de Gràcia
Google Maps | TripAdvisor
Price: €240-€280
W Barcelona
Where: Plaça Rosa Del Vents
Google Maps | TripAdvisor
Price: €300
Tours & Tickets
Barcelona is an invigorating city for sightseeing, adventure, and excitement. A guided tour or a self-guided tour for different activities can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience with kids as it is cheap, all-inclusive, and time-saving. Some of the most popular tours are city tours, bike tours, and even day trips to nearby areas. Kids will love a Gaudí tour of landmarks like Park Güell and Casa Milà that are listed as heritage sites by UNESCO owing to the eclectic and quirky architecture inspired by Gothic style.
Know Before You Go
Pack essentials like raincoats, umbrellas, and vats of sunscreen for Barcelona where the streets are trendsetting and the beach is reserved for shorts and swimwear.
Opt for a family holiday insurance that covers accidents like baggage loss, hotels, medical emergencies, etc. when you are traveling to Barcelona with kids. Another important reason for travel insurance is that it covers trip cancellations, delays, or interruptions.
Open-air markets like La Boqueria and Sant Antoni are cheap, accessible, and lively, however, some other popular areas with independent boutiques and designers are La Roca Village for outlet shopping, Chocolates Lacasa – La Boutique, and La Manual Alpargatera for espadrilles.
A Hola Barcelona Travel Card works on any form of public transportation in Barcelona including trains, buses, and the FGC.
Daily Expenditure in Barcelona
On average, a traveler can expect to spend around €80-€150 a day on accommodation, sightseeing, food, and drink. Don’t buy water and carry your own bottle as there are water taps with safe drinking water everywhere.
- Dress code: Barcelona is a stylish city with well-dressed locals who like to don the latest trends. Keep in mind that shorts are great at the beach, but not so much in the city. Cathedrals require modest clothing with covered limbs.
- Rules & Regulations: Barcelona sees millions of tourists each year and it is advised to follow the rules and regulations for a smooth experience. Street drinking is illegal and donning beachwear at a restaurant is often frowned upon.
- Coronavirus advisory: Be advised that the Government of Catalonia has issued an advisory against travel to and from Barcelona at the moment. Check here for travel advisories to Spain.