Planning a city break to Barcelona with kids? There are so many amazing things to do in Barcelona with kids. Whether it’s enjoying the beach, trying the local food or visiting one of the many family-friendly museums, Barcelona has it all!
I spent over a month in Barcelona for work while my daughter attended Peekaboo International Nursery. We never ran out of things to do, from exploring the ample beaches to day trips to the zoo, aquarium and Tibidabo amusement park.
We also enjoyed weekend trips to nearby destinations such as Salou, Sitges and L’ametlla de Mar.
How to Get to Barcelona
The best way to get from the UK to Barcelona is to fly to Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) airport. View flights for your dates here.
Barcelona airport to the city centre via train leaves from T2 (take the free green shuttle bus from T1), and the journey takes 30 minutes. There are two stops in Barcelona: Estació Sants and Passeig de Gràcia.
The city bus leaves from Terminals 1 and 2, taking 30 minutes.
The taxi stops are at the exit areas of T1 and T2, the minimum fare is €20, and there are no fixed prices (reasonable rates would be around €30-35 / night rates may differ). Taking a taxi is a good option for younger children.
You can also pre-book a transfer and someone will be waiting for you on arrival. Book your transfer here.
Where to Stay in Barcelona with Kids
There are many hotel options for a city break in Barcelona with kids. If you are visiting with younger children, a central city area is ideal, with many pedestrianised areas and close to main attractions. I also enjoy staying at the BCN Events Hotel a 20-minute drive from the centre.
You can search and book your hotel here.
Top 10 Things to do in Barcelona with Kids
Spain with kids is one of our favourite destinations, and Barcelona for kids is a fantastic experience. You can explore the busy Las Ramblas area, head to the beach, see fairytale Gaudi attractions, visit great museums and relax in beautiful parks.
Every time we visit, we discover something new, and there are so many family-oriented things to do in Barcelona with kids.
La Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia is a stunning Barcelona attraction that you cannot miss. Antoni Gaudi designed this Roman Catholic basilica and began construction in 1882. The exterior and interior of the building are breathtaking.
When visiting the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona with kids, opt for the quieter and cooler times. Autumn and Spring are good times of year to visit. Earlier on a weekday can be a quieter time to visit, and would be less overwhelming for children.
You can book a fast-track ticket and utilise an audio guide for easier access and to gain real attention to detail on this historic building.
The stained glass windows here create colourful reflections that some children might enjoy. There are also breathtaking views from the bell tower.
The magic fountain is a hit with kids, especially in the dark, when the lights and music are at their best. Kids learn about a new type of art and architecture that can be equally fascinating.
Children under 10 go for free and older children receive a reduced cost.
Book a fast-track ticket and audio guide to La Sagrada Familia here.
Montjuic
Montjuic is a beautiful place to visit in Barcelona with kids and is located on a hill in the centre of Barcelona. There’s a 17th-century fortress with impressive walls and gardens to explore, ancient iron cannons and playground areas.
We took a tour of the castle and dungeons, which was terrific. The Fundacio Joan Miro art museum and Magic Fountains are also in the Montjuic area.
You can book tickets for Montjuic Castle here.
Park Guell
Visiting this magical park is a fantastic Barcelona kids’ activity. Created by Gaudi and featuring lots of fairytale-type architecture, beautiful gardens, giant lizard monuments, tunnels, playgrounds and mosaic benches with spectacular views.
During high season the park is very busy, so recommended to book tickets in advance to avoid queues.
Get Your Park Guell Tickets Here Before They Sell Out!
Las Ramblas
We loved the experience of Las Ramblas with the kids. While it is very touristy, it is still great to explore the winding streets, find cafes and markets in the many squares, and enjoy the street artists, flower stalls and diverse shops.
La Boqueria Food Market is well worth a visit. This vibrant market sells fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, meat and cheese, housing snack bars and cafes where you can sample the amazing produce. Visiting this area at Christmas is truly magical.
Park de la Ciutadella
The Park de la Ciutadella is a great outdoor activity for the kids. It is a splendid park and includes Barcelona Zoo. There are open spaces for the kids to play, a large boating lake, playgrounds, animal statues and fountains.
Barcelona Zoo houses a wide variety of species, including giraffes, elephants, lions, crocodiles and cheetahs, and a terrarium, aviary and petting zoo.
There are daily animal shows and a small train that circulates the park if the kids get tired.
You can book tickets for Barcelona Zoo here.
Casa Botló
Located in central Barcelona, this impressive Gaudi building has a fairytale appearance. Going inside is a truly magical experience too. The kids will love exploring the different rooms, and the AR experience is well worth trying experiencing.
Get your entry ticket and guided audio tour here.
Beach Day
One of the great free things to do in Barcelona on a Sunday is a beach day. Bogatell beach has table tennis, basketball, football and many playgrounds, and La Barceloneta beach is excellent and so close to the city centre.
Nova Icaria beach is a hidden gem and one of the best family beaches in Barcelona.
CosmoCaixa (Science Museum)
Perfect on a rainy day in Barcelona is a visit to this museum located in the Sant Gervasi-La Bonanova area. The museum has interactive exhibits exploring the cosmos, evolution, human life, ecosystems and geology.
The indoor rainforest is spectacular. There are many freshwater animals and lots of science experiments for the kids to enjoy.
Tibidabo
Overlooking Barcelona on Tibidabo Hill, this historical family funfair dating back to the 1920s is a unique experience. Apart from the fantastic views of the city, there are attractions suitable for smaller children to teens, street theatre performances and many café/restaurant options.
Where to Eat in Barcelona for Families
Visiting Spain with kids is a treat, and a big part of this is the fantastic regional food you can enjoy. Barcelona is the capital city of the Catalan region, so there are many dishes to enjoy during your family trip, including paella, tapas and Crema Catalunya (Catalan crème Brulee).
El Nacional is located just north of the Plaza de Catalunya and is a unique building inside and out. We enjoyed sharing the excellent tapas on offer, but there are three other restaurants in this beautiful and atmospheric hall offering seafood, pasta and steak, so plenty of choices for the family.
Pudding is a perfect cafe for the kids. The décor is bright, colourful and vibrant, with delicious tapas, sandwiches, pastries and cakes to enjoy for lunch. The café was designed with children in mind, with lots of games, books, toys and iPads to entertain the kids.
Semproniana, located in the Eixample area, is a top-rated gourmet restaurant serving delicious French and Catalan dishes. The restaurant offers a kid’s menu and various portion sizes on the main menu options. If you visit on a Saturday (during the school year), there are cooking workshops for kids to prepare and taste their dishes.
Barcelona in 2 Days
There are so many things to see and do in Barcelona with kids, so making the most of your trip is important if you are taking a short city break.
Here is a great Barcelona itinerary with kids, including the main attractions, hidden gems and great food experiences that you can enjoy with the family.
Day 1: 24 Hours in Barcelona with Kids
Morning: Visit Las Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter, where the kids will enjoy exploring the narrow streets, flower markets, quirky shops and seeing the many street performers.
Barcelona Cathedral is well worth a visit, dating back 500 years, with beautiful stained-glass windows as well as geese living in the cloisters.
Head to Santa Caterina or La Boqueria Food Market for some lunch.
Afternoon: Visit Park Cituiadella, where you can relax in the many green open spaces, enjoy a boat ride, and the kids can enjoy the many playgrounds as well as visit the animals at Barcelona Zoo.
There are many cafes in the park to enjoy some food, or Pudding Cafe is only 15 minutes walk / five minutes by taxi.
Day 2: 48 Hours in Barcelona with Kids
Morning: La Sagrada Familia Pre-book tickets to see this breathtaking building and take the elevator up to the top of one of the towers to admire the view across Barcelona.
The interior of the building is equally stunning, and guided tours are available. There is a small park next to Sagrada Familia with great food trucks and souvenir stalls.
Afternoon: Park Guell – Visit the fairytale Park Guell, where the kids can run around and let off some steam amongst the giant mosaic lizards, tunnels, fairytale buildings and playground areas.
This is a popular attraction and, while part of the park is free, it is worth getting a ticket to see the paid section and avoid the queues. Book tickets for Park Guell here.
Barcelona in 3 Days
Morning: Take the cable car from the funicular station to the top of Montjuic and visit the historic castle and dungeons. Montjuic is a heritage park, so there are many green spaces and playgrounds to explore and The Fundacio Joan Miro art museum and Magic Fountains.
The fountains will be a hit with the kids, involving a show of water, light and colour to music, located in the lower part of Montjuic.
Afternoon: Head down to the beach to relax, and the kids can enjoy a splash in the sea. There are four main family-friendly beaches in Barcelona, with La Barceloneta beach near the city centre.
You can visit the many cafes and restaurants in this area and various markets that are fun to look around.
Day Trips from Barcelona with Kids
Barcelona has a perfect location on the northeastern coast of Spain, offering a fantastic city break and the opportunity to explore the Costa Brava.
There are many charming medieval villages, scenic countryside and beaches to enjoy, and fun theme parks and waterparks for more adventurous day trips.
Andorra
Andorra is an interesting micro-country nestled in the Pyrenees between Spain and France.
Andorra offers picturesque views and opportunities to get out in nature and go skiing. Although it is a great skiing destination, it does make a good day trip from Barcelona also.
You can book a guided trip to Andorra here.
Montserrat
This beautiful mountainous town is located one hour from Barcelona by train and is a great day trip from Barcelona with kids.
The city is built around a stunning monastery located in the mountains, with a shaded courtyard, museums, daily choir performances, gift shops and fresh produce stalls.
Trains depart hourly from Barcelona-Plaça Espanya Station, then the R5 train service links with the cable car (Aeri) to Montserrat to enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
This guided tour with hotel pickup is great for older kids.
Port Aventura Theme Park
The most popular theme park in Spain is worth visiting and is only one hour away from Barcelona. The park is home to the highest roller coaster in Europe, five themed attraction areas, a water park, a golf course, a beach club, and several hotels.
This day trip offers some great adventurous activities just a short distance from Barcelona. Why not try this one-day trip which will be memorable for the whole family?
Book Port Aventura with transfer here
Girona
Girona is a town on the Maresme Coast known for its great beaches and located only 40 minutes away by train from Barcelona. The kids can explore the city walls and visit many parks in the area, including the family-friendly Domeny Park.
There are some great day trips you can do from Barcelona with kids, including this day trip to Girona.
Book a guided trip to Girona, plus high-speed train tickets.
Getting Around Barcelona
Buy the Barcelona Card and enjoy free unlimited public transport across the city, including bus, Metro and train (including airport train), and entry to many attractions and various discounts.
You can buy the card at tourist information offices in Barcelona or online, where you also will receive a further discount.
Barcelona has a cable car tramway and a funicular railway to various attractions, or you can take a bus tour or horse and carriage around the city.
When is the best time to visit Barcelona?
Barcelona has a great climate, and we have visited in Spring, Summer and Winter to experience great weather with low rainfall on each occasion. Some seasons are more predictable than others, so the best two options for visiting Barcelona with kids are here.
Barcelona in March
Visiting Barcelona with kids in Spring or Easter break is perfect, as the weather is much warmer and usually has low rainfall (Average 17ºC).
March is a great time to visit, with fewer tourists and lower accommodation costs. The Saint Medir festival is held at the beginning of March in the Gracia district. Thousands of sweets are thrown to children at a musical parade from horses and carts followed by fireworks in the evening.
Barcelona in June
The weather in June is perfect for enjoying the beach and outdoor activities in Barcelona. While this is a busy period for tourists, it is not peak season, and temperatures are lower than in July and August (average 24ºC).
The feast of Saint Joan marks the start of the summer in June and is a major event in Barcelona. There are many street displays and musicians and bonfires, and fireworks at Barceloneta beach in the evening.
I hope you find this helpful when planning your trip to Barcelona with kids. It really is a beautiful city with much to offer.
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