Exploring Barcelona with Kids
Are you looking for something exciting that all ages can appreciate? Do you want to know what Barcelona offers, aside from architectural wonders? Check out sites that even your children will love.
Barcelona is one of Spain’s largest cities. You may not see it advertised as heavily, but it has many attractions that cater to young crowds.
Given the number of tourists that arrive every year, the city is well-equipped to meet the demands of every traveler. Have a look at the coolest things you can do with your kids on your next trip here.
1. Visit the Chocolate Museum
One of the top things to do in Barcelona with kids is a trip to the Chocolate Museum. The Museu de la Xocolata offers a fantastic experience to anyone with a sweet tooth.
You can check out amazing chocolate sculptures and indulge in many treats. One of the most impressive is a chocolate bullfighting scene. Kids may also appreciate the Mickey Mouse sculpture or the Finding Nemo scene.
It’s truly one of the unique attractions in Barcelona for tourists of all ages.
2. Go to the Beach
Hit any of Barcelona’s beaches and you’re guaranteed a good time. The clean, clear waters and soft sands can provide hours of fun for the whole family.
The beachfront shops offer a great selection of beach toys and inflatables, too. Just keep in mind that as is the case with most European beaches, topless sunbathing is a widespread practice.
3. Visit Park Guell
This is one of Barcelona’s top attractions. It’s also one of the best inexpensive things to do with kids when visiting the city.
Because the park has a unique and very colorful architecture, it looks more like something out of a Disney set than you would expect to see in a cultural center. That said, there isn’t a lot you can do in the park. But the sights alone make for an exciting experience if your kids are up for a stroll.
4. Catch a Water Fountain Show
Right in the middle of Placa d’Espanya is where you can find the Magic Fountains.
Every day of the week, you can catch an evening show. The choreography includes unique water displays and lights dancing to the rhythm of the music.
It’s one of the easiest things to do with kids at night. Especially if you’re traveling on a budget.
5. An Afternoon at Ciutadella Park
Not all kids enjoy going to the park if there’s nothing to do there. Luckily, Ciutadella Park caters to younger crowds.
One of the coolest things in the park is a full-sized mammoth replica. It also offers rowboat rentals, a couple of fountains, and many play areas.
You can grab a picnic through the park or simply take a tour. On your way out, you can also go to the local zoo since the entrance is within the park itself.
6. Visit the Zoo
The Barcelona Zoo hosts over 2,000 animals. It’s a massive place with outstanding wildlife variety. What’s also great is the organized activities for young kids.
Every morning, the zoo plans various events and activities for kids between four and 11 years old. They can see how the employees feed and interact with some of the animals. And they can even talk to the zoo vet and ask questions.
If you plan your trip right, you can schedule a birthday party there. But be aware that there are more activities on weekends than during the week.
7. Explore the Parc del Laberint d’Horta
Ever wanted to try your luck in a labyrinth? This is the place to do it.
The park, however, isn’t one of the most famous in the city. However, it’s a unique and wonderful attraction for families. And the gorgeous green labyrinth can pose an interesting challenge to young minds.
On top of that, the waterfall and beautiful alleys provide a great place simply to walk around and enjoy the scenery. You also don’t have to pay any admission fees for kids under the age of five.
8. Check Out the Theme Park
Another one of the things to do in Barcelona with kids is to go to Port Aventura Park. It’s a theme park with plenty of rides for customers of all ages. There’s even something there for kids as little as three years old.
It also has massive roller coasters. In fact, the park has the tallest and fastest ride on the continent. It’s great for family fun and adrenaline seekers.
9. Spark Your Imagination at the Science Museum
You won’t leave disappointed if you visit the CosmoCaixa Barcelona. After all, it’s one of the most impressive science museums in the entire country.
Its primary focus is around stimulating the desire for knowledge. Yet unlike other similar museums, this one puts a heavy emphasis on interactive exhibitions, as well as activities designed to engage children.
The museum covers many sciences and also has a Planetarium. Note that anyone under the age of 16 enters for free. But this place is a hot tourist attraction, so try to book some spots in advance.
10. Get a Bird’s Eye View of the City
Experiencing Barcelona on foot is great. But not all kids have the patience to walk around or hop from one museum to another. So, do something different to keep them entertained.
Instead of walking most of the city streets, take them on a Montjuic Cable Car ride. You can book a round trip and see a fantastic view of the Mediterranean Sea. You can view the city skyline in all its glory. Just keep in mind that tickets aren’t free for kids on this ride.
11. Tour the Tibidabo Park
Tibidabo Park is a vintage-looking theme park. It features old-school attractions, yet they’re safe and brand-new. You can even see an impressive castle towering over the carousel rides.
The Ferris wheel always provides terrific views of the surrounding areas. It’s something retro that you may not get to experience anywhere else, yet still fun for a modern audience.
Plan an Unforgettable European Family Vacation
The weather alone is reason enough to take the whole family on a trip to Barcelona. It’s warm most of the year, and there are many unique locations you can visit.
But this doesn’t mean you have to only walk around and take pictures of your entire trip. Plenty of fun family activities await in the City of Counts.
