Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and the capital of Catalonia. Tourism is a huge industry in this city, which is the 16th most visited worldwide and the fourth most visited in Europe. Each year, several million people visit beautiful Barcelona. It has something for everyone, making it the perfect destination for an overseas family vacation. To make planning more efficient, we have compiled the top 10 things to do in Barcelona Spain. Be sure to include several of these in the travel itinerary so the kids will enjoy the trip as much as the adults.
Barcelona makes a perfect destination any time of year because the summers are warm and dry and winters are mild and humid. Many hotels are family friendly, offering rooms that accommodate four or more guests. Family rooms at the Holiday Inn Express Barcelona sleep two children and two adults, while rooms at the Mur Mar Apart Hotel sleep six people. The Triunfo Hotel features triple rooms ideal for a small family and overlooks the Parc de la Ciutadella, a kid-friendly recreation spot.
Upon arrival, tourists can get an overview of the city by taking an open top, hop on, hop off tour bus. Even residents comment on the usefulness of this transportation because it provides a thorough overview of the layout of Barcelona. Travelers can use it to get around Barcelona, hopping on and off wherever they choose, or they may remain on the bus for the entire tour, passing by the most popular tourist spots. Daily tickets cost 23 euros for adults and 12 euros for children and two-day tickets are available at a discounted rate.
One of the first places adults will want to visit is the Gothic Quarter, which is the center of the old city of Barcelona. Many buildings in this area data back to medieval times, some constructed during the Roman settlement period. Particularly remarkable is the Sagrada Familia Church, under construction since 1882 with completion not planned until 2026. Kids will not last long on this sightseeing tour, so take them to the Barcelona Aquarium at Port Vell to get their fill of aquatic life. Special programs are designed for children of all ages.
Those who are staying at the Triunfo Hotel have the Barcelona Zoo across the street in the Parc de la Ciutadella. A wide array of animals is on display and the zoo features a picnic area, restaurant, ponies, a mini-train, and electric cars. By purchasing a Barcelona card, travelers receive free unlimited transportation on the Barcelona transport network and discounted admission to attractions like the zoo. Tourists prepay for attraction tickets and use this card to gain admission so they do not need to carry cash.
Most kids love amusement parks and Barcelona has several nearby. Tibidabo is one of the three oldest European amusement parks and it is located atop Tibidabo Mountain, providing breathtaking views of the city. Water parks are another kid favorite so the three swimming pools and more than 20 water slides at Illa Fantasia should not disappoint. This is one of the largest water parks in Europe and is just 30 minutes from city center via train. Families can dine at one of several park restaurants or bring their own food and sit at one of the 800 picnic tables in the park. They can even pick up their lunch at the supermarket next door and barbecue at this facility.
Four beautiful beaches are located within ten minutes of Barcelona, with Barcelonata being the closest. This beach can get very crowded, so get there early. For a bit more space, head to Icaria or travel 30 minutes via train to Sitges Beach. When on an adult-only vacation, explore the wild side by heading to Mar Bella, the unofficial nudist beach near the city. If the kids are too rambunctious to sit on the beach, how about a sailing adventure? Adults and children can take a sailing course together that will have them navigating the high seas in no time. Lesson costs start at 31 euros for guests ages 15 and older and 17 euros for children ages seven to 14.
It is not every day that the family visits a wax museum, so do it when in Barcelona. Museu de Cera is a magical place that pays tribute to some of the most important figures in world history. Emperors, queens, kings, inventors, sculptors, dancers, and musicians…all are captured in lifelike form using wax. Admission ticket prices are 9 euros for children ages five to 11 and 15 euros for visitors over 11 years old.
Architecture by the famed Antoni Gaudi can be found all around Barcelona. This talented architect even designed the Parc Guell, a beautiful park that features beautiful stone structures and amazing tiling. Kids will love the colorful dragon fountain that guards the entrance. They will also have fun climbing to the terrace at the top and looking out on the city. Adults will appreciate the interesting furniture in the on-site museum and the fact that admission to this large park is free.
When evening rolls around, the family can head to the Magic Fountain of Monjuic for a music and water extravaganza. This fountain has been a performance center since 1929, offering free shows to millions of tourists each year. Check the Magic Fountain Web site for show times because these change with the seasons. Before the show, the family can head to one of the chocolate restaurants for some churros and hot chocolate, a special treat that is particularly comforting during cold weather.
Ok, so we provided you with a bit more than 10 things to do in Barcelona Spain, but they are all well worth considering. Between the food, attractions, architecture, and other things to do and see, the family will be on overload. In between all the excitement, it is important to spend some quality time with each other. Barcelona offers plenty of shopping and dining establishments perfect for family bonding.
