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Barcelona stands out as the friendliest metropolis I’ve ever visited. There are many sights for the entire household to get pleasure from within the Catalan capital from the inexperienced Parc de la Ciutadella and the well-known La Rambla pedestrian-only avenue to a chocolate museum. Would I like to recommend a go to? Definitely! Would I am going once more? Probably not. Find out why in my stunning tackle the very best and worst of Barcelona with children.
Barcelona Basics
This widespread metropolis is the capital of the Catalonia area of Spain. Catalan is one among its official languages, which sounds to me like a mix of French, Spanish, and Portuguese.
I all the time wish to make an effort to talk no less than a number of phrases of the native language wherever I go to. Since everybody speaks Spanish as nicely, although, I didn’t trouble tackling Catalan and as an alternative acquired by with un poquito d’Español.
La Rambla
Barcelona’s most well-known avenue is La Rambla. It is full of distributors and avenue entertainers in addition to a reside chook truthful.
My favourite half is La Boqueria, a vibrant meals market. You can pull up a stool at one of many grills or seize a cornucopia of fruits, veggies, nuts, bread, meats, and cheeses. Then discover a picnic space at Parc de la Ciutadella for an inexpensive lunch.
I like open-air market, and this is without doubt one of the finest I’ve ever visited. With the burst of colours, scents, flavors, and upbeat power — it’s overwhelming in its magnificence.
To me, that is THE finest a part of Barcelona. Beware, nonetheless, of pickpockets that concentrate on vacationers on this space.
Chocolate Museum
Any household journey to Barcelona with kids ought to embrace a cease on the Museu de la Xocolata. Visitors can be taught at this chocolate museum how chocolate got here to be eaten and the way it’s made. Afterward, you possibly can (and may!) buy a chocolate deal with or two on the onsite café.
The most enjoyable, although, is shopping by means of numerous sculptures manufactured from chocolate in types. We noticed a chocolate bullfighting scene, Mickey Mouse manufactured from chocolate, and our daughter’s favourite, Finding Nemo.
Parc de la Ciutadella
Although the architectural types in Barcelona is gorgeous, the town middle felt a bit stifling to me on account of its lack of greenery. To get your nature repair, take the kiddos to Parc de la Ciutadella. Rent a rowboat and take a spin round a tiny inexperienced lake. Be warned that there have been no life jackets accessible once we visited, which made me a wee nervous whereas paddling about with a wriggling toddler.
After our boat tour, Karissa swung on the swings and dug within the sand at a crowded playground. Visiting a park is one among my favourite issues to do when touring with children. Parks supply free entry and it is good to take a metropolis break. Young kids make associates simply irrespective of the language barrier and it is one of the best ways to get a glimpse into the on a regular basis lives of native households.
Barcelona Beaches
If visiting throughout summer time months, then you definitely’ll need to hit one among Barcelona’s seashores. You may simply spend an entire day or extra splashing and taking part in with older children and youthful children alike alongside the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
Bring alongside some water footwear or pop into one of many outlets to get an inflatable ring. The pebble seashores could also be uncomfy for tootsies.
My daughter favored digging together with her bucket and shovel finest. I favored absorbing some Mediterranean sunshine. And my husband? Well, as an American dude, he was thrilled to get his first peek at a number of topless sunbathers. (Sheesh…males!)
Picasso Museum
My husband and I took turns making an attempt to maintain our toddler from destroying treasured artworks on the spectacular Museu Picasso. The well-known painter Pablo Picasso grew up in Barcelona and this museum accommodates probably the most in depth assortment of his early works. This isn’t essentially probably the most kid-friendly vacation spot however it’s undoubtedly value a go to, particularly should you’re an enormous fan of Picasso’s art work.
La Sagrada Familia Basilica
Construction of one among Barcelona’s hottest vacationer sights, La Sagrada Familia Basilica started in 1882 and continues to be underway right now. This distinctive church was designed by Antoni Gaudi, one among Barcelona’s most well-known residents. The basilica ought to attain completion by 2026. Get extra out of your go to by buying La Sagrada Familia tickets prematurely with audio information.
Promise the children you’ll cease for ice cream on the park throughout the road in change for good habits at this one-of-a-kind architectural feat.
Park Güell
Gaudi designed Park Guell as a high-end residential space for the Barcelona elite. Today it is a vacationer attraction full of pretty paths, some breathtaking structure showcasing Gaudi’s work, and nice views of the town.
Although extremely fairly, there is not an entire lot to “do” at Park Guell moreover stroll round. And, it’s kind of of a trek to get there. If you are on a good schedule with out sufficient time, then this one will be skipped, particularly if visiting Barcelona with youthful kids.
Family-Friendly Tours
From skip-the-line tickets and guided strolling excursions to boat journeys and day journeys from Barcelona, GetYourGuide has acquired you coated. Take a take a look at our trusted associate’s hottest Barcelona excursions for households.
Dining in Barcelona with Kids
I’ve associates who’ve traveled to Barcelona (with out kids) and rave in regards to the array of tapas bars. The Travel Channel’s Anthony Bourdain has referred to as Spanish delicacies, “the best food in the western world” and right here’s a video of Samantha Brown enamored with a garlic-slathered piece of fish alongside Barcelona’s harbor. (I believe my household ate at this very restaurant!)
Our expertise, nonetheless, was fairly totally different from theirs. Our toddler hated all Spanish meals. She refused to eat something in Barcelona. This contains gadgets she loves at dwelling like pasta with crimson sauce, a fried egg served with French fries, and bread with a gentle cheese from La Boqueria. In Barcelona, she lived off of fruit, ice cream, and rooster nuggets bought on a day by day trek to McDonald’s in an try to get some protein into her stomach.
I’ve to confess, I wasn’t an enormous fan of the meals in Barcelona both. Many of the tapas we tried had been too dang greasy for my liking since many got here deep-fried. The paella was respectable however full of too many odd creatures from each land and sea for my consolation. In truth, my favourite meal in Barcelona truly befell at an Italian restaurant.
Now, the Crema Catalana was a distinct story. It was like a cross between flan and crème brulée. Muy delicioso!
Keep in thoughts that folks in Barcelona sometimes eat dinner fairly late within the day. Restaurants could also be closed throughout what most Americans think about dinnertime. Add jet lag to the combination and it may be troublesome to seek out the meals you need while you need it. If you possibly can, then plan to eat your ultimate meal with the locals between 9 and 11 pm.
Kid-Friendly Accommodations in Barcelona
My household visited Barcelona earlier than our Disney Cruise within the Mediterranean and Disney advisable Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel. It’s an important place for your complete household, only a brief stroll from the Las Ramblas space. The décor was directly trendy and stylish, too.
We got a free improve to a one-bedroom suite each on our pre-and post-cruise stays, only for asking. (And this was earlier than I launched Travel Mamas, so it’s not like we acquired any particular remedy!) Our room was HUGE, particularly contemplating European requirements.
The employees was past courteous. Every time resort staff noticed our daughter, they cooed at her and handed her a lollipop. In truth, we lastly needed to ask the employees to cease providing candies to our toddler!
One of my favourite reminiscences of our keep in Barcelona was splashing within the resort’s rooftop pool with its gorgeous view of the harbor unfold out earlier than us.
For extra choices, check out the finest resorts for households in Barcelona at Booking.com or these Barcelona lodging suggestions from The Broke Backpacker.
The Verdict on Barcelona with Kids
To benefit from our expensive air tickets to Europe for our cruise, we determined to increase our household vacation in Barcelona by a number of days earlier than and after our crusing. This actually gave us an opportunity to discover this welcoming Spanish metropolis.
The smartest thing about Barcelona is its folks. Everyone we met was pleasant and real. They undoubtedly went out of their manner to verify we had fun of their city.
There are loads of family-friendly actions on this vibrant metropolis, too. I extremely suggest visiting Barcelona with children.
As for me, I’ve been to Barcelona twice and that’s most likely sufficient. The meals wasn’t my household’s favourite and I felt a bit nature-starved right here. Plus, I really feel like I’ve already skilled what I needed to discover in Barcelona, and the world is full of locations I’ve but to see.
Explore More of Spain
Ironically, Spain has turn into one among my favourite nations on Earth and I hope to reside there sometime! Discover my strategies for exploring the wonderful metropolis of Seville with children.
Explore extra of Spain with this checklist of the finest issues to do in Málaga.
Take a take a look at probably the most romantic issues to do in Southern Spain.
Learn about an uncommon Catalonian vacation custom on this round-up of wacky Christmas traditions in Europe.
Save These Fun Things to Do in Barcelona with Kids
For future reference, maintain this checklist of suggestions for visiting Barcelona with children. Simply pin the picture above to Pinterest. We hope you’ll observe Travel Mamas on Pinterest when you’re at it!
What are your ideas on visiting Barcelona with children? I do know a few of you will need to assume I’m nuts for poo-pooing Barcelona’s meals. Go forward…add a remark!
A Note from The Travel Mama: This story was initially written in 2009 and is recurrently up to date to replicate the present high issues to do in Barcelona with children.
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