Where to go with children in Barcelona — the most interesting places
Barcelona is a great choice for traveling with children of different ages. Some entertainment and places will not let you get bored. These are museums, city parks, amusement parks, historical sights, observation decks, and shops.
In the vicinity of Barcelona, there are also several locations worth visiting. In addition, we have selected three gastro points that are worth paying attention to. So what are things to do with a family in Barcelona? The editors of Spain Voyages know the answer to this question.
Museums and exhibitions in Barcelona where children will not be bored
Barcelona boasts a wide selection of museums. At the same time, most of them will be interesting for children of different ages. They have interactive exhibits, thematic exhibitions for young visitors, and exciting excursions.
Pixar Exhibition
Since September 26, all guests and residents of Barcelona can be transported to their favorite animated films. The exhibition features faithfully recreated locations from Pixar’s animated masterpieces: Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Inside Out, Cars, Ratatouille, Luca, Monsters, Inc., Up, Coco, and Elementary.
White Rabbit Museum
White Rabbit is an unusual place where you can get to know the culture of Catalonia interactively. The exhibition features 10 bright installations created by artists associated with Barcelona.
Barcelona Chocolate Museum (Museo del Chocolate de Barcelona)
The sweetest attraction in the capital of Catalonia is the Barcelona Chocolate Museum. They tell how this delicacy appeared in the city in the 15th century and influenced the economy and society. Children will love the skillfully made chocolate sculptures and master classes and tastings.
CosmoCaixa Museum
CosmoCaixa is the main science museum in Barcelona. The exhibitions here are dedicated to nature, space, and human achievements. Most of the exhibits in the museum are interactive. You can touch, twist, press, etc. CosmoCaixa also has a planetarium and hosts temporary exhibitions.
Maritime Museum (Museo Marítimo de Barcelona)
The Maritime Museum contains significant exhibits related to the history of navigation. Among them are a replica of a 16th-century sailing ship, personal belongings of the discoverers, tools of the first sailors, weapons, ship models, nominal figures, and much more.
National Museum of Art of Catalonia (Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya)
The National Museum of Art of Catalonia is the main art museum in Barcelona. It presents works by outstanding masters of different eras. The exhibition includes works by El Greco, Velázquez, Titian, Rubens, and de Goya.
Blau Museum of Natural Sciences (Museu Blau)
The Blau Museum of Natural Sciences is dedicated to the development and evolution of our planet. The exhibitions use visual and light effects, and there are many objects for active interaction. Little ones will be especially impressed by the skeletons of prehistoric animals. And for the little ones, there is a scientific play area.
Egyptian Museum (Museu Egipci)
The Egyptian Museum is dedicated to the mysterious Land of the Pharaohs. It tells about the unusual traditions and beliefs of the ancient Egyptians, and their rulers, as well as writing, jewelry art and cosmetic innovations. For children, Museu Egipci holds interesting master classes.
Museu de la Música (Museum of Music)
The Museum of Music presents an impressive collection of musical instruments from different eras and countries. After viewing the exhibits, be sure to try yourself as a musician in a special zone.
Banksy Museum (Museu Banksy)
The Banksy Museum is dedicated to the most mysterious artist of our time, who masterfully hides his identity. It presents more than 130 graffiti works, both the most popular and lesser-known.
Wax Museum (Museu de Cera)
A traditional tourist destination in megacities is the Wax Museum. Here, children can see sculptures of their favorite football players, musicians, actors, and movie characters, and also take original photos with them.
Theater-Museum “King of Magic” (Museu del Rei de la Màgia)
The Theater-Museum “King of Magic” is a very unusual place where you can see magical artifacts and buy items for tricks. Don’t miss the mystical show with tricks and illusions.
Read also: Guide to Catalonia — the birthplace of Gaudi and Dali
Barcelona Parks for Kids
Barcelona is famous for its parks, both green areas and amusement parks. We have selected the most interesting of them.
Parque Güell
Güell is the most famous park in Barcelona. It was created by Antonio Gaudi in his unique style: with abundant use of mosaics, as well as elements depicting animals. Children can climb on a long winding bench and play on the playground.
Tibidabo Amusement Park (Parque de Atracciones Tibidabo)
The fun begins on the way to this famous amusement park. To get the most out of it, take the old tram Tramvia Blau from Kennedy Square, which goes to the middle of Mount Tibidabo. There, you need to transfer to the funicular, which will take you to the amusement park of the same name, the oldest in Spain. Its iconic attractions are the red plane, the Ferris wheel, the Venetian carousel, and the suspended monorail.
Barcelona Aquarium (Aquàrium de Barcelona)
The Barcelona Aquarium is the largest in Europe. And it’s not just a place where you can see 11,000 sea creatures from all over the world. They are studied here and work is being done to preserve their population. The long underwater tunnel is especially impressive. The aquarium has educational areas for children.
Citadel Park (Parque de la Ciudadela)
Citadel is a huge green area in the city center, which includes a zoo, museums, several ponds, a grand fountain, 19th-century buildings, and the Parliament of Catalonia. Here you can ride a boat on the lake, stroll along wide alleys, and spend time on playgrounds. This is one of the best places to free things to do with kids in Barcelona.
Barcelona Zoo (Parque Zoológico de Barcelona)
Barcelona Zoo is a must-see place for children. It has been operating for over 130 years and boasts an impressive collection of animals from all over the world. For kids, there is an area where they can interact with goats, sheep, pigs, cows and other farm animals.
BubbleParc
BubbleParc is an unusual amusement park in the port of Barcelona. Here you can jump on a bungee, run in zorbs on the water, ride interesting tricycles and inflatable motorboats.
Horta Labyrinth Park (Parque del Laberinto de Horta)
The Horta Labyrinth is the oldest park in Barcelona. It consists of several terraces with pavilions, sculptures, rare trees, gardens, ponds and a waterfall. The playground is replaced by a green labyrinth, where you can wander around at your leisure in search of an exit.
Poblenou Central Park (Parque del Centro del Poblenou)
Poblenou is an avant-garde park with unusual objects and design solutions. It has a unique irrigation system, and a green tunnel along the perimeter. Children will appreciate the unusual playgrounds and gazebos.
Barcelona Botanical Garden (Jardí Botànic de Barcelona)
The Barcelona Botanical Garden is not like a classic place of its kind. It features plants from all continents. At different times of the year, the garden’s landscapes differ and change from desert-like to tropical. There are artificial slopes of unusual shapes, wooden paths on the water, and picturesque recreation areas.
Barcelona Historical Places and Attractions for Kids
The capital of Catalonia proves that even historical locations can captivate children. Among them are Gaudi’s creations, a fortress, a reconstructed village and a fountain.
Montjuïc Castle (Castillo de Montjuic)
The Montjuïc Castle is one of the city’s main attractions. Here you can look at the bastions, climb to the terrace with a view of Barcelona, and visit a small exhibition dedicated to the history of this place.
Spanish Village (Pueblo Español)
The Spanish Village is an ethnographic park-museum that is already a hundred years old. It recreates ancient buildings from different regions of Spain. The main feature of this place is the craft workshops, where everything is done using old technologies. They host master classes and sell finished products.
Magic Fountain of Montjuic (Fuente mágica de Montjuic)
The Magic Fountain of Montjuic is an impressive place, especially in the evening. After sunset, a real show begins here. The jets of water are illuminated in different colors and move to the beat of the music, creating intricate patterns.
Casa Batlló
Casa Batlló is one of the most important architectural landmarks in Barcelona. From the outside, it looks a bit like a fairy-tale dragon. Inside, the house also has a unique interior without straight lines, with strange windows, ornate staircases and a brightly decorated courtyard.
Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia
When talking about Barcelona, the first thing that comes to mind is the Temple of the Holy Family. This is an amazing cathedral, the construction of which lasted for more than one century, and the main creation of Antonio Gaudi, enchanting with its appearance and interior. The whole family will remember its visit for a lifetime.
How to see Barcelona from above
Barcelona has several locations with beautiful views of the city. These are both observation decks and cable cars.
Observation decks
There are dozens of viewing platforms in Barcelona. Among them are the El Carmel bunker, the Montjuic castle, the terraces on the Montjuic and Tibidabo mountains, the National Museum of Catalan Art, the Sagrada Familia, the Columbus statue, and Park Guell.
Cable cars
There are two cable cars in Barcelona. Both lead to Montjuic. The first road, also called Montjuic, goes from the park of the same name. And the second — Aeri del Port — starts from the Barcelona port. During the ride, stunning views of the city open up — both its seaside and central parts.
Other exciting places and activities in Barcelona for the whole family
What else is there to do in the Catalan capital with children, besides visiting museums, parks, historical sites and viewing platforms? We have several options.
LEGO store
The LEGO store is not just a place where the famous construction set is sold. This is practically a museum where you can see Barcelona’s landmarks built from colorful bricks. Here you can reproduce any photo from LEGO, create your own little person and design his clothes.
Imaginarium toy store
Imaginarium is another place where a child can let his imagination run wild. The unusual starts right from the entrance, consisting of a large and a small door. And the toys in this store are sold for any age and taste.
Boat trip
Since Barcelona is located on the Mediterranean coast, there are a huge number of boat trips offered here. This can be either a sightseeing tour or a trip to another city.
City beaches
What to do in Barcelona in the warm season? Go to one of the city beaches! They have a sandy shore where children can play to their heart’s content, as well as a gentle entrance to the water and all the necessary amenities (toilets, showers, cafes). This is a good option for things to do in Barcelona with toddlers.
Camp Nou Stadium
Camp Nou is the home stadium of the football giant “Barcelona”, where you can watch your favorite team play. If the match schedule does not coincide with your visit, do not worry. There is an excellent modern museum dedicated to the club at the stadium.
Interesting locations in the vicinity of Barcelona
There are several places around Barcelona that have plenty of options of things to do with kids — a salt mountain, a water park, an amusement park and a miniature park.
Cardona Salt Mountain (Montana de Sal de Cardona)
The city of Cardona is 90 kilometers from Barcelona. It is famous for its salt mountain. There are tours of the mine where salt was previously mined. For this adventure, you need to go down 90 meters into the mountain. Children will learn how the mining took place, what tools and equipment were used.
Catalunya en Miniatura Park
Catalonia in Miniature is an unusual place 20 kilometers from Barcelona. This is a park where you can see 147 landmarks of the autonomous community in a smaller version. Among them are the Sagrada Familia, the Camp Nou stadium, the Costa Brava coast, the Salvador Dali Theatre-Museum, the Seu Vella Cathedral in Lleida. There is also a rope park and a restaurant on the territory.
Read also: A guide to Lleida — the Spanish capital of snails
Illa Fantasia Water Park
Illa Fantasia is one of the largest water parks in Europe, located 25 kilometers from Barcelona. It opens its doors from June to September. On its territory there are 22 slides and attractions, 3 pools and all the necessary infrastructure for a comfortable stay during the day.
PortAventura and Ferrari Land Amusement Park
An hour’s drive from Barcelona there are two impressive parks that form a single complex — PortAventura and Ferrari Land. The first consists of six zones and more than 40 attractions designed for different ages and levels of extreme. The second is dedicated to the legendary Italian car brand and offers guests 16 different entertainments. Nearby is also the Caribe Aquatic Park with 16 slides and pools.
Where to eat with children in Barcelona
You can safely visit any restaurant in the city with your children. However, there are a few places that will impress the younger members of the family with their unusual interiors or interesting menu.
Escribá
Escribá is a pastry shop that has been operating since 1906. It is a paradise for those with a sweet tooth, who can enjoy pastries, cakes and handmade candies here.
DelaCrem
DelaCrem is a place where real Italian ice cream is sold, made using traditional technologies. The flavors offered here change depending on the season.
Semproniana
The Semproniana restaurant has an interesting menu concept. Almost all dishes here are presented in three sizes (S, M, L), selected for different family members. In addition, on Saturdays, master classes are held here for children from 4 to 10 years old.
Read also: Catalonia cuisine — the best traditional dishes and restaurants of the region
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