A first weekend in Barcelona for families with children

Visiting a big city with children is not necessarily very relaxing, but the good news is that Barcelona has something for all tastes and all ages. Which makes it a dream destination for a family weekend away.

• Small budget? This article will help you manage the cost of your family holiday.

Book an apartment: the perfect solution for children

For 3 or 4 people it is worth booking an apartment in Barcelona.

And for a 100% football weekend we have picked out some apartments that are perfect for football fans.

If you’re looking for the services and facilities of a hotel, check out our article on the Chic&Basic Ramblas. Its unusual decor delights everyone. And isn’t that little mint green Seat 600 super cute?

Car or plane?

• If miles and miles of driving don’t frighten you and you can make the journey by road then we advise you to come to Barcelona by car. And if you follow our for cheap parking, this is the perfect solution for families or groups of friends.

• If you’re coming from far away and only staying a short time, the further in advance you book, the less you will pay.

2 exceptional walks for a Saturday morning

Make sure to get up early on Saturday morning, as the schedule is packed and you won’t want to miss a thing!

A little walk down the Ramblas

Strolling down the Ramblas is obligatory for your first trip to Barcelona. You will have a very pleasant time, as long as you avoid the tourist traps and follow our anti-pickpocket advice.

Start with a little visit to la Boquería, the most photogenic market in Barcelona. It opens at 6am, and the earlier you get there, the easier it will be.

Then, the kids will surely enjoy the many living statues dotted around the promenade. But be careful as the quality is inconsistent, so be sure to only spend your time on the best ones!

A stroll through Park Güell

Next, head to Park Güell which the children will love. The magical world of this unique park is bound to delight everyone.

Lunch in a cafeteria where children are royalty

Which child doesn’t love the sorcerer with glasses? We know a café in Barcelona that will take you to the wonderful world of Harry Potter while offering you delicious menus for the whole family. So, get on your Nimbus 2000 and go for it!

For lunch we recommend the perfect place for children: la Nena, a very appealing café in the Gràcia district. Try to get there early (around 12.30-1pm) as it can be very busy. The portions are copious, the home made cakes are delicious and there is great range of toys for children of all ages.

Saturday afternoon: Casa Batlló or Sagrada Familia?

Head off to discover la Casa Batlló or la Sagrada Familia. Children are generally very receptive to the colourful and magical settings of both and love the originality of Gaudí’s masterpieces.

Something tell me they might slightly prefer Casa Batlló with its little house straight out of a fairy tale.

But there is no doubt they will be fascinated by the incredible light of the Sagrada Familia. We don’t know of any children who dragged their feet when entering this very surprising basilica.

Interested in a personalised family tour with a guide who knows how to talk to children? No problem! Click here to contact us.

For an afternoon snack do you prefer sweet…or sweet?

Two places to beat that afternoon dip:

Bubó and its “design” cakes

Although the pretty cakes at Bubó may well capture their interest, the sweet hamburger will amaze them! Looks exactly like the real thing, doesn’t it?

We-pudding and its little wonderland

Children might not want to tear themselves away from this fairytale café for children from 0 to 99.

An evening meal by the sea

There is nothing better than a meal by the beach! Your children will be very happy to be able to make sandcastles between courses. And you might not be complaining either…

Sunday with children: beach or park?

The perfect solution for a family Sunday is to head out to nature, and nothing is easier in Barcelona.  Whatever you choose, we advise you to take a picnic. The weather is pleasant in Barcelona and you can picnic all year long.

Games, swimming and sandcastles

Possibly the most exciting part of the weekend for children!

Before diving in see our article on beaches in Barcelona. We recommend Nova Icaria, as it has a playground, ping pong tables, and volleyball courts where children can run wild between swims.

Strong feelings in green spaces

A guided tour of Montjuïc, the green lung of Barcelona

To combine culture and relaxation, there is nothing like a walk at Montjuïc! This hill with its many parks and museums is very easy to access.

• Read our article Guided tour: Montjuïc and the Miró foundation with children

An exciting amusement park

Which of your children wouldn’t want to spend an afternoon in an amusement park? Come on, we want names! 😉

Rev your way up to Tibidabo, the hundred year old park located in the hills of Barcelona.  It won’t fail to fascinate the little ones!

Quiet green spaces

There are many parks that bring air and flowers to the city of Barcelona. For a first weekend with your children we recommend the Parc de la Ciutadella one of the most beautiful and most central. It might be hard to tear them away, I should warn you!

But if you’re looking for something highly original, we recommend you go a little further outside the city to the Horta labyrinth park. We have a little soft spot for this lovely green space and we are betting your children will love its greenery and its beautiful maze!

It’s almost time to pack your bags…

It’s very sad but Sunday evening is approaching and it’s time to think about leaving Barcelona. Sniff!

Yes, we know it’s hard for everyone. So to sweeten these last moments we advise you to take your little ones to one of our favourite ice cream parlours.

And finally do not hesitate to come back for longer than a weekend. Your children will certainly agree to it and Barcelona is a city stuffed with fun activities to amaze and delight the family all year long!

See you soon! And next time maybe your children will do the planning!