General Information

The city of Barcelona is a perfect city for a family outing, and it has everything that the whole family will want to see and hear. Here is a brief overview of the main sites that are suitable for a tour with children in this wonderful city, and some general (and especially economic) recommendations for those who decide to visit Barcelona with children.

Animal-Friendly Attractions

For children who love animals Barcelona offers two main attractions:

Barcelona Zoo

The zoo is located in Parc de la Ciutadella (Citadel Park) and although it is not one of Europe’s largest zoos, it is certainly an interesting attraction for the young visitors.

Aquarium of Barcelona

Another attraction for children (and adults) is the Aquarium of Barcelona. The aquarium includes 14,000 species of fish and Mediterranean fauna. The entire site is interactive and includes many games and activities.

Read more about Aquarium of Barcelona

Parks for Families

Another possibility of spending time with children in Barcelona is in the many parks scattered around the city. Apart from the city’s famous parks such as Park Güell, Parc de la Ciutadella or Montjuic Park, which certainly offer a nice stay with the little ones, Barcelona offers many other nice parks, most of which are adapted for children.

PortAventura World

PortAventura is Barcelona’s famous theme park located an hour south of Barcelona (in the summer this park also has a water park).

Parc del Laberint d’Horta (Labyrinth Park)

Another park is the Parc del Laberint d’Horta, one of the oldest parks in Barcelona, ​​with a floral maze with a statue in its center. The park allows a nice recreation for the whole family. In the past, the park was opened to nobles only, while today it is opened to all. For adults, it costs five Euros and for children and retirees it is free of charge, while on Sundays and Wednesdays  it is free of charge for everyone.

Parc d’atraccions Tibidabo (Tibidabo Amusement Park)

Another park is the Parc d’atraccions Tibidabo, located on the hill that borders Barcelona from the northwest. A trip to the park on the highest hill in the area (200 m) includes many attractions: starting with the drive to the top of the hill, then visiting the Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor (Sacred Heart Church) located at the top, and finally arriving to the amusement park that includes many rides, among them – the famous ferris wheel, visible from almost any point in the city, This is one of the most beautiful views of the city of Barcelona.

Read more about Parc d’atraccions Tibidabo

Illa Fantasia

The water park Illa Fantasia is opened only during the summer (June-September) and it is considered an excellent option for visitors with children.

Other Children's Attractions

Fuente mágica de Montjuic (Magic Fountain of Montjuïc)

Situated between Plaça d’Espanya and Montjuïc, feature a light and water show with Catalan and Hollywood music.

IMAX cinema theater

Another attraction is the IMAX theater, which displays 3D movies. The theater is located near the Aquarium of Barcelona, in Port Vell area.

Boat Sailing

Sailing in the Mediterranean Sea can be a great experience for kids and adults as one. You can rent a boat at the harbor or join a guided tour in the Mediterranean. You can also sail in the lake of Parc de la Ciutadella.

Extreme sport

There are plenty of extreme sports options who are suitable for children as well: cable car ride over the Mediterranean Sea all the way to the Montjuïc, renting a jet ski, flyboard and parasailing.

Read more about Sport in Barcelona.

Gaudí Experiència

Using a new 4D technology, the Gaudí Experience manage to throw you back in time to learn about the history and work of the architect, Antoni Gaudí, in the most interesting way.

Gaudí Exhibition Center

A museum dedicated to the work of the best known architect of the Modernista style, Antoni Gaudí. The highlight of the museum is the virtual reality experience (VR), where visitors are given a tangible glimpse of Gaudí’s works through special glasses.

Shops for Children

In the Juguettos store, which is located inside the Maremagnum shopping center, you can find all kinds of toys at good prices (for additional information – Shopping in Barcelona).

Family-friendly Hotels

There are two recommended options for sleeping with children Barcelona – either choose one of the family apartments in the city or choose a hotel that provides affordable family rooms – for example Andante Hotel (for additional information – Family-friendly Hotels in Barcelona and Hotels in Barcelona).

Tips and Recommendations

• In most sites, children are entitled to a certain discount, while children up to the age of three do not pay at all. In many museums, children up to the age of 15 are free of charge (for additional information – Museums in Barcelona and Barcelona for Free)
• Most sites in Barcelona have discount coupons (1 + 1, 50% discount on a second card, etc.). It is worth catching up with the information centers in the city to see the options for families with children.
• If you are traveling with a large family it is worth checking the purchase of a T10 ticket for Metro, Children up to the age of 4 are free of charge (for additional information – Public Transportation in Barcelona).
• Many museums in the city have special sections dedicated for children. The best example of this is the Fundació Joan Miró (Joan Miro Museum), which on its website enables children to understand the artist’s very unique craftsmanship before actually arriving to the museum.
• If you are traveling with teenagers, you should book an apartment rather than a hotel, in that manner each family member would get the privacy that he is keen for (additional information – Family-friendly Hotels and Apartment in Barcelona).
• There are many events and festivals in the city that are suitable for children – for example the Santa Eulalia Festival (Les Festes de Santa Eulàlia) is very famous. To stay updated check the following page: Events in Barcelona and Public Holidays in Barcelona.