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Barcelona would be the friendliest metropolis I’ve ever visited. There are numerous points of interest 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 road to a chocolate museum. Would I like to recommend a go to? Undoubtedly! Would I am going once more? In all probability not. Discover out why in my shocking tackle one of the best and worst of Barcelona with youngsters.
Barcelona Fundamentals
This widespread metropolis is the capital of the Catalonia area of Spain. Catalan is one in every of its official languages, which sounds to me like a mix of French, Spanish, and Portuguese.
I all the time prefer to make an effort to talk not less than a number of phrases of the native language wherever I go to. Since everybody speaks Spanish as effectively, although, I didn’t trouble tackling Catalan and as a substitute received by with un poquito d’Español.
La Rambla
Barcelona’s most well-known road is La Rambla. It’s stuffed with distributors and road entertainers in addition to a reside hen honest.
My favourite half is La Boqueria, a vibrant meals market. You may 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 really like a very good open-air market, and this is among the finest I’ve ever visited. With the burst of colours, scents, flavors, and upbeat vitality — it’s overwhelming in its magnificence.
To me, that is THE finest a part of Barcelona. Beware, nonetheless, of pickpockets that focus on vacationers on this space.
Chocolate Museum
Any household journey to Barcelona with youngsters ought to embody a cease on the Museu de la Xocolata. Guests can be taught at this chocolate museum how chocolate got here to be eaten and the way it’s made. Afterward, you’ll be able to (and may!) buy a chocolate deal with or two on the onsite café.
Probably the most enjoyable, although, is searching by means of numerous sculptures product of chocolate in kinds. We noticed a chocolate bullfighting scene, Mickey Mouse product of chocolate, and our daughter’s favourite, Discovering Nemo.
Parc de la Ciutadella
Though the architectural types in Barcelona is gorgeous, the town heart felt a bit stifling to me as a result of its lack of greenery. To get your nature repair, take the kiddos to Parc de la Ciutadella. Hire a rowboat and take a spin round a tiny inexperienced lake. Be warned that there have been no life jackets out there 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 in every of my favourite issues to do when touring with youngsters. Parks provide free entry and it is good to take a metropolis break. Younger youngsters make associates simply irrespective of the language barrier and it is one of the simplest ways to get a glimpse into the on a regular basis lives of native households.
Barcelona Seashores
If visiting throughout summer time months, then you definately’ll need to hit one in every of Barcelona’s beaches. You possibly can simply spend a complete day or extra splashing and enjoying with older youngsters and youthful youngsters alike alongside the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
Deliver alongside some water sneakers or pop into one of many outlets to get an inflatable ring. The pebble seashores could also be uncomfy for tootsies.
My daughter preferred digging together with her bucket and shovel finest. I preferred absorbing some Mediterranean sunshine. And my husband? Effectively, 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 attempting 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 intensive assortment of his early works. This isn’t essentially probably the most kid-friendly vacation spot however it’s positively value a go to, particularly in the event you’re a giant fan of Picasso’s paintings.
La Sagrada Familia Basilica
Development of one in every of Barcelona’s hottest vacationer points of interest, La Sagrada Familia Basilica started in 1882 and remains to be underway right this moment. This distinctive church was designed by Antoni Gaudi, one in every of Barcelona’s most well-known residents. The basilica should reach completion by 2026. Get extra out of your go to by buying La Sagrada Familia tickets in advance with audio guide.
Promise the children you’ll cease for ice cream on the park throughout the road in trade 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. Immediately it is a vacationer attraction stuffed with pretty paths, some breathtaking structure showcasing Gaudi’s work, and nice views of the town.
Though extremely fairly, there is not a complete lot to “do” at Park Guell moreover stroll round. And, it is a bit of a trek to get there. In the event you’re on a good schedule with out sufficient time, then this one might be skipped, particularly if visiting Barcelona with youthful youngsters.
Household-Pleasant Excursions
From skip-the-line tickets and guided strolling excursions to boat journeys and day journeys from Barcelona, GetYourGuide has received you coated. Check out our trusted associate’s hottest Barcelona tours for families.
Eating in Barcelona with Children
I’ve associates who’ve traveled to Barcelona (with out youngsters) and rave concerning the array of tapas bars. The Journey Channel’s Anthony Bourdain has referred to as Spanish delicacies, “one of the best meals within 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 completely 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 purple sauce, a fried egg served with French fries, and bread with a light cheese from La Boqueria. In Barcelona, she lived off of fruit, ice cream, and hen nuggets bought on a day by day trek to McDonald’s in an try and get some protein into her stomach.
I’ve to confess, I wasn’t a giant fan of the meals in Barcelona both. Lots of the tapas we tried had been too dang greasy for my liking since many got here deep-fried. The paella was respectable however stuffed with too many odd creatures from each land and sea for my consolation. The truth is, my favourite meal in Barcelona really happened at an Italian restaurant.
Now, the Crema Catalana was a distinct story. It was like a cross between flan and crème brulée. Muy delicioso!
Remember that folks in Barcelona usually eat dinner quite late in the day. Eating places could also be closed throughout what most People contemplate dinnertime. Add jet lag to the combo and it may be troublesome to seek out the meals you need whenever you need it. In the event you can, then plan to eat your remaining meal with the locals between 9 and 11 pm.
Child-Pleasant Lodging in Barcelona
My household visited Barcelona earlier than our Disney Cruise within the Mediterranean and Disney really useful Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel. It is an important place for the complete household, only a brief stroll from the Las Ramblas space. The décor was directly fashionable and chic, 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 Journey Mamas, so it’s not like we received any particular therapy!) Our room was HUGE, particularly contemplating European requirements.
The employees was past courteous. Each time lodge staff noticed our daughter, they cooed at her and handed her a lollipop. The truth is, we lastly needed to ask the employees to cease providing candies to our toddler!
Certainly one of my favourite reminiscences of our keep in Barcelona was splashing within the lodge’s rooftop pool with its gorgeous view of the harbor unfold out earlier than us.
For extra choices, check out the best hotels for families in Barcelona at Booking.com or these Barcelona accommodation recommendations from The Broke Backpacker.
The Verdict on Barcelona with Children
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 most effective factor about Barcelona is its folks. Everybody we met was pleasant and real. They positively went out of their approach to verify we had fun of their city.
There are many family-friendly actions on this vibrant metropolis, too. I extremely advocate visiting Barcelona with youngsters.
As for me, I’ve been to Barcelona twice and that’s in all probability sufficient. The meals wasn’t my household’s favourite and I felt somewhat nature-starved right here. Plus, I really feel like I’ve already skilled what I wished to discover in Barcelona, and the world is stuffed with locations I’ve but to see.
Discover Extra of Spain
Satirically, Spain has turn out to be one in every of my favourite nations on Earth and I hope to reside there sometime! Uncover my solutions for exploring the superb metropolis of Seville with youngsters.
Discover extra of Spain with this checklist of one of the best issues to do in Málaga.
Check out probably the most romantic things to do in Southern Spain.
Find out about an uncommon Catalonian vacation custom on this round-up of wacky Christmas traditions in Europe.
Save These Enjoyable Issues to Do in Barcelona with Children
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What are your ideas on visiting Barcelona with youngsters? I do know a few of you could suppose I am nuts for poo-pooing Barcelona’s meals. Go forward…add a remark!
A Notice from The Journey Mama: This story was initially written in 2009 and is recurrently up to date to mirror the present high issues to do in Barcelona with youngsters.
