Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia region in Spain, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It is the second most important city in Spain after Madrid. Barcelona has the second largest international airport in Spain and one of the most important Mediterranean ports in Europe. Barcelona has nearly 2 million inhabitants, not including its immediate vicinity, where the number is similar.
For years now Barcelona has been one of the best destinations for a family vacation, and it has every reason for that. It is a wonderful city from every aspect of tourism and even more wonderful for families with children. Barcelona offers a charming tourist atmosphere in every corner and alley with excellent restaurants and cafes, monuments and endless attractions for families, interesting neighborhoods and fascinating tours. Also, there are many popular points of interest around Barcelona such as Port Aventura Park, Costa Brava, Pyrenees and more.
So without wasting too much time, let’s start with our guide to Barcelona with kids.
Table of Contents
How many days should you spend in Barcelona with children?
The average time for a vacation in Barcelona with children is about 5 days where you can experience and get to know Barcelona pretty well. There are many families who choose to combine Barcelona with other out-of-town excursions like the Costa Brava, the Montserrat Mountain or the Port Aventura Park. In such cases, either you stay in Barcelona for three days to leave time for the other destinations or you extend your vacation by a few more days (in our opinion this is the better option).
When should you travel to Barcelona with children?
The truth is that there isn’t really a recommended time to travel to Barcelona. Like Paris or London, Barcelona is a first-class tourist city where you can visit in any season.
You will find many families that travel there during the summer holidays, but you can also find those who jump for a few days in the middle of winter. Many also come with the children to watch the soccer game of the famous team. So generally, every day of the year is a great time to get to Barcelona.
What should be taken into account is that the summer period, especially in July and August, is the peak period in Barcelona, and therefore the queues are longer, everywhere is more crowded and the hotels are more expensive.
For information about public holidays in Barcelona visit this site.
You can click on each month to see the average weather parameters:
- Average temperature: 10C / 50F
- Average high temperature: 14C / 57F
- Average low temperature: 5C / 41F
- Average rainfall: 33 mm
- Average rainy days: 3
- Average temperature: 10C / 50F
- Average high temperature: 14C / 57F
- Average low temperature: 6C / 43F
- Average rainfall: 41 mm
- Average rainy days: 5
- Average temperature: 12C / 54F
- Average high temperature: 16C / 61F
- Average low temperature: 8C / 46F
- Average rainfall: 33 mm
- Average rainy days: 4
- Average temperature: 13C / 55F
- Average high temperature: 18C / 64F
- Average low temperature: 10C / 53F
- Average rainfall: 37mm
- Average rainy days: 5
- Average temperature: 16C / 61F
- Average high temperature: 22C / 72F
- Average low temperature: 14C / 57F
- Average rainfall: 54 mm
- Average rainy days: 5
- Average temperature: 20C /68F
- Average high temperature: 26C / 79F
- Average low temperature: 18C / 64F
- Average rainfall: 11 mm
- Average rainy days: 2
- Average temperature: 23C / 73F
- Average high temperature: 28C / 82F
- Average low temperature: 21C / 70F
- Average rainfall: 25 mm
- Average rainy days: 2
- Average temperature: 24C / 75F
- Average high temperature: 29C / 84F
- Average low temperature: 21C / 70F
- Average rainfall: 64 mm
- Average rainy days: 5
- Average temperature: 22C / 72F
- Average high temperature: 26C /79F
- Average low temperature: 18C / 64F
- Average rainfall: 75 mm
- Average rainy days: 5
- Average temperature: 18C / 64F
- Average high temperature: 23C / 73F
- Average low temperature: 14C / 57F
- Average rainfall: 87mm
- Average rainy days: 6
- Average temperature: 13C / 55F
- Average high temperature: 18C / 64F
- Average low temperature: 9C / 487F
- Average rainfall: 34 mm
- Average rainy days: 4
- Average temperature: 11C /52F
- Average high temperature: 14C / 57F
- Average low temperature: 5C / 41F
- Average rainfall: 35 mm
- Average rainy days: 5
What is the recommended way to travel from Barcelona airport to a hotel?
Barcelona’s airport is located 10 km from the city and takes a 20- to 30-minute drive to the center of the city, using the bus network of Barcelona’s AeroBus or RENFE. The most popular and recommended way among families to get from the airport to the city center is by taxi, as in the case of 4 or 5 passengers, this is the most cost-effective way.
By Taxi
When you get out of customs, go down one floor and turn to the taxi line. A ride to the city costs around 30-40 EUR (10 Euro tax included) and takes about 25 minutes. You can take a large taxi with seven places.
By Aerobus
Painted in blue with the sign Aerobus Barcelona, you can find the line on the lower floor of Terminal A1 or A2 (take the elevator to the lower floor, go outside and you’ll notice the blue buses). The price is fixed – 5.90 euros one way. Purchase the ticket from the driver or just outside the bus. The frequency is around 5 to 5 minutes. The service starts at 5:30 and ends at Catalonia Square at 00:30. There are stations in Catalonia square (right on the corner of Garcia st.), Espanya square, Palau Nacional and more. Note that there is a bus to each terminal, so it is important that you know which terminal you are departing from. During the rush hour, there are representatives of the bus company who help you to go to the appropriate line. The ride takes about half an hour.
By Metro
The orange L9 SUD line runs through Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 directly to the Zona Universitària station and from there you can take one of the L1 Red and Green L3 lines, which reach to the city center. The frequency is every 7 minutes. The cost of a single ride from or to the airport is EUR 4.50.
By TMB bus
Line 46 to España Square and other stations around the city, runs between 05:00 and 00:15.
Night bus – Line N17 runs from 23:00 to 04:30, departs from Catalonia Square at the intersection of Ronda Universitat and Plaça Catalunya.
By Train
If you want, there is also the Renfe train line R2 to the Passeig de Gracia or Barcelona Sants stations in the city center, from which you can continue on the Metro.
Where is the best neighborhood to stay In Barcelona with children?
The most popular area among families to stay in Barcelona is in the city center. The best way to check if this is a good location is to measure the walking distance to the famous Ramblas Avenue of Barcelona or Catalonia Square, which is considered a major anchor point for any trip or city tour. The closer your hotel is to these locations means it’s in a better location.
Of course, the price varies according to the location of the hotel and the farther you go from the center, the lower the price will be accordingly. If you are on a budget, choosing a hotel within driving distance of several metro stations from the Ramblas is also a good choice.
In the map you can see all the popular neighborhoods among tourists. Click each star to see the name of the neighborhood.
How much will a hotel or a family apartment cost in Barcelona in 2019?
Hotel prices in Barcelona vary greatly depending on the season of the year when the highest prices are during the summer months (June to September) while the lowest prices are during the winter months.
The average price range for 2019 in the best and most recommended apartments in Barcelona, located in the Rambla area and that are winning the best online ratings, ranges from 140 USD to 300 USD per family per night during the winter and 220 USD to 450 USD during the summer.
What are the most recommended hotels for families with children in Barcelona?
Many families, especially those with small children, prefer to stay in one unit rather than separate rooms. Since many hotels in Barcelona do not offer large family rooms, the selection here is not very large. On the other hand, there are some super great hotels for families in Barcelona and you only need to know how to find them!
We have reviewed and researched the booking sites to find and locate the hotels and apartments that are considered the most recommended and popular for families with children. Here are our recommendations:
Our Favorite: Hotel Jazz
The stylish Jazz Hotel is a 2-minute walk from Plaza Catalunya in the center of Barcelona. It features a rooftop pool and terrace with views of the city.
The contemporary rooms include free Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. A buffet breakfast is served in the Jazz Café’s modern bar area. It includes fresh fruit, cakes, and pastries. Universitat Metro Station is less than 100 meters from the hotel. And the Gothic Quarter is 10 minutes away.
This place has one of the highest ratings in Barcelona and is very popular among families with children.
This is definitely one of the most popular hotels for families with children in Barcelona. While the hotel is not located in the center, it is located very close to the metro station that will take you anywhere in the city quickly and easily. Near the hotel, you will also find a mall and a large shopping center.
This luxurious 4-star hotel is also located on the Ramblas and offers an outdoor pool, a spa and more.
A short distance from the beach in Barcelona, you will find this great family hotel. This is a 4-star hotel designed to a very high standard. The hotel received reviews for excellent service, excellent order and cleanliness, comfortable and large rooms and a good breakfast.
This is a luxurious 4-star hotel that offers high-priced rooms but is nevertheless very popular among families traveling to Barcelona. It is set in an impressive historic building near Catalonia Square.
Petit Palace Boqueria Garden is set in an ancient building in the Gothic Quarter near Boqueria Market, 10 meters from Las Ramblas. The hotel is just a 1-minute walk from Liceu Metro Station and offers easy transport to the city. Plaça Catalunya is less than 1 km away. Many families recommend the hotel.
NH Collection Barcelona Podium
NH Collection Barcelona Podium offers elegant, modern accommodation in a quiet area in the center of Barcelona. It offers free Wi-Fi, a sauna, a gym and a rooftop terrace with a swimming pool and city views. It combines the 19th-century façade with modern interiors. Set in Barcelona’s Eixample district, it is surrounded by other modernist buildings. The hotel is 1 km from Plaça Catalunya and the Ramblas, and close to the city’s Gothic Quarter. The hotel has good access to all parts of the city by public transport.
Apartments-Hotel Hispanos 7 Suiza
This hotel is located 150 meters from Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia Cathedral. The apartments are decorated with elegant oak furniture and wooden floors. All accommodation features free Wi-Fi and a private balcony. Sagrada Familia Metro Station is 100 meters away and parking is available on site. The hotel is very popular among families.
Aspasios Rambla Catalunya Suites
Aspasios Rambla Catalunya offers stylish apartments on Barcelona’s stylish Rambla de Catalunya. The apartments are decorated in a contemporary style and include a sofa bed, plasma TV and kitchen with dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer, machine Nespresso coffee and breakfast for the reception. It is a 10-minute walk from Las Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter and a short walk from Gaudí’s La Pedrera and Casa Batllo. There is excellent public transport right next to the apartments. These apartments are very popular among families with children.
Paseo de Gracia Bas Apartments Barcelona
Centrally located, Paseo de Gracia Bas Apartments is just 8 minutes’ walk from Plaza Catalunya and Las Ramblas. All apartments are modern and functional design. The kitchen in the apartment includes a dishwasher, microwave, and coffee maker. Las Ramblas, Plaza Catalunya and the Gothic Quarter are all a 10-minute walk away. Families especially like this location.
Catedral Bas Apartments Barcelona
Centrally located, 2 minutes’ walk from Barcelona Cathedral and 4 minutes from Plaza Catalunya. It has a small rooftop pool with a sun terrace and views of the cathedral. The spacious, modern apartments are well-equipped and they’re located on the corner of a popular shopping street.
Located in an ideal location, Midtown Apartments is a short walk from Paseo de Gracia and the center of Plaza Catalunya; It offers stylish, modern apartments with a seasonal pool and solarium on the roof of the building. All soundproofed apartments are in the same building. In each apartment, the kitchen is equipped with a ceramic hob, oven, and dishwasher. The apartments are also well connected by bus and metro to all of Barcelona’s main attractions.
Tip: We usually book with Booking.com. We find that most of the times their prices are the lowest. The booking process is easy and reliable.
Popular attractions for families with children in Barcelona
Barcelona is packed with attractions and interesting sights to visit. The diversity is endless and can interest any type of tourist. Many of Barcelona’s most famous attractions are a must for every tourist who arrives there, and the families come there (no matter what the children’s age). Here are some of the main attractions in Barcelona.
You can check out the map at the end of the list to see where each attraction is located.
Columbus statue / Mirador de Colom
This is one of Barcelona’s symbols, located between Barcelona’s Old Port and Barcelona’s Ramblas, within walking distance of the Barcelona Aquarium and the Wax Museum. The 60-meter statue in memory of Christopher Columbus and his first voyage to the discovery of America.
Gothic Quarter
The Barri Gotic or the Gothic Quarter is one of Barcelona’s most spectacular areas. This quarter dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries, but it was built on an ancient Roman neighborhood called Barso / Bresino (from which Barcelona took its name), whose remains can be seen in some of its streets.
Ramblas Avenue
If the beating heart of Barcelona is the Gothic quarter, then the main artery is undoubtedly Las Ramblas. The origin of the name Rambles is the Arabic word “Ramal” which means sand. In the very distant past, it passed through a stream that spilled into the Mediterranean Sea, and today Ramblas is one of the most fascinating and most vibrant avenues in Europe, leading from Catalonia Square to Port Voll on the Mediterranean coast.
This area, in the center of old Barcelona, has plenty of restaurants, cafés, shops, and street stalls. Walking around the boulevard is one of the most enjoyable attractions during a visit to the city.
Boquería Market
A food market rich in color, taste, and bustle. The market is an extension that runs out of Ramblas Boulevard. La Boqueria Market is a must-see for any visitor in Barcelona.
Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia, whose name means the Cathedral of the Holy Family, is the central work of Antoni Gaudi, to which he devoted his last years. Gaudí signed both the design of the cathedral and its construction (until his death) and the sculpture of many sculptures that make up the building. In fact, Gaudi and the cathedral became almost synonymous when he lived alone for sixteen years and decided to be buried there in a crypt at the bottom of the church. You can not have visited Barcelona without seeing the Sagrada Familia – this is the site that has become the city’s trademark. The cathedral displays the best of Gaudí’s modernist construction and is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. This is Barcelona’s main tourist site and it has over 2 million visitors a year!
Camp Nou
FC Barcelona is a must-see for football fans. The museum is actually a “secular temple” of the famous football team of the city, which is considered one of the richest in the world and is located in the 7th stand of Camp Nou football stadium, one of the largest and most famous in the world.
Passeig de Gràcia
Passeig de Gràcia is one of Barcelona’s most central boulevards and one of the most beautiful. The avenue is located in the golden square in the center of the Eixample district and runs from Placa Catalunya through Diagonal to the square at the top of the boulevards (near the Foster) as it turns from a large avenue to a smaller street called Carrer Gran de Gràcia.
Catalunya Square
Placa Catalunya is one of Barcelona’s main squares. It’s a huge square with a long history and great national significance for the Catalan people and serves as a central junction connecting the Old Town to the new city of Barcelona.
Plaza España and the Magic Fountain
Place Espana is one of Barcelona’s two main squares (the second is of course Catalonia Square). As befits a central square, it has a great history, impressive sculptures, a fountain, and a unique modernist monument. España Square and the Magic Fountains are the kinds of sites each tourist must pass through while visiting Barcelona. They are central, amazing and leave a lot of impressions.
Casa Mila
Casa Mila is one of Barcelona’s top tourist destinations. The building is located on the famous street of Passeig de Garcia. This is one of the special buildings that Gaudi built for the Mila family. The site has a small museum for Gaudi works in the city of Barcelona.
Monjuíque
Montjuic Hill is one of the must-see sites. The Montjuic is a 200-meter hill that stands in the southern part of the city and has a rich historical past and a breathtakingly beautiful present. For its visitors, it offers gardens, city and sea views and many museums.
Guell Park
Parc Guell was designed by the central icon of Barcelona’s modernist architect, Antoni Gaudi, inspired by Apollon Temple in Delphi, Greece. In the park you can see one of the symbols of the city, the lizard-dragon, watch street performances, and stroll around in one of the most special parks. Park Guell is one of Barcelona’s main attractions and one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the city.
Museu Picasso
Museu Picasso is a museum dedicated to the famous artist Pablo Picasso, which is located in the heart of the small Borren quarter near the Gothic Quarter. Although Picasso was born in Malaga, he spent many years of his life in Barcelona. Picasso lived in the Gothic quarter of the city between 1895-1904, which was one of the most important periods of his creation. Picasso’s long stay in Barcelona and his love for the city brought him to contribute many of his artworks to the museum in his lifetime, but most of the pictures in the museum were donated by Jacqueline, his widow.
The Joan Miro Foundation
You do not have to go to the museum to see Miro’s works. Like Gaudí, his works fill the streets of Barcelona and are undoubtedly the factors that make Barcelona’s streets a museum. If you want to be exposed to this great artist, you should visit the museum Miro located in the Montjuic Park complex.
Apart from the main attractions, Barcelona also offers a lot of activities for children of all ages. Among the most popular attractions for families in Barcelona are:
The Barcelona Zoo
The Barcelona Zoo is a typical zoo that allows its visitors to get to know a wide range of animals. The visit is intended for enthusiasts of all ages, but especially for visitors with children.
The Aquarium
Barcelona Aquarium is one of Barcelona’s main attractions to offer. The aquarium contains over 11,000 different animals and 450 different species and combines research and a museum that appeals specifically to the young audience. Next to Barcelona Zoo – this is one of the most popular sites for families visiting the city.
The Chocolate Museum
The chocolate museum in Barcelona is located in a red brick building in the La Rivera district and is almost adjacent to the El Born district. Like many other sites in Barcelona, it was once a convent and underwent many reincarnations until it became the city’s famous chocolate Museum. The museum exhibits large video screens, signs and interactive information systems, which tell the story of the long process of cocoa, from the picking stage to the amazing market design that is seen in many corners of the city. It also features small chocolate models of famous sites such as the Gothic Cathedral, And the Olympic Park.
The Cosmocaixa Science Museum
The Museum of Science in Barcelona, or the Cosmocaixa, is named after the local bank La Caixa, which supports science and research in Catalonia (and the museum). The museum’s subjects are multidisciplinary and interesting. Almost every science enthusiast of any age comes to visit the museum. The Science Museum of Barcelona is considered one of the best science museums in Europe and provides fascinating visiting experiences for all ages.
The Tibidabo Park
Tibidabo Park is a small amusement park on the Tibidabo mountain overlooking the city of Barcelona. The park offers a pleasant and comfortable recreation in a variety of facilities (slightly outdated). The park has been around for almost a century. The best way to visit the park, which combines the needs of both children and adults, is to travel by metro. When you get out of the metro you have to take the blue tram. The ride on the blue tram above the mountain takes about fifteen minutes and along the way you can see the beautiful villas and views.
The Spanish Village (Pueblo Español)
The Spanish village Poble Espanyol is a village in Montjuic in Barcelona, which describes the architectural diversity in the history of human settlement in Spain. Apart from streets and buildings designed in different styles that characterize Spain – you can meet with actors who exhibit traditional Spanish kings.
The park was built for the international fair held in Barcelona in 1929, along with other sites in the area such as the magic fountain in Espanya Square and the Olympic Stadium.
The Wax Museum
The Museu de Cera / Wax Museum is on the southern side of Barcelona’s Ramblas Boulevard, near the old port and the Columbus Monument. The museum is a local wax museum, housed in a neoclassical building.
The museum features full-size wax figures of prominent personalities in the course of human history, ranging from historical figures, cultural figures to celebrities and cinematic figures of today. All these are presented in costumes and contemporary décor, accompanied by typical music that creates a special atmosphere. In the museum, there is an emphasis on characters from the local history. The museum also has an entire corridor for children.
The Citadel Park
The central park of the city of Barcelona, which includes the Catalan Parliament, the zoo and the museums of zoology and geology. You can rent a boat for a ride in the lake.
Transportation in Barcelona
Many of Barcelona’s main attractions are close to each other within walking distance so that if you stay in a central location you can save a lot in travel time. However, you can easily use Barcelona’s public transportation, which is considered excellent.
The most popular option is to the metro (subway) that reaches any tourist area you desire. Most travelers choose to purchase a card called T10 (using electric machines scattered around the stations). This card includes 10 trips and is transferable between people (as opposed to personal cards that can only be used by the person who purchased it). The cost of the ticket is about 10 euros.
If you are less in a hurry and want to experience the city from above, it is recommended to take the Barcelona buses and trams. You can use the T10 card we discussed earlier, or purchase individual tickets worth about 2 euros.
Metro and Buses
The city operates an excellent and convenient metro system that connects all parts of the city and leads quickly and cheaply to almost all of the city’s main tourist attractions. As already said, Metro travel throughout the city is highly recommended. Tickets can be purchased for a few hours or days, or a T-10 card for 6.90 Euros for 10 trips including both Metro and Bus trips. Tickets can be purchased at any station.
In addition, Barcelona has an exceptional bus and tram system, and the city is connected to the railway system of the whole of Spain.
The metro comes every 3 minutes at rush hour and every 7-10 minutes at night (after 21:00) and it must be taken into account that it is the most crowded in the afternoon.
Barcelona Card
There is another option that allows free travel to all Barcelona’s buses and Metro by using Barcelona Card. The Barcelona Card allows you to see the city and the attractions it has to offer and pay less. You can choose from two, three, four or five days of discounts in Barcelona.
Barcelona card is suitable for most people who plan to visit the main attractions of the city and its main sites that have a discount or are free of charge as part of the use of the card and shopping within the stores that include a discount on the card.
You can learn more about Barcelona Card here.
Taxis in Barcelona
Most of the taxis in the city are of two kinds – regular taxis for 4 people and ones for 6 people. For a group of people, it might be profitable. You can check the fares here.
Should you rent a car in Barcelona?
Those who plan to make the tour only within the city are not advised to rent a car – the roads are relatively crowded as befits a central city, the parking options are limited and the passenger in the vehicle will miss the experience of being in the city.
On the other hand, for those who intend to leave the city and tour the Catalonia cars or continue south to Madrid and Andalusia, it is recommended to rent a car.
If you consider renting a car in Barcelona we recommend this site: Rentalcars
Attractions and destinations for a trip outside of Barcelona
Many families do not settle for Barcelona alone and choose to combine additional trips in the area around Barcelona. The most popular destinations outside of Barcelona are the huge Port Aventura amusement park, located about an hour’s drive from Barcelona and the Montserrat, which is also about an hour’s drive. The cool Costa Brava is also very popular and many combine a few days off in one of the wonderful hotels there. It is also possible to combine a trip to the Pyrenees, but it is a bit more far away, about four hours drive from Barcelona.
