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Family with children

Visiting Barcelona with children and families

What could be nicer than having the whole family go on holiday? The everyday stress stays at home and Mum and Dad have a lot of time for the whole family.

Group activities are the top priority. Here we show you the sights that parents will enjoy just as much as the children. Whether the children have a lot of fun on the beach, ride the cable car, have fun at the amusement park or admire famous cartoon characters made of chocolate in the Museu de Xocolata; Barcelona can always offer attractions that provide something for children and parents alike. In this way everybody has the chance to have the holiday they deserve.

Barcelona offers plenty for families with children

Sightseeing tour for the family

With our tour program for the whole family you and your children will know Barcelona in two days.

Barcelona has many places where families with children will find enjoyment. Children and parents can have fun at many sights: an amusement park, cable cars, a zoo, several parks to let off steam, many museums that are specifically adapted to the interests of children, and in particular 4.5 km of sandy beach make an ideal destination for families with children in Barcelona.

Many hotels offer family rooms and apartments. The prices for accommodation, food and public transport in Barcelona are fairly low for Central European standards, which spares the holiday budget. In restaurants, people have a typically friendly Mediterranean attitude, and are understanding when a child is sometimes a little loud.

Arrival with children and travelling in Barcelona

When travelling by car you should expect that a trip from Germany, Austria or Switzerland to Barcelona will take a good two days, depending on where you start your journey. Likewise, the cost of petrol, tolls, parking fees and a possible overnight stay is not negligible.
Our tip: take the coast road from Figueres. This saves toll charges, your children can see the boats on the water and you can always stop at a beach.

In Barcelona itself, the public transport is well developed and almost all attractions are within walking distance of a metro or tram station, so a car is not necessarily required. Even now almost all public transport is barrier-free, i.e. even with a pram you can use all means of transport.

If you travel by plane but still need a car to take a day trip to the countryside, for instance, there are rentals cars available from only € 40 per day at pick up stations throughout the city.

A flight with a scheduled airline or a low-cost carrier is not only a highlight of the holiday for your children; it may well be cheaper than the car. Infants of 1-2 years fly at a much lower price if they sit on the lap of their parents during the flight. Children up to 11 years old still get a reduced fare, although children over 12 years old must pay full price with most airlines

Accommodation with children

Since Barcelona, amongst other things, is a Trade Fair centre, usually school holidays are not especially high season. So it is indeed very hot in August and the whole city is a little quieter, but then the hotel prices are lower than in other months.

Many hotels offer special family rooms for three or four people. On Barcelona.de you can reserve these rooms. To do this choose "advanced options" in our booking system and select the "family room". You will receive a selection of hotels that have rooms and prices for the period requested. Or you can directly visit our hotel page with recommended family-friendly hotels.

Often, even small children up to 2-3 years old can sleep free in their parents' bed, or a free cot will even be made available. The conditions are stated in the hotel description. If your child is a little older an extra bed can often be set up in the room.

An alternative to one or more hotel rooms are apartments. The apartments have multiple bedrooms and usually they are self-catering so you can safely save a few Euros. In smaller apartments prices per person are roughly equivalent to the range of a middle class hotel. For families or groups of about four people there will be more favorable rates in comparison to a hotel.

Rental of prams and accessories

In Barcelona you can prams, beds, children's clothing and anything else that children need. This is ideal if you’re travelling by plane and transport in an aircraft is too cumbersome. The booked equipment can be delivered to your hotel and collected again. These services are offered, for example, by the companies Baby TravellingEasy Travel Kids or BackPackBaby.

Discounts for children and families

Children under 3 have free admission to most museums and attractions. There is a reduced admission up to 12-16 year olds, but this is not uniformly regulated. Some institutions also offer a discount for students (don’t forget your ID). In addition, there are often special family tickets.

For bus and subway ride infants up to 3 years old travel for free, but four year olds and older must have a ticket. A reduced rate for children under 12 years old is included with the Barcelona Card, which includes the use of bus and subway.

Attractions for the whole family

In Barcelona there is plenty for children to see and discover: an amusement park, beautifully landscaped parks, a plentiful sandy beach, cable cars and a lot of museums that are tailored to the interests of the children. All these attractions help make Barcelona an interesting destination for the entire family.
The age references are approximate guidelines for the age at which the attractions could be interesting for children.

Tour proposal for families with children
Sightseeing program with children

Here we have put together a 2-day tour program, which we are sure you will like. This program is for children over six years. With younger children, you should omit one or two of the attractions.


Apartments in Barcelona
Apartment / Holiday accommodation

For a family, an apartment or holiday accommodation can be a fairly inexpensive and practical alternative to a hotel. You can make your own food, while some apartments still offer the service of a hotel including room service and breakfast.


Hotels with family rooms
Hotel with family rooms

We offer lots of hotels with special family rooms. These are for three people or more. On Barcelona.de you can book hotels of all categories. Many hotels also offer the opportunity for small children to sleep in their parents' bed for free, or there are even free cots set up in the room. For a fee, at most hotels there are extra beds that can be set up in the room.


The Living statues of the Ramblas
Living Statues of La Rambla

Again and again amazed children stand in front of the living statues of La Rambla. These are usually complex and imaginative costumes, such as robots, medieval knights or exciting fantasy figures. And all this without an entrance price. The actors are happy to receive even a small tip. If little children throw them some money they make an extra special effort.

Address: Rambla dels Caputxins
Metro: L3, Drassanes, Liceu  

L'Aquàrium shows the flora and fauna in the sea
L'Aquàrium

The tunnel through the shark pool is a very special attraction, not only for children. Special family tickets make this quite expensive museum more affordable. For children of about 3-4 years old or older, the aquarium has an extra area to explore children's play in the underwater world.

Address: Moll d'Espanya del Port Vell Barcelona
Internet: www.aquariumbcn.com
Metro: L3, Drassanes  

Stadium of FC Barcelona
Camp Nou - the stadium of FC Barcelona

Almost a must for any football fan. A visit to FC Barcelona, Europe's largest football stadium, and its museum also includes a tour of the locker rooms of the stars. You can also book tickets for home games of FC Barcelona.
For children of about 6 to 12 years.

Address: Barcelona
Internet: fc.barcelona.de
Metro: L3, Les Corts, L5, Collblanc  

Waxworks cabinet
Waxworks cabinet

360 famous people are staged beautifully. Many of the personalities of the characters are from Spanish and Catalan history, but the kings and princes are still quite interesting, maybe especially for the kids. Some areas are quite dark, so just take the little ones by the hand. Be sure to visit the café Bosc de les Fades afterwards. Your children will love it.
The museum is suitable for children of about 10 years and upwards, the cafe for children of about 3-5 years.

Address: Pge. de la Banca 7 Barcelona
Internet: www.museocerabcn.com
Metro: L3, Drassanes  

Las Golondrinas – Harbour tour trip along the beaches
Harbour Cruise with the Las Golondrinas

Huge cranes, gigantic container ships, cruise ships as tall as skyscrapers and many ships, sailboats, windsurfers and all kinds of sea birds. You can even look directly at the fish through a window in the ship floor. Not just your children will be amazed at the harbor cruise or the "harbor and coast" trip. The boat ride is included in the Barcelona Card.
For children of about 6 years or older.

Address: Portal de la Pau (gegenüber der Kolumbussäule) Barcelona
Phone: 93 442 31 06  
Internet: www.lasgolondrinas.com
Metro: L3, Drassanes  

Columbus statue - best view on the rambla
Columbus statue - best view on the rambla

From up here the kids have a great view of the Ramblas, the Maritime Museum, the port and the L'Aquàrium. It’s great for showing the kids everywhere that they have been.
For children over 6 years old.

Address: Südlich der Rambla Barcelona
Metro: L3, Drassanes  

CosmoCaixa - very informative museum of science
CosmoCaixa - informative museum of science

One of the most prestigious European museums of natural sciences. Both didactic and interactive, the disciplines of science are presented here in an exciting way. Making learning fun, it’s interesting not only for your children.
For children of about 10 years or older.

Address: Carrer Teodor Roviralta 47-51
Phone: +34 93 212 60 50  
Metro: FGC, L7, Av. del Tibidabo, then 800 metres by feet or bus   Bus: 196 from Av. del Tibidabo  

Montjuïc - fun with a lot of view
Montjuïc - Have a good time with a great view

From Montjuïc you and your children not only have a great view. In particular the cable car (Acre) over the harbour and to the summit and the Castell (Telefèric) is a highlight for children, but also the journey by funicular railway (Funicular).
For children of about 10 years or older.

Address: Avibguda del Castell/C. de Montjuïc
Metro: L3, Paral·lel, Funicular, Telèferic, Aeri  

Water organ - Font Màgica
Water organ - Font Màgica

If it is already dark, the fountains are a very special experience.
For children of about 10 years or older.

Address: Plaça Espanya
Internet: fonts.bcn.es
Metro: L3, L1, FGC, Espanya  

Poble Espanyol, the Spanisch village
Poble Espanyol - the Spanisch village

At the foot of Montjuic, this open-air museum offers much amusement. There are many events for children, including demonstrations of traditional crafts, such as the glass-blowers, which delight many children. Lots of exercise and no cars.
For children of about 6 years or older.

Address: Avinguda del Marqués de Comilla
Internet: www.poble-espanyol.com
Metro: L 1, L3, FGC, Espanya  

Sandy beach of Barcelona
Sandy beach of Barcelona

What child would not have fun on this sandy? The beach is clean, and the water clean. The beach is within walking distance from the Rambla, the Harbour or L'Aquàrium.
For children of about 6 years or older.

Address: Barcelona
Metro: L4, Barceloneta  

Zoo - Parc Zoològic
Zoo - Parc Zoològic

The zoo specializes in great apes, amongst other attractions. Similarly, the daily dolphin show delights children. Some animals can be petted and the kids can ride ponies. In the adjacent Parc de la Ciutadella, you can ride on a lake boat.
For children of about 3 years or older.

Address: Parc de la Ciutadella Barcelona
Internet: www.zoobarcelona.com
Metro: L4, Barceloneta & Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica, L1, Marina & Arc de Triomf  

Parc de la Ciutadella, rowing boat and picnic
Parc de la Ciutadella, rowing boat and picnic

You can go boat rowing, climb on the horns of a mammoth, admire the water-breathing dragon, go to the Zoological Museum, or simply have a picnic on the green meadow.
For children of about 6 years or older.


Museu de la Xocolata - chocolate museum
Chocolate Museum - Museu de la Xocolata

The Chocolate Museum Museu de la Xocolata tells the story of chocolate in Europe and the importance of its origin in South American cultures. Many comic book heroes made of chocolate are on display, such as Tintin, Asterix and Obelix. The delicious smell throughout the entire museum will make a visit a very special experience for kids.
For children of about 6 years and older.

Address: Comerç, 36 08003 Barcelona
Phone: +34 932 687 878  
Metro: L4, Jaume I., L1, Arc de Triomf  

Park Güell
Park Güell - a hommage to nature

The freely accessible Park Güell is a very special attraction. Designed with space and with a lot of imagination children can romp around here freely.
For children of about 6 years and older.

Address: Carrer d'Olot
Metro: L3, Lesseps +10min. Fußweg  

Museu maritím, the impressive nautic museum
Museu Marítim - Maritime Museum

In a vivid way, the history of seafaring is explained. The ship models, the real boats, the collection of figureheads and the reconstructed interiors of ships are especially exciting. A special highlight is a replica of a 60 metre long galley.
For children over 6 years old.

Address: Avinguda de les Drassanes Barcelona
Metro: L3, Drassanes  

Parque d'Atraccions on the Tibidabo
Parque d'Atraccions on the Tibidabo

This ride is a pleasure. A lot of views and a great amusement park within a very special setting. The Nickelodeon Museum should also not be missed.
For children of about 6 years old or over.

Address: Barcelona
Internet: www.tibidabo.es

Children at the beach of Barcelona

The diversity of possible leisure activities, from children's museum, the amusement park to the beach, Barcelona is extremely attractive for a family holiday.

Free admission, discounts and free public transport with the Barcelona Card

With the Barcelona Card discounts and free admission: Museu Marítim, Monument a Colom, las Golondrinas, Poble Espanyol, Museu Militar on the Montjuïc, CosmoCaixa, Zoo and stadium Poble Nou. Free public transport.

Hotels in Barcelona
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The sights in Barcelona also inspire the children

Many attractions in Barcelona are sure to impress your children.

Living statues on the Rambla

The living statue is sure to delight your children on the Rambla.

Aquàrium  in Barcelona

In Aquàriumy our children can safely spend hours without getting bored. From seahorses to skate to the white shark, which they can look directly in the eyes, there is so much to see.

Zoo of Barcelona

What child would not be excited by a zoo? In Barcelona, the great apes and dolphins are especially well represented.

The science museum of Barcelona, CosmoCaixa

In CosmoCaixa you and your children learn interactively and can get to know the exciting world of science in a modern way.

Harbour cruise

Not just your children will be amazed at the harbour cruise.

With the funicular to the Tibidabo

Even the journey to the tibidabo is something special. Highlights include the roller coaster, the ferris wheel at a dizzying height and the 200 metre high observation deck featuring an awe-inspiring glass floor...

Parc de la Ciutadella

Without doubt, a boat trip on the lake in the Parc de la Ciutadella is a lot of fun.

Chocolate Museum in Barcelona

Museum not only for Children: The Chocolate Museum.


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