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Barcelona would be the friendliest metropolis I’ve ever visited. There are a lot of points of interest for the entire household to take pleasure in within the Catalan capital from the inexperienced Parc de la Ciutadella and the well-known La Rambla pedestrian-only avenue to a chocolate museum. Would I like to recommend a go to? Undoubtedly! Would I am going once more? Most likely not. Discover out why in my stunning tackle the perfect and worst of Barcelona with children.
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 wish to make an effort to talk at the very least 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 obtained by with un poquito d’Español.
La Rambla
Barcelona’s most well-known avenue is La Rambla. It’s crammed with distributors and avenue entertainers in addition to a stay hen honest.
My favourite half is La Boqueria, a vibrant meals market. You possibly can 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 reasonably priced lunch.
I like a very good open-air market, and this is without doubt one of the greatest 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 greatest a part of Barcelona. Beware, nevertheless, of pickpockets that concentrate on vacationers on this space.
Chocolate Museum
Any household journey to Barcelona with youngsters ought to embrace 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 looking via varied sculptures fabricated from chocolate in kinds. We noticed a chocolate bullfighting scene, Mickey Mouse fabricated from chocolate, and our daughter’s favourite, Discovering Nemo.
Parc de la Ciutadella
Though the architectural types in Barcelona is gorgeous, town middle 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. Lease 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 children. Parks provide free entry and it is good to take a metropolis break. Younger youngsters make associates simply regardless of the language barrier and it is one of the best ways to get a glimpse into the on a regular basis lives of native households.
Barcelona Seashores
If visiting throughout summer season months, you then’ll need to hit one in every of Barcelona’s seashores. You could possibly simply spend a complete day or extra splashing and taking part in with older children and youthful children 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 favored digging together with her bucket and shovel greatest. I favored 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 making an attempt to maintain our toddler from destroying treasured artistic endeavors on the spectacular Museu Picasso. The well-known painter Pablo Picasso grew up in Barcelona and this museum accommodates probably the most in depth assortment of his early works. This isn’t essentially probably the most kid-friendly vacation spot however it’s positively price a go to, particularly when you’re an enormous fan of Picasso’s art work.
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 continues 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 ought to attain completion by 2026. Get extra out of your go to by buying La Sagrada Familia tickets upfront with audio information.
Promise the children you’ll cease for ice cream on the park throughout the road in trade for good conduct at this one-of-a-kind architectural feat.
Park Güell
Gaudi designed Park Guell as a high-end residential space for the Barcelona elite. As we speak it is a vacationer attraction crammed with pretty paths, some breathtaking structure showcasing Gaudi’s work, and nice views of town.
Though extremely fairly, there is not a complete lot to “do” at Park Guell apart from stroll round. And, it’s kind of of a trek to get there. For those who’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 obtained you lined. Check out our trusted accomplice’s hottest Barcelona excursions for households.
Eating in Barcelona with Youngsters
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 known as Spanish delicacies, “the perfect 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 feel my household ate at this very restaurant!)
Our expertise, nevertheless, was fairly totally different from theirs. Our toddler hated all Spanish meals. She refused to eat something in Barcelona. This consists of objects she loves at residence like pasta with purple sauce, a fried egg served with French fries, and bread with a gentle cheese from La Boqueria. In Barcelona, she lived off of fruit, ice cream, and rooster nuggets bought on a each day trek to McDonald’s in an try to get some protein into her stomach.
I’ve to confess, I wasn’t an enormous fan of the meals in Barcelona both. Most of the tapas we tried had been too dang greasy for my liking since many got here deep-fried. The paella was respectable however crammed with too many odd creatures from each land and sea for my consolation. The truth is, my favourite meal in Barcelona really befell at an Italian restaurant.
Now, the Crema Catalana was a unique story. It was like a cross between flan and crème brulée. Muy delicioso!
Understand that individuals in Barcelona usually eat dinner fairly late within the day. Eating places could also be closed throughout what most Individuals contemplate dinnertime. Add jet lag to the combination and it may be troublesome to seek out the meals you need once you need it. For those who can, then plan to eat your last 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 Resort. It is a terrific place for your complete household, only a brief stroll from the Las Ramblas space. The décor was directly fashionable and stylish, 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 obtained any particular remedy!) Our room was HUGE, particularly contemplating European requirements.
The workers was past courteous. Each time resort workers noticed our daughter, they cooed at her and handed her a lollipop. The truth is, we lastly needed to ask the workers to cease providing candies to our baby!
One in all my favourite recollections of our keep in Barcelona was splashing within the resort’s rooftop pool with its beautiful view of the harbor unfold out earlier than us.
For added choices, check out the greatest inns for households in Barcelona at Reserving.com or these Barcelona lodging suggestions from The Broke Backpacker.
The Verdict on Barcelona with Youngsters
To benefit from our pricey 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 very best factor about Barcelona is its individuals. Everybody we met was pleasant and real. They positively went out of their method to ensure we had fun of their city.
There are many family-friendly actions on this vibrant metropolis, too. I extremely suggest visiting Barcelona with children.
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 slightly nature-starved right here. Plus, I really feel like I’ve already skilled what I wished to discover in Barcelona, and the world is crammed with locations I’ve but to see.
Discover Extra of Spain
Satirically, Spain has change into one in every of my favourite international locations on Earth and I hope to stay there sometime! Uncover my strategies for exploring the wonderful metropolis of Seville with children.
Discover extra of Spain with this record of the greatest issues to do in Málaga.
Check out probably the most romantic issues 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 Youngsters
For future reference, maintain this record of ideas for visiting Barcelona with children. Merely pin the picture above to Pinterest. We hope you’ll observe Journey Mamas on Pinterest whilst you’re at it!
What are your ideas on visiting Barcelona with children? I do know a few of you could suppose I am nuts for poo-pooing Barcelona’s meals. Go forward…add a remark!
A Word from The Journey Mama: This story was initially written in 2009 and is often up to date to mirror the present prime issues to do in Barcelona with children.
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