10 of the Most Exciting Things to Do in Barcelona With Kids

Planning a trip to Barcelona with kids? This guide with the best family-friendly attractions in the city has you covered.

Spain’s second-largest city, Barcelona, is truly incomparable, and it is easy to see why tourists and travelers fall for the Catalan capital so easily.

Barcelona certainly appeals to all the senses, and it is one of those few must-see cities with a unique identity and personality of its own. The ancient and avant-garde capital is filled with parks, museums and churches, and high-fashion boutiques.

If you happen to be visiting Barcelona as a family, you’ll be happy to know that the city is also packed with exciting activities and sights to explore for both young and old.

Here is a pick of our 10 favorite things to do in Barcelona with kids!

10 Best Things to Do in Barcelona With Kids

Explore Colorful Park Guell

Gaudí’s greatest triumph is the famous Park Guell, and the whimsical park showcases the architect’s distinctive organic style. Commissioned by Eusebi Güell, the park was originally meant to be a housing space for the rich.

Gaudí built around the natural feature of the land, with the Collserola foothills as his canvas, and thus designed the architectural park. Enjoy gorgeous views of the city from the park that is spread across 42 acres.

Children will no doubt love exploring this vibrant park with its colorful mosaics and fairytale-like architectural features. They’ll especially like taking a picture in front of the colorful mosaic chameleon!

Tip- Buy tickets ahead of time is essential, and the ticket costs 10€ per adult with entry being free for children aged 5 and below. Discounted rates apply for children aged 6-12 years as well as seniors 66+ years.

Note that timing is strictly adhered to, according to the slot you booked. You do have a deadline of 30 minutes after the time that is listed on the ticket to enter the site. If you happen to miss your slot, you will unfortunately not be allowed to enter.

Grab some food at La Boqueria Market

Children are simply going to love exploring the colorful La Boqueria Market. In fact, this was the first local food market in Barcelona and dates back to 1840. You will find all kinds of street foods here and find yourself immersed in a riot of noise, colors, and smells.

Let your kids enjoy a colorful smoothie, or taste a few of the local delicacies and sweet treats on offer. Be sure to try the Xuixo, a delectable deep-fried pastry filled with Crema Catalana and topped with a dash of sugar, from Pinotxo Bar.

Tip- Boqueria Market opens at eight in the morning, and entry is free. The best time to observe and enjoy the market is in the morning. Those vibrant colors and enticing aromas can keep you busy for hours. You can shop for olives, meats, cheeses, seafood, fruit from the specialist stalls.

Visit L’Aquarium Barcelona

Barcelona Aquarium is another favorite among families and boasts thousands of different aquatic species. The underwater tunnel that is about eighty meters long is the highlight of the aquarium and allows one to get a magnificent view of all the marine life on display.

There are sharks, penguins, manta rays, moonfish, and many other sea creatures. Learn about marine history and enjoy special educational programs and activities, all whilst teaching your children the importance of marine protection and conservation.

The aquarium remains open all year and you can buy a skip-the-queue ticket to enter without delay and enjoy this spectacular Oceanarium. The tickets cost 21€ per adult and discounted rates for kids, but there are separate tickets for Dive with Sharks and Underwater Observer activities.

You may also want to compare the discounted family pack option that offers entrance for up to 4 at a discounted rate.

Go on a Day Trip to Montserrat Mountain

Montserrat mountain is another perfect place to go with your family to Barcelona. Just escape the hustle and bustle of the city and head towards this unusual-looking mountain, a great day trip for the family roughly an hour from the city.

Once here, you can discover the sights of the mountains that include the monastery, Madonna, and breathtaking panoramic vistas.

Admire the 12th-century wooden carving of the Black Madonna in the monastery, and do not forget to visit the museum that showcases 13th- to 18th-century paintings by famous artists such as Caravaggio, Morales, and Berruguete.

Tip- Take a guided tour of the mountain, or you can opt for a self-guided tour, and it will take you about one and half hours to explore Montserrat. A round trip on the train and cable car to the mountain will cost 24€ per adult.

Visit The Sagrada Familia

Take a tour of Sagrada Familia, the magnificent cathedral and one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. This imposing church that is still under construction, 135 years later, and yet another of Gaudi’s masterpieces in Barcelona will no doubt delight all members of the family with its interesting architectural features and exquisite and vibrant stained glass interiors.

It is highly recommended to book your tickets in advance as this is one of the most visited attractions in Barcelona. Also, keep in mind that the towers may be closed due to weather conditions such as strong winds or rains. The ticket price is 26€ per adult on the audio self-guided tour with children under 11 allowed free entry.

Watch the Magic Fountain Show

Kids simply love the Magic Fountain show (Font Màgica), and it is indeed one of the top things to do in Barcelona at night with your family.

This is an unforgettable experience not just for children but also for adults too. The light show is an amazing blend of water, colored lights, and music bringing together an exceptional show sure to mesmerize young and old.

The Magic Fountain show takes place at night at 8 pm and 9 pm and is also free of charge. The show lasts 20 minutes and restarts at 30-minute intervals. So, get there early to grab the best seats and enjoy the show!

Experience chocolate heaven at Museu de la Xocolata

Who doesn’t like chocolate and thus it is no wonder to see the Chocolate Museum of Barcelona a great hit with the families. The charming little museum educates your kid about the history of chocolate, and you can have a look around to admire the interesting sculptures made entirely of this sweet treat.

Let your kids indulge their taste buds as they try different sweets and chocolate from various shops or participate in a scavenger hunt. You can see and smell chocolate all over and will even be welcomed in with a bar of chocolate at the entrance.

Admission to the Chocolate Museum currently costs €6 per person with kids under 7 years allowed free entry. Keep in mind that the Chocolate Museum is closed on Mondays.

Have some serious fun at Port Aventura – Ferrari Land Parks

If you are looking for the most amazing theme parks of Barcelona, then your search ends with Port Aventura amusement park and Ferrari Land theme park. Get ready for thrilling rides for all ages as well as fabulous entertainment shows, cuisine, shopping, and more. Your kids are going to remember their Barcelona vacation for life after visiting Port Aventura, one of the biggest adventure parks in Europe.

Explore different themed areas in the park based on civilizations such as México, Mediterranean China, and Sesame Street to name a few. A one-day pass currently costs €51 per adult and €45 for children aged 4-10 years.

Spend some time at CosmoCaixa Barcelona and its Interactive Exhibitions

Take your kids to CosmoCaixa Barcelona and let them gain firsthand experience of science and space. Through the various interactive exhibitions, the little ones will be able to fulfill their curiosity in this science museum that has been specially designed to stimulate their knowledge.

There is a host of activities and planetary exhibitions to keep them interested for hours. The museum also boasts a gift shop, library, bookstore, and café and is sponsored by La Caixa.

The ticket price for adults is 6€, and entry is free for children under 16. Please note that it is essential to make your booking in advance. If your kids want greater insight into the world of science, it is a must to visit this museum.

Enjoy some Beach time at La Barceloneta

Last but not least on our list, if your family loves the beach then why not soak up some sun at La Barceloneta?

The famed seaside district is a lively and vibrant spot. Spend a whole day here, enjoying beach activities with your family. La Barceloneta beach is all about the action, and you will find kites flying, people swimming and surfing, vendors calling out amidst those crashing waves, and music hums all around you.

You can always hire umbrellas for sunshades and relax. Or, you could take a bike tour of the beach or learn how to surf. Feeling peckish, head to one of the many seaside restaurants and grab a bite to eat as you and your family soak up the Catalan sun!

After all, there is so much to do and see here in the city that boasts some of the most iconic Spain landmarks, inspiring architecture, and picturesque views of the Mediterranean.

Last tip: If your time in the city is limited, here’s how to make the most out of 2 days in Barcelona.

Enjoy!

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Born and raised in South Africa, Marco Santos currently resides in sunny Lisbon, Portugal. With an absolute love for Europe, he is on a mission to rediscover his own Portuguese & European heritage along the way.

Marco has set out to blog and share his passion for traveling through and exploring Spain, Portugal, and other parts of Europe, sharing what he’s learned through his travel blog Travel-Boo.