30 Things to do for Families in Barcelona
We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again, Barcelona is a top holiday destination due to the sheer diversity it offers. With a city beach, leafy nooks in the gridded city centre, large parks and Tibidabo and Montjuic, you are bound to please many. The Catalan city attracts those celebrating special moments, groups, corporate events and more. When it comes to families it can be somewhat intimidating because there is a plethora of activities, museums and places to visit. It is easy to not know which barrio (neighbourhood) to venture to, where can the kids roam without being judged, which places have child-friendly facilities, or what to do off the tourist path with little ones. We caught up with 6 influencers that happen to be mums in Barcelona. Look at how they enjoy spending time with their loved ones in and just outside the city.
Krystal Joy Williams
Founder of SocialFam
Mother of 2 children 4 & 22 months
A family dinner at the Ethiopian restaurant Abissinia is the best! We love this place because the food is amazing and child-friendly. Our little ones love eating with their hands and can basically eat everything on the menu including the injera.
During the Spring and Summer months, we make sure to hit the Marbella beach as often as possible. The kids love it and it always seems to reset our energy if it’s out of wack! Making sure that we get there around 9-10am is key!
Lunch at Van Van Var in Poble Nou is always a surprise. Every 2 weeks the kitchen changes but the drinks always stay the same. The most popular food trucks takeover and they always have a DJ for at least one of the days! The kids can roam!
El Parque de las Glorias! The kids can literally play for hours here! Climbing up and going down the huge slide. There is a section for younger ones also. The newest and coolest playground in the city. A must!
Whenever we crave something sweet and relatively healthy we head to Tío Che! This local Horchata place happens to be arguably one of the best in Barcelona. They also have ice cream and crepes parlor for moments of indulgence.
Valérie Pinçon
Founder of Mamans à Barcelone
Mother of a 7 year old and 22 months old
Sipping a "granizado" on a terrace while watching kids play at the playground in Plaza Vicenç Martorell, just off the Ramblas.
Summer walk in Montjuic hill, taking the time to relax in the peaceful Gardens of Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer.
Being entertained at one of the many literary and theater festivals for kids happening in Barcelona during the year, such as the Flic and Grec Festival or the Món llibre, to name only a few.
Watching a procession of dancing giants and other figures in Catalan culture parade around town during the fiestas mayors in Barcelona districts.
Eating tapas at the beach "chiringuito", a typical bar on the beach, while the kids play in the sand.
Lucie Lanham
Founder of Oh Mother Barcelona
Mother of Oscar, 4 years old and Sam, 20 months
We live in Badalona just outside Barcelona by the sea so we spend a lot of time on the beach, digging, splashing and running, we go after school and on weekends!
The Pont de Petroli is a wonderful pier in Badalona, we go on a sunny morning and feed the fish in the sea, we have also seen jellyfish and manta rays!
In the springtime we love to get on our bikes with the boys and ride down to the fisherman town of Montgat, we stop at the picnic tables on the beach or the chiringuitos on the way.
Our favourite place in Barcelona city is the walk from Arc de Triomf to Parc de la Ciutadella on a sunny day, it is brilliant for the kids, they love the bubbles and the street performers then we picnic in the park or head to the Zoo.
Our favourite family friendly restaurant in Badalona for the absolute best beachside menu del dia during the week we go to Autenik.
Eva Estrada Lopez
Founder of BEE A BRAND Marketing Consulting
Mother of two girls aged 4 and 2
Ludotekas or cafes with a play area in town, where my kids can enjoy new toys and have lots of fun: the ones we like are Cocoa, Magic Mirror, Petit a Petit, el Cau, Peek-a-Boo, Mamas Corner.
As we have the yearly ticket to Barcelona Zoo, we visit often and my kids love especially the huge playground there!
Walking around the neighbourhood with the girls and my husband during the weekend: stopping at a park or two for the kids to play, going shopping, having lunch somewhere, and just enjoying being outside the whole day.
DIR Diagonal pool – a very nice family activity that all members enjoy!
A film at the cinema. With both my kids being a bit older now, we can go to the cinema with the whole family! My kids love buying popcorn and watching a children’s movie!
Charmaine Soimier Williams
Founder of BCN Hungry Mamas
Mother of 19 months old
Wandering around Museu Blau Natural Science Museum in Forum. Plenty of exciting stuff for little eyes to look at!
We love getting lost and exploring the gardens of Palo Alto in Poblenou.
Watching the bigger kids do tricks on the ramps of Mar Bella skate park.
Sliding on the big slides and through the tunnels in the new Parc de Les Glòries.
Going for brunch at Cocoa Café. Children have their own menu and there are loads of exciting toys and games to play with.
Miriam Jaffe
Founder of Barcelona Babies + Kids
Mother of three children ages 6-years old, 5-years old and 4-months old
CosmoCaixa Barcelona is our go-to indoor activity. There is so much to explore, museum-led activities specifically for children that one can sign up for in advance, a flooded Amazon rainforest, restaurant/snack bar/picnics area, and more!
Joan Miró Foundation. I love to ask the kids what they see in Miró’s artwork. We especially love to spend time playing tag around the sculptures on the second-story balcony.
Cheating here, as La Platja del Prat beach is just outside of Barcelona, next to the airport. This is our preferred family beach. We like the local famili’s vibe and the beach is rarely crowded even in the height of summer! Shhh...
Vila de Gràcia - We like to meander through the narrow streets of Gràcia window shopping as a family. Then head to a wide sunny plaza to settle down and order cañas and patatas bravas while our big kids eat ice cream and play
Barcelona has dozens of parks and playgrounds scattered throughout the city. We spend a fair amount of time after school and over the weekend in the small parks right in our neighbourhood.
