What to do in Barcelona with small kids

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One of the things I love most about having guests is that I get to see my city through the eyes of somebody else. In this case, the eyes of my best friend and mother of a darling 4-year old girl. They have been here a few times now and recommend the following activities when in Barcelona with kids.

Aquarium

Close to the Mare Magnum shopping mall in the old port area you´ll find the Aquarium. A fun place to explore the underwater world for the whole family. Tickets are 20 Euros for adults and children under 3 enter free, kids from 3 to 4 pay 7 Euros. To get there take bus V17 to stop Port Vell.

Bubble Parc

While you are at Maremagnum, pay a visit to Bubble Parc – the kids will love it! A bungydome where they can bounce around on trampolines, aquaboats floating around in a safe shallow pool and other fun activities await.

Zoo

The Barcelona Zoo is located in the Ciutadella Park. Here you can marvel at over 4000 animals from over 400 species. Tickets for adults are 21.40 Euros and kids under 3 enter free. Tram line 4 takes you straight to the entrance, at the stop Ciutadella | Vila Olímpica.

Parc de la Ciutadella

This is my favorite park in Barcelona, just by Arc de Triomf. There are playgrounds and a lake with rowing boats for rent. Also, you´ll find ping pong tables, plenty of lawn areas to relax and a pavilion with a seemingly endless series of dance group practicing their hobby. In the summer there´ll be street artists making bubbles and salesmen selling balloons. It is a park full of life!

Tibidabo

On top of a mountain bordering the city limits there is pilgrim church from where you can enjoy some of the most amazing views. You can read more about that in my article about the best views of Barcelona. When traveling with kids this place is important for another reason: the Tibidabo Amusement Park.

You can either buy a pass for the entire park, or just certain areas, or single ride tickets for the rides on the top level, when you first get in. Getting there on public transport takes some time, you´ll likely have to change means of transportation several times on your way, depending on where you are staying. For the last bit, I recommend the Tibidabo Funicular, a cable car up the mountain.

Beach

Needless to say the beach is a wonderful place to spend time with kids. The infrastructure in Barceloneta is excellent, there are restaurants, playgrounds, bathrooms, sun chairs and umbrellas, and in the summer lots of people. If you prefer a quiet beach over all that action, take a train for a few stops outside the city in either direction along the coast.

Bike tour around town

There are plenty of places in Barcelona where you can rent bikes or e-bikes. This is a great option for a day when you want to see a lot of the city and don´t want the kids to get tired from walking around. If you are wondering where to go on your e-bikes, check out this article about things to do on Montjuic Mountain.

Balboa

Fancy something sweet? This is a secret tip from us: Balboa bakery in Barceloneta makes some of the most yummy and cute cookies in town. On your way back from the beach stop for a blue cookie monster cookie or a tasty batman cookie.

What to pack

If there is one thing we have learned about seeing Barcelona with small kids it is that there is lots of walking involved in city trips and the best way to make sure everybody gets the rest they need when on vacation, the Oscha baby slings have been instrumental.

Have you been to Barcelona with your family? What was their favorite thing to do? What hidden gems did you discover? Comment below!

Meanwhile, here are some other ideas of things I´d like to try next time they are in town 🙂