Family Trip To Barcelona This Summer?
We have just arrived back from the Costa Brava and really enjoyed our time in Spain. Although we were fairly nearby to Barcelona, we didn’t get to spend time in this beautiful city so next time we are in Spain I definitely hope we get chance to explore. If you are lucky enough to visit Barcelona this summer, I have some tips to share today to help you make the most of your trip.
Summer vacations are a great way to bring the family closer together, and choosing a destination that is filled with a variety of fun activities will keep the kids active and adults from opening a bottle of wine before lunchtime. Barcelona, with its mix of bustling city streets, museums, parks, and Mediterranean beaches, offers both excitement and relaxation. Add on some of Europe’s best loved architectural wonders and a thriving culinary scene, and it’s easy to see why short breaks to Barcelona can turn into a long term affection for the place. So here are just a few of the great family activities to do along the way.
Park Güell
The Park Güell, located on Carmen Hill at the end of a quiet street lined with shops, cafés, and restaurants, is one of Antoni Gaudí’s most famous landmarks in the Catalan Capital after the Sagrada Familia Basilica. The symbol-laden park, which holds the distinct influences of the Temple of Apollo of Delphi, political Catalanism, and Catholicism, was originally built as a garden style housing development. The funky landscaping, mosaic statues, and architectural features are fun for both kids and adults to explore. The park features stunning panoramic views of the city, and the Gaudí House Museum, home to many of the artist’s works.
Barca Beaches
After a long morning and early afternoon of city exploration, why not head to one of Barcelona’s many beaches, which range from the kinetic and wild stretch of Barceloneta Beach, featuring drum circles, donut salesmen, and sand-artists, to the calmer and cleaner sands of Bogatell Beach. If you’re looking for a family beach-day outing, St Pol del Mar Beach is only an hour train journey from the city-centre, and its pristine sands are lapped by crystal clear waters and backed by rolling hills.
The Gothic Quarter, La Rambla and Mercat de la Boqueria
Located on opposite sides of the city’s main walking street, La Rambla, the Gothic Quarter and la Boqueria make for a perfect sightseeing and eating combination. The Gothic Quarter is Barcelona’s old town, and its winding narrow streets are fun to explore, and are lined with medieval buildings and churches, as well as ancient Roman ruins like the columns of the Temple of Augustus. Once you’ve built-up an appetite exploring, head across La Rambla to la Boqueria, the city’s central market, whose picturesque food-stalls are surrounded by great dining options full of the market’s vibrant energy.
Parc de la Ciutadella
You’ll want to pack a family picnic for this park, as there is so much to do and explore, that you might just end up spending the day here. Filled with beautiful artwork, a pond for boating, a zoo, the Natural History Museum, and the Catalan Parliament, it’s easy to see why so many locals use this space as a backyard.
No matter your family’s interests there are plenty of fun and adventurous activities to plan for your Barcelona retreat, which will no doubt be the first of many more to come.
Images by cortto, Diriye Amey, used under Creative Commons license.
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
I’ve not been to Barcelona, but you’ve made me think that it would be a great place to take the kids.
been Barcelona for day trip, would love to go back