Family Fun in Barcelona – Ideas and Activities for Kids

Last Updated: 23/10/2017

It’s true that Barcelona offers a seemingly unlimited amount of activities appealing to adults and twenty-somethings, whether on a beach holiday, traveling around Europe or a weekend away. From classy restaurants to happening bars and a wild club strip, the city has all the ingredients for a fun-filled trip.

However, Barcelona is also a fantastic destination for a family holiday. From the Barcelona Zoo, home to over 7000 animals, to tasty workshops at the Chocolate Museum, there’s plenty to see and do when traveling to Barcelona with kids. For this reason we have taken the time to highlight some activities that are perfect for the youngsters and fun for the whole family!

1)      Barcelona Aquarium

As a parent there’s nothing better than seeing the faces of your children light up with amazement and wonder. At the Barcelona Aquarium, this type of reaction is almost guaranteed. One of the largest and most comprehensive aquariums in all of Europe, L’Aquàrium de Barcelona has it all. Complete with over 450 species of aquatic creatures, 35 separate tanks, and an underwater tunnel that spans 80 meters, the Barcelona Aquarium is sure to impress the entire family and make for an unforgettable day out. Kids can also take part in workshops and tours, and if they’re feeling brave, a ‘sleeping with the sharks’ nighttime program!

2)      Day at the Beach in Barcelona

When visiting the city of Barcelona during the summer months, it is inevitable that the hot Mediterranean sun will lead you and the family towards the water. And what better way to cool off then by visiting one of the beautiful Barcelona beaches? We recommend breaking out the sunscreen and swim gear and heading to Barceloneta Beach, the city’s most popular coastline stretch. The kids are sure to enjoy the sand and the waves while you enjoy a little hard-earned rest and relaxation.

However, if you’re looking for more adventure, you could always try out some water sports and Jet Skiing at one of Barcelona’s 6 other beaches! Find out more about the activities on offer along the shore here.

3)      Montjuïc Magic Fountain

For decades, people young and old from all over the world have gathered to observe the wonderful spectacle that is the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc. Located just off Plaça Espanya, Montjuïc is host to some of the most visited attractions in Barcelona from the MACBA museum to the Montjuïc Castle, right at the top of this hill overlooking the entire city.

That being said, the Magic Fountain is the highlight of this magnificent area, and features a light show synchronized with jets of water and music which runs right throughout the year (aside from a few weeks in winter when the fountain is out of commission for maintenance), with special shows on important days like New Year’s Eve and the Nit de Sant Joan. Bring the family to one of the shows during the week and prepare to create some long-lasting memories!

4)      The Barcelona Chocolate Museum

Ask any kid which food they love best and nine times out of ten you’ll hear them scream “candy”! That is why a trip to the Barcelona Chocolate Museum is a must for any family visiting Barcelona. Unlike many other museums in the area that might lack the ability to grab your children’s attention, the Museu de la Xocolata is a fun spot for visitors of all ages. From sculptures of local architecture to comical characters made in chocolate, plus a variety of activities and workshops like chocolate tasting and painting with chocolate, everything about the Barcelona Chocolate Museum is deliciously fun. This one’s a great stop for anyone with a sweet tooth!

5)      Parc de la Ciutadella and the Barcelona Zoo

Pack up a picnic basket and prepare for a stroll in the park. The Parc de la Ciutadella can be found in the heart of Barcelona and exists as the largest green space in the city. With plenty of space to run and play, plus a beautiful waterfall, the kids will love this simple but exciting area. We recommend renting a rowboat on the lake!

When you’ve spent ample time exploring the luscious green spaces, we suggest you visit the Barcelona Zoo, located inside the park’s limits. Home to over 7000 animals from more than 400 species from penguins to tigers, the zoo makes for a fantastic family day out in Barcelona. Don’t miss the dolphin show for a bit of wow-factor and if you’re coming to Barcelona with very little ones then a visit to the Children’s Zoo, packed with farmyard animals ready to be petted, is a must for a truly hands-on experience.

6)      Tibidabo

Queen of Barcelona’s skyline, Mount Tibidabo can be seen from almost every part of the city and as you would imagine, the views from the top are truly spectacular, stretching for as far as the eye can see. The journey up there is in itself a wonderful experience. Take the quirky old fashioned tram and cable car up to the top – a lovely, olde-worlde experience that will amuse both kids and adults alike. But that’s not all – Tibidabo is home to Spain’s oldest amusement park and with its vintage rides frozen in time, it makes for a memorable, out of the ordinary, family activity in Barcelona.

So, from monkeys to magic fountains, fish tanks to fairgrounds, there’s something for everyone on a family holiday in Barcelona, whatever your interests. Whether you choose to fly high above the city at Tibidabo or satisfy your cocoa cravings at the Chocolate Museum, one thing is for sure, you’ll never hear the words ‘we’re bored’ on a family trip to Barcelona!