Barcelona With Kids: 5 Must-See Things

We love Spain! We love the culture, the language, the architecture, the food, the wine, the siestas…. I could go on forever. You get the point… Spain rocks! Barcelona is the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, and is known for its art and architecture and it’s fantastic to visit Barcelona with kids.

Traveling to a cosmopolitan city with young kids can be daunting, however, Barcelona is filled with plenty of incredible places where families will find enjoyment, making it an interesting destination for the entire family. Here are our favorite things to do when you visit Barcelona with kids in no particular order.

Wander down La Ramblas

La Ramblas is a pedestrian-friendly pathway situated right in the middle of the city, and it’s busy at all hours of the day and night. During the day, you can peruse souvenir stands, watch buskers and street performers, pick up some local art from artists selling on the street, or sit down and enjoy a glass of wine or snack at one of the many alfresco cafes found here.When the sun sets, people head here to start their night out, as many bars and clubs can be found in this area too. La Ramblas is free to explore all hours of the day and night, and is definitely a cultural hotspot. The closest metro stop to La Ramblas is Liceu.

Visit the Parc de Joan Miró

Parc de Joan Miro is located directly behind Las Arenas shopping center in a bustling area of the city. This peaceful oasis is the perfect place to take a picnic when you visit Barcelona with kids… sit down and relax, or simply wander around the open spaces enjoying the beautiful artwork.

The park is spacious and quiet, even with the hub of activity from the nearby plaza and metro.

There are pieces of Miro’s work located all over the park, and we hit the jackpot when we stumbled upon a small futbol stadium inside the park with a pick-up game of futsal about to begin.

The boys were welcomed with open arms. You don’t need to speak the same language when you are playing and speaking the international language of futbol!

Tour Camp Nou Stadium: Barcelona Futbol Club

Camp Nou is worth a visit to experience the pride Catalans have for the FC Barcelona team, and to visit the home of arguably one of the best football teams in the world. Camp Nou can hold nearly 100,000 fans, which can be quite intimidating for visiting teams, and Camp Nou is the largest stadium in Europe.

The on-site museum showcases trophies and awards the team has won throughout the years.

Visiting the stadium and getting a behind-the-scenes look was a dream come true for the boys.

The two closest Metro stops are Palau Reial, on the green line, and Collblanc, on the blue and orange lines.

Sample the Catalan Cuisine when you visit Barcelona with kids

One of the highlights in Barcelona is the food. Not only is Catalonia a beautiful region, but it also boasts some of the best gourmet delicacies and wine in Spain.

Paella, although originally from Valencia, is one of the most traditional dishes in Catalonia. It needs to be cooked fresh so can take a while after you order for it to arrive, and it’s typically a big social meal that is shared. We highly suggest sampling a delicious glass of local red wine while you are waiting!  😉

And of course the gelato is fantastic for the whole family!

Barcelona with Kids – Visit Sagrada Familia

From 1882 up until his death in 1926, Antoni Gaudí devoted himself to the construction of La Sagrada Família .   This towering Gothic-style-cathedral is unfinished to this day, and is one of the most famous pieces of architecture in Barcelona.  Gaudí was known for saying “My client (God) is in no hurry.” The church, which is funded by private donations, is still under construction today and is hoped to be completed by 2026. La Sagrada Família is not only considered to be Gaudí’s most recognized work, but also his best.  The closest metro stop to La Sagrada Família is Monumental or Verdaguer.

Wander around the Gothic Quarter

The Gothic Quarter is the oldest part of Barcelona, and is a gorgeous area to visit. It’s so lively any time of day or night. The architecture is amazing and there are plenty of cafes and places to stop for a bite to eat or glass of wine.

The lovely old streets are full of shops and tapas bars, there’s so much to see around every corner, and it’s a fun place to just wander and get lost.  The closest metro stops are Liceu and Jaume I.

What are your favorite spots to visit in Barcelona with kids?

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