Coming to a new city can often be overwhelming, especially with the kids. As a parent you want to get the most out of any trip, not just for yourself but also for your children. To make it easier on you we have created a guide to one fun filled day in Barcelona that is perfect for the family.
Breakfast
To start your day head over to Bar del Convent located near Parc de la Ciutadella and the amazing Chocolate Museum (warning: sugar rush guaranteed). The restaurant is located in the El Born district which is one of Barcelona’s more historic. History surely doesn’t mean boring in this case. There’s live music echoing throughout the alleys and people rushing in and out of the shops at any point of the day. It’s definitely one of the more authentic spots in Barcelona so you will probably see more locals than tourists.
The food around this area is super tasty too. One of the bests for the family has to be Bar del Convent. They have a great atmosphere and are very kid-friendly too. Bar del Convent sits under the arcades of a former convent. Out front is a huge area where you can find kids playing sports and games while parents lounge at the outdoor patio. Inside there’s a play area for kids with games and toys too. Their menu varies throughout the day but it’s always delicious. They have quiches, hot and cold sandwiches, empanadas, sweet cakes, and more. They are vegetarian and vegan friendly too.
Address: Carrer del Comerç, 36, 08003 Barcelona
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Mondays and Sundays they are closed
Website: https://www.bardelconvent.com
After you’ve finished your meal at Bar del Convent take a stroll through the infamous Gothic Quarter. The two areas are quite similar since they are both quite historic but the Gothic Quarter’s architecture is not one to miss.
Gothic Quarter
This area is one of the oldest in Barcelona, you will feel yourself walking through history. There are many famous landmarks here like the gorgeous Barcelona Cathedral and also tons of street performers as well. You may even stumble upon a gargoyle or two… wait did that thing just move?
Parts of the Gothic Quarter date back to the 1300s and some other parts are as new as 2019. Old and new meshes in the quarter in the best way possible. There are tons of amazing food options in the quarter to sit, enjoy food, and people watch too. It can be fun to find the cute little rooftop spots in this quarter to look over parts of Barcelona and its landmarks. I highly recommend finding the bubble man somewhere around the area too. You can pay a quick euro or so for your kids to play with the huge bubble contraction he has built. He can make bubbles of all varying sizes!
In the Gothic Quarter you can fully immerse yourself into the local, traditional Catalonian culture. Check out the ancient architecture, see some work of Gaudi, or just eat and shop your heart out!
Lunch
Get ready because you’re about to enter into a whole new realm! This mystical wonderland is the perfect lunch spot for the kids. Pudding Pau Claris isn’t a normal cafe environment, it’s much better. Imagine you’re Alice walking into Wonderland. The whole place is decorated to resemble a magical forest adorned with giant mushrooms, trees, and flowers. Located just a few steps from Passeig de Gràcia, a fun area to walk around for both kids and parents, it’s the best place to go and enjoy an afternoon tea or adorable snack.
Here you can relax while your children can play on the playground, color on the giant blackboard, or throw darts (kid-friendly of course). On the menu you will find quiches, cheesecakes, carrot cakes, and tons of other cute homemade delicacies. They also have a large selection of teas and juices. Both food and drink are served on English-inspired ceramics and totally create the feeling that you’re attending a Pinterest-worthy tea party.
Address: Carrer de Pau Claris, 90, 08010 Barcelona
Hours: Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Website: http://www.puddingbarcelona.com/lang-en/
Once you’ve finished up at Pudding Pau Claris, make your way over to Sagrada Familia. This is one of Barcelona’s most amazing landmarks. I promise you it is well worth your money.
Sagrada Familia
Sagrada Familia is the grand gem of Barcelona. Locals and tourists both enjoy this spot and the area around it. Pretty much any angle of the basilica is picture-worthy. Each time you go you see something totally new. The intricate detail put into every nook and cranny of Sagrada Familia is why it has now surpassed the production of the Great Pyramid in Egypt. You and your children will be stunned at the massive height of this place too. It is about 170 meters or 560 feet which is exactly 1 meter shorter than Montjuic, the tallest mountain in Barcelona. Antoni Gaudi, the contractor, intentionally planned this because he believed nothing man-made should tower over the natural work of God.
Gaudi began production on this masterpiece in 1882, but sadly was never able to see production past the crypt at the base of the basilica. He died in 1926 when he was hit by a bus and is now buried in that crypt. The basilica is actually still under production and will continue to be until 2026 (the 100th anniversary of Gaudi’s death). You can see this production taking place during the day but it still doesn’t distract from the beauty of the basilica.
Inside there are audio guides or tour groups that are kid-friendly and are very informative. The family can play a fun little game of I-Spy while exploring since there is just so much to see. Children will love the colorful reflections dancing all throughout the basilica from the stained-glass windows. The inside resembles a rainbow at certain times of the day. A cool spot to take the kids might be the bell towers which raise high above the ground to give you a great view from above. If you’re scared of heights though maybe opt out of this one. Another cool thing about the basilica: children under 11 are free! A good tip is to buy your tickets a day or two in advance because they sell out quick.
Tickets can be purchased here: https://sagradafamilia.org/en/home
Free time on a Sunday? Head to Mercat de Sant Antoni where you’ll find an outdoor market of books and music being bought and sold. With a wide variety of genres and a community-feel, you’ll find something fun for the whole family!
Magic Fountain
This place makes the Bellagio in Las Vegas look like a joke. Over 7 billion light and water combinations dance across the night sky in tune with fun music. The Montjuic Fountain will be the perfect spot to end the day with the kids. The show lasts about 20 minutes and loops over again every 30 minutes. Each night different music is included in the performance, but typically it consists of current pop music, Spanish classical music, contemporary music, old hits, and more. There is a list online which shows you the music set list for any particular night. This fountain has been home to many musical performances, including one by Freddie Mercury when he came to Barcelona for the Olympic Games. Your kids won’t be forgetting this experience anytime soon.
Here are the showtimes for the Magic Fountain:
November 1 – January 6: from 20:00 to 21:00 (Thurs-Sat)
January 7 – February 28: closed for maintenance.
March: from 20:00 to 21:00 (Thurs-Sat)
April 1 – May 31: from 21:00 to 22:00 (Thurs-Sat)
June 1 – September 30: from 21:30 to 22:30 (Wed-Sun)
October: from 21:00 to 22:00 (Thurs-Sat)
Montjuic has more to offer than just the fountain though. You can check out lots of other things around there like the museums, Olympic Stadiums, and gardens. Read our next article for more information on the area!
