Holidays with children in Barcelona – Arriving in Barcelona, Getting Around Barcelona, Barcelona attractions and family parks, playgrounds and beaches
In recent years, Barcelona has established itself as one of tourist destinations of most popular, and it is not difficult to understand why. With its mild climate all year round its design architecture, its burgeoning gastronomy, its fabulous beaches, proximity to the Costa Brava and the ski slopes, and its eclectic mix of shops, capital of Catalonia can be proud of what he has to offer visitors. Transformed by the 1992 Olympic Games, the city has drawn millions of curious independent travelers and, in recent years, has become increasingly popular as a destination for the family. The mumabroad.com website, a local site written by parents who live in Barcelona the recommendations of local moms, shows why the city has much to offer children, from child-friendly accommodation and restaurants for their numerous outdoor activities and day trips.
Arriving in Barcelona with children
Today there are many airlines operating in and around Barcelona and not surprisingly most visitors arrive by air. Below is a list of some options on how to reach the center of the city. The most popular option is the bus from the airport because of their frequency and ease of access from the airport. Taxis can be expensive and most have no car seats, but Spanish law requires all children under three must use a booster seat. Failure to do so will result a fine of 90 euros.
Taxis in Barcelona
Just outside the arrivals hall is Barcelona Airport taxi rank. Fares to Barcelona costs about 25 euros and the journey time is about 30 minutes.
Barcelona Airport Bus
Barcelona Airport Bus stops in front of terminals A, B (Arrivals) and C and passengers to the city center (Plaza Catalunya). Departures from Monday to Saturday from the airport is 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., and Plaza de Catalunya from 5:30 am to 12:15 am. Buses run every 7 to 15 minutes. Single Fare: 3.90 euros
Train from Barcelona Airport
The train station at Barcelona Airport is located front of the arrivals and departure halls. The C10 to Barcelona Sants and takes about 30 minutes and costs 2.50 euros. The first train from the airport at 6 am and trains run every 30 minutes until 11.44pm. From Barcelona Sants you may need to take the subway or a taxi, as it is not in the center of the city.
Getting around Barcelona with children
In Barcelona Subway
The Barcelona Metro is not a popular choice for young families visiting the city, due to the fact that there are a limited number of lifts for buggies, which means access to the trains can be a real task. Travel is cheap and yet you can buy a book of 10 tickets for about 7 euros. The ticket is valid for any journey on the subway, but if you need a new ticket for journeys on the same day. For many people, taxis are the transport of choice (see below). However, if you are visiting Barcelona with the older kids and if you decide to challenge the system anyway, the schedule is as follows:
Monday to Thursday, Sunday and holidays: 5 am-12 am.
Friday: 5 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Saturday: nonstop service
Barcelona Taxi
For many families, taxis are the transport of choice, since they are relatively cheap and car seats, whether or not accept infants and toddlers travel short. You can flag down (green lights are empty) or many hotels also call a taxi on your behalf. Be warned though English is not widespread among drivers Barcelona taxi so it's a good idea to write your destination on a piece of paper.
In Barcelona Tourist Bus
The open-top double-decker Barcelona Bus Touristic is a great way to get around Barcelona with kids (children under 4 travel free). You can download or upload any of the 44 stops. You will receive an information guide on each of the attractions on route as well as a discount voucher booklet. Buses run between 5-25 minutes each calendar is in each of the 44 stops. The first buses call at most stops between 9 and 9.30 A one-day ticket for adults costs € 20 and for Children (4-12) 12 euros. You can buy tickets on the bus or in any of the tourist offices in Barcleona. The service operates every day plus 25 December and 1 January.
Family Attractions in Barcelona
Camp Nou Tour
A must for all children are crazy about football. The visit stadium tour of the third largest in the world includes visiting the stadium, tunnel and a playground area. Admission: adults: EUR 11.50 EUR 9.20 for children under 13 years.
Av Aristides Maillo Collblanc 12-18 meters, Les Corts, Badal or Maria Cristina
Barcelona Zoo
Zoos are not the cup of tea from around the world, but the Barcelona Zoo has a lot to offer children. Just as the big cats, penguins, gorillas, hippos, bears, etc. There is a dolphin show twice a day and a children's farm with pigs, horses, rabbits and pigs pigs.The play area in the center of the zoo is excellent, including a mini absail area and climbs. On the negative side of snacks and drinks are quite expensive and crowded on weekends. Open from 10am to 7pm in summer and until 6 in the winter.
SA Barcelona Zoo, Parc de la Ciutadella s / n, 08003 Barcelona Arc de Triomphe Metro Barceloneta (34) 932,256,780 www.zoobarcelona.com
Barcelona Aquarium
This is the biggest aquarium in Europe and includes an interactive area called Explore. Admission: Adults 13 euros. Children 4-12 years 9 euros. Under 4s free. Worth it just for walking in the tunnel of sharks transparent immense! There is a great interactive area for children. You are also between the Maremagnum shopping and restaurants – a good place for lunch. Open from 9:30 – 9 pm.
Moll d'Espanya, Port Vell. Metro Drassanes (+34) 932217474
Barcelona Tours
If you come to Barcelona with their children, fear not! Organized tours take place in the old town, which can be enjoyed by parents and children alike. The idea is to include visits, games and stories to keep the attention of youngsters (and adults easily distracted from the odd). These may include a sweets shop where you can see how candy is made, an original toy shop, a bar of old-fashioned milk which gives a traditional cream milkshake, trivia games on the market food, and the smallest more.With busy no time to explain to the adults in the group of anecdotes about the history, culture, cuisine and associated stories of the city.
Poble Espanyol
This is a mini disneyland with all the Spanish regions in cameo and provides excellent day for children. Admission: 8 euros for adults and $ 5 for children. Family ticket € 16 (with children between 7 and 12 years). Hours Monday 9 am-8 pm Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday 9am – 4 am Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. to midnight Sunday 9
Metro Espanya. Buses 55, 13. Tourist Bus Stop: Poble Espanyol (34) www.poble-espanyol.com 935,086,300
Tibidabo Amusement Park
A mixture of amusement rides and the state of the art attractions, including a multimedia experience that allows children part of a caricature. There is also a mechanical puppet museum dating from 1899. Admission: adults 15 euros, less than 110 cm in height from 4 euros. Unlimited use of games and attractions. Open daily from 11am, apart from Christmas and Boxing Day
Plaza del Tibidabo 3-4 Train: FGC from Plaza Catalunya to Avenida Tibidabo, then follow signs for the tram, Balmes Blau late in the Plaça John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Take the tram to the Mirablau and then the funicular to the top of the mountain. By bus: Take the Plaza Catalunya TIBIBÚS
Port Aventura Theme Park
Hugely popular theme park in about an hour outside Barcelona. It can be launched about eight inverted loops in Dragon Khan (supposedly the largest roller coaster in Europe) are soaked in Tutuki Splash. There are also shows with bubbles Birds of Paradise, Mexican and Chinese subjects.
Located near Pineda Salou / La, compared to A7. Buses run from the Passeig de Sant Joan de trains and Passeig de Gracia. Look for trains on the line, get off Salou and Port Aventura. The park also has designated areas for young children such as playgrounds, rides in small children's pools and hotels offer special services for children, such as menus, entertainment and supervise the activities intended. There are many baby changing facilities in the park and are also able to rent prams.
Chocolate Museum
Located in a former convent in Comerc Street (number 36) in the terminal, children can learn all about chocolate and its medicinal properties, nutritional and aphrodisiac qualities. There are also some sculputures fantastic chocolate and workshops to teach how to make chocolate. Best of all you can taste the products! Entry 3.6 euros
Las Golondrinas
Double pleasureboats floors take you from the port to the breakwater. Good fun, good relationship with some views of the city. Every half hour out of the bottom Las Ramblas until 7pm. Adults $ 5 Children under 12 years € 2.50
Montserrat
Half the fun is getting there. The train Zipper mountain is a must for children and railway enthusiasts alike. Once there, children will be awestruck by the rocks as the most eccentric and assets there are numerous trails, caves. Montserrat is, of course, famous for being the home of Our Lady of Montserrat, a Benedictine monastery.
Trains (R5) ranging from Plaça d'Espanya metro.You can take a train and cable car or just train (and zipper). The journey takes about an hour and leave the room for hours. Get off at the station if you have chosen Montserrat Aeri cable car station or Monistrol de Montserrat change in the cog railway.
Magic Fountains of Montjuic (Magic Fountain)
This is a great stop for some evening entertainment for children. The Magic Fountain is a water color and classical music extravaganza which takes place every night. 9 pm Thurs-Sun, 9.30pm, 10pm, 10.30pm, 11pm. From October to April only on Fridays and Saturdays 7pm, 7.30pm, 8pm and 8.30pm
The Charles Square Buïgas, just above the Avenida Maria Cristina. Metro Espanya. Walk to the MNAC between the two great towers in Spain Plaza
Beaches, Parks and areas recreation for children in Barcelona
Park Güell
Probably the world's most charming public park created by the most famous Barcelona son, Anton Gaudí. Based loosely on Hampstead Heath in London, the park has tile stairs bright, colorful buildings and sources of fairy tale. It Fantasty pure and kids will love.
Getting There: Bus 24 from the Plaza Catalunya to just opposite the main gate. Vallcarca Metro (subway exit by Military Avenue for 4 blocks, turn left at Baixada de la Gloria and take outdoor escalators to the entrance of the park. It is signposted).
Park de la Ciutadella and Recreation Area
Ciutudella Park is more centrally located green space in Barcelona, located between the barrios of Poble Nou, Barceloneta and San Pere. For families, there are a lot of facilities and activities including the Zoo, the Museum of Geology, the Hivernacle (currenlty under construction) and the boating lake. You can also rent bikes at the main entrance (www.bicing.com). Located at the top end of the lake, twice a day, children can enjoy toys and games free addition to the permanent changes slides.There is still a sprinkler in the summer that kids love! 11 am-2 pm every day from mid-September 4.30pm-6.30/7pm until mid-June. 5.30pm-8.30pm from mid-June to mid September
Mar Bella & Boating Base
Mar Bella Beach is about 20 walking north of the Olympic Port (left facing the water) and probably the most child-friendly of all the beaches of Barcelona. It is clean and quiet and can be find a children's play area, lifeguards, sun lounger hire, showers and a restaurant on the beach (beach bars). The Marine Base is also home here, where You can rent small sailboats, canoes and kayaks.
Parc de Collserola
Often overlooked, but this Nature Reserve is literally a breath fresh air and so close to downtown. The park is huge (22 times the size of New York Central Park) – the largest park in the world. The clearinghouse provides numerous walking and hiking guides Tibidabo, Collserola Tower or the people of Vallvidrera.
Take Vallvidrera Baixador train from Plaza Catalunya and just get it.
Barceloneta
Barceloneta beach is popular with families because of its proximity to a wide selection of restaurants and pedestrian promenade along Passeig Maritim, where you can also complete a cycle. The beach is very crowded in summer, but is cleaned regularly. Also, the water – for a city beach – is surprisingly clean. We recommend that you do not plonk in the nearest space available, but walk a little further towards the Olympic Port where it gets much less crowded.
Metro Barceloneta or any bus route Passeig Maritim. For daily information on city beaches call (+34) 934810053
Laberint d'Horta Parc del
This 17-acre park really guarantees a short drive from the city. It is a fairy tale park with its beautiful bridges, canal, romantic gardens, waterfalls and of course, the maze that kids will love. Entry 1.90 euros
Castanyers 1 Pg. Directly behind the Velodrome. Metro Mundet.
About the Author
Mary Brooke writes for the website www.mumabroad.com