Child-friendly Barcelona

One of the things I love most about Barcelona is that you will see children out and about with their parents at all hours, whether in a park, a fancy restaurant or even sitting in a crowded bar late in the evening. Kids are not excluded from activities we usually consider reserved for adults and for me, this adds to the city’s charm. As a result, Barcelona is a great holiday destination for families with so many great child-friendly attractions and activities on offer. So, if you are visiting the city with  young ones, here are a few brilliant ideas to keep them entertained:  

Zoo de Barcelona

Photo by Matt Brittaine via Visualhunt

The zoo is situated in the beautiful Parc de la Ciutadella (metro: Ciutadella Vila Olímpica) and is home to over 7,000 animals of 400 different species. Tickets cost a relatively reasonable €11.95 for children between 3 and 12 and €19.90 for adults with 20% off if  you book online. For this price, kids get to see a wide range of animals, enjoy the petting zoo, see a dolphin show, take a pony ride and play in the children’s park. For the adults in the group, the zoo is home to some beautiful modernista architecture including the famous La Dama del Paraigües sculpture create by Soler Roig. Whilst you are at Parc de la Ciutadella, be sure to take a stroll around as kids will definitely enjoy the many playgrounds, boating lake and beautiful fountain.

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Museu de la Xocolata

A museum dedicated to chocolate, need I say more? This small museum located on Carrer del Comerç 36 is the perfect place to take kids for a humble €6 and is free for children under 7. On your visit, you will delve into the history of chocolate, see some very impressive figures made from chocolate and best of all, taste some of the finest Spanish and Catalan chocolate in the museum’s café. The museum also arranges guided tours and tasting sessions for children and adults, so be sure to check their website for any exciting events that might coincide with your trip.

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The amusement park on Tibidabo

Photo by andoni_beristain via Visualhunt

Pay the Parc d’Atraccions on Tibidabo a visit to have a go on the quirky and old-fashioned ferris wheel. The park has 25 rides, including the spooky Hotel Kruger horror house if the other rides are too tame for your kids, some lovely picnic areas, restaurants and breathtaking views of Barcelona for adults and children alike to enjoy.

L’Aquarium Barcelona

This brilliant Aquarium situated in Port Vell is sure to be a hit with your little ones with 11,000 fish of 45 different species. What is particularly exciting is the 80-metre long sea tunnel where you can experience sharks, rays and other exotic fish swimming around you. This day out is slightly pricier costing €20 for adults and €15 euros for children between 5 and 10 years old but it’s well worth every penny as  your ticket also grants you access to the permanent exhibitions, Planet Aqua and Explora.

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