Barcelona with kids

thegreengoblin

Myself, herself and the three kids (14, 5 and 2) are off to Barcelona for a week. I've been there before a few times but this is the first time I'm going where bars, clubs and museums are not the priority! Just wondering if people can recommend some good places to bring the kids. I have the likes of Parc Guell, the aquarium, Montjuic castle, Barceloneta beach, all marked down as places to go but if anyone has other alternatives I'd love to hear from them.

We're staying in an apartment so eating out is not a huge issue but can anyone recommend good child-friendly restaurants as we will be using them over the seven days.

Also, I presume the Barcelona card is a must-have for the week as far as getting around on the metro and getting discounts to places?

Thanks in advance.

biko

The zoo, it's easy to get there and definitely worth a visit.

thegreengoblin

I'm sure I would have thought of it but thanks anyway. Parc de la Ciutadella looks good too.

kingofburt

You should definitely go to the CosmoCaixa, its an amazing science museum, very interactive and you'll be able to keep everyone entertained for hours.
http://www.oh-barcelona.com/en/blog/2010/tourist-guide/families/cosmo-caixa-barcelona-4738

The amusement park in Tibidabo is a fun day out, it's geared towards families so all the kids should have a good day there also. http://www.tibidabo.cat/en/homepage

Finally. the waterpark near Blanes is another good day out, especially if the weather is hot, although it is a bit of a trek to get there, 1.5 hour train ride and then a shuttle bus, but could be a lifesaver if you need to cool down. http://www.waterworld.es/uk/about-us/waterworld.html

If you give me the area you're staying in I'll try to recommend some restaurants or good markets to buy fresh food.

DERPY HOOFS

The zoo is good as unlike our zoo you are actually able to see the animals and the dolphins are georgeous.
The football stadium is good but if you have kids in a buggy dont go unless you can carry a buggy around.
I stayed in Salou and went on excursions to Barcelona.

thegreengoblin

kingofburt wrote: »

You should definitely go to the CosmoCaixa, its an amazing science museum, very interactive and you'll be able to keep everyone entertained for hours.
http://www.oh-barcelona.com/en/blog/2010/tourist-guide/families/cosmo-caixa-barcelona-4738

The amusement park in Tibidabo is a fun day out, it's geared towards families so all the kids should have a good day there also. http://www.tibidabo.cat/en/homepage

Finally. the waterpark near Blanes is another good day out, especially if the weather is hot, although it is a bit of a trek to get there, 1.5 hour train ride and then a shuttle bus, but could be a lifesaver if you need to cool down. http://www.waterworld.es/uk/about-us/waterworld.html

If you give me the area you're staying in I'll try to recommend some restaurants or good markets to buy fresh food.

It would be great to hear about some good restaurants and markets, as we will be using both. We'll be staying in Sants, very close to the main train station.

I was thinking about a visit to Poble Espanyol, have heard mixed reviews. Anyone been there?

P.S. The Cosmo Caixa looks fantastic, we'll definitely take that one in!

sarkozy

THE BEACH!

Also the funfair up above the city. Parc Guell for a little while.

It's Spain, so it's automatically child friendly. There are lots of squares to eat out in the open where you can let the kids run around.

When last in Malaga city, we were enjoying some flamenco music in a local tapas bar, some kids were playing in the side street it was on. Nobody batted an eyelid.

Totally different culture there.

usrename

i have ran in Limerick the last two years. I ran the 10k, and then the Half last year. Its a great day out and, like all events, it has its problems.

The Goodie bag is shocking , tshirt is poor, but you get a really good medal.
When i did the 10k there was only2 mileage signs on the whole course, not to mention the Footbridge !!! and only 1 water station.

The Half last year, was better organised. And i dont think i could find any major faults. Maybe a few more Marshalls, and a couple more Gel stations.

Its is a bit expensive, but its a very good event. And the Apres run is excellent too

kingofburt

thegreengoblin wrote: »

It would be great to hear about some good restaurants and markets, as we will be using both. We'll be staying in Sants, very close to the main train station.

Mercat de Sants is a huge market a couple of blocks away from Sants station, you'll get a great selection of fruit, meat and fish there and the kids will probably enjoy all the sights. There are plenty of supermarkets around the area also.

A couple of nice restaurants which will good with children are La Bombeta in Barceloneta, really good tapas and very good value. http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g187497-d799065-Reviews-La_Bombeta-Barcelona_Catalonia.html and Marisco, two really nice fish restaurants, one near Diagonal metro which is three stops from Sants or one in Placa Reia lhttp://www.mariscco.com/index.php?lng=eng

The Guardian have a great interactive map of Barcelona here, should give some more ideas http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/series/barcelona-city-guide

thegreengoblin

kingofburt wrote: »

Mercat de Sants is a huge market a couple of blocks away from Sants station, you'll get a great selection of fruit, meat and fish there and the kids will probably enjoy all the sights. There are plenty of supermarkets around the area also.

A couple of nice restaurants which will good with children are La Bombeta in Barceloneta, really good tapas and very good value. http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g187497-d799065-Reviews-La_Bombeta-Barcelona_Catalonia.html and Marisco, two really nice fish restaurants, one near Diagonal metro which is three stops from Sants or one in Placa Reia lhttp://www.mariscco.com/index.php?lng=eng

The Guardian have a great interactive map of Barcelona here, should give some more ideas http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/series/barcelona-city-guide

Thanks for the tips. Just wondering if you live in Barcelona, as you seem so familiar with it? If you know of any other interesting places, that maybe only the locals would go to, just so I can get a good feel for the city without other tourists around.

sarkozy

I'd recommend going to Parc Guell in the monrning before the tourists arrive in droves and then wander around the adjoining Gracia district, which is lovely. Comparatively quiet, hip, settled, old. We rented an apartment up there twice and loved every minute of it.