Unforgettable Barcelona Family Vacation
- Last Updated: September 27, 2023
- Lande
I picked Barcelona as our very first European trip with my 9-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter. We stayed for 5 nights, and 6 days and it was the perfect amount to get over the jet lag and enjoy a leisurely Barcelona family vacation. It seemed like the right choice because it’s a compact city, offers delicious food, and has plenty of things to keep the kids excited, making it a great introduction to being in a city with a European feel.
Where to stay
We stayed at the Catalonia Catedral Hotel. We absolutely loved this place. It is located in the heart of Gothic Quarter, close to wonderful restaurants and shopping. We’d use the rooftop pool to treat the kids after a day of sightseeing. The rooms were spacious, modern, and very clean. The best part was they had bunk beds for the kids. We used our Chase Sapphire Reserve points to book this hotel.
What to do
I’m not a big market fan, but my kids enjoy strolling and looking at stalls. Our first meal in Barcelona was at Mercado de la Boqueria and it was delicious. We also enjoyed the fresh fruits and juice.
We joined a tour for Familia Sagrada to not miss out on the stories and details of the church. I think I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much without someone pointing out these details. I highly recommend taking a tour for this. I always go for the highest rated tour that fits our agenda and it has never failed us. Book early because the good ones go fast and you can cancel if needed for a full refund up to a certain date. If there’s an option for an early morning tour, consider booking it to get ahead of the crowds.
At Parc Guell, we explored at our own pace, which was perfect. You will walk the mosaic-covered pathways, and see a panoramic view of the city.
Among the Gaudi homes, we only visited La Pedrera- Casa Mila, and I’m glad we did. It looks breathtaking up close and stands out architecturally from Casa Batllo, Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell, and Casa Vincens.
We visited the Picasso Museum, which was a good size for my son, who was familiar with the artist. However, many of his well-known artworks are not on display here.
Of course, we walked down Passeig de Gràcia for a little shopping which is very similar to Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris.
One surprising highlight was our trip to Monjuic Castle. The cable car was a hit and we took lovely pictures outside Museu Nacional d’ Art de Catalunya.
Where to eat
Mercado de la Boqueria – We had a meal at Pinoxto. They served a delightful dish of chickpeas with blood sausage and white beans with baby calamari, which both my kids enjoyed.
Churreria Laietana – We made this our daily breakfast spot. While we tried churros and Porras at different places, this one stood out as our favorite, and luckily, it was conveniently close to our hotel.
Brunells – Despite being a bit out of the way, we visited Brunells at least three times. My son loved their bocadillos de jamón, and my daughter and I couldn’t resist their strawberry cream croissants.
Cal Pep – We found joy in their simple and traditional tapas dishes. Given its popularity, reservations are highly recommended due to the crowd.
Milk and Bar Bistro – This brunch spot served pancakes that tasted just as wonderful as they looked. The service was excellent.
Can Paixano – A unique cava bar with no seating, but it was worth standing around with the kids to savor our bottle. The mixed sausages were a hit. While not exactly kid-friendly, if you have an hour to escape on your own, I highly recommend it.
Bistrot Levante – Amidst several tapas meals, we tried this Lebanese restaurant for a change. We savored an array of dishes, from hummus to meats, all of which were delicious.
Ciutat Comtal – This turned out to be my favored tapa restaurant. The food felt incredibly fresh and not at all greasy. The bocadillos de jamon and fried calamari were delicious.
Planning for your Barcelona Family Vacation: Helpful Hints
Uber is quite affordable, so if the kids were tired, we used it for one-way trips.
We got a ticket package for buses and trains, which we shared since we also used Uber at times. The metro and bus systems are very user-friendly.
My kids aren’t big fans of museums or seeing sights one after the other, so we didn’t opt for the city pass. Purchasing entry tickets separately from the official websites turned out to be more budget-friendly for us. My daughter, and sometimes even my son, were able to get in for free.
Our dinner time is typically 6 PM, but many restaurants in Barcelona don’t open until 8 PM. Our routine involved morning sightseeing and returning to the hotel for a swim and relaxation. Occasionally, we would get delicious and affordable pizza, enjoying it by the rooftop pool. Sometimes, we would take our siesta by the pool.
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