1 Day in Barcelona with kids - what to do?

Miss_J

We're off to the Costa Dorado next week, staying south of Barcelona. I am desperate to see Barcelona and would like to take a trip up there. I've got 2 kids 7 & 5 so know realistically I'll only get 1 day there (or else they will just moan) and really want to make the most of my day there. Can anyone recommend the must see sights and the sights that will entertain the kids the most?

luci

I would suggest using the Hop On Hop Off bus which has 3 different routes and covers all the major attractions. I'm sure they will love the Nou Camp stadium! You get a discount on admission with the bus ticket.

Mark_Hewitt

luci wrote: »

I would suggest using the Hop On Hop Off bus which has 3 different routes and covers all the major attractions. I'm sure they will love the Nou Camp stadium! You get a discount on admission with the bus ticket.

The open top bus ride is good, but with kids I'm not sure. The reason being is that it's very stop start due to the Barcelona grid system and during that time you are exposed to the full force of the sun, and it can get very hot! We were there in April and it wasn't massively hot but it was still uncomfortable being on the bus for any length of time.

PS. Where are you staying on the Costa Dorada? I was there just a few months ago.

Miss_J

We're staying with Keycamp this year, first time on a campsite at Vilanova Park which is just next to Stiges. Plan on using the good train links to get to some of the lovely towns along the coast. Whereabouts were you at?

Mark_Hewitt

Miss_J wrote: »

We're staying with Keycamp this year, first time on a campsite at Vilanova Park which is just next to Stiges. Plan on using the good train links to get to some of the lovely towns along the coast. Whereabouts were you at?

Ah, Stiges, nice! We visited there breifly on the way back to Barcelona airport.

We were about an hours drive further south, at Cambrils, which was lovely, and right on the railway if you wanted to visit!

jimd-f

a visit to the aquarium is worth while. not that cheap, but very educational. i seem to remember finding nemo there!
Have a look here for more info
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/

Pee

I think the park, Guell, would be fine with children - they can run about a bit there and you can take in some really impressive landscaping. Depending on the weather and how they would be on the bus, the bus is useful and would probably seem like fun. I liked the funicular to Montjuic and the cable cars. Also the escalators up to the parc, but maybe too far for children to walk.

cherryJ

Hi!
I just went to Barcelona this summer (May/early June)
I also visited with my family when I was younger (late teens)

I second the above recommendation for the aquarium. It is quite pricey, but when I went with my family we had a great time and it stands out in my memory as being one of the best aquariums I've been to.

The open top bus is a great way to see the whole city, especially if you have limited time. It was VERY sunny when we went, so i guess the sun may be even stronger now. Hats and sunglasses and suncream !! You can sit downstairs, indoors, if the sun is a real problem.

The Olympic Port is a nice area and there's a beach there. The New Port (where the aquarium is) is another nice place, there's a big centre with shops and restaurants.

Warrington-Mike

Barcelona also has a great Zoo which is quite inexpensive!

nm123_2

I would second the Guell Park...

yorkie69

i second the zoo. went a few years ago with two small children when we were staying in salou. also a railway station very close and took up a good chunk of the day . all info wwas in english as well .