Barcelona is a great place to wander on foot, discover its hidden corners and to lose yourself in its narrow alleyways. Exploring the city you can stumble across exhibitions, minimalist restaurants with traditional Catalan cuisine or a bar with live music. The city is full of unique places and experiences – tiny plazas and charming gardens. It is a very cosmopolitan city, with the appeal of Mediterranean cities that are given naturally to leisure and recreation, to relaxation and enjoyment. Barcelona has its own distinct style of life which makes it unique.
In this guide we propose a variety of activities to enjoy as a family or with friends during your stay in Barcelona.
Barcelona Beaches
Barcelona is famous for its beaches. Few cities can boast such an exciting mix of cosmopolitan city life, Mediterranean climate and beach life. The beach is an integral part of the life of the city all year round and even in winter you will be able to sit on a terrace in front of the Mediterranean and enjoy a cold beer in the sun. So if you are a beach lover then Barcelona is definitely the city for you – see our selection of Barcelona beach apartments to book an apartment close to the beach.
It is easy to reach Barcelona’s 4.5 kilometres of beaches: San Sebastià, Barceloneta, Nova Icària, Bogatell, Mar Bella or Nova Mar Bella. The beaches have all the necessary services – lifeguards, red cross, showers and information points – open until the middle of October. Chiringuito beach bars are dotted at regular intervals along the coast and these stay open long into the night.
Swimming and bathing in Barcelona is very safe and there are no dangerous currents. Do pay attention though to the flags shown as there some “jellyfish” warning flags sometimes during the hottest months of the year. Nudism: The Mar Bella beach, is the official city nudist/naturist beach.
Access to the beaches by public transport is easy from anywhere the city. Take the yellow metro line L4 to any stop after Barceloneta and walk 200 metres in the direction of the sea. In addition, the V21, V27, 36, 59 and bus lines all stop at Villa Olimpica. Eeach one of the 6 beaches of Barcelona has car parking and bicycles paths.
- Playa de San Sebastià – San Sebastian Beach
Length: 1100m
Limits: from the breakwater of the Port to Almirante Cervera street
How to get there: Public Transport
Metro: Line 4 “Barceloneta”
Bus: D20, V15, 39, 45, 59
Parking: 250 places
Handicapped Parking: 2 plazas
Services: W.C, waste bins, foot wash, telephone, showers, water fountains, parking, bicycle racks, volleyball nets, life guard watch towers
- Playa de la Barceloneta – Barceloneta Beach
Length: 1100m
Limits: From Almirante Cervera street to the Olimpic Port
How to get there: Public Transport
Metro: Line 4 “Barceloneta and Ciutadella”
Bus: D20, V15, 39, 45, 59
Parking: 772 places
Handicapped Parking: 24 places
Services: W.C, waste bins, foot wash, telephone, showers, water fountains, parking, bicycle racks, volleyball nets, life guard watch towers
- Playa de la Nova Icària – Nova Icària Beach
- Length: 400m
How to get there: Public Transport
Metro: Line 4 “Ciutadella or Bogatell”
Bus: H16, V27, 59, 92
Parking: 500 places
Handicapped Parking: 16 places
Services: Toilets, handicapped toilets, waste bins, foot wash, telephone, drinking fountains, showers, bike ranks, volleyball nets, lifeguard towers, ping-pong tables.
- Playa del Bogatell – Playa del Bogatell Beach
- Length: 640m
How to get there: Public Transport
Metro: Line 4 ” Llacuna o Poblenou “
Bus: H16, V27, 59
Parking: 600 places
Handicapped Parking: 30 places
Services: W.C, waste bins, foot wash, telephone, showers, water fountains, parking, bicycle racks, volleyball nets, life guard watch towers
- Playa de la Mar Bella – MarBella Beach
- Length: 500m
How to get there: Public Transport
Metro: Line 4 ” Selva de Mar “
Bus: V27, 26
Parking: 1500places
Handicapped Parking: 4 places
Services: W.C, waste bins, foot wash, telephone, showers, water fountains, parking, bicycle racks, volleyball nets, life guard watch towers, nudist area, skateboard area, ping-pong tables.
- Playa de la Nova Mar Bella – Nova Mar Bella Beach
Length: 550m
How to get there: Public Transport
Metro: Line 4 ” Selva de Mar and Forum”
Bus: H16, 26
Parking: 750 places
Handicapped Parking: 13 places
Services: W.C, waste bins, foot wash, telephone, showers, water fountains, parking, bicycle racks, volleyball nets, life guard watch towers
Barcelona for kids
Barcelona is full of things to do with children, the list is far from limited ot the wonderful sandy beaches loved by so many young ones. On Tibidabo Mountain children can enjoy the theme park or see a puppet show. In the Zoo, children can see animals from all over the world and can enjoy a dolphin show. The aquatic world is further revealed to children at the aquarium in the Old Port, where children can walk through a glass tunnel underwater and see all kinds of sea life, including sharks.
The Golondrinas
The Golondrinas boat trips embark from Portal de La Palau in front of the Christopher Columbus monument and offer various outings lasting from 35 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, along the Old Port and the beaches. Some boats have a glass bottom.
Prices depend on the trip you take, but vary from 7,50€ for an adult and 2,80€ for a child, to 18€ for an adult and 5,50€ a child.
Tibidabo Amusement Park
If you are travelling with children Tibidabo is a place you cannot afford to miss, and which even older children will love. The park has been open for more than 100 years, and is one of the oldest in operation. It was first opened in 1908 and renovated in 1980. It offers about 30 attractions of various kinds, from the most traditional to attractions for families, to more recent attractions.
Entrance for a day costs roughly 28,50 euros for adults or 10,30 euros for people under 1.20 meters. Those under 90cm enter for free. It is a marvellous place to spend the day as a family and kids will love it. There is just one problem, they will want to go back the next day! Bare in mid that the park if more geared to young children than adolescents.
Ciutadella Park
The Ciutadella Park is one of the largest in the city and is situated next to the old town, it is an ideal space to spend time with children and allow them to play.
It was built as part of the 1888 Universal Exhibition on the site of an old fortress. Some buildings from the old fortress still exist, such as the chapel, the Governors Palace and the former arsenal, which are now the seat of the Parliament of Catalunya.
Perfect for children, the Park has a large expanse of gardens, with many trees, and with areas to walk and to relax in, with such pleasant corners as the lake and the waterfalls. The lake is in the centre of the park and has various islands and exotic plants, you can hire a rowing boat to explore it.
The Barcelona Zoo is also found in the Ciutadella Park, making it the ideal destination for an unforgettable family day.
Barcelona Zoological Park
Children tend to love animals and the Zoo is one of the top destinations for children in Barcelona. Situated in the Ciutadella Park it has one of the most important collections of animals in Europe. As well as the collection of animals, mammals, tropical birds, dolphins and reptiles, it also offers: a mini train, mini cars, pony rides, restaurants, a picnic area, coat check, information point and children’s games.
It is open all year round from 10am, closing time depends on the season but fluctuates from 5 and 7pm. Entry costs approximately 19,90€ for adults and 11,95€ for children from 3 to 12 years old.
Barcelona Aquarium
Barcelona has one of the best aquariums in Europe with over 11000 sea creatures from over 450 species. The aquarium is situated in Port Vell at the end of Las Ramblas. It offers activities that are very popular with children such as ‘sleeping with sharks’ for children from 8-12, educating them about sharks, their behaviour, reproduction and what they do when night time comes. Entrance is approximately 20€ for adults, 15€ for children from 5 to 10 and 7€ for children from 3 to 4.
Cosmocaixa
Barcelona’s new Museum of Science was inaugurated in 2005, and is perfect for children. There are a number of activities oriented to children including an Amazonian forest, ‘the matter room’, the planetarium or the amusing ‘toca toca’!.
There are a number of buses that can take you to this museum, which is closed on Mondays, and costs 4 euros. Check the museums website to find out about temporary exhibitions and activities.
Port Aventura
The Port Aventura theme park is not in Barcelona, but 100km to the south in Tarragona, and is easily accessed from Barcelona. Children will love it; one of the largest attraction parks in Europe. Composed of two theme parks – Port Aventura Park and the Caribbean Aquatic Park, you will find rides, attractions, restaurants, hotels and shops.
The Caribbean Aquatic Park is like a small Caribbean island, and offers a water theme park. It has an inner zone that is mainly for small children, and an exterior zone with many water slides and wave pools.
- Transport to Port Aventura:
Train: combined return ticket with entrance to the park
- RENFE : 902 240 202 / www.renfe.es
Bus: Day trips: journey and entrance
1.Julià TEL. 934 904 000
2.Hispania TEL. 977 754 147
3.Sagalés TEL. 902 130 014
4.Penedès TEL. 977 660 821
Poble Espanyol on Montjuïc
The Poble Espanyol (Pueblo Español) is an open air museum, its name in English is the Spanish Village. There are 117 buildings that reproduce the architecture of different parts of Spain, rebuilt to scale on Montjuic. El Poble dels Nens” (The children’s village) activities such as shows and work shops are organised.
City Tours
The history, the location and the diversity of the city of Barcelona make it ideal for themed tours which allow a visitor to discover parts of the city that tourists do not usually see. The majority of these tours offered by tour operators in Barcelona are given by a specialist guide and are usually given in English, though other languages can be requested as well.
In this section we recommend some tours which we think should not be missed during your stay in our city:
- Modernista (Art Nouveau) Tour
Art Nouveau is referred to in Spain as Modernism or Catalan Modernism, an exuberant style which emerged at the end of the 20th century and which is manifested in hundreds of beautiful buildings throughout Barcelona. The Modernista tour will show you what many experts define as ‘the best open air Art Nouveau museum in Europe’.
The tour passes through the streets of the Eixample and shows some of the more than 150 buildings declared to be of historical and artistic interest by the local government. Within the Modernista movement one of the key figures to emerge was the figure of Antonio Gaudí, who created his own unique, unmistakable style. You will see some of his best known and most spectacular creations, such as the Casa Batlló, the Casa Milà, the Parque Güell and the Sagrada Familia, among others.
You can get a sense of Gaudí and his impact on the cities architecture from any one of our apartments in Barcelona.
- Historical Tours
These tours will take you through the historical centre of the city and teach you about the origins and evolution of Barcelona, from the first Roman settlement, to the former Jewish district, the medieval gothic era and up to the present day.
Passing through the Gothic quarter you will discover a great many interesting facts about the history of the city and its legends; where and how the Barcelonese of that era lived, their habits, their occupations and their beliefs. Additionally you can visit the Cathedral, the Plaza Real, the Plaza Sant Jaume, the Jewish district and the famous Las Ramblas.
This tour is recommended for those who wish to mix with the people of Barcelona and discover their history and routes.
- Panoramic Tours
From the top of Montjuic Mountain, the best viewpoint afforded of the city, once can see in all splendour the Columbus Monument and the Port, the Gothic town and the Cathedral, Passeig de Gracia its Art Nouveau buildings, and the Sagrada Familia – a symbol of the city. Furthermore you can also see the Olympic Ring, site of the 1992 Olympic Games, from the mountain.
Once you are on Montjuic we recommend you take the Cable Car that joins Montjuic with the Port and Barceloneta, it offers splendid views across the city.
Another vantage point offering excellent panoramic views is Tibidabo, in the Collserola Mountains, where in addition you can enjoy a theme park. Its position in the Collserola National Park also offers you the opportunity to enjoy a walk surrounded by nature, just kilometres from the centre of the city.
- Bike and Tapas Tours
A fun and novel way to see the city – a bike and tapas tour in Barcelona with Orange Monkey Tours. Combine the pleasures of exploring Barcelona on bike and discovering its wonderful tapas bars. Pedal hard and you can even burn off the calories afterwards.
- Barcelona on Bike
In recent years the bicycle has become very popular as a way of getting around the city of Barcelona. A large network of cycle paths all over the city, as well as an increase in pedestrian streets in the centre of the city make the bicycle and ideal way of getting around the city and of getting to know it.
Gastronomy
Barcelona spoils the gastronomically inclined visitor for choice. On offer you will find tapas from all over Spain, traditional Catalan mediterranean cuisine, and of course the highly experimental ‘nueva cocina’ made famous by Ferran Adrià’s El Bulli restaurant.
Traditional Catalan specialities include rice dishes such as Arros a la Casola – a delicious soupy Paella, Escalivada (roasted and peeled aubergines, red peppers and onions marinated in oil), and Suquet – a traditional fishermans stew with clams.
Seafood in Barcelona is a specilaity and its restaurants and markets have some of the best and freshest seafood anywhere in the world. Another trait of Catalan cooking is the Mar i Montanya concept, dishes that mix meat and fish – unorthodox and delicious examples include meatballs with cuttlefish or rabbit with clams.
If the Mar i Montanya leaves you unsure wether to order red or white wine do not worry, Barcelona is surrounded by the Penedes wine making region – famous for its dry white wines and Cavas. Wine is produced throughout Catalunya, from north to south, and the quality is excellent. In recent years organic wione making has taken off in a big way.
Parks and gardens
Barcelona has many parks and gardens where you can enjoy a picnic, a walk, or simply some green space and some time away from the crowds. We recommend the following parks in Barcelona:
- Ciutadella Park
The Ciutadella Park is one of the largest in the city and is situated next to the old town. It was built as part of the 1888 Universal Exhibition on the site of an old fortress. Some buildings from the old fortress still exist, such as the chapel, the Governors Palace and the former arsenal, which are now the seat of the Parliament of Catalunya. The Park has a large expanse of gardens, with many trees, and with areas to walk and to relax in, with such pleasant corners as the lake and the waterfalls. The lake is in the centre of the park and has various islands and exotic plants, you can hire a rowing boat to explore it.
- The Park Güell
Park Güell is unique, a park that combines nature with extraordinary Art Nouveau architecture. Originally conceived of as a planned community, it was designed by Antoni Gaudí for the businessman Eusebi Güell, and inaugurated as a public park in 1922. Gaudí used all of his skill in the design, which covers an area of 20 hectares, within which there is not one single straight line. Everything is curved, twisted and sinuous, creating a magical atmosphere. The central point of the park is formed by a huge 3000 metre squared oval, the edge of which comprises of a 110m long undulating bench. This was decorated with small coloured tiles and pieces of glass by the artist Josep Maria Jujol. Park Guell has a free part to visit and a monumental part that costs 8€ for an adult. It is open every day. It is possible to get there in metro though the nearest stations are not very close. From Vallcarca metro station (line 3 – green) mechanical escalators make the uphill walk easier. The Tourist Bus stops at Park Guell, so if you decide to see Barcelona this way, you can take advantage of it stopping in Park Guell.
- Tibidabo and Collserola Park
Tibidabo is on the highest point of Mount Collserola, an important area of woods and parkland, and offers a breathtaking view of the city.
On Mount Collserola one can visit the Tibidao amusement park, Tibidabo Temple and the Communication Tower designed by Sir Norman Foster; the profile of these can be seen from all over the city. The amusement park has been running since 1900, and combines traditional and simple installations such as the watchtower with more modern installations.
- Montjuïc
Montjuic Mountain is the perfect place to relax and take a stroll thanks to its many gardens and the spectacular views of the city that it offers.
As well as being the site of many sporting and cultural facilities, there are a number of interesting parks and gardens worth a visit:
- Costa i Llobera Gardens
Composed of 6.15 hectares of cacti and succulents, it is considered to be one of the most important collections of these plants in Europe.
– Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden was opened in 1999 and has 14 hectares of gardens dedicated to the flora of different regions of the Mediterranean basin as well as other areas of the world.
- Horta Labyrinth Park
As its name tells, the Horta Labyrinth Park offers a labyrinth within a 9.1 hectare green space, an attractive and calm place to spend some time with your family. It is the oldest park within Barcelona and is located in the former factory of the Desvalls family, at the foot of Collserola. There is also a neoclassical garden dating from the 18th century and a romantic garden from the 19th century. The former Palace of the Desvalls family is found in the park, it combines neoarabic and neogothic elements, and preserves its ancient medieval defensive tower, called the Subirana Tower.
- Castell de l’Oreneta Park
The Castell de L’Oreneta Park is found in the upper part of Barcelona, at the foot of Collserola Park. It consists of 17 hectares of Mediterranean vegetation and creates the sensation of being in the middle of a deep wood, whilst still within the city. The park is very well set up for children, with play areas woodland footpaths, pony riding and a miniature train ride, making it an ideal place to spend some time with your children.
Shopping
Barcelona is a large shopping center where modernity and tradition go hand in hand. The offering is unlimited and includes international and Spanish brands, small antique and art shops, book stores and souvenir stores for tourists.
The Shopping Line is impressive: it starts at the old harbor and goes along las Ramblas, Barri Gotic, Portal de l’Angel, continues from Plaça de Catalunya and up to Passeig de Gracia and Rambla de Catalunya with even more shops along Av. Diagonal.
In the narrow old streets of the Gothic you will find historical selling antiques, books and crafts , as well as an excellent selection of souvenirs concentrated especially on La Rambla together with kiosks and flower shops, and the precious market of La Boqueria. Av. Portal de l’Angel connect near Plaça de Catalunya, offers the best selection of young designers at affordable prices such as Zara, Camper, H&M, Pull&Bear, Footlocker, etc…
In the Born district, the quarter around the Picasso Museum, it’s easy to find fashion shops from little designers, art galleries and excellent crafts. In the Eixample is concentrated the elite of fashion and major international names (Dolce&Gabbana, Gucci, Armani, etc…) just by walking on the beautifull street of Paseo de Gracia, where you will also see the Boulevard Rosa, a wide department store along the way.
All over Avenida Diagonal shoppers can find all sort of stores, from furniture and home accessory shops, like Habitat, to clothing shops and big shopping centers like Illa Diagonal, El Corte Inglés or Pedralbes Centre.
Also in Barcelona there are many large department stores. Two of the largest are in the centre of Barcelona, in Plaza Catalunya, El Corte Ingles and Fnac.
In El Corte Ingles you will find just about anything you want: a supermarket with Spanish delicatessen, clothes from the most famous brands, cosmetics, electronics, toys, change of currency and even a travel agency; go to Fnac if you are looking for electronics devices, books, DVDs music or concert tickets.
And last don’t forget that the sales start around the 10th of January in the winter and the 1th of July during the summer. The big department stores and shopping complexes open from 9am or 10am until 9pm or 10pm at night, Monday to Saturday. Smaller shops often close for a few hours at lunchtime around 2pm to 4pm for (Siesta time!)
