A Short Journey from Barcelona

Beaches

Although Barcelona has its own beaches which are great for children, the best beaches for children are a short journey up or down the coast to larger & cleaner beaches where there is more space and it is safer for them to play. North of Barcelona try Badalona (20 mins by train) or Ocata(1/2 hour by train). RENFE Trains to these destinations run regularly from Sants, Plaça Catalunya & Arc de Triomf.

South of Barcelona there is Castelldefels Playa (25 mins), Sitges (40 mins) & Cunit (50 mins) All these beaches can be reached easily & very cheaply on Renfe trains which leave from Pg. de Gracia & Sants Station, regularly. Renfe trains are clean, efficient & very reasonably priced. Don't forget to take a beach umbrellas, sunhats, suncream, a bucket & spade. Children should be kept out of the strong midday sun between 11-3.

Port Aventura

www.portaventura.es

Just 90 minutes South of Barcelona is Catalonia's answer to Disney. There are five different theme areas (Catalonia, China, Polynesia, Mexico and the Wild West) & a wide variety of rides to suit everyone, including the Dragon Khan ( largest roller coaster in Europe ) for any real adrenalin junkies.

Open: Mar 16-Nov 5, 10am-8pm , and until midnight in summer.

Admission: Adults 34 euros children 27 euros, under fives: free. Getting there: it is n ear the town Salou/La Pineda, off A7 (exit 35 onto N340 towards Salou) tel 977 779 090; buses to Port Aventura leave from Passeig de Sant Joan at c/Diputació . A few trains go from Passeig de Gracia and Sants stations, but it's best to buy a combined coach and entry ticket from a travel agent such as the El Corte Ingles Travel agency.

Aqualeon

A water/safari park between Vendrell and Tarragona , off A-7 (exit 31) tel 977 687 656. Open June-Sept 10am-5pm ; adults 12.60, 3-12 years 7.20, under-3s free.

Catalunya en Miniatura

A theme park, 17km from the city, with 170 Catalan monuments in miniature. Children's entertainment on Sunday at 12.30pm . Open daily all year 10am-7pm , open till midnight Fri & Sat in July & Aug. Adults 7.20, 3-14 years 4.20, under-3s free. Torrelles de Llobregat tel 936 890 960

Illa Fantasia

http://www.illafantasia.com/ (In Spanish)

Vilassar de Dalt tel 937 514 553. Supposedly the largest water park in Europe . Just up the coast from Barcelona , just short of Mataró (exit 9 on the main highway); there are regular buses from Sants-Estació (tel 937 981 100 for details). Park open Easter-June & mid-Sept to Oct, daily 10am-6pm; July to mid-Sept, Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat & Sun 10am-8pm (the waterpark runs from mid-May to mid-Sept);

Prices: Easter to mid-May & mid-Sept to Oct adults 11 euros. Children 2-10, 8 euros.