Parks

Barcelona is a city where people spend a lot of time outside, so as a consequence there are children´s play areas dotted around all over the city.just beware of the metal slides which can get very hot in summer! There are also some lovely big parks, which are great places to take children to if you are visiting Barcelona.

Parc de la Ciutadella (gardens, museums, zoo, cycling and rowing) A real haven, just nest to the Gothic quarters, behind the beach and near Arc de Triomf . A great place to picnic in, where there is lots of grassy & shady areas. Also a boating lake where you can hire rowing boats out (2 euros per person for 30 minutes), an over the top fountain designed by Josep Fontseré and Antoni Gaudi, the Zoo, Zoology museum, a children´s play area, and much much more. It is possible to hire bicycles, (even with baby seats) rollerblades, tandem bikes go-carts, & trikes from the bike shop just outside the park in Bike de Cool, Adva de Picasso 44, Ciutat Vella. The prices are very reasonable eg 3 euros an hour, 10 euros for 5 hours. This bike shop is open at weekends and on holidays from 10 am to 8pm . During the week you can telephone for groups on 607 226 069.

Parc Güell Olot 7, Gracia. Gaudi´s wonderful park, with its lizard fountains, the longest bench in the world and much much more. Aswell as being a must to visit in Barcelona, there is plenty of space for the little ones to run around too.

   

El Laberint d'Horta Passeig dels Castanyers 1, Horta -Guinardo. A great place for children particularly because it has a big maze.

Parc de la Creuta del Coll , passeig de la Mare de Deu de Coll, 89, Gracia. Has a parkland, boating/swimming lake, a small beach and a great children´s playground for virtually guaranteed fun.

The city's bike routes are available from tourist information centres, the best one being in Plaça Catalunya .Good rides can be had along Diagonal, around Montjuïc and by the Olympic Port. Bikes can be hired from Decathlon sports shops, Canuda 20, Ciutat Vella. , Bike de Cool, Adva de Picasso 44, Ciutat Vella. Or Raska Passeig Maritim 25-29 Ciutat Vella.

Festivals

Many of Barcelona 's festivals include children's events in the programme, particularly the Grec and Mercè. If you're around during the New Year, note the Festa de la Infància i de la Joventut, held in the Fira exhibition hall, Plaça d'Espanya, between December 26 and January 4.

On January 5, in the evening, there is the Cavalcade of the Kings, when the three wise men arrive at the port and parade on camels up the Ramblas.

Two other festivals which are great for kids are Carnaval in February and Sant Medir in Gràcia at the beginning of March, in which literally tons of sweets are thrown onto the streets.

   

Also the Gracia festival in August when the streets beautifully decorated & the place becomes a big street party.

There is more information on festivals in our page on festivals.

It is always worth looking at the official web page to see listings of exciting things going on at the time of your visit. www.bcn.es