Barcelona as a family - Free plans to do with children

If you are thinking about traveling to Barcelona with children, don't think twice, our city is a wonderful destination for a family vacation. There are plenty of museums and tourist attractions to entertain everyone, both children and adults. We offer you some recommendations and ideas for free plans so you can discover all the corners of the city with the little ones in the family.

Getting lost in the Horta labyrinth

Within the Horta Labyrinth Park, the oldest garden in the city is preserved, making it a good place to go for a walk, discover the characteristic fauna of the Sierra de Collserola and, of course, get lost in the Labyrinth, passing through the heart of it to discover its famous statue of Eros. The Park can be visited for free on Wednesdays and Sundays and children under 5 years old do not pay admission.

Statue of Eros from the Labyrinth

Have a picnic in the Parc de la Ciutadella

Parc de la Ciutadella is one of the best parks in Barcelona with many corners that make it special. It is ideal for eating outdoors with the children, having a picnic on any of its grassy esplanades. You can also take the opportunity to take a boat ride on the lake, this activity costs between €2-3 per person, but it is usually something very fun for children.

Gardens and lake of Parc de la Ciutadella

Climb a viewpoint to admire views of the city from above

Discovering the city from a bird's eye view is always a good plan, whether with family, as a couple or with friends. In this case, the little ones will surely enjoy the walk and the views, from where they can play to identify the most emblematic places of the city that they have visited, such as the Sagrada Familia, the Agbar Tower or any other monument that stands out on the city skyline. These are some of the best options to enjoy views of the city:

• Jardins Mirador de l'alcalde : It is a set of terraces with different levels with gardens and ornamental fountains. A balcony with views of the sea and the city that opens from the Montjuïc mountain.

• CC Las Arenas Viewpoint : on the fifth floor of the shopping center there is a 360º circular viewpoint from where you can see Plaza España, Montjuïc and the gardens of Joan Miró Park.

• Bunkers : This lookout is known as the bunkers, but in reality there have never been any, it is simply an anti-aircraft battery that was built during the Civil War. From this point on the Turó de la Rovira, you can see incredible panoramic views of the entire city, it is one of the best viewpoints.

• Tibidabo panoramic area : located more than 500m above sea level, the highest viewpoint and with the best views of the city. It belongs to the Tibidabo Amusement Park, but is free to access.

Tibidabo Viewpoint

Take a free tour

Free tours are a very good way to discover the city and are really cheap, since you set the price by leaving a free tip for the guide once the tour is over. For the little ones it may be interesting to do one of Gaudí so that they can discover his main works or the Gothic one so that they know the history, traditions and legends of the city.

Pont del Carrer del Bisbe

Visit museums as a family

There are many that are free on the first Sunday of the month or every Sunday afternoon. If it fits during your stay, it is a good way to offer culture to the little ones in the family. These are some of the most interesting museums to visit with the family that have free access some days of the month:

• The Museu de les Ciències Naturals has “El Niu de Ciència”, a free room where the little ones (0-6 years old) can entertain themselves by playing and exploring their first contact with science. It is also possible to enjoy guided activities designed for children.

• MUHBA Museum of History of Barcelona . The Paça del Rei museum is like a trip to Barcino where children can discover Roman Barcelona

• Botanic Garden . In Spring and Autumn they organize a family day, Planta't, full of activities and games to discover the garden in a playful and educational way. Outside of those days there are also activities designed so that they can discover the garden in a fun way.

Museum of Natural Sciences

Take a route through the city's Street Art

Children will surely be fascinated by the colorful and original graffiti, such as:

• Paral·lel Zone, Jardins de les Tres Xemeneies in Poble Sec

• Poblenou neighborhood, on Carrer Selva de Mar with Perú, the graffiti of Pau Donés, singer of Jarabe de Palo.

• El Raval, on Carrer de Sant Pau on the corner of Carrer de la Riereta, is the most famous graffiti in the city in tribute to Joan Miró

Graffiti by Pau Donés in Poblenou

Enjoy the popular neighborhood festivals

In Barcelona there are always some popular festivals in one of the neighborhoods. Joining them to enjoy popular culture is a great plan. Normally special activities are organized for the little ones, markets, fairs and fun parties. The most notable festivals in the city are those in the Gràcia neighborhood (early August), where the streets are decorated with different themes, and also the Mercè festival (late September), the patron saint of Barcelona.

Winning street - Gràcia Festival 2023

Font Màgica Montjuic Show

(Update October 2023: The fountain is currently out of service due to the drought episode the city is going through)

It is a show of music, water and color. They do different choreographies depending on the day and time, but all the shows have the same duration: 30 minutes. Here you can check the schedules and different passes. Above all, it is highly recommended to see the show when it is completely dark, since this way you can enjoy the lights much better, children will surely love seeing the water and the lights “dancing” to the rhythm of the music.

Font Màgica Montjuïc Show