BARCELONA FOR FAMILIES 08/08/15 — 08/12/15
Schedule
Saturday 08/08 Barcelona
Notes: Start your trip with an overview of the city's most famous architect and patron saint, Antoni Gaudi. His Park Guell is a great addition if you have time.
MORNING Xurreria Sagrada Familia Xurreria Sagrada Família, Plaça de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain
Fresh churros and chocolate in the plaza across from the Sagrada Familia.
Sagrada Familia La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
Gaudi's famous unfinished cathedral. But tickets ahead of time to skip the lines, and consider trading off parental duties so each adult gets a chance to climb into the spires (young children aren't permitted in the higher areas).
AFTERNOON Tapas 24 Carrer de la Diputació, 269, 08007 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://www.tapas24.ca/
Casual tapas spot to try Michelin-starred chef Carles Abellan's food; just off the Paseo de Gracia so good for a lunch or snack when you're checking out the Gaudi buildings.
Casa Mila Casa Milà, Barcelona, Spain
Also known as La Pedrera, this apartment building designed by Gaudi lets kids see how a family would have lived in the early 20th century. Tickets are for timed entrance so buy ahead of time.
Casa Battló Casa Batlló, Passeig de Gràcia, Barcelona, Spain
A Gaudi-designed home for a wealthy family, great for pairing with a visit to the apartments at Casa Mila.
EVENING Cal Pep Plaça de les Olles, 8, 08003 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://calpep.com/
Consistently one of the best tapas spots in the city. It's in El Born and always packed but if you go right at opening you can get a table.
Sunday 08/09 Barcelona
Notes: Get lost in the plazas and tiny alleys of El Born and the Gothic Quarter. MORNING Gothic Quarter and El Born Catedral de Barcelona, Placita de la Seu, Barcelona, Spain
These two ancient parts of the city are side by side. The Gothic Quarter is mostly pedestrian and has narrow alleys lined with bars and cafes plus some very pretty plazas and cathedrals. El Born is more of a hip shopping area with really sleek boutiques. Wandering through here is best done in one of two ways: either treat it like Venice and enjoy getting lost, or get a guide and really understand the history, which is fascinating. We adore Context Travel's guides - they have some that are especially good with kids.
Santa Caterina Market Avinguda de Francesc Cambó, 16, 08003 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://www.mercatsantacaterina.com/
Another food market, this is the hip El Born neighborhood and with a great restaurant, Cuines Santa Caterina.
AFTERNOON Museu Picasso Picasso Museum, Barcelona, Spain
A must, the works of Picasso in a sprawling mansion on the border of El Born and the Gothic Quarter.
Cuines Santa Caterina Avinguda de Francesc Cambó, 16, 08003 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://grupotragaluz.com/restaurante/cuines_caterina/
Restaurant in the Santa Caterina market.
Papabubble Carrer Ample, 28, 08002 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://www.papabubble.com/
Candy shop that makes hard candy look like a work of art.
La Campana de Princesa Torrons la Campana, Barcelona, Spain
Open since 1890, this tiny shop sells ice cream and turron, traditional Spanish sweets.
EVENING Els Pescadors Plaça de Prim, 1, 08005 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://www.elspescadors.com/
Off the beaten path restaurant, amazing seafood and a real locals joint.
Monday 08/10 Barcelona
Notes: Spend your morning exporing Montjuic, then make the afternoon all about futbol.
MORNING Montjuic Montjuïc, Barcelona, Spain
Small mountain on the south side of the city with interesting cultural landmarks and great views.
CaixaForum Barcelona Av. Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 6-8, 08038 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://obrasocial.lacaixa.es/nuestroscentros/caixaforumbarcelona/caixaforumbarcelona_es.html
Contemporary art museum on Montjuic.
Museu Nacional D'Art De Catalunya Mnac Lugar Mirador Del Palau Nacional, 0 ( Parc De Montjuic ), 08001 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://www.museunacional.cat/
MNAC is dedicated to Catalan art and sits in a grand building on Montjuic.
Barcelona Pavillion Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, Barcelona, Spain
At the base of Montjuic, this Mies van der Rohe-designed pavillion is one of the most important buildings of the modernist movement.
Montjuïc Castle Ctra. de Montjuïc, 66, 08038 Barcelona, Spain http://www.bcn.cat/castelldemontjuic/ca/welcome.html
17th-century military fortress on Montjuic.
Fundació Joan Miró Fundaciò Mirò, Barcelona, Spain
Dedicated to the works of Miró.
AFTERNOON Quimet & Quimet Carrer del Poeta Cabanyes, 25, 08004 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Tiny liquor store turned countertop eatery in Poble Sec, amazing mondatidos and cocktails. Eat standing up around barrels.
Camp Nou Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
Top of the list for soccer fans, tour the stadium and museum dedicated to FC Barcelona.
EVENING Bar El Velódromo Bar El Velódromo, Carrer de Muntaner, Barcelona, Spain
Landmark building and all-day restaurant that's as good for a morning coffee as a dinner en famille.
Tuesday 08/11 Barcelona
Notes: Notes: Today is for a day trip. Choose one of our three favorite and explore beyond Barcelona.
MORNING Montserrat Monastery Montserrat, Monestir de Montserrat, Spain
Accessible by funicular, this Benedictine monastery north of Barcelona is built into a mountain and a great half-day tour out of the city.
Girona Girona, Spain
Great daytrip from Barcelona: visit the famous university, cathedral and town that dates back to medieval times.
Dalí Theatre-Museum Plaza Gala-Salvador Dalí, 5, 17600 Figueres, Girona, Spain http://www.salvador-dali.org/
Day trip from Barcelona to this museum dedicated to (and designed by) Salvador Dali.
EVENING Restaurante Boca Grande Passatge de la Concepció, 12, 08008 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://www.bocagrande.cat/
Always buzzing restaurant and bar. Check out the DJ booth in the bathroom.
Wednesday 08/12 Barcelona
Notes: Culture break: today is all about fun for the kids, so hit the amusement park, explore the zoo or just hang out by the beach. Book a sitter and make tonight a date night for mom and dad.
MORNING Tibidabo Amusement Park
An old school amusement park built in 1901, accessed by An old school amusement park built in 1901, accessed by aerial tram.
AFTERNOON Barcelona Zoo Zoo de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
7,000 different kinds of animals.
EVENING Alkimia Alkimia, Carrer de la Indústria, Barcelona, Spain
Date-night tasting menu, come hungry and expect a long night of eating.
Tickets Bar Avinguda del Paraŀlel, 164, 08015 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://ticketsbar.es/
An impossible reservation to score but if you do, get a sitter and high-five each other over Ferran Adrià's famous food.
Comerç 24 Carrer del Comerç, 24, Barcelona, Spain
Inventive tasting menu from Michelin-starred chef Carles Abellan in a hip setting; best for date night.
All Activities
Experiences Mercat De La Boquería Calle Rambla, 89 -91, 08002 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://www.boqueria.info/ More Information »
One of the city's best food markets, a must see. It's crowded with tourists but chefs still shop here as well. Santa Caterina Market Avinguda de Francesc Cambó, 16, 08003 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://www.mercatsantacaterina.com/ More Information »
Another food market, this is the hip El Born neighborhood and with a great restaurant, Cuines Santa Caterina.
Sagrada Familia La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain More Information »
Gaudi's famous unfinished cathedral. But tickets ahead of time to skip the lines, and consider trading off parental duties so each adult gets a chance to climb into the spires (young children aren't permitted in the higher areas).
Casa Mila Casa Milà, Barcelona, Spain More Information »
Also known as La Pedrera, this apartment building designed by Gaudi lets kids see how a family would have lived in the early 20th century. Tickets are for timed entrance so buy ahead of time.
Casa Battló Casa Batlló, Passeig de Gràcia, Barcelona, Spain More Information »
A Gaudi-designed home for a wealthy family, great for pairing with a visit to the apartments at Casa Mila.
Park Guell Park Güell, Carrer d'Olot, Barcelona, Spain More Information »
Fantastical park that feels like Alice in Wonderland, designed by Gaudi. Bring a picnic and enjoy the views. Montjuic Montjuïc, Barcelona, Spain More Information »
Small mountain on the south side of the city with interesting cultural landmarks and great views.
CaixaForum Barcelona Av. Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 6-8, 08038 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://obrasocial.lacaixa.es/nuestroscentros/caixaforumbarcelona/caixaforumbarcelona_es.html More Information »
Contemporary art museum on Montjuic.
Museu Nacional D'Art De Catalunya Mnac Lugar Mirador Del Palau Nacional, 0 ( Parc De Montjuic ), 08001 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://www.museunacional.cat/ More Information »
MNAC is dedicated to Catalan art and sits in a grand building on Montjuic.
Tibidabo Amusement Park
An old school amusement park built in 1901, accessed by aerial tram.
Girona Girona, Spain More Information »
Great daytrip from Barcelona: visit the famous university, cathedral and town that dates back to medieval times.
Montserrat Monastery Montserrat, Monestir de Montserrat, Spain More Information »
Accessible by funicular, this Benedictine monastery north of Barcelona is built into a mountain and a great half-day tour out of the city.
Camp Nou Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain More Information »
Top of the list for soccer fans, tour the stadium and museum dedicated to FC Barcelona.
Barcelona Zoo Zoo de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain More Information »
7,000 different kinds of animals.
Gothic Quarter and El Born Catedral de Barcelona, Placita de la Seu, Barcelona, Spain More Information »
These two ancient parts of the city are side by side. The Gothic Quarter is mostly pedestrian and has narrow alleys lined with bars and cafes plus some very pretty plazas and cathedrals. El Born is more of a hip shopping area with really sleek boutiques. Wandering through here is best done in one of two ways: either treat it like Venice and enjoy getting lost, or get a guide and really understand the history, which is fascinating. We adore Context Travel's guides - they have some that are especially good with kids.
Arts & Culture Barcelona Pavillion Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, Barcelona, Spain More Information »
At the base of Montjuic, this Mies van der Rohe-designed pavillion is one of the most important buildings of the modernist movement.
Fundació Joan Miró Fundaciò Mirò, Barcelona, Spain More Information »
Dedicated to the works of Miró.
Montjuïc Castle Ctra. de Montjuïc, 66, 08038 Barcelona, Spain http://www.bcn.cat/castelldemontjuic/ca/welcome.html More Information »
17th-century military fortress on Montjuic.
Museu Picasso Picasso Museum, Barcelona, Spain More Information »
A must, the works of Picasso in a sprawling mansion on the border of El Born and the Gothic Quarter.
Dalí Theatre-Museum Plaza Gala-Salvador Dalí, 5, 17600 Figueres, Girona, Spain http://www.salvador-dali.org/ More Information »
Day trip from Barcelona to this museum dedicated to (and designed by) Salvador Dali.
Food & Drink Comerç 24 Carrer del Comerç, 24, Barcelona, Spain More Information »
Inventive tasting menu from Michelin-starred chef Carles Abellan in a hip setting; best for date night.
Tapas 24 Carrer de la Diputació, 269, 08007 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://www.tapas24.ca/ More Information »
Casual tapas spot to try Michelin-starred chef Carles Abellan's food; just off the Paseo de Gracia so good for a lunch or snack when you're checking out the Gaudi buildings.
Quimet & Quimet Carrer del Poeta Cabanyes, 25, 08004 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain More Information »
Tiny liquor store turned countertop eatery in Poble Sec, amazing mondatidos and cocktails. Eat standing up around barrels.
Cal Pep Plaça de les Olles, 8, 08003 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://calpep.com/ More Information »
Consistently one of the best tapas spots in the city. It's in El Born and always packed but if you go right at opening you can get a table.
Tickets Bar Avinguda del Paraŀlel, 164, 08015 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://ticketsbar.es/ More Information »
An impossible reservation to score but if you do, get a sitter and high-five each other over Ferran Adrià's famous food.
41° Avinguda del Paraŀlel, 164, 08015 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain More Information »
Another impossible reservation to score, courtesy of the Adrià brothers (but worth the effort!). Calle Pau Claris, 192, 08037 Barcelona, Spain http://www.barmut.com/ More Information »
Great tapas spot in Eixample, looks traditional but dishes are modern.
Bar Lobo Carrer del Pintor Fortuny, 3, 08001 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://grupotragaluz.com/restaurante/bar_lobo/ More Information »
Hip eatery in the Raval neighborhood.
Els Pescadors Plaça de Prim, 1, 08005 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://www.elspescadors.com/ More Information »
Off the beaten path restaurant, amazing seafood and a real locals joint.
Cuines Santa Caterina Avinguda de Francesc Cambó, 16, 08003 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://grupotragaluz.com/restaurante/cuines_caterina/ More Information »
Restaurant in the Santa Caterina market.
Restaurante Boca Grande Passatge de la Concepció, 12, 08008 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://www.bocagrande.cat/ More Information »
Always buzzing restaurant and bar. Check out the DJ booth in the bathroom.
Arola Restaurant Calle Marina, 19-21, 08005 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Barcelona/Dining/Arola/Default.htm More Information »
Michelin-starred food at the Hotel Arts, casual enough at lunch for kids and with a great outdoor patio.
Xurreria Sagrada Familia Xurreria Sagrada Família, Plaça de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain More Information »
Fresh churros and chocolate in the plaza across from the Sagrada Familia.
Ca l´Isidre Restaurant Carrer de les Flors, 12, 08001 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://www.calisidre.com/ More Information »
Old school restaurant that's a must for foodies; not hip, not trendy, just amazing food and okay to bring well-behaved children if dining early (we had a memorable anniversary lunch here with bebe).
Restaurant Can Pineda Carrer de Sant Joan de Malta, 55, 08018 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://www.restaurantcanpineda.com/ More Information »
An institution for tapas.
Cornelia & Co Cornelia And Co - The daily picnic store, Carrer de València, Barcelona, Spain More Information »
Casual cafe for eat-in or take-out.
El Quim El Quim De La Boqueria, La Rambla, Barcelona, Spain More Information » Tough to score a spot at this tapas bar in the Boqueria market, but if you get a chair, you'll do some memorable eating.
Vioko Passeig Don Joan Borbó Comte Barcelona, 55, 08003 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://www.vioko.es/ More Information »
Inventive ice cream in Barceloneta.
La Jijonenca Avinguda de Gaudí, 32, Barcelona, Spain More Information »
Sweet stop for ice cream near the Sagrada Familia.
Ciudad Condal Ciudad Condal, Rambla de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain More Information »
A classic tapas joint with a large outdoor terrace.
Restaurant Sant Joan Passeig de Sant Joan, 65, Barcelona, Spain More Information »
Casual eatery with diner-style interiors but food worthy of much less modest digs; proprietors are a welcoming husband-and-wife team that will fuss over your kids and invent something they’ll eat if they’re not into what’s on the menu.
La Campana de Princesa Torrons la Campana, Barcelona, Spain More Information »
Open since 1890, this tiny shop sells ice cream and turron, traditional Spanish sweets. Bar El Velódromo, Carrer de Muntaner, Barcelona, Spain Landmark building and all-day restaurant that's as good for a morning coffee as a dinner en famille.
Alkimia Alkimia, Carrer de la Indústria, Barcelona, Spain More Information »
Date-night tasting menu, come hungry and expect a long night of eating.
Shopping Papabubble Carrer Ample, 28, 08002 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain http://www.papabubble.com/ More Information »
Candy shop that makes hard candy look like a work of art.