Barcelona is a beautiful, family-friendly European destination, ideal for kids or teenagers. So, how do you visit Barcelona in 3, 4, or 5 days and enjoy a family holiday under the Catalan sun? Here are some itinerary ideas and our TOP 15 best things to do in Barcelona with family!
Itineraries for visiting Barcelona in 3, 4, or 5 days
Here are several options to consider. Some are more suitable for those coming to Barcelona by car, and others for trains or air.
What to visit in Barcelona in 3 days with family?
You can certainly switch one day’s activities to another to adjust this Barcelona itinerary to your preferences.
Half a day in Barcelona
- Visit the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona
- Taste local specialties at the Boqueria market
One day in Barcelona
- Visit the Sagrada Familia (strongly recommended skip-the-line tickets)
- Ride up Montjuïc Hill by cable car
- Watch the Montjuïc Magic Fountain sound and light show
- Visit Montjuïc Castle (optional, as a lot of walking is involved)
Half a day in Barcelona
- Enjoy the beach
Where to stay for visiting Barcelona in 3 days
For a weekend in Barcelona with a family, the Eixample district and Gothic Quarter are excellent places to stay. Generally, rates for a night in Barcelona with breakfast exceed 100 euros. Some well-located hotels with good ratings are Hotel Gótico and Hotel Barcelona Center.
Visiting Barcelona in 4 days with family
If you visit Barcelona for 4 days or more, getting a public transport card is worth it.
Half a day in Barcelona
- Visit Barcelona Aquarium (with children) OR the Moco Museum in Barcelona (with teenagers) OR Camp Nou Stadium (for soccer fans)
One day in Barcelona with family
- Discover Monserrat and its breathtaking landscapes, a beautiful place only 50km from Barcelona
Where to stay for visiting Barcelona in 4 days
For a 4-day trip to Barcelona, the Eixample district is the best. The Gothic Quarter could be considered, but it is less convenient for the overall visit. Two well-placed options offer family rooms: Catalonia Eixample 1864 and HCC Montblanc.
Visiting Barcelona in 5 days with family
Here are our TOP 15 of the best things to do in Barcelona with a family further down to make your selection or to learn more about each place.
One day in Barcelona with family
- Spend a day at the PortAventura World theme park
Half a day in Barcelona
- Take a helicopter ride over Barcelona’s coastline (an activity that will mark the trip!)
Where to stay for visiting Barcelona in 5 days
For a 5-day trip to Barcelona, you can consider the Garcia neighborhood and the Eixample district. For example, for reasonably priced rates, there is Hotel Via Augusta.
What to do in Barcelona with family?
Discover our TOP 12 of the best things to do in Barcelona with kids or teenagers below. Choose what interests you the most!
1. Visit the Sagrada Familia, the iconic monument of Barcelona
The Sagrada Familia is a good visit with children or teenagers, provided you don’t have to wait too long at the ticket office. The number of entrance tickets is limited, so you must plan ahead to ensure that you visit this must-see monument in Barcelona. Once there, there may not be any tickets left.
If you visit Barcelona with children, consider getting skip-the-line tickets (see ticket price here). And if you are going with teenagers, a guided tour enhances the visit! (book a guided tour here).
The interior of the Sagrada Familia is sublime. The light entering through the stained glass windows inside the cathedral is incredible! The interior is finished even if the cathedral towers are not yet fully completed (planned for 2026). So we can enjoy it now.
2. Visit the Montjuïc district by cable car
Montjuïc is a pleasant district to visit in Barcelona with family. The district’s name comes from the hill on which it is located. From the heights of Montjuïc hill, you can see the old town and the port of Barcelona.
But what makes the visit even more interesting is the Montjuïc cable car! It connects Miramar Avenue directly to Montjuïc Castle at the top of the hill. The views are magnificent! It’s a beautiful visit to do in Barcelona with the family. There is limited space as the cable car cabins are small, but you can get tickets in advance (learn about round-trip rates here).
3. Watch the sound and light show at the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
Once on Montjuïc Hill, you can enjoy a beautiful sound and light show! Head to the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc. The show takes place twice a day: one during the day and another at nightfall. The schedules vary according to the season. Find more information here. There are no shows in January up until mid-February. A lovely activity to do with the family in Barcelona!
You can visit the Montjuïc Castle. However, be prepared for some walking. Therefore, it’s better for older children or teenagers. The castle’s ramparts offer a beautiful view of the sea and the port of Barcelona.
4. Admire the architecture of Antoni Gaudí
The works of Antoni Gaudí have made Barcelona famous worldwide! Among the most well-known works are, of course, the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, but also magnificent buildings such as Casa Batlló or Casa Milà.
Park Güell is not the most accessible place when visiting Barcelona with children. However, it’s an enjoyable visit to do with teenagers.
Casa Batlló and Casa Milà are located in the city center of Barcelona and are therefore easier to visit. Casa Batlló is beautiful both inside and outside (tickets to visit the interior of Casa Batlló). It is a magical place that will mark your trip to Barcelona!
5. Taste local specialties at the Boqueria market
The Boqueria market, or the Mercado de Sant Josep, is the central market in Barcelona. It dates back to the 12th century! Over the years, this market has become increasingly touristic. Nonetheless, the Boqueria remains a nice place to visit with family on a weekend in Barcelona.
6. Discover Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter
Barcelona’s architecture is surprising and varies greatly from one neighborhood to another. If you visit Barcelona in 3, 4, or 5 days, you will have time to discover the city’s different districts. The Gothic Quarter is one of the oldest parts of the city. Discover its narrow alleys and enjoy a good ice cream break!
7. Enjoy the beach
With Barcelona’s beautiful landmarks, one can sometimes forget it is a coastal city! You can enjoy the sun in Barcelona even in December. So, why not take advantage of it?
9. Climb Tibidabo Hill: amusement park, basilica, panorama
The Tibidabo amusement park is located at the top of the city. It’s a beautiful place to visit in Barcelona with the family, especially with children. The rides create a fairground atmosphere. The views are breathtaking! The only downside is the long queues if you visit Barcelona in the summer.
In addition to visiting the park, you can visit the Sagrat Cor Basilica. Furthermore, it is possible to take the elevator to the terrace of the basilica, which offers an incredible view of Barcelona!
There are several places to eat or to have a picnic.
To get to the top of Tibidabo hill, you can take the T2A bus or the funicular starting from Plaza del Dr. Audreu, or even by car (paid parking to be considered).
10. Visit the football stadium Camp Nou
On your trip to Barcelona, do not miss the chance to discover the legendary Camp Nou stadium or visit the FC Barcelona museum (learn more). If you love soccer and are passionate about Barca, this activity is for you!
11. Visit the Barcelona Aquarium
If you are visiting Barcelona with the family in 4 or 5 days, this is an activity to do with children! They will love it, and so will you. You can book skip-the-line tickets to avoid queues (especially in summer when it’s scorching outside).
12. Flying in a helicopter over the coastline
An unforgettable moment awaits you! This activity will be a highlight of your family trip to Barcelona, for sure! You’ll explore Barcelona’s unique urban plan and an exceptional panoramic view of the coastline. Only 4 can be in the helicopter. Find more information here: helicopter flight in Barcelona.
13. Visiting the Moco Museum in Barcelona
The Moco Museum is a magnificent contemporary art museum in Barcelona. Here, you can discover with your family the works of Banksy, the world’s most famous street artist. The museum is spacious and very pleasant to visit. It’s an off-the-beaten-path activity to do in Barcelona with teenagers.
14. Discovering the landscapes of Montserrat
Monserrat is located 50 km from Barcelona. It is at an altitude of 1,236 meters. This place is known for its breathtaking views, monastery, and caves. A beautiful visit to do as a family near Barcelona!
15. Having fun at PortAventura World
PortAventura World is one of the largest theme parks in Spain. It’s a fun place and an excellent activity to do with kids or teenagers if you are visiting Barcelona for 5 days or more. You will have a great day of family vacation! There are fewer visitors on weekdays than on weekends or school vacations.
This park is located 100 km from Barcelona. If you go by car, it takes at least 1 hour and 15 minutes. You can also buy entrance tickets that include the round trip from Barcelona (see prices here). It’s the most convenient if you come to Barcelona by plane or train.
Tips for visiting Barcelona with the family
In summary, here are some tips for a family trip to Barcelona.
- Book skip-the-line tickets to visit the Sagrada Familia so you don’t miss out on this must-see visit.
- Get the Barcelona public transport card (see card prices here), making it easier to move around the city or to and from Barcelona airport.
- PortAventura and Montserrat are two exciting places to visit with the family, each in its way. PortAventura for thrills. Montserrat for the mountains and nature.
- For a first trip to Barcelona of 3 or 4 days, choose neighborhoods such as Eixample or Gracia for your accommodations.
Find the best places to visit Barcelona with the family in this article: Where to stay in Barcelona.
We wish you a nice vacation or weekend in Barcelona with the family!
