6-Day Itinerary in Barcelona with Kids

After checking in to your hotel, start your trip by exploring the Gothic Quarter, one of my favorite neighborhoods. It's filled with narrow streets, medieval buildings, and colorful markets. Don't miss the chance to visit the Barcelona Cathedral, a beautiful Gothic cathedral that dates back to the 13th century. For lunch, head to La Boqueria, a famous food market where you can find everything from fresh seafood to artisanal chocolates. In the afternoon, take a stroll along Las Ramblas, a bustling street lined with shops, cafes, and street performers.

If you're traveling with younger kids who might need a play-time break, there are plenty of small playgrounds tucked away in the side streets of the Gothic Quarter, don't miss them!

Often times when traveling with kids, it's good to break up the trip so not every single day is spent touring/site-seeing, and building in some R&R time as well.

So, for day 2, I suggest you spend the day at the beach! Barcelona has several sandy beaches to choose from, including Barceloneta, Nova Icaria, and Sant Sebastia. You can rent beach chairs and umbrellas, play beach games (pick up some sand toys for the kids from the local beach vendors) or just relax and soak up the sun.

In the evening, head to the Magic Fountain of Montjuic, a stunning fountain that puts on a light and music show every evening.

Spend the day at the Park Guell, a whimsical park filled with mosaicked buildings, botanical garden, and works of Antoni Gaudi. The park is also home to several playgrounds, making it a great place to take the kids to burn some energy!

In the evening, enjoy a traditional Catalan dinner at a local restaurant. I'd recommend this one, in the Gracia neighborhood, Can Solé. The menu features dishes like pa amb tomaquet (bread with tomato) and esqueixada (shredded salt cod), as well as more familiar options like pasta and sandwiches. The restaurant has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and the staff is very accommodating to families.

On day 4, make it all about science! Start off by visiting the Barcelona Zoo, home to over 7,000 animals from around the world. The zoo also has several interactive exhibits, making it a great place to learn about different animals and their habitats - and perfect for kids of all ages.

In the afternoon, head to the Barcelona Aquarium, where you can see over 11,000 sea creatures, including sharks, rays, and tropical fish.

Don't forget to stop off and grab some Paella for dinner at one of the local restaurants near the Aquarium such as La Mar Salada Restaurant.

On day 5, take a taxi up the hill to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city to Tibidabo. Here you'll find (in addition to the breathtaking views of the city and the sea) an amusement park, restaurants and a cafe, neo-gothic church with gorgeous stain glass windows, hiking trails, and even a science museum (CosmoCaixa) which is nearby. It's a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Barcelona with children, and can easily take up a full day of your trip!

On day 6, spend a day exploring the city's most kid-friendly museums (or just pick a few specific to your child's interests), here are few of the best in Barcelona:

Barcelona Maritime Museum: This museum is located in the historic Royal Shipyards of Barcelona and features exhibits that explore the city's maritime history. Kids will enjoy seeing the replicas of old ships and learning about the life of sailors and pirates.

Museu del Joguet (Toy Museum): This museum is dedicated to toys and games from around the world. Kids will enjoy seeing the different types of toys and games that have been played throughout history, and there are even opportunities to play with some of the toys.

Chocolate Museum: This museum is a great place for kids who love chocolate. It explores the history of chocolate and how it's made. Kids can even participate in a chocolate-making workshop.

FC Barcelona Museum: This museum is perfect for kids who love football (soccer). It showcases the history of the FC Barcelona team and features interactive exhibits that allow kids to test their football skills.

And lastly, for the art lovers, The Museu Picasso is a must-see, as it houses one of the world's largest collections of works by Pablo Picasso.