Barcelona is one of our favourite cities in Europe! There are so many things to see and do here from its iconic landmarks, fantastic shopping, and plenty of fun attractions for teens.
During our 4-night stay with my husband and two teenage daughters, we explored many of its highlights and discovered a few hidden gems that kept everyone happy.
Whether you’re snapping photos of Gaudí’s masterpieces or shopping along the famous Passeig de Gràcia, Barcelona has something for everyone.
Tip – I have linked these top things to do in Barcelona individually, but it is worth pointing out that good value can be found by booking multiple attractions together I recommend looking at the Barcelona GoCity pass.
We had a 2 day all-inclusive pass which gives you admission to many of Barcelona’s most popular attractions including the FC Barcelona stadium tour, Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and the hop on hop off bus tour, while saving 50% of the cost in the process.
Whether it’s your first visit or you’re returning to explore more of this incredible city, our Barcelona travel guide has the top things to do in Barcelona, recommendations on where to stay and dine and also some top tips and hidden gems to make the most of this incredible city.
20 Top Things To Do in Barcelona for families plus where to stay, dine and hidden gems to explore
1. Marvel at La Sagrada Família
No trip to Barcelona is complete without visiting Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece, La Sagrada Família which will be the worlds tallest church on its completion in 2026.
Even our teens, initially sceptical about visiting a church, were awestruck by its 130 year history, intricate exteriors and kaleidoscopic stained-glass windows. My personal tip for some of the best photos away from the crowds are at the back of the building at the far end of the lake.
You can also climb the towers of the Sagrada Família, offering incredible views as you step out of the lift. And another hidden gem is the basement, which allows you to access to the subterranean museum, which provides the chance to watch sculptors working on plaster-cast models for the building.
Book tickets well in advance, if you are planning on going inside or to climb the towers as these sell out weeks in advance.
Web: https://sagradafamilia.org/en/
2. Watch a football match
For sport fans, one of the most iconic things to experience in Barcelona is a live match watching the city’s iconic football team FC Barcelona. They are currently playing their home games at the historic Olympic Stadium, home of the 1992 Olympic Games whilst their stadium the Camp Nou is being remodelled as part of the Espai Barça project, which will see the stadium expand to a capacity of almost 105,000 spectators.
Even though the stadium is undergoing huge reconstruction at the moment, their brand new immersive museum is well worth visiting and even the non-football lovers in the family will enjoy the interactive museum exhibits and learning about Barça’s rich history.
Don’t forget to visit the huge Barca store across the road from the museum, spread over 3 levels it’s a department size store dedicated to everything Barca. To get a sneak peek of the new stadium, you can visit the construction viewpoint next to the store for free
Another secret tip is that you can visit the Olympic Stadium for free on non match days allowing you to view the stadium from the upper levels.
If the fixtures of FC Barcelona don’t align when you are visiting Barcelona, don’t forget about the cities other team who play in the same league, RCD Espanyol de Barcelona. Here you’ll find one of the best stadiums in the country and if a stadium tour is on your agenda, this is something you can also experience here – especially whilst the stadium tour at FC Barcelona is currently closed.
Web: https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/tickets/camp-nou-experience
Web: https://www.rcdespanyol.com/en/tour
3. Shop on Passeig de Gracia and more
Barcelona is brimming with so many incredibly beautiful streets, and Passeig de Gracia is one of the very best especially if you like a little retail therapy. The nearly mile long street is lined with high-end brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton to high-street favourites for teens such as Pull and Bear and the flagship Zara store, housed in a stunning historic building, offering a shopping experience like no other.
The stunning Edificio Generali building is home to H&M’s new Barcelona flagship store, which our teens loved. It’s shopping on a whole new level plus the Spanish stores here such as Zara, Mango, Stradivarius, Bershka and Pull & Bear are typically cheaper than prices you will find at home.
The independent and stores in El Born and the Gothic Quarter are also worth exploring: My daughters enjoyed browsing the unique boutiques here selling everything from fashion to handmade gifts – you’ll even come across an Ale Hop store here – which is always a hit with teens.
Between shopping on Passeig de Gracia, we found ourselves stopping often to admire the street’s architectural gems, including Gaudí’s Casa Batlló and Casa Milà – which you can also book tickets for to go inside. But much like Sagrada Família its really busy and tickets sell out fast. My recommendation to see a Gaudi property without the crowds is to visit Casa Vicens – a hidden gem and the first house designed by Antoni Gaudi in the Gracia district of Barcelona.
There are lots of incredible shopping malls here, Westfield La Maquinista, is the largest shopping mall in Barcelona and kept our two teenagers more than happy with nearly every store imaginable to keep all the family happy.
Other great shopping malls include Maremagnum shopping centre which is also home to a TimeOut food market, Las Arenas de Barcelona and Westfield Glòries located in the heart of Barcelona’s vibrant 22 district.
For some designer bargains take a trip to La Roca Village. Located on the outskirts of the city, this outlet village is very similar to Bicester Village in the UK and offers discounts on designer labels. It’s a true shopper’s paradise!
Web: https://barcelonapaseodegracia.com/en/
Web: https://www.thebicestercollection.com/la-roca-village/en/
Web: https://www.westfield.com/es/spain/lamaquinista
Web: https://www.westfield.com/es/spain/glories
4. Dine at El Nacional
Located just off Passeig de Gràcia, El Nacional was one of our favourite dining experiences. This grand food hall is stunning, with its Art Deco interiors and vibrant atmosphere. Each section offers a different type of cuisine—tapas, seafood, grilled meats, and more. It’s perfect for families with picky eaters or adventurous diners.
Web: https://www.elnacionalbcn.com/en/
5. Discover CosmoCaixa Science Museum
This science museum was a surprising highlight for our family, and one of the best in Europe. On arrival you’re greeted by a figure of Albert Einstein, before travelling down five floors to the basement, weaving around an Amazonian tree.
This museum takes visitors on a journey through the natural world and beyond with hands on exhibits and incredible displays, travelling through space and time at the planetarium but the highlight is its flooded forest.
Inside this impressive recreation of 1,000 square metres of Amazonian rainforest ecosystem, you’ll see over 100 different animal species, including piranhas and capybaras and to complete the realistic rainforest experience, there are regular showers of heavy rainfall inside every 15 minutes. The flooded forest doubles as an aquarium. The glass walls allow you to see all the creatures living under the surface of the water, like alligators and tortoises.
Web: https://cosmocaixa.org/es/
6. Explore the Moco Museum Barcelona
The Moco Museum offers a fresh take on art with its contemporary exhibitions and edgy installations. It starts with a gigantic, six-metre-high, wood sculpture inspired by the cartoon Smurfs by pop-culture phenom KAWS which dominates the courtyard entrance.
Housed in an 16th-century palace in the Born district, across its two floors are works by Warhol, Damian Hirst and Banksy and even artists like Robbie Williams – yes the musician – who knew! A hit with teens will be its immersive digital art rooms which make for a truly unique experience, the highlight being the infinity room – perfect for creative selfies.
Web: https://mocomuseum.com/locations/barcelona
7. Visit Barcelona Zoo
Nestled in the vast Parc de la Ciutadella is Barcelona Zoo, one of the largest city zoos in Europe. Home to over 2,000 animals as well as undertaking multiple conservation programs there is one of the most impressive zoo’s in Europe to visit.
Highlights for us included the majestic elephants and the playful sea lions and don’t miss the regular talks throughout the day to learn more about the animals.
Web: https://zoobarcelona.cat/en
8. Ride the Cable Cars
The Telefèric de Montjuïc is one of the best ways to see an aerial view of Barcelona. On this ride to the top of Montjuïc Hill you’ll get breathtaking panoramic views of the city below. Once at the top, don’t forget to check out Montjuïc Castle, and take a walk along the ramparts for amazing panoramic views over the city, the port, and the Mediterranean sea.
There is also the older Port Cable Car which runs from Barceloneta beach over the harbour and city ending at the Miramar viewpoint on Montjuïc hill. My recommendation instead of paying for two cable car rides is to take the 750m long ride on the funicular at Paral-lel metro station to Telefèric de Montjuïc.
Web: https://www.telefericdemontjuic.cat/en
Web: https://www.telefericodebarcelona.com/en/telefericodebarcelonaen/
9. Discover the Gothic Quarter
The narrow, winding streets of the Gothic Quarter are steeped in history and were one of our favourite parts of the city to explore. We stumbled upon charming shops, hidden courtyards, and a must see is its impressive Gothic cathedral.
There are so many landmarks here to check out from Roman ruins to the Pont del Bisbe bridge which is a popular photo spot in this part of the city.
10. Take a ride on the Open Top Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Although Barcelona is a walkable city, the best way to see its attractions is by taking one of the open top hop on hop off bus tours. We took the Bus Turistic tour, which operates 2 different routes – the Blue route and the Red route – giving you the option to stop at over 40 of the city’s most famous landmarks and popular neighbourhoods.
What is great about this tour is that its not only great to see the city from this unique vantage point (which you miss when you travel by metro) the audio commentary provides you with all the facts and information as you pass by each attraction.
Web: https://www.barcelonabusturistic.cat/en
11. Explore Park Güell
Park Güell in the north of Barcelona is another one of is another popular attractions, thanks to the influence of Gaudí. At this Unesco world heritage site, don’t miss the colourful Salamander staircase to the gatehouse, made it a dream for Instagram-worthy photos.
Along with the many unique buildings and unusual sculptures, the city views from the park’s higher points are spectacular. Also consider G Experiència nearby and you’ll see the work of Antoni Gaudí in 4D.
Web: https://parkguell.barcelona/en?q=en
12. See celeb’s at the Barcelona Wax Museum (Museu de Cera)
This quirky wax museum was a fun stop and without the crowds you would find at Madame Tussaud London. Starting with its cool immersive elevator ride, this attraction is filled with lifelike figures of famous personalities from history, sport and pop culture – so its perfect for selfies.
The slightly spooky atmosphere of the horror section will add to the excitement for teens. Tip – If the colourful salamander at Park Guell is too busy for a photo, then there is a replica here.
Web: https://www.museocerabcn.com/en/
13. See the sharks at L’Aquàrium Barcelona
Barcelona’s Aquarium, located at Port Vell is home to more than 11,000 animals covering over 450 species. This is the world’s largest Mediterranean-themed marine attraction and the highlight is its 80m-long underwater tunnel with sharks and rays swimming overhead.
There are also touch pools, interactive exhibits and don’t forget to visit the penguin colony on the top floor of the attraction.
Web: https://www.aquariumbcn.com/
14. Meet Disney movie favourites at Pixar Mundo
If you are a Disney fan, then this is a must visit attraction when in Barcelona. Located on the outskirts of the city at Westfield La Manquista, this immersive exhibition recreates life-size scenes from iconic Pixar films such as Toy Story, Coco, Up, Finding Nemo, Ratatouille and Monsters Inc – it really is an incredible experience for the whole family as you walk through these unforgettable movies.
Web: https://mundopixar.com/barcelona/en/
15. View Barcelona from Above
Mirador Torre Glòries reminded us of the Gherkin in London and is one of those hidden gems on the outskirts of the city, offering a 360 degree observation deck offering incredible views of Barcelona at height of 125 metres.
We have visited lots of these observation decks on our travels across many cities, and we were really impressed with the observation deck at the top of the glass skyscraper of Mirador Torre Glòries. It provides a different vantage point of the layout of this medieval city along with its landmarks such as La Sagrada familia, Montjuic, the coastline and Tibado. It’s great value as well and is free of charge if you have purchased a GoCity Barcelona pass
16. Tour the Olympic Stadium
The huge Olympic Stadium on Montjuïc Hill is such an iconic location, originally built in 1927 for the 1929 World Fair but renovated in 1989 to become the home about the 1992 Summer Olympics. It’s free to enter the upper levels of the stadium, where you can see the Olympic cauldron and rings.
Nearby you can find “Museu Olímpic i de l’Esport”, an interactive museum that tells the history of sports and the Olympic Games and other venues from the 1992 games such as the Piscina Municipal de Montjuic.
Web: https://estadiolimpic.barcelona/en/information/visit-us
17. Big Fun Museum & Museum of Illusions
Kids will love this quirky family-friendly attraction consisting of 8 museums under one roof, filled full of interactive exhibitions and illusions. From getting lost in the Alice through the Looking Glass mirror maze to a believe it or not museum and an upside house – these are some of the highlights here. Five minutes away on La Rambla is Museum of Illusions with its clever 3D paintings, that provide so many fun photo opportunities.
Web: https://bigfunmuseum.com/en/
18. Tibidabo Amusement Park & Sky Walk
You can see Tibidabo from most vantage points in Barcelona, as its located on of the largest hills overlooking the city. Take the new Tibidabo funicular which opened in 2021, and takes you to the top of the mountain the fastest way. At the summit is the Tibidabo Amusement Park is among the oldest in the world at over 120 years old. There are 25 rides to enjoy here including a ferris wheel, carousels and a small rollercoaster. You’ll also find Talaia here, the highest point in the city with a 360 degree view from 550m above sea level.
Tibidabo Sky Walk is also a must visit when you are here. The panoramic area is the highest area of the park, and free to visit with incredible views of the city and beyond from here. On a clear day you can see as far as Montserrat, over 30 miles away.
End your visit here by visiting the Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor, the church which crowns Mount Tibidabo.
Another recommendation in this area is the observation deck of the iconic Mirador-Collserola Tower. Standing 445m high, the deck is 560m above sea level so you can see as far as 70km away on a clear day.
Web: https://areapanoramicabarcelona.tibidabo.cat/en/
19. Visit the beaches
There are several beaches here to enjoy in Barcelona, with around 2km of sandy beaches just in the area from Marina Vela to Parc del Port Olimpic. Barceloneta is one of the cities most famous and popular beaches because of its location but some of our favourites were slightly out of the city centre.
Further north are the sandy beaches of Platja de Bogatell and Mar Bella, Nova Mar Bella and Platja de Llevant beaches which were not only much quieter the latter was just a 5 minute walk away from our hotel – The Hilton Diagonal Mar.
20. PortAventura World
If you have an extra day or are looking for an unforgettable adventure outside of Barcelona, I highly recommend visiting PortAventura World. This is a theme park on an epic scale – and would rival some of the parks in Florida. Located about an hour south of the city near Salou, this sprawling resort features three incredible parks:
- PortAventura Park – A theme park packed with world class rollercoasters, water rides, and themed zones like Mediterranean, Polynesia, and Far West. It’s perfect for teenagers and adrenaline junkies.
- Ferrari Land – A must-see for car enthusiasts, featuring Europe’s tallest and fastest vertical accelerator ride.
- Caribe Aquatic Park – If you’re visiting in the summer, this water park offers plenty of slides and wave pools for a refreshing day of fun.
Getting to PortAventura is easy. You can take a direct train from Barcelona Sants station to the park in just over an hour, or drive if you’ve rented a car. It’s a perfect way to mix some high-energy excitement into your Barcelona city break and keep teens entertained!
Web: https://www.portaventuraworld.com/en
Where to Stay in Barcelona:
We stayed at the Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona booked as part of a Jet2 holidays City Break on a bed and breakfast basis, and it proved to be an excellent choice. With spacious interconnecting family rooms, a rooftop pool, and close proximity to the beach and huge Diagonal Mar shopping centre, it was a perfect mix of relaxation and convenience.
Better still it was away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre yet had excellent transport links to the main areas and attractions of Barcelona on its metro network.
Barcelona is a very walkable city and most of the key neighbourhoods and attractions are easily accessible on foot or by the cities metro system. I have selected some of the best hotels in Barcelona for families to suit all tastes and budgets, and its worth looking for deals especially on last minute holidays.
5-Star Luxury Hotels
W Barcelona: This iconic beachfront hotels in Barcelona, located on the beachfront it combines cutting-edge design with stunning sea views. It boasts 2 outdoor pools, and chic restaurants. Rooms offer panoramic views over the Mediterranean or towards Barcelona city.
Hotel Arts Barcelona, Vila Olimpica
Located right on the seafront by the Port Olimpic and Barcelonata beach, this is the closest you’ll get to a resort style hotel in Barcelona. There is a good size swimming pool here overlooked by a swooping Frank Gehry sculpture and the spa on its 43rd floor is a welcome retreat after a day of exploring. The ultra-fashionable interiors of the swish rooms here are 5 star quality and their interconnecting rooms here are a great choice for families.
Le Meridien Barcelona, El Raval
This is another top hotel in Barcelona. A landmark hotel in the city situated right on Las Ramblas, this hotel blends modern style with historic charm. Its prime location makes it ideal for sightseeing, and its chic family suites are perfect for families seeking a touch of luxury.
Best 4 Star Barcelona hotels
Novotel Barcelona City, El Poblenou
A modern and sleek hotel located in the up-and-coming Poblenou area of the city. The rooms here are smart and modern, and two children up to 16 stay free in the family rooms, on a sofa bed – although I would look at interconnecting rooms with older children. There is also a rooftop pool here along with a kids’ play area in the lobby with video games, board games, toys and books.
45 Times Barcelona Hotel (formerly Iberostar Selection Paseo de Gracia)
Located on Plaça de Catalunya, this stylish hotel is in a great central location which means that you are within easy reach of all of Barcelona’s must-see attractions. The stylish rooms here are a great choice for families and its rooftop pool is perfect for unwinding after busy days of exploring.
Vincci Marítimo
This modern hotel is situated near the Diagonal Mar shopping center and beach, makes it an excellent option for families looking for a quieter location. Spacious, bright and carefully decorated rooms await with all the modern amenities needed.
Meliá Barcelona Sky
Located in a beautiful 120-metre-tall skyscraper with a rooftop pool and views of the city skyline, this is a great base to explore all Barcelona has to offer. If you can upgrade to their level family rooms and look forward to VIP service, luxury extras and exclusive entry to The Level Lounge.
How to get to Barcelona
How to Get to Barcelona from the UK
Barcelona is the ideal city break destination, with flights to Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN) taking an average of 2 hours and 30 minutes, depending on your departure city. For our city break, we had direct flights to Barcelona with Jet2 from Birmingham Airport. Along with these flights from Birmingham airport, Jet2 also has direct flights to Barcelona from Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Newcastle.
Other major airlines serving Barcelona from the UK include British Airways, Vueling, EasyJet, and Ryanair, with departures available from the majority of UK airports.
Getting from Barcelona El Prat Airport to the City
Barcelona El Prat Airport is about 12 km (7.5 miles) from the city centre, and there are several ways to get into the city. The quickest and most efficient way to get to your hotel is by taxi, which costs approximately 30 euro, but there are a range of options available.
Taxi
TaxiMy recommendation for a stress free start to our Barcelona city break is to take a taxi, especially as a family with luggage as this will often be cheaper and more convenient than taking the Aerobus. Taxis are readily available outside the terminals and take around 20-30 minutes to the city centre, costing approximately €30-€40. Uber is operational in the city but not on the scale you would see in US cities.
On our visit, we opted for a taxi to quickly get to our hotel, the Hilton Diagonal Mar, which was about 25 minutes away. It was a stress-free start to our city break in Barcelona.
Car Hire or Private Transfers
A pre-booked private transfer is an option for families if you really want to arrive in style. Many of the executive transfers available use higher end vehicles such as Mercedes, BMW or Audi. You will typically be met in the arrivals hall by your driver who will take you to your vehicle – however this comes at a cost – with one way costs averaging between €50-80.
For families wanting more flexibility or if you are not going into the city of Barcelona, hiring a car is a good option. Many rental car companies operate directly from the airport, and can be pre-booked for a stress-free arrival.
Aerobús
This dedicated airport shuttle runs from terminal 1and 2 throughout the day and takes around 35 minutes to reach Plaça de Catalunya, right in the heart of Barcelona. Tickets cost about €7.25pp for a single journey or €12.50pp for a return trip.
Metro (L9 Sud)
The Metro line L9 Sud connects the airport terminals T1 and T2 with the city of Barcelona, every 7 minutes. While it doesn’t go directly to the centre, you can transfer to other lines. There are three stations on this line where you can transfer to other lines of the metro network: Can Tries | Gornal (L10 Sud),Torrassa (L1 and L10 Sud), Collblanc (L5 and L10 Sud) and Zona Universitària (L3). It also goes to Fira de Barcelona (Fira station). The journey from the airport to Barcelona city center by metro takes you 32 minutes and costs approx €2.55.
Train (R2 Nord)
Trains run from Terminal 2 to Passeig de Gràcia and other central locations in about 25 minutes. Tickets cost around €4.90.
It is worth noting that if you have a lot of luggage the metro and train can prove to be a difficult journey compared to a bus or taxi transfer.
I hope my post on the top things to do in Barcelona will inspire you to book a city break there soon.
*Disclosure: This was a press trip organised by Jet2 Holidays but all opinions are entirely my own. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, attractions, prices and services. are subject to change.