The Ultimate Family Guide to Barcelona in Summer: Surviving the Crowds and the Heat with Your Little One

In this article:

• Ciutadella Park

• Montjuic

• Museum de la Xocolata

• Barcelona Aquarium

• Balloon Museum

• Cosmo Caixa

• La Sagrada Familia

• Tablao de Carmen Flamenco Show

• Bogatell, Castelldefels and Sitges beaches

  
  

Hola amigos! If you've ever dreamt of exploring the vibrant streets of Barcelona with your little one, let me be your guide. Imagine narrow alleyways filled with the scent of freshly baked churros, whimsical architecture that seems to defy gravity, and a cityscape buzzing with life and culture. But hold on tight, because this adventure is not without its challenges – especially when you have a five-year-old in tow. If you're booking a home rather than an hotel during the Summer months, definitely make sure that it comes with air conditioning, Barcelona heat is no joke!

Morning Adventures in the City

Ciutadella Park: Where Fairytales Come Alive

Start your day with a visit to Ciutadella Park, Barcelona's green oasis. Let your little one run free among the palm trees, fountains, and even a charming lake with rowing boats. The Arc d'Triomf is also nearby for more photo ops.

For a breezy escape and panoramic views of the city, take a ride on the Barcelona Cable Car  up to Montjuic. Your little one will be mesmerized by the sights below, and you can enjoy a relaxing ride away from the bustling streets. Stop into the Montjiuc Castle for some history while you're up there! Sometimes they have concerts on the castle's lawn as well in the evenings, so check out the event schedule ahead of time. If your little one is up for it, opt to walk back down through the many tree lined parks within Montjuic, which drops you off in the San Antoni area of the city. For where to grab a bite to eat after that walk, read my Barcelona Food Review!

Escape the Heat in the Afternoons

Museums, Museums, Museums (but the fun kind)!

When the sun is at its peak, indulge your sweet tooth at the Museum de la Xocolata . Explore chocolate sculptures that will make your mouth water and treat your little one to a delicious, chocolatey experience. Who said museums couldn't be tasty?

For some other-worldly fun, head over to the Barcelona Aquarium , where your child can discover the wonders of the ocean. From Nemo's colorful friends to majestic sharks, this underwater journey will leave your little explorer wide-eyed with wonder.

Definitely visit the Balloon Museum  located by the Museu Nacional d'Art and the Jardi Botanic Historic for a magical experience that will enchant both kids and adults alike. We had such a blast with the interactive exhibits here that I would absolutely go again even without Sienna! And if you go in late afternoon, you can take in the amazing city views at the top of the stairs in front of the art museum and explore the beautiful gardens afterwards, a little something for everyone!

Last, but definitely not least, check out CosmoCaixa, Barcelona's Science Museum - you and your little one will be enthralled with all of the amazing interactive exhibits and planetarium! Check their website ahead of time for special events and shows!

Evening Delights and Magical Nights

Sagrada Familia: A Masterpiece in the Moonlight

As the sun sets, a visit to La Sagrada Familia is a must. Witness the iconic structure illuminated against the night sky, casting a spellbinding glow over the city. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around this architectural wonder that seems to transcend time. This was my third time visiting this architectural miracle and it gets better every time as it nears completion! You may want to skip the guided tour and just purchased the audio guide, which allows you to go at our own pace with your little one depending on their age. We also opted for just one of the towers to minimize the amount of walking she'd have to do while still feeling that we got our money's worth! Evenings just before sunset is definitely the time to go in Summer, as the afternoon light illuminates the windows and makes everything even more magical!

Flamenco Fun at Tablao de Carmen

Immerse yourself in the passionate world of flamenco at the Tablao de Carmen Flamenco Show . Let the rhythmic beats and whirlwind dances transport you to a realm of culture and tradition. Your little one might even tap their feet to the infectious music!

Magical Nights at Casa Batllo

Sip drinks rooftop at the wonderful Casa Batllo and listen to live music performances nightly during Summers - and get there an hour prior to the event time to explore Gaudi's art inside the house. There are other great exhibits that you can purchase and view separately here, so check out their Website for what's happening during your visit! Certainly make it a point to check out at least one of the Gaudi houses - they are amazing and worth the visit!

Daytime Fun in the Sun

Beach Days and Sand Castles

You may opt to avoid the very busy Barceloneta Beach and head to Bogatell Beach instead to escape the city heat, where you can rent an umbrella at El Chiringuito for $20 (chairs optional) and have some fun in the sun! Castelldefels is another beach option (and our favorite one) about 30 mins South of the city that is less crowded but beautiful, with wider sandy beaches than in the city. The shore remains shallow for quite a distance into the ocean in Castelldefels, meaning your little ones can play in the ocean with less stress for you and more fun for them! We also visited Sitges a bit further south on the coast, about an hour outside of Barcelona and loved this crowded but beautiful seaside town. Many opt to stay here for a few nights and we could see why!

City Exploring!

Of course, if the weather allows it, you should absolutely grab the family and explore the city by foot. The Gothic Quarter offers a lot of shade in its alleyways due to the narrow streets and height of the buildings as you take in the gorgeous historic architecture and cathedrals. The nearby famous Las Ramblas and Mercat de la Boqueria offer lots of sights and sounds (but try not to eat on Las Ramblas itself, it's a tourist trap everywhere) amid the bustle of lots of tourists. If your little one will endulge you, there is good shopping and eating on Passeig de Gracia (high end luxury shopping) and Rambla de Catalunya. Our little one didn't love walking in the Summer heat, so we spent a few days hunting down an umbrella stroller (way more difficult than we anticipated), so consider packing yours if your little one is also not inclined to tolerate the heat or extended walks! We also did a private walking tour of the Gothic Quarter and Born, which was great to provide some context to what we were seeing each day - so much history!

Barcelona in the summer may be bustling with tourists and scorching sun, but with a dash of humor and a lot of planning, you can turn your family vacation into an unforgettable adventure. So pack your sunscreen, grab your little one's hand, and get ready to explore the wonders of Barcelona – one gelato cone at a time!

¡Hasta luego, mis amigos!