Family outings in Barcelona

Ciutat Vella, entre l'Arc de Triomf et la Barceloneta

The big central park: monumental waterfall, lake with rowing boats, over a hundred bird species, the Parliament of Catalonia, the zoo and an environmental play area for children.

Passeig dels Castanyers, 1, 08035 (Horta-Guinardó)

The city's oldest garden, born neoclassical in 1791 and completed romantic, with its cypress maze; small entry fee, free on Wednesdays and Sundays and for under-5s. The hedge maze is closed until early 2027 for swine fever prevention, the rest of the park is open.

Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, au-dessus de Pedralbes

A woodland park at the foot of Collserola, ten minutes from the Lycée français: playgrounds, picnic tables and a miniature train running at weekends, the meeting point of Sarrià families.

Sant Gervasi, en haut de l'avinguda de Pau Casals

The romantic garden of the smart district: pond, shaded lawns, playground, a stone's throw from Turó Park Medical and the cafés of Sant Gervasi. The after-school snack park.

Montjuïc, accès funiculaire depuis Paral·lel ou téléphérique

The hill of museums and gardens: Joan Brossa Gardens (former amusement park, playgrounds), the Mossèn Costa i Llobera cactus gardens facing the port, the Botanical Garden, Olympic pools and the Font Màgica.

Au-dessus de la ville, accès FGC Baixador de Vallvidrera ou funiculaire de Vallvidrera

Almost 11,000 hectares of Mediterranean woodland: the Carretera de les Aigües for pushchairs, the information centre and its easy trails, the springs and picnic areas where Catalan families spend Sundays.

Sommet du Tibidabo, accès par le funiculaire et le bus du Tibidabo

The century-old amusement park on top of the city, with its vintage rides and 360-degree view; the picnic areas and slides of the Camí del Cel are free, even without a ticket.

De la Barceloneta à Llevant, métro L4

A string of equipped urban beaches: showers, playgrounds, lifeguards in the bathing season, accessible bathing, webcams to check the swell; the Poblenou beaches (Bogatell, Mar Bella) are quieter than the Barceloneta, and the Centre de la Platja offers free activities.

Carrer d'Isaac Newton, 26, 08022 (Sarrià-Sant Gervasi)

The science museum at the foot of Tibidabo: the Amazonian flooded forest, the planetarium, the geological wall and the Niu de Ciència where 0 to 6-year-olds touch and explore freely. One of Europe's best children's museums, ten minutes from the Lycée français.

Plaça de Leonardo da Vinci, 4-5, Parc del Fòrum, 08019

The planet and life in the blue building at the Fòrum: taxidermy, minerals, and the family Niu de Ciència on Saturday mornings, Sundays and holidays; first Sunday of the month with activities, 'Bestiari' workshops on the second Sunday, and the Jardí Botànic's Jugatecambiental on Montjuïc on Sundays.

Avinguda de les Drassanes, s/n, 08001 (Raval, au pied de la Rambla)

The 14th-century royal shipyards and the replica royal galley, with a children and families programme; open daily 10:00 to 19:00, plus the Santa Eulàlia sailing ship to visit at the Port Vell.

Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc, 08038

Romanesque frescoes and modernist art in the 1929 palace, with viewing terraces over the city; free on Saturdays from 15:00, on the first Sunday of the month and for under-16s.

Carrer del Comerç, 36, 08003 (El Born)

The pastry guild's chocolate museum, next to the Born: chocolate sculptures, family workshops and tastings for all ages, in-house café. The favourite rainy day of 4 to 10-year-olds.

Carrer de Montcada, 15-23, 08003 (El Born)

Picasso's early years in five Gothic palaces on carrer de Montcada; combine with the Ciutadella park and the chocolate museum for a day in the Born.

Carrer de València, 284, 08007 (Eixample)

Mummies, sarcophagi and a children and families programme (workshops, visits, birthdays), a stone's throw from passeig de Gràcia and the Ferdinand-de-Lesseps school.

Moll d'Espanya del Port Vell, s/n, 08039

The tunnel under the shark tank and interactive experiences at the end of the Port Vell; paid and very busy at weekends, but unbeatable on rainy days with little ones.

Carrer de Moià, 8, 08006 (Sant Gervasi)

The heart of French reading in Barcelona: children's corner, DVDs, press, Culturethèque, children's workshops; in the building where Barcelone Accueil holds its Friday drop-in.

Sant Martí

The newest and most spectacular library in the network, all wood and light, with a large children's area: the Saturday outing of Poblenou families.

Plaça de Lesseps (Gràcia)

Gràcia's big library on plaça de Lesseps: children's area, storytime, literature festivals and a terrace.

Eixample, près de la Sagrada Família

The right Eixample's library, a few streets from the Sagrada Família, with a children's section and Lletra Petita activities.

Sant Gervasi

A contemporary library half-buried in a Sant Gervasi garden, close to the Lycée français nursery and the Institut français.

Sarrià

Sarrià's neighbourhood library, in the former house of sculptor Josep Clarà, with its garden: the closest to the Lycée français in Pedralbes.

Carrer de València, 318, 08009 (Eixample)

Barcelona's French bookshop: picture books, comics, children's novels, textbooks, Saturday-morning readings for 3 to 6-year-olds and French reading circles.

Carrer de Moià, 8, 08006 (Sant Gervasi)

French classes from age 4, courses for French-speaking children, Saturday workshops and summer casal; médiathèque access included and discounts at the Jaimes bookshop.

Carrer de Bosch i Gimpera, 6-10, 08034 (Pedralbes)

Athletics, climbing, team sports and the Iberian zone Games with the school sports association, after-school clubs and workshops, reserved for Lycée pupils.

Dans tous les quartiers

The official search engine for summer casals, camps and courses for ages 1 to 17, with grants and registration; places go as soon as it opens in spring.

Dans chaque district

The city's childhood portal lists, district by district, the casals infantils, toy libraries, playgrounds and services for ages 0 to 16.

Dans tous les quartiers

The directory of Catalonia's esplais and caus, grouped by movement (Esplac, Minyons Escoltes i Guies, Fundesplai...), to find your neighbourhood group.

Barceloneta, sur la plage de Sant Sebastià

The Barceloneta's popular swimming club, feet in the sand: pools, swimming school and children's activities, one of the city's sporting institutions.

Carrer d'Anglí, 15, 08017 (Sarrià)

Barcelona's French-speaking Catholic parish, in Sarrià: Mass in French and community life for families in the Lycée neighbourhood.

Ciutat Vella, mi-février

The winter festa major dedicated to children: children's giants, bestiary, castells and falcons, the Laies parade, open doors at museums; all free and designed for families.

Toute la ville, fin septembre

The festival of Barcelona's patron saint: popular culture (giants, castellers, correfoc), MAC street arts, free concerts, open-door museums and the closing piromusical on Montjuïc. With small children, aim for the giants in the morning and avoid the correfoc.

Toute la ville, 23 avril

Roses and books on the Rambles, passeig de Gràcia and in every neighbourhood, signings and children's activities: the loveliest day of the year for a family of readers.

Vila de Gràcia, mi-août

Gràcia's streets and squares decorated by the neighbours for a competition, with giants, castellers, concerts and daytime children's activities; come early with a pushchair, evenings are very crowded.

Avinguda de la Catedral, 08002, en décembre

The historic Christmas market in front of the cathedral, since 1786: nativity scenes and figures, caganers, tió, lit-up trees and craftspeople; this is where Barcelona children choose their tió.

Du Port Vell au centre, 5 janvier

The Three Kings arrive by sea at the Port Vell, receive the keys of the city and parade on floats: the most awaited evening for Catalan children, who put out their shoes that same night.

Toute la ville, de fin novembre à début janvier

The city's Christmas programme: Christmas Festival, lights by district, traditions (tió, pessebre, Pastorets, Innocents), markets, New Year and the Kings.

Toute la ville, entre fin janvier et début mars

From Dijous Gras (omelette and egg sausage) to Ash Wednesday: arrival of the Carnival King, parades in every district, and schools dressing up all week.

Monistrol de Montserrat (Bages)

The jagged mountain and its monastery: FGC train from plaça d'Espanya, rack railway, funiculars to easy trails and the Santa Cova; all-inclusive combined tickets. Allow a full day and closed shoes.

Sitges (Garraf), Rodalies R2 Sud

The white seaside town of the Garraf: a string of family beaches, seafront promenade, museums and the most exuberant carnival in Catalonia; one of the favourite towns of the French in Catalonia.

Girona, AVE depuis Sants

The medieval old town, its walls to walk along, the Jewish quarter, the colourful houses over the Onyar and ice creams on the Rambla: a perfect day with children who can walk.

Figueres (Alt Empordà)

The world's largest surrealist object, designed by Dalí himself: children love the rainy Cadillac and the Mae West room; the Portlligat house and Púbol castle complete the Dalí triangle.

Torrelles de Llobregat (Baix Llobregat)

Catalonia's monuments in miniature, a train to tour them, the animated forest and weekend treetop adventure circuits; birthday parties and family Halloween in October.

Salou (Tarragonès)

The coast's big theme park, with Ferrari Land and the Caribe water park; rates for large and single-parent families, Halloween season until mid-November.

Queralbs (Ripollès), crémaillère depuis Ribes de Freser

The Pyrenean valley reachable only by rack railway: sanctuary, lake and meadows at 2,000 metres, easy walks in summer and snow in winter; the first mountain of little Barcelonans.

Sant Fruitós de Bages, à quelques minutes de Montserrat

A restored thousand-year-old monastery, with audio-guided medieval and modernist visits, family workshops (Castanyada treasure hunt) and the Alícia food foundation; family pack.