Activities
The Arts
Festivals and Cultural Events
The combination of Catalonia’s rich cultural heritage and the dynamism of contemporary movements has made Barcelona one of Europe’s cultural capitals. Apart from its architecture and more than 50 museums, there is a busy calendar of music, festivals, opera, visiting exhibitions and constant activity in design, theatre, dance and the arts in general.
Posters, banners, the daily and weekly press and multiple websites all herald what’s on in Barcelona. The city council has a cultural information centre in the Palau de la Virreina (the Institut de Cultura, Rambla, 99), which is crammed with leaflets from the different venues and acts as a ticket office for many events. Its website is very informative (http://barcelonacultura.bcn.cat/en). Also check the city council’s website www.bcn.cat or http://guia.bcn.cat. The tourist information office in Plaça de Catalunya sells two-for-the-price-of-one tickets on the day of a performance. Two of the savings banks also have an efficient system for ticket sales:
CXTelentrada of the CatalunyaCaixa, tel: 902-101 212; www.telentrada.com.
ServiCaixa of La Caixa, in most branches of the bank, tel: 902-332 211; www.servicaixa.com.
The Grec Festival
Venues: Teatre Grec; theatres and squares all over town
Held in July, Barcelona’s biggest summer cultural event brings together a high standard of national and international talent in theatre, music, circus and dance, including activities for kids. Performances take place all over the city, but one of the most impressive and appealing venues on a summer night is the Greek amphitheatre on Montjuïc.
For information and booking: Palau de la Virreina, Rambla, 99; tel: 93-316 1000; www.bcn.cat/grec.
Film festivals
Barcelona holds several film festivals throughout the year, including: DocsBarcelona International documentary festival usually held in June, but dates may vary. www.docsbarcelona.com/en
L’Alternativa Festival of independent cinema held in November, based in the CCCB. http://alternativa.cccb.org
International Women’s Film Festival Usually held in May/June, including outdoor venues. www.mostrafilmsdones.cat
Sitges Festival Internacional de Cinema Fantàstic de Catalunya A well-established event held every October specialising in fantasy, which attracts major players in the industry. www.sitgesfilmfestival.com
Music festivals
Sónar International Festival of Advanced Music and New Media Art Held in mid-June, this is an essential in the electronic music calendar, drawing an international crowd. Takes place in the Fira Montjuïc and Fira Gran Via. www.sonar.es
International Jazz Festival Oct–Dec. Running for over 45 years, this brings together legends of jazz and new talent in contrasting venues, from small jazz clubs to the Palau de la Música. www.theproject.es
Festival de Música Antiga This festival of ancient music, based in L’Auditori concert hall, usually features the extraordinary music-making of Jordi Savall, one of Catalonia’s most renowned musicians internationally. www.auditori.cat
Festival de Peralada A glamorous music festival held in July and August in a castle near Girona, often featuring opera singers, ballet dancers and popular crooners. www.festivalperalada.com
Traditional Festivals
Every district (barri) of the city has its own annual fiesta, known as the Festa Major, centred on its own patron saint. Giants (gegants) and comic characters parade the streets and castellers perform during fiestas. These troupes, made up of local people, erect human towers capped with the youngest and smallest. The sardana, the national dance of Catalonia, can also be seen every Sunday in Plaça Sant Jaume at 7pm (6.30pm in winter), and in the Plaça de la Catedral on Sundays at noon.
Christmas. In early December the Santa Llúcia Fair of arts and crafts plus Christmas trees is held around the cathedral.
Sant Esteve (St Stephen’s Day), 26 Dec. Families meet for an even larger meal than on the 25th.
Reis Mags (Epiphany), 6 Jan. Children receive presents from the Three Kings, though modern commerce now indulges them with presents at Christmas as well. In Barcelona the Kings arrive from the Orient by boat the evening before and parade around the city.
Carnival (Carnestoltes), Feb or Mar. Wild pre-Lent celebrations close with the ‘Burial of the Sardine’ on Ash Wednesday, a riotous mock funeral. The most extravagant Carnival parades are at Sitges, on the coast.
Sant Jordi, 23 April. A Catalan festival, St George’s Day is also World Book Day, on which men give a rose to their lady, and receive a book in return.
Fira de Sant Ponç, 11 May. Aromatic and medicinal herbs, crystallised fruit and honey are sold in Carrer de l’Hospital.
Sant Joan, 23–4 June. Midsummer’s Night, the eve of the Feast of St John, is a big event in Catalonia. It is celebrated with fireworks, cava and coca, a Catalan cake.
Diada de Catalunya, 11 Sept. Catalonia’s national day is less a traditional fiesta than an occasion for political demonstrations and national anthems, gaining strength as the 300th anniversary of the fall of Barcelona is in 2014.
The Feast of La Mercè, 24 Sept. Barcelona’s main fiesta is held in honour of the city’s patroness. A week of merriment is crowned by the correfoc, a nocturnal procession of devils and fire-breathing dragons.
Cultural Centres
The following centres regularly hold temporary exhibitions of the visual arts, festivals and other events. Consult local press or websites for details:
CaixaForum, the cultural centre of La Caixa Foundation
Av. Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 6–8
Tel: 93-476 8600
Exciting space in modernista industrial building holding exhibitions of contemporary art, historical heritage, concerts and talks.
Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB)
Montalegre, 5
Tel: 93-306 4100
Hosts seminars and a range of activities, as well as installations, exhibitions of contemporary art, and film and music festivals.
CX La Pedrera
Provença, 261
Tel: 902-202 138
Apart from the Gaudí architecture itself, and the Espai Gaudí permanent exhibition on the man and his work, there are free temporary shows on totally different themes in the exhibition space on the first floor.
Fabra i Coats
Sant Adrià, 20
Tel: 93-256 6150
www.bcn.cat/fabriquesdecreacio
Off the beaten track (metro: Sant Andreu), this fabulous space in a former fabric and thread factory is now devoted to ‘manufacturing creativity’ in the visual arts, performing arts and multimedia. It groups together various studios in this industrial area and holds exhibitions.
Fundació Antoni Tàpies
Aragó, 255
Tel: 93-487 0315
Permanent collection of work by the artist himself plus very good shows by other internationally acclaimed artists. Beautiful art library upstairs which can be consulted.
Palau de la Virreina
Rambla, 99
Tel: 93-316 1000
Cultural information centre run by the city council. Exhibition spaces devoted to photography and the moving image.
Art Galleries
Art galleries are usually open Tue–Sat 10.30am–1.30pm and 4.30–8.30pm. They tend to be concentrated in two areas of the city.
In the Eixample: Passeig de Gràcia, Rambla de Catalunya and on interconnecting streets, but especially notably Consell de Cent:
Carles Taché, Consell de Cent, 290.
Galería Estrany·De la Mota, Passatge Mercader, 18.
Galería Senda, Consell de Cent, 337.
Joan Prats, Rambla de Catalunya, 54.
Sala Dalmau, Consell de Cent, 349.
In the Old Town around Plaça Sant Josep Oriol, in the Born and in El Raval district, near the MACBA:
Àngels Barcelona, Pintor Fortuny 27.
Artur Ramon Art, Palla, 10.
Ras, Doctor Dou, 10.
Sala Pares, Petrixtol, 5.
Trama, Petritxol 5, first floor.
Music and Dance
Classical Music
A busy season of concerts by the Orquestra Simfònica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya (OBC) and visiting orchestras and soloists runs from September to early July.
The main places to hear classical music are:
Plaça de les Arts
Tel: 93-247 9300
A huge music auditorium which includes a Music Museum and now hosts the major concerts.
CaixaForum (for more information, click here)
Palau de la Música Catalana
Palau de la Música, 4–6
Tel: 93-295 7200/902-442 882
If you have an opportunity to go to a concert in this extravagant modernista concert hall by Domènech i Montaner, then you should. Its programme
Music Hall and Cabaret
Barcelona has a long and colourful tradition of show business, centred on the Paral·lel area, with the more decadent shows in the dark alleys of what was the Barri Xino, much of which has disappeared with the new urban planning. After a period of decline there is a revival of this kind of entertainment, stimulated by the reopening of El Molino (Vila i Vila, 99; www.elmolinobcn.com), the most famous and colourful of this type of theatre. Here you’ll find vaudeville, burlesque, tango and a weekly flamenco night, with the option of dinner. Alternative cabaret can be found at:
Café Concert Llantiol, Riereta 7; tel: 93-329 9009
Circol Maldà, Pi, 5, Pral. 2b
Intimate space in an old palace for theatre, music and cabaret.
Gran Bodega Saltó, Blesa, 36
Tiny and colourful, with a bohemian crowd.
Tinta Roja, Creu dels Molers, 17; tel: 93-443 3243
Cabaret plus tango and Argentinian flavours.
Contemporary Music
CCCB
Montalegre, 5
Tel: 93-306 4100
(For more information, click here)
Fundació Miró
Montjuïc
Tel: 93-443 9470
This museum hosts a season of 20th-century music, with particular emphasis on Catalan composers. L’Auditori (for more information, click here) also has a programme of contemporary music.
Jazz
The Terrassa Jazz Festival in the spring and the International Jazz Festival in the autumn gather together some leading names. In addition there is a jazz festival in the Old Town (Ciutat Vella), from mid-October to mid-December, and regular jazz and blues sessions in an ever-increasing number of venues. To name a few:
Harlem Jazz Club, Comtessa de Sobradiel, 8; www.harlemjazzclub.es
Jamboree Jazz and Dance Club, Plaça Reial, 17; www.masimas.com/jamboree
Jazz Sí Club, Requesens, 2; http://tallerdemusics.com/jazzsi-club
Rock/Pop
Barcelona is on the itinerary of most major international tours. Booking for these is usually online or through music shops, notably in Carrer de Tallers, just off La Rambla. FNAC in the Triangle shopping centre at Plaça de Catalunya sells tickets for most of the well-known groups performing. On a smaller scale, some interesting offbeat musicians and eternal old timers often pass through. Check the listings. Some key venues:
Bikini, Diagonal 547; www.bikinibcn.com. A well-loved club that was born again in this new venue in the 1990s. It has a well-selected, varied programme of live music, as well as a nightly disco of rock, funk and reggae.
Luz de Gas, Muntaner, 246; www.luzdegas.com. Formerly a music hall, this is a pretty place for concerts of many descriptions: jazz, ethnic, rock, soul. It turns into a dance place later on, but by then you can consider going elsewhere – it’s not their forte.
Palau Sant Jordi and Sant Jordi Club, Montjuïc. The former Olympic venue is a favourite for huge concerts, while the Club hosts smaller bands. http://www.bsmsa.cat
Razzmatazz, Almogàvers, 122; www.salarazzmatazz.com. This remains one of the best nightspots, for hot-tipped international bands or old legends. Different spaces for different moods, with a range of DJs and VJs.
Sala Apolo/Club Nitsa, Nou de la Rambla, 113; www.sala-apolo.com. Once a music hall, now a trendy club with nightly music from visiting DJs as well as live events. Different spaces have different styles, from the latest techno to jazz-swing. It’s always worth checking what’s on.
Celtic
The city’s Irish pubs nearly all have live music sessions. Check the local listings.
Opera and Ballet
Gran Teatre del Liceu
Rambla, 51–59
Tel: 93-485 9900/902-533 353 (tickets)
Barcelona’s opera house re-opened in 1999 having been rebuilt after a devastating fire. Despite better technology and more productions, it is still difficult to get tickets. The repertoire has been broadened to have popular appeal, and avant-garde productions are on the rise. Good ballet season.
Contemporary Dance
Local companies and visiting groups perform in the city throughout the year.
Lleida, 59
Tel: 902-101 212
This venue is the former flower market converted into a theatre complex which specialises in dance and movement. Its busy programme of national and international cutting-edge performers is currently suffering because of budget cuts, so the season may be limited.
In addition there are dance seasons at the Liceu, the Teatre Nacional and at outdoor locations during festivals.
Flamenco
A tablao is a bar/restaurant that has a flamenco show. Tablaos are not strictly Catalan, but this import from Andalucía has quite a following. Check the times of the shows and whether or not dinner is obligatory.
El Patio Andaluz, Aribau, 242; tel: 93-209 3378
El Tablao Cordobés, La Rambla, 35; tel: 93-317 5711
El Tablao de Carmen, Arcs, 9, Poble Espanyol; tel: 93-325 6895. A good authentic show and reasonable dinner.
Los Tarantos, Plaça Reial, 17; tel: 93-304 1210. One of the most genuine shows.
Salsa
Some key venues:
Antilla BCN Latin Club, Aragó, 141–143
Sabor Cubano, Francisco Giner, 32
Samba Brasil, Lepant, 297
Theatre
Most theatre productions are in Catalan or Spanish, but for true enthusiasts the theatrical experience should compensate for language problems.
Among the main theatres are:
Lliure
Plaça Margarida Xirgu
Tel: 93-228 9747
Good contemporary productions.
Rambla, 115
Tel: 93-317 7599
Accessible theatre performances, including flamenco spectacles.
La Puntual
Allada Vermell, 15
Alternative space in El Born, which occasionally has shows for kids.
Romea
Hospital, 51
Tel: 93-301 5504
A small, historic theatre in the Old Town now known for its avant-garde productions, mostly in Catalan.
Teatre Nacional de Catalunya
Plaça de les Arts
Tel: 93-306 5700
Ricardo Bofill’s neoclassical building is next to the L’Auditori concert hall near Plaça de les Glòries. It has the space to stage large-scale productions and smaller workshops.
Tívoli
Casp, 8
Tel: 93-412 2063
Old theatre with pretty facade; sometimes has ballet performances.
Victoria
Avinguda Paral·lel, 67
Tel: 93-443 2929
Often stages musicals and ballet performances, as well as flamenco shows.
Cinema
Barcelona has a great cinema-going tradition. The following usually show versió original films (v.o. in listings) – foreign films that have been subtitled rather than dubbed.
Most showings begin around 4pm. The last and most popular screening will be around 10.30pm, although sometimes at weekends there will be a very late-night show, called the sesión de madrugada.
Filmoteca de la Generalitat de Catalunya, Plaça Salvador Seguí. A film theatre showing less commercial films and retrospectives.
Icària Yelmo, Salvador Espriu, 61. Fifteen screens in the Vila Olímpica.
Renoir Floridablanca, Floridablanca, 135. Always something good to see on one of the five screens, and good bars nearby for after-film chat.
Verdi (Verdi, 32), and, around the corner, Verdi Park (Torrijos, 49). Together they have nine screens. Interesting and reliable selection.
Nightlife
Barcelona is internationally known as being the city that never sleeps. Wander down La Rambla and through the squares of Gràcia after midnight and it becomes obvious why. The streets are buzzing, and this is just the beginning: lounge bars are slowly filling and clubs have hardly opened their doors. Most people are still finishing dinner (restaurants tend to open from 9pm) having had a cocktail before, or they are having an after-dinner drink before finding a place to dance. When the clubs close between 3 and 5am there are still the ‘Afters’ – bars where the die-hards can continue until 8 or 9am.
This is the usual programme from Thursday to Saturday, though there is still plenty happening on other days of the week. It’s easy to understand, especially in summer when 2am is the most cool and comfortable time of day, and the party spirit is infectious. Amazingly, the hard-working Catalans still make it to their offices bright and early the next day. An app for nightlife venues is available at www.bcnight.es.
Casinos
The Spanish are avid gamblers, and playing the various lotteries is a favourite pastime. If you want to do more serious gambling, you have the following waiting for you:
Casino Castell de Perelada
Perelada
Tel: 972-53 8125
In the province of Girona, 20km (13 miles) from the French border.
Gran Casino Costa Brava
Lloret de Mar
Tel: 972-361 166
Gran Casino de Barcelona
Marina, 19–21
Tel: 93-225 7878
Bars
The range is infinite, from neon-lit local bars to the designer bars of the 1980s and more recently cool, sophisticated bars in hotels, often on their roof, from milk bars (granja) and New Age cafés serving juices and infusions to cocteleries (cocktail bars) and xampanyeries (champagne bars). In addition, there are bars with live music, dance halls, chill-out lounges, restaurants which transform into bars when the DJs move in after dinner, and xiringuitos along the waterfront. The great majority are found in the Old Town, especially El Born and El Raval, but also in the central part of Eixample and a few uptown haunts. See the relevant neighbourhood chapters.
Clubs
Club venues are ever-changing. Check in the local listings for what’s current, or better still, ask around. The bars lining the Plaça Reial make a good starting point. There is quite a scene around the Port Olímpic, at the foot of the Hotel Arts.
Club Ommsession, Rosselló, 265. If you can’t stay in the trendiest hotel in town, at least enjoy its club. A seriously cool place to see and be seen in, from Thursday to Saturday.
Dot, Nou de Sant Francesc, 7. Small and very popular. In-house and visiting DJs play the best of current styles every night of the week. You can drink, dance and watch films all at the same time.
Eclipse, Hotel W, Plaça de la Rosa dels Vents, 1. Way up on the 26th floor you’ll find the latest cool venue, where the view (and probably the cost of a cocktail) will take your breath away.
KGB, Alegre de Dalt, 55. An old favourite going through a revival, with live music sessions on Friday. A young crowd.
Moog, Arc del Teatre, 3. Found down an alleyway off La Rambla. A small place but very good for techno/electronic. You can dance until 5.30am if you so desire, and even later at weekends.
Otto Zutz Club, Lincoln, 15. One of the first designer discos. Best after 2am. Occasional live music.
La Terraza, Avinguda Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 13. This is up on Montjuïc, part of Poble Espanyol and a great summer venue. Dance to electronic music in the open air until the early hours of the morning, with a fashionable crowd. Open from May to Oct.
Universal, Marià Cubí, 184. Striking decor on three floors. Dance to house music downstairs, funk, pop and 1980s sounds upstairs, or just enjoy a drink in plush surroundings.
Dance Halls
Nueva Epoca, Gran Via, 770. Old-time dancing to the sound of a live orchestra (Thu–Sun 6–9.30pm).
Sala Apolo, Nou de la Rambla, 113. A multifaceted old dance hall that’s mostly disco and clubbing, but one Sunday a month it has a jazz-swing night with an excellent big band (for more information, click here).
The Gay Scene
If you start off with these places, you’ll soon get to know where all the rest are. For more details, for more information, click here.
Arena, Diputació, 233. A lively, easy-going club in the heart of the Gayxample – the name given to this part of the Eixample, full of cool gay bars and clubs.
El Misterioso Secreto de Amparo, Platja de Mar Bella. Every summer this lesbian xiringuito opens on Mar Bella, the beach near Poble Nou. Sunday evening is party night with DJs. This hetero-friendly beach bar is just along from the gay bar El Dulce Deseo de Lorenzo, epicentre of the gay scene from June to September.
Metro, Sepúlveda 185. A well-known gay club. Best after 1.30am.
Sport
Participant Sports
The city council has been very active in providing sports facilities for the community. Some are the legacy of the Olympic Games.
Bowling
Pedralbes Bowling
Avinguda Doctor Marañón, 11
Tel: 93-333 0352
Sun–Thu 10am–2am, until 4am Fri–Sat
Cycling
Cycling has become very popular in Barcelona. The city council issues a guide/map, available in tourist offices, which shows suggested routes and cycle lanes, and gives advice on taking bicycles on public transport.
Barcelona by Bicycle
Esparteria, 3
Tel: 93-268 2105
Accompanied cycling tours of the Old Town, with a meal included in the price. Also has bicycles and skates for hire.
Classic Bikes
Tallers, 45
Tel: 93-317 1970
Classic and folding bikes for hire, in a central location. Also offers guided tours, which can include tapas.
Fat Tire Bike Tours
Plaça George Orwell
Tel: 93-301 3612
City tours on US bicycles.
Filicletos
Passeig de Picasso, 40
Bicycles, tandems and child seats for hire. Open weekends and holidays 10am–dusk. Easy access to Parc de la Ciutadella, the port and the beach.
Swimming Pools
When the summer crowds get too much, a dip in a pool can be the perfect antidote to city fatigue.
Club Natació Atlètic Barceloneta
Plaça del Mar
Tel: 93-221 0010
Large indoor pool and two outdoor pools, one acclimatised and one for kids. Has loungers overlooking the sea.
Parc de la Creueta del Coll
Mare de Deu del Coll, 87
Tel: 93-211 3599
Large outdoor pool/lake in one of Barcelona’s urban parks up behind Park Güell but it can be reached by metro. Boats can be hired in the winter. Swimming from June to end of August Mon–Fri 10am–4pm, Sun and holidays 10am–7pm. Ideal for small children.
Piscinas Bernat Picornell
Avinguda de l’Estadi, 30–40
Tel: 93-423 4041
Olympic pool in a beautiful location on Montjuïc.
Piscina Municipal Montjuïc
Avinguda Miramar, 31
Tel: 93-443 0046
Two pools with a superb, panoramic view. The Olympic diving events took place here, against the dramatic backdrop of the city.
Golf
There are many courses all over Catalonia (visit www.catgolf.com to see a full list). To play, it is essential you can prove membership of a recognised club. Be aware that weekend fees are usually double the weekday fee. Three courses close to Barcelona are:
Port Aventura Golf
Tel: 902-202 220
Attraction at Salou’s theme park. Two of the three courses are designed by Greg Norman.
El Prat
El Prat de Llobregat
Tel: 93-728 1000
A premier course, often host to international competitions. Hires out clubs and trolleys.
Sant Cugat
Sant Cugat del Vallès
Tel: 93-674 3908
Includes a bar, restaurant and swimming pool. Clubs and trolleys available to hire. Closed Monday.
Terramar
Sitges
Tel: 93-894 0580
Dating from the 1920s, this pleasant course amid pine trees runs down to the Mediterranean.
Horse Riding
Hípica Sant Cugat
Finca La Palleria, Avinguda Corts Catalanes, Sant Cugat
Tel: 93-674 8385
A bus from Sant Cugat to Cerdanyola will drop you off. Pony treks range from one hour to the whole day in the Collserola hills.
Rollerblading
Cooltra
Passeig Joan de Borbó, 80–84
Tel: 93-221 4070
Skates to buy or hire.
Skiing
During the ski season cheap weekend excursions are available from Barcelona to the Pyrenean resorts, some of which can be reached by train (check out www.lamolina.com or www.catneu.net).
Tennis
Club Vall Parc
Carretera de l’Arrabassada, 97
Tel: 93-212 6789
The courts, all clay, are open from 8am to midnight.
Water Sports
Agencia de Viajes Tuareg
Consell de Cent, 378
Offers organised boat trips near and far.
Base Nautica de la Mar Bella
Espigó del Ferrocarril, Platja de Bogatell, Avinguda Litoral
Tel: 93-221 0432
All types of boats available for hire by qualified sailors. Offers sailing courses for the inexperienced, as well as windsurf hire.
Orsom
Alongside Las Golondrinas at the quayside in Moll de les Drassanes
Tel: 93-441 0537
Hourly and daily sails or charters in this enormous catamaran. Evening trips have live jazz.
Spectator Sports
Check the weekly entertainment guides or the sports magazines like El Mundo Deportivo for a calendar of events. The daily papers also have good sports coverage.
Most local fiestas have various sporting activities as part of their programme, notably the Barcelona fiesta of La Mercè around 24 September.
Basketball
Basketball is gaining almost as ardent a following as football. The Barça basketball team is part of the football club and matches are played in the Palau Blaugrana, next to Nou Camp, tel: 93-496 3600.
Football
Football is close to a religion in Barcelona. When the favourite local team, Barça, is playing, you will know all about it: firstly from the traffic jams to get to the match or to the television, secondly because the town goes silent during the match, and thirdly thanks to the explosion of fireworks, car horns and bugles following a victory.
The stadium, Nou Camp, is one of the largest stadiums in the world, and has a museum that can be visited. Fútbol Club Barcelona, Arístides Maillol; tel: 93-496 3600; www.fcbarcelona.com.
Motor Racing
The Catalunya Circuit, home to the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix every May, is about 20km (12 miles) from Barcelona, in Montmeló. Cars and motorbikes can be rented for 30-minute practice sessions. For information: tel: 93-571 9700; www.circuitcat.com.
Tennis
The Conde de Godó trophy is an annual event at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona, Bosch i Gimpera, 5; tel: 93-203 7562; www.rctb1899.es.
Children’s Activities
Barcelona, like everywhere else in Spain, is very child-friendly, and there will be few places where kids will be excluded. Spanish children are allowed to stay up much later than elsewhere, particularly in the summer. Eating out is quite easy with children; the variety of local food means that there will always be something to appeal to a child’s palate, and restaurants are welcoming.
However, take care when out in Barcelona. Busy roads and inconsiderate drivers call for extra care. You can escape from the traffic in the Old Town, where there are many pedestrianised streets. The city’s beaches are obviously wonderful options and nearly all parks now have children’s play areas. When you really need to let them run wild, take the 10-minute train ride to the Parc de Collserola (for more information, click here).
An invaluable website in English is www.kidsinbarcelona.com, which covers what’s on for kids and suitable flat rentals.
Attractions for Children
L’Aquàrium de Barcelona
Moll d’Espanya, Port Vell
Tel: 93-221 7474
A very popular venue. For full details, for more information, click here.
Parc de la Ciutadella
Open green spaces for riding bicycles and having picnics, a play park to keep toddlers amused, and boats for hire on the pond (for more information, click here).
Poble Espanyol
Montjuïc
This pastiche of a Spanish village built in 1929 (for more information, click here) organises activities for kids.
Skating
Roger de Flor, 168
Tel: 93-245 2800
A popular ice-skating rink.
Tibidabo Funfair
Parc d’Atraccions de Tibidabo, Plaça del Tibidabo
Tel: 93-211 7942
A good old-fashioned funfair. Take the FGC train, then the little blue tram and the funicular to the top of the hill (for more information, click here).
Zoo
Tel: 93-221 2506
Enter via the Parc de la Ciutadella or Carrer Wellington if you’re coming from the seafront (for more information, click here).
The following museums should also appeal:
CosmoCaixa
Isaac Newton, 26
Tel: 93-212 6050
The renovated science museum is magnificent, with plenty of interactive games to keep the kids happy for hours (for more information, click here).
Museu de la Cera
Passatge de la Banca, 7
Tel: 93-317 2649
The waxworks museum is usually a hit with older children (for more information, click here).
Museu Marítim
Av. de les Drassanes
Tel: 93-342 9920
Contains lots of vessels from different eras, plus a chance to board a schooner (for more information, click here).
Places further afield:
Illa de Fantasia
Finca Mas Brassó, Vilassar de Dalt
Tel: 93-751 4553
An aquatic park 24km (15 miles) from Barcelona in Premià de Mar, easily reached by train.
Port Aventura
Near Tarragona, 108km (67 miles) from Barcelona
Tel: 977-779 090
A theme park based on five world locations: the Mediterranean, Mexico, the Wild West, China and Polynesia.