Q – Lauren L. of New York City writes: We are traveling with our 7 and 9-year-old boys to Spain in June and need help with kid-friendly cultural activities in Barcelona, the Costa Brava and over the French border into the Pyrenees.
School-age kids will find plenty of entertainment as well as learning activities on a visit to Spain, including a chance to practice their Spanish language skills. You can start your trip planning by reading FTF’s Barcelona account, written by a member who visited recently: “Barcelona: Ciudad Sagrada“ Although she did not travel with children, it certainly sounds like kids would have plenty to enjoy, so you’ll want to decide soon how much time to spend in the city.
In addition to her ideas, you might consider the Museu de la Ciencia (Science Museum) which offers “Clik del Nens,” a playground of science designed specifically for children, in addition to a wide variety of interesting hands-on exhibits to interest the whole family. There is also a great Zoo and a Maritime Museum.
The Poble Espanyol in the Parc de Montjuic was built for the 1929 World’s Fair and is a recreation of a Spanish village containing over 100 reproductions of monuments and buildings beginning from the 10th century. It sounds something like Williamsburg, Virginia, with artisans demonstrating their crafts. Several restaurants and cafes are available within the complex. Also in the Parc de Montjuic, you can find amusement park rides, outdoor music concerts and other festivities during the days and the evenings.
The Costa Brava can be quite crowded during July and August, but your travel dates in June means you may avoid this. The medieval city of Girona is the capital of this region. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes so that you can climb almost 100 steep steps to reach the fabulous Cathedral which dates from the 14th century. Tapestries, paintings an manuscripts are viewed amidst the incredible architecture, including a trapezoidial-shaped cloister.
If your family are museum lovers, you can choose between an art museum, a history museum and an archeological museum. Restored 12th century Arab baths can be visited in the old quarter of the city, with examples of both hot and cold pools, and the history of the Jewish community, which was expelled in 1492, can be explored.
In Tossa de Mar, be sure to visit the walled neightborhood Vila Vella, and relax on the beach es Mar Gran and La Bauma. This town is still vey charming despite the popularity of the region, unlike Lloret de Mar which has grown into an overgrown resort town.
Just before crossing over the France, quiet, pristine and unspoiled Cadaques offers spectacular scenery and beaches. If your family is at all interesed in Salvator Dali’s life and surrealist art, spend some time exploring Figueres where he was born and died in 1989, and where there is a museum dedicated to his work.
The kids migh enjoy Terra Mitica, an amusement park near Valencia. Look at FTF for “Spain’s Mythical Place“ for more info.
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When you are taking in the sights in Barcelona city go to the Carrer de l'Hospital road and there is a Tapas bar there that welcomes kids. From there all other attractions are within walking distance.
Zet – thanks for the info on Sitges. We were there in the summer 2 years ago and it was sooo hot. We didn't know much about Sitges but would have loved to go to a beach in Spain. Appreciate your great tips, thanks!
hi,
Sitges is my favorite place to go to the beach,
How to Get from Barcelona to Sitges: Sitges is less than 45 minutes by Cercanias Renfe (the suburban train network) from the center of Barcelona. Trains leave every 30 minutes and cost about 5 € each way. Board the train at the Passeig de Gracia subterranean train station.
How to Get to Sitges from Barcelona Airport: The service is called MonBus and runs every two hours from approximately 9am until about 10.30pm and also stops in the center of Barcelona. For accurate information at the time of your arrival, call the Barcelona Airport tourist information line +34 934 784 704.
Sitges, nude beach and recommendations
Head for Balmins – as you look at the sea, go left beyond the cemetery: it's about 15 minutes walk from the main promenade, beyond San Sebastian beach. Very mixed/couples, and no pressure to go naked if you don't want to. It also has a good restaurant overlooking the beach but that may be closed by October.
The main beach Рbeautiful Рis long and sandy, as is the other main beach РSanSebastian, though smaller and more 'Spanish'. Further out at Balmines there are, I suppose, 'rocky coves' Рbut these also incorporate the nudist (and gay) beaches. If you're OK with that then that's the place to head for. It's out of town Рthough in easy walking Рabout 15 / 20 minutes Рbut virtually no bars or hotels in that area. Sitges is quite a small place, so if you want to be near the hotels, bars and night life you have to stay in town. An alternative is the Melia Sitges, which is in the Aiguadol̤ area, by the marina. There you'll have the choice of another sandy beach while being near to Balmines. There are lots of places to eat and drink in the marina area. A taxi ride or 30 minutes walk into town.
Useful info:
What about cheap accommodation in Barcelona i rented on Las Ramblas by 50 euros/night for studio apartment through – http://www.BarcelonaRealEstate.es
Food &Restaurans in Barca – i liked these restaurants:
La Fonda Escudellers, carrer dels Escudellers
Les Quinze Nits, Plaça Reial 6
Los Caracoles, carrer dels Escudellers
Spain makes a lot of good wine – not just Rioja and Cava:D
I didn't really like the Poble Espanol because it was pretty touristy but the kids kind of liked it. DOn't miss Parc Guell, it's the best of all the Gaudi attractions for children as it's outside and a real park with crazy architecture and elements. Kids like the cable car ride to Montjuic too – be sure to get an ice cream at when you unload – you can get a cone that loads three scoops across on a super wide cone.