The 10 best things to do in Barcelona on a budget with kids

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Looking for the 10 best things to do in Barcelona on a budget with kids? If you’re planning a trip to Barcelona with the kids, here some of the things you’ll want to include in your family holiday itinerary, as well as some money saving tips to make your trip more affordable. Northern Spain can be an excellent base for a family holiday – you can blend child-friendly resorts and attractions with a visit to Barcelona for a bit of history and culture. Thankfully, there are actually lots of things you can see and do in Barcelona inexpensively – perfect for families travelling on a budget with kids. (Make sure you keep reading as I’ve added in some other useful information for your holiday too – including the closest airport and budget-friendly family accommodation options.) Here are the 10 best things to see and do in Barcelona on a budget with kids:

1. Start at La Rambla

I’ve tried to include some free activities in this budget-friendly family holiday itinerary – so kick off your Barcelona city break with a stroll along La Rambla with the kids. The famous tree-lined boulevard has vibrant street performers, kiosks and a lively atmosphere to keep the little ones entertained. Stop at La Boqueria Market to admire the colourful fruit displays and grab a snack.

2. Admire the Sagrada Familia

You can’t go to Barcelona with the kids without heading to the infamous Sagrada Familia – designed by Gaudi, it’s still being finished 140 years later – and it’s a must for every family holiday itinerary. The building is absolutely magnificent so walk all the way around its exterior to appreciate it, as it’s different on every side. If your budget is tight you needn’t go inside – though kids aged 10 and under can enter for free which makes things a bit more affordable. We opted not to go inside, as we’d have had to pay for Finn, and adult tickets are around £30 each.

3. Enjoy some more Gaudi buildings

There are buildings designed by Gaudi all over Barcelona, so for a bit of culture and education there are plenty of places to check out if your budget allows it. You can immerse your family in the whimsical world of Antoni Gaudí at Park Güell with colourful mosaics, playful sculptures and stunning views of the city. Or, consider visiting Casa Batlló – this Gaudí masterpiece is a bit pricey, but it’s free for younger children.

4. Take a trip on the Telefèric de Montjuïc cable car

For fabulous views over the city of Barcelona, take a trip on the Telefèric de Montjuïc cable car – it’s not the most budget-friendly activity but it’s a fun thing to do with the kids. This was the only paid attraction that we shelled out for during our own trip to Barcelona – it’s a bit pricey (we paid €52 for our family of four), and the journey was actually very short, but the views are lovely. You can walk a loop around the castle exterior, with views over the port, whilst you’re at the top. Or, for an extra adventure, you can also go inside Montjuïc Castle which costs a few euros to enter. It’s a great way to see Barcelona from above and good fun for the kids.

5. Head to the beach

Take a break from the bustling city streets, and add a budget-friendly morning at Barceloneta beach to your Barcelona family holiday itinerary – build sandcastles, paddle in the water and play frisbee on the sand with the kids. Barcelona is certainly unique in this aspect – not many major cities are so coastal, so being able to have a day playing on the sand with the kids is definitely a winner. This city beach has a cable car too if you fancy an extra adventure!

6. Relax at Parc de la Ciutadella

Another freebie for your family holiday itinerary, Parc de la Ciutadella is an expansive city centre park in Barcelona and it’s the perfect spot for a budget-friendly al fresco lunch with the kids. The little ones can let off steam in the playground and marvel at the majestic Cascada Monumental, plus you can even rent a rowing boat on the lake (I think it’s only about £10 for 30 minutes for a family of four) if you fancy it. Pack a picnic to enjoy under the shady trees – we had our lunch here to avoid pricey restaurant meals. If you’ve not got a packed lunch, grab some bits from a supermarket or bakery to keep costs down.

7. Check out the animals at Barcelona Zoo

If your budget allows, you could also visit Barcelona Zoo which is located within Parc de la Ciutadella – it’s home to a variety of animals and includes fun activities for kids. Check out the Tiqets website – they often have reduced entrance tickets for Barcelona Zoo with ‘skip the line’ privileges too! If you want to enjoy a few paid attractions in Barcelona with the kids, the most budget-friendly option is likely to be a multi-attraction ticket. You can purchase a family fun pass ticket from Tiqets which covers Barcelona Zoo, a day at PortAventura theme park and a cable car trip.

8. Wander the Gothic Quarter

Wander through the narrow medieval streets of the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic). Spot gargoyles, discover hidden courtyards and take in the charm of centuries-old architecture. Don’t miss Barcelona Cathedral, it can be a brilliant budget-friendly activity as entry is free to the main area on certain days / times – so plan your visit around these to take a peek inside with the kids without spending a penny.

9. Visit the Museu Blau

Don’t worry if you get some bad weather – the Museu Blau (Natural Sciences Museum) is the perfect spot for entertaining the kids if you get a rainy day. They can explore fascinating exhibits on dinosaurs, geology and the natural world. It’s affordable and educational – in fact, everyone can enter for free on the first Sunday of the month – though kids go free all of the time and adult tickets are just a few euros. So, if you’re looking for something to do in Barcelona when the weather isn’t on your side then this is likely the most budget-friendly place to spend an afternoon with the kids.

10. Watch the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc

Spend an evening enjoying the Magic Fountain’s spectacular light and music show – it’s a magical experience for all ages and, best of all, it’s completely free. Check the schedule to ensure that you don’t miss it. Unfortunately, due to drought issues, it wasn’t running when we visited Barcelona but if you are able to catch it I’m sure it’ll be a hit with the kids – and it doesn’t get much more budget-friendly than a freebie!

Where can I stay in Barcelona on a budget with kids?

If you’d like to book a hassle-free package holiday that won’t break the bank, easyJet holidays have some brilliant Barcelona flight and hotel deals. At the time of writing, they’re advertising their Barcelona city breaks from around £150pp for 3 nights. Booking slightly out-of-season can be a great way to keep costs down – and you’ll likely have a more enjoyable experience too outside of peak travel times with less crowds and better temperatures for exploring. (Barcelona can be really hot in August!) You could look at hotel options slightly further outside of the city centre, with metro links into the main tourist areas, to save even more. Click here to check out the current deals on the easyJet holidays website.

Staying outside of the city centre can be a great way to save money – we’ve typically paid £50-£100 per night for Eurocamp holiday homes and there are some brilliant options within a hour of central Barcelona. The resorts offer family-friendly accommodation with self-catering facilities, as well as swimming pools and kids’ activities which make for a well-rounded family holiday to go alongside your Barcelona city visit. Check out my article for more info: The 8 best Eurocamp holiday resorts near Barcelona – and here’s a quick glimpse of my top 5 picks.

Vilanova Park

Distance from Vilanova Park Eurocamp to Barcelona: 45 minutes by car, or train from Vilanova i La Geltrú station in around 40 minutes. Vilanova Park is one of the most popular Eurocamp resorts in Spain – we had the best time so check out my Vilanova Park Review for all the details. The park is packed with family-friendly facilities including several large swimming pools, waterslides and a great entertainment programme for the kids with free kids’ club activities and sports. Barcelona Airport is just a short 30 minute transfer. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Vilanova Park on the Eurocamp website.

Camping El Garrofer

Distance from Camping El Garrofer Eurocamp to Barcelona: 45 minutes by car, or train from Vilanova i La Geltrú station in around 30 minutes. Located just a 15 minute stroll from the stylish seaside town of Sitges, Camping El Garrofer offers a relaxed atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and plenty of family-friendly facilities. There’s a large outdoor pool, playgrounds and sports courts, as well as easy access to the beach. Barcelona Airport is about 25 minutes away, so it’s a good option if you’re looking to fly. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Camping El Garrofer on the Eurocamp website.

Camping Enmar

Distance from Camping Enmar Eurocamp to Barcelona: 50 minutes by car, or train from Calella station in around an hour. Camping Enmar is a great option for a relaxing holiday if you’d prefer to visit a smaller site, while still having easy access to beach towns and the city of Barcelona. The campsite offers a swimming pool area (with a toddler splash pool and a couple of waterslides), a play area, sports and a kids’ club. Plus, there’s a Blue Flag beach just 100m away and Girona Airport is only a 35 minute drive from the resort. For more information, and prices for your dates, check out Camping Enmar on the Eurocamp website.

Playa Montroig

Distance from Playa Montroig Eurocamp to Barcelona: 90 minutes by car, or train from Cambrils station in an hour. A really popular resort, Playa Montroig has direct beach access, a fantastic pool complex with waterslides and a children’s play pool. It’s just 20 minutes from Reus Airport and boasts tennis courts, mini-golf, bike hire and a full entertainment programme. Check out my Playa Montroig Review – we had a lovely stay – it’s just 20 minutes from PortAventura World, Caribe Aquatic Park and Tarragona. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Playa Montroig on the Eurocamp website.

Camping Playa Barà

Distance from Camping Playa Barà Eurocamp to Barcelona: 1 hour by car, or train from Coma Ruga station in around 45 minutes. Camping Park Playa Barà is a great option for families who want to mix a city visit with beachside relaxation. The park has a stunning pool complex with waterslides, a kids’ splash pool, direct beach access, tennis courts, mini-golf and a fantastic kids’ club. Plus, PortAventura Theme Park is just 30 minutes away and it’s only 25 minutes from Reus Airport. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Camping Playa Barà on the Eurocamp website.

For our last Barcelona visit, we stayed at Hotel Villa Romana in Salou and just enjoyed a day visit to Barcelona. We booked a package holiday through TUI and found it be to great value for money. (Check out my Ohtels Villa Romana Hotel Review for all the details.) From there, we caught a train just down the road from the hotel which took us into central Barcelona. The train journey from Salou to Barcelona took about 90 minutes, and cost around €60 for the four of us for a return trip – €15pp. It was a simple journey and the trains ran every few hours. Salou is actually a great spot for a holiday near Barcelona, with lots of other days out on offer too, as well as a long stretch of beach. Check out my article for some family-friendly accommodation options: Where are the best places to stay in Salou with kids?

Which is the closest airport to Barcelona?

The closest airport to Barcelona city centre is Barcelona El Prat International Airport – it sits just 13km south of the city and you can reach all of the action in no time. From there, make use of the Aerobus service – it’s an express bus service that links Barcelona airport to the city centre. This service normally runs every 5-10 minutes within its fixed hours of operation, and you can catch the Aerobus from outside both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at the airport. Alternatively, opt to travel by train on the RENFE R2 Nord Line, or hop in a taxi if you have lots of luggage – hopefully the short transfer time should mean the journey is fairly inexpensive whichever way to choose to travel.

Bonus tips for visiting Barcelona on a budget with kids:

Buy a family fun pass: For skip the line tickets to Barcelona Zoo, a day at PortAventura theme park and a cable car trip – purchase a family fun pass ticket from Tiqets.
Use your legs: We clocked about ten miles on foot when we were there. The metro isn’t as cheap in Spain as it is in Italy – so although we used it for the longer stretches, we didn’t hop on and off as frequently as we did when we were in Rome.
Use public transport: When you do need to use the Metro, get a T-familiar ticket to save on transport costs. You currently get 8 trips for €10 – which is 2 journeys for a family of four. Avoid expensive taxis and transfers.
Self-cater when possible: Stay in accommodation with kitchen facilities to prepare your own meals – it’ll save you a fortune. Use bakeries, markets and supermarkets to keep costs down, and favour fast food or street food over restaurant meals.
Visit free museums: Many museums offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month or at certain times during the week, so make sure you do some research to plan the best budget-friendly family holiday itinerary for your adventure with the kids in Barcelona. Some of the religious buildings also have free entrance periods for those who are attending mass – so if you’re happy to attend a service then you could get a glimpse inside – though I suspect this won’t allow you to view the whole building.
Buy combination tickets: If you’re looking to visit several landmarks during your Barcelona trip, look for a ticket offer that combines all of the attractions you’d like to explore. Websites like Tiqets can be great for this kind of thing – they have discounted combination tickets, like their Barcelona Essentials Pass which also includes public transport.

Is Barcelona worth a visit?

I hope that my family holiday itinerary ideas have been useful. Barcelona has its own unique vibe so, if you’re visiting Northern Spain with the kids for a family break, exploring the city is definitely a great way to spend a day (or a few!) and it can be surprisingly budget-friendly too. You can happily wander without spending much at all and it’s a great stop off on a road trip. Comfortable shoes and lightweight strollers are essential – you can hire a travel stroller from Baboodle if need be. And, be prepared with drinks and snacks to keep costs down. For some amazing family-friendly places to stay, take a look at this article: The 8 best Eurocamp holiday resorts near Barcelona – we’ve had some fantastic Eurocamp holidays in Spain. Happy travels! 😊