For children
Barcelona Zoo
Address: Parc de la Ciutadella
Opening hours: from 10:00am until 5:00pm (winter) and 10am to 7.30pm (summer).
Phone: +34 932256780
Metro/Bus: Barceloneta (L4) or Marina and Arc de Triomf (L1)
Website: http://www.zoobarcelona.com
The Barcelona Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the world and is considered one of the best zoos in Spain. It is centrally located in Barcelona´s city park - Parc de la Ciutadella.
The Barcelona Zoo is a great day out for the whole family. There is a wide variety of animals on show at the zoo and there is an infant zoo in which children can be introduced to the animals. The zoo has a picnic area and restaurant, as well as a mini train and electric cars (for hire) to transport you around the zoo.
The Barcelona Zoo has some amazing and unique wildlife on display including Snowflake, who is the only albino gorilla held in captivity in the world. A rare site!
Another interesting display at the zoo is the reptile display, which includes iguanas and chameleons. The zoos dolphins are also very popular and often perform in front of audiences in the indoor aquarium. Audience interaction is encouraged during the displays. If you are close to the action you will get wet!!
The zoo has state of the art facilities and habitats for its animals. Creating natural and comfortable environments in which the animals are happy.
Barcelona Aquarium
Address: Moll d’Espanya (Port Vell),
Opening hours: from 9.30am – 9:00pm (Monday to Friday), 9:30am – 9:30pm (Weekends and public holidays), 9:30am – 9:30pm (June and September) , and 9:30 – 11.00pm (July and August)
Phone: +34 932217474
Metro/Bus: Buses: 14, 17, 19, 36, 38, 40, 45, 57, 59, 64, 91, 157. / Metro: L3 Drassanes, L4 Barceloneta.
Website: http://www.aquariumbcn.com/AQUARIUM/index.php
The Barcelona Aquarium was opened in 1995 and is home to state of the art aqua environments. The aquarium houses over 11,000 animals, consisting of 450 different species, in 35 tanks. The aquarium has Europe´s only oceanarium, which can be viewed from below along an 80 metre tunnel. The oceanarium holds 6 million litres of water and thousands of sea creatures, big and small.
With its state of the art equipment and habitats, and the oceanarium, the Barcelona Aquarium is one of the most important of its kind in Europe.
With many interesting displays and the unique opportunity to dive with sharks (this costs extra) Barcelona´s Aquarium is a great place to take the kids.
The Magic Fountain
Address: Pl Carles Buïgas
Opening hours : Winter: (October to April): 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 8:00 PM 8:30 PM (Fridays and Saturdays only) / Summer: (May to September) 9:30 PM 10:00 PM 10:30 PM 11:00 PM 11:30 PM (Thursday – Sunday only).
Metro/Bus: Metro: Placa Espanya L2 and L3
Barcelona´s Magic Fountain first opened in 1929. The beautiful and huge fountain is located at the picturesque Montjuic and is a special night out for the family. This magical display of light, water and music is a must see in Barcelona.
Looking up to the fountain from street level you are faced with the beautiful back of Barcelona’s Montjuic and the National Art Museum of Catalonia (Museu Nacional d´Art de Catalunya). An awesome site. Looking down to the fountain from the National Art Museum of Catalonia you have a view over most of the city. A spectacular setting to witness the water and light shoot out of the fountain in a coordinated sequence co-insiding with the different music being played.
The perfect time to watch the show is at sunset as the sun disappears behind the mountain.
Entrance to the fountian is free and the kids absolutely love it.
Tibidabo
Address: Tibidabo
Opening hours: Check website as opening hours vary: www.tibidabo.es/eng/horari.asp
Phone: +34 932117942
Metro/Bus: FCG L7 (until av Tibidabo stop), Tramvia Blau, the Tibidabo Funicular or the T2 Tibibus from Placa Catalunya.
Website: (not in English) http://www.tibidabo.es
Mount Tibidabo is one of the highest mountains surrounding Barcelona and its summit is one of Barcelona´s most popular tourist attractions.
At the top of Tibidabo is the beautiful Catholic church – Temple de Sagrat Cor – which took 60 years to construct. The church is a spectacular sight and with its statue of Christ looking over Barcelona it can be seen from most parts of the city.
Tibidabo is also home to Barcelona´s oldest amusement park, which dates back to the turn of the 20th century and which has many of its original rides still operating. The kids will love riding on the 30 or so different types of rides, many of which also offer, mid ride, what is considered the best view over Barcelona.
It is a memorable day at Tibidabo.
Address: Av del Marquès de Comillas.
Opening hours: 9:00am – 8:00pm (Mondays), 9:00am - 2:00pm (Tuesday – Thursday), 9:00am – 4:00am (Fridays), 9:00am – 5:00am (Saturdays), and 9:00am – midnight (Sundays).
Phone: 93 325 78 66
Metro/Bus: Montjuic, Metro: Placa Espanya L1 and L3.
Website: http://www.poble-espanyol.com
Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village) is located on Barcelona’ Montjuic and is basically a little village displaying the different traditions and architectures from the different regions of Spain.
There are arts and crafts shops full of traditonal Spanish works, as well as many bars, cafe´s, restaurants and even nightclubs at Poble Espanyol.
You can take the kids and participate in arts and crafts workshops, parades, shows and many other activities offered at Poble Espanyol.
Universal Mediterranea (Port Aventura)
Address : Avenida Pere Molas
Phone: 0800 96 65 40
Metro/Bus: Port Aventura train station
Website: http://www.portaventura.es
Universal Mediterranea, or Port aventura, is a Universal Studio´s theme park located just south of Barcelona and is made up of a number of different attractions, most notably Port Aventura theme park and the Costa Caribe water park. Different areas of the parks are themed differently.
Universal Mediterranea is well suited to families with rides and attractions to suit all ages. There are children´s rides, shows and services at Port Aventura theme park and at the Costa Caribe water park. On top of this, many of the kids favourite cartoon characters, such as Woody Woodpecker, Popeye, the Pink Panther, and more, are hosts of the parks ensuring a great day out for the kids.
