ATTRACTIONS FOR CHILDREN

TopTen

1. Parc d’Atraccions del Tibidabo

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With its old-fashioned rides, the only surviving funfair in the city is a delight (see Parc d’Atraccions del Tibidabo). The attractions include a roller coaster, a House of Horrors, bumper cars, a Ferris wheel and the Museu dels Autòmates, with animatronics of all shapes and sizes. There’s also a puppet show, picnic areas, playgrounds and plenty of bars and restaurants.

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Enjoying a ride at the Parc d’Atraccions del Tibidabo

2. Parc Zoològic

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The zoo in the Ciutadella park (see Parc de la Ciutadella) has an enormous adventure playground where children can run wild. There are also dolphin shows in one of the aquariums. Other activities for children include guided tours and workshops. The “farm” area has goats and rabbits that younger children can stroke.

3. Museu Marítim

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Ancient maps showing monster-filled seas, restored fish-ing boats and a collection of ships’ figureheads give a taste of the city’s maritime history. Well worth a look is the full-size Spanish galleon complete with sound and light effects. Set in the vast former medieval shipyards, the Drassanes, this museum is an absolute must for any budding sea captain.

4. L’Aquàrium de Barcelona

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One of Europe’s biggest aquariums, this underwater kingdom is made up of 21 enormous tanks brimming with nearly 400 marine species (see L’Aquàrium de Barcelona). The highlight of a visit here is the Oceanari, where a walk-through glass tunnel will bring you face to face with three huge grey sharks named Drake, Morgan and Maverick, lurking in 4.5 million litres (990,000 gallons) of water.

5. Parc del Laberint d’Horta

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The main feature of this exceptional park is the huge hedge maze where children can live out their Alice in Wonderland fantasies (see Parc del Laberint d’Horta). Unfulfilled expectations of Mad Hatters are made up for by an enormous play area and a bar for grown-ups, by the park entrance. The park is particularly busy on Sundays.

TopTen

Parc del Laberint d’Horta maze

6. Telefèric de Montjuïc

prac_info Parc de Montjuïc • Open daily; Jan–Feb & Nov–Dec 10am–6pm ; Mar–May & Oct: 10am–7pm; Jun–Sep: 10am–9pm • Adm

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Instead of taking the nerve-jangling cable-car ride across the port, try these smaller, lower-altitude cable-car trips if you have children with you. The ride to the Montjuïc summit also has the added appeal of the castle at the top, with cannons for the kids to clamber on.

7. La Rambla

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Your shoulders will be aching from carrying the kids high above the crowds by the time you reach the end of Barcelona’s main boulevard (see La Rambla). Fire eaters, buskers, human statues dressed up as Greek goddesses – you name it and it’s likely to be keeping the hordes entertained on La Rambla. Put a coin in the human statue’s hat and be rewarded with a sudden move, or, if you’re a child, the gift of a tiny lollipop.

TopTen

Human statue, La Rambla

8. City Beaches

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For kids, there’s more to going to the beach in Barcelona than just splashing in warm waters and frolicking in the sand. The Port Vell and Port Olímpic platges (beaches) offer a good choice of well-equipped play areas to keep the little ones entertained. Numerous bars and restaurants make finding refreshment easy too.

9. Museu d’Història de Catalunya

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This child-friendly museum traces Catalonia’s history through a range of dynamic, interactive exhibits (see Museu d’Història de Catalunya). The best of these allows visitors to get dressed up as medieval knights and gallop around on wooden horses. Very popular with Catalan school groups, the museum is equally enjoyable for visitors of all ages. As well as other children’s activities, every Saturday it hosts a story hour when Catalan legends are re-enacted.

10. Boat Trips

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The city’s “swallow boats”, Las Golondrinas (see Boat and Cable-Car Trips), make regular trips out of the port, providing a fun excursion for older children. Younger kids, however, will probably prefer messing about in a rowing boat on the lake at the Parc de la Ciutadella.

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Boating on the Ciutadella lake

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