Travelling to Barcelona with young baby

[lilysmemo]

Hello mums, I am looking for advice on taking my 2 month old to Barcelona next month. I assume the law in Spain is the same as here and we need a car seat. Our seat does not fit onto our stroller- which in turn is a giant bulky thing, how does this work with baggage allowances etc? Any advice gratefully received

we flew to barcelona last week (girona) with ryanair. i think you are allowed one piece of baby kit free, eg pushchair or car seat, if taking both, i think you'd need to pay extra, but it's not that much. there were about 4 babies on our flight, all traveling with car seats and pushchairs. the parents used the pushchair until they boarded the plane, then left it folded down at the bottom of the steps and they were loaded into the cargo hold. on arrival, the pushchairs were ready waiting for them at the bottom of the steps, car seats went as checked in items, and came through with the luggage on the bag claim carousel.

are you hiring a car? we got ours via economy car hire website but it was actually from a company called auriga crown, car was fine, focus estate, and they had a range of car seat to choose from, all in ok condition.

Do you need a car in Barcelona? Airport is easily accessible by public transport. I certainly wouldn't choose to drive in the city. Buggy advice as per neytiri.

No we won't be driving but don't fancy the underground into the city and was thinking of taking a taxi

You can walk most places in Barca really easy - and the tourist buses are great.

You dont need a car seat for buses or taxis - I really wouldnt take one unless necessary.

Another tip would be to buy a cheap/light pushchair - it will be much easier when folding up for the bus/taxi.

We bought a m&p aria from ebay, cost about £20 second hand, weighs about 4kg, and also lies flat - it was a god send, we loved it so much that we ended up selling our expensive Loola when we got home and using it all of the time.

It also means that it doesnt matter so much if it gets trashed by the baggage handlers.

You will be able to keep your pushchair until you get on the plane - but have you also considered taking a a sling with you? It would be very handy for busier parts/if you wanted to go on a boat or something - I had a mei tai which I loved, as did ds at that age.

Have a wonderful time - I was in barca last week for the 3rd time - I love it.

Use the tourist buses as much as you can as they are a great way to see the city - the marina is fab, and there is an amazing bar (child friendly) next to the wax works museum down near the harbour - its done out like a fairy grotto.

Thanks so much for your advice. I have been to Barcelona several times before- but only as a single adult, I suspect a whole new experience is to be had!

You'll be fine - 2 months is probably the easiest time! I took ds at 18 months - ok ish, and last week at 3 1/2 - mental and physical tourture.

Oh - take a wee fold up change mat or a small towel as there isnt many changing facilites.

It was roasting last week also - so maybe some sort of shade?

If you havent been to the zoo or the font magic water show I can recommend both

Anything else just shout

You don't need to buy a new car seat. For short rides in taxis you don't need one and buses go everywhere. Buses routes here [http://www.tmb.cat/en_US/home.jsp].
With such a tiny baby, you may prefer to avoid the Ramblas and the old city and enjoy a lazy walk at the beach promenade. Or take a bus till the montjuic castel and walk down through the amazing gardens till the funicular. Halfway you can relax at the chiringuito at the mirador and enjoy a stunning view of barcelona.
Parc Guell has two parts : the one full of tourist and the wild one, but there are some stairs (not a lot if you find the right spot near the gate of the secondary entrance).
Gracia is lovely, I like the to walk down the Diagonal from Maria Cristina till Francesc Macia and then relax in the Turo park.
I love Passeig de gracia and if you walk on the left side, just before the Diagonal, there is a hidden garden, so silent, so beautiful. Enjoy a feeling of true barcelona walking in Rambla de Catalunya,....
Just stay away from shitty cafés, loud and crap restaurants of the Ramblas.
Last thing is : be really careful with your handbag. Barcelona is fantastic and safe, but there are many pickpockets.