Recommendations for kid friendly fun in Barcelona - 4 days - and tips on general for a barca stay -where to go, eat , avoid etc

[whitelillies]

We re staying in the eixample area of barcelona for 3 nights next weekend. HAve never been before, would really appreciate recomendationd of where to go and where to avoid (i hear pickpocketing is rife there)
Have 3yr old and 5 yr old. Anything particularly geared towards that age group? Have self catering apartment there but would love to eat out one or two evenings. Would one say to avoid las ramblas totally ? or would one say go but just be safety aware re pickpocketing and crowds?

Oh and thanks in advance!

I just came onto mumsnet to post exactly the same thing. We're going for two days prior to driving North to stay in a farmhouse in July. 2 adults and a 3 year old. Need to book our hotel too - have you booked yours whitelilies?

Sorry - just read you have an apartment.

Husband had his passport stolen in Barcelona. You have to be switched on, hold on to possessions etc but it is really no worse than London.
Las Rambla's no problem, again no worse than London. Can't think of anywhere specific to eat, most places welcomed children, we normally ate at cafes and sat outside.
Have a lovely time.

Thanks . Have read trip advisor reviews implying pickpocketing is rife there hope it won't happen to us. Good to hear it s child friendly

I went to Barcelona with dh when we were 17 (sostill big kids really lol) we were only there for a weekend so we didn't do much but we did visit the aquarium, the zoo and the beach. The zoo was in a big park near the beach (can't remember the name sorry) and you could hire a rowing boat and take a trip around the pond.

Can't really help with the where to eat options... our chaperone (dh's godmother) insisted we ate in a local cafe the first morning we were there, it was full of smokers and was absolutely awful. This was in 2006 so I don't know if it has changed since but e ate in McDonalds and Pizza hut for the rest of the weekend .

Park Guell is great. I think children would like it although we were there pre-children.

We spent a few days in Barcelona. We went around on a hop on/hop off bus which was great.

The sagrada familia is amazing but I'm not sure your children are old enough.

Las Ramblas is good for a stroll.

We had heard about the pickpocketing too but had no bad experiences.

There is a covered market too with lots of food stalls.

We went to the zoo - the place was fine but I thought the animals looked miserable.

We also went to Barcelona football stadium - my DH loved it but not really my thing.

www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/activities/barcelona-family-activities.html

Super thanks for he recommendations - like the idea of the park and beach. The zoo might be fun too. Thanks for the link too.
It s been a long year, am quite excited about our trip,
Trip to the stadium is probably on the cards as ds is Footie mad these days - aw!

Not sure if I am not too late.
So one great thing is the science museum (cosmo caixa) which is up on a hill, you have a great view, and the children can run and play in a small square before entering the museum, which they will LOVE. A real tropical forest, giant fish, .... there s even a nice restaurant.
Montjuic Park and the castle.
Beaches yes, BUT be very careful with your bag. With children so small, I'll would be happy to pay 10 euros for the adult and 5 for the children and use the beach club facility (the san sebastian - the first one is the cheapest). You'll have lockers for your bag, showers, sunbed, swimming pools, and of course direct access to the beach, sand and sea without worries.
Have a nice dinner at sunset in one of the chiringuitos on the beaches of Nova Icaria o Bogatell. Won't be french cuisine (more likely frozen stuff), but the children can run and play while you enjoy a glass of sangria)
Gaudi: hum, Palau Guell or Casa Battlo.
Yes Barcelona is full of pickpockets, especially on the green line, so keep your bag on the front and close it. The old city is nice, you can have a tea break inside the old hospital square in Carrer Hospital, or have a real tea in any of the Buenas Migas chain .
Park Guell is nice, but quite far. To go there take the bus 24 (passeig the gracia) which leaves right in front of the back entrance. By tube you'll have to walk almost a km (800mt). In most guide they'll suggest the maritim museum for the kids, but right now the best parts are closed so forget it. BUT you can still have a break in the garden and eat something. It's not even 1 - 2 min walk from the end of the rambla - colon statue.
La Rambla de Mar is always nice for the kids. Take some breads in your pocket so the kids can feed the huge fish from the bridge.
Children are very welcome everywhere.
Have a great time