Single mum. Desperate to treat the children. Barcelona on October? Hotel rec? Things to do?

[Kikidelivers]

We need a treat! It’s been a tough year.

My children are 5 and 8, and in thinking 3 nights in Barcelona this October half term.

I have NO idea where to start. Any accom recommendations and must things to do?

Huge thanks in advance

I would say with two young DCs find a hotel fairly central - maybe near the port so you can go on a nice boat ride along the coast? We stayed out of the centre, near the fountains (must see but it gets very busy!) and it was lovely but a bit of a trek to get anywhere else. Tubes are great there but you still don’t want to be doing it more than necessary.

There’s a cable car that takes you down to the beach and up to the highest part of the city, which your DCs might enjoy. Also all the living statues in Las Ramblas (beware pick pockets there though).

Lots of nice beach cafes with people dancing and playing music to keep you entertained. I hope you have a lovely time.

Thank you so much
Really genuinely helpful
I was looking at a hotel wet the fountain but you think better more central. Do you have the names of any areas I should be looking at?

Love the activities you mention

So excited already, mainly about telling the children!

Oh we wouldn’t do the boat ride though. Won’t bore you with why

We stayed in this hotel and really liked the location because it was within easy reach of the city centre but quite peaceful. www.booking.com/hotel/es/vinccimaritimo.en-gb.html
There are some really original and unusual play areas/playgrounds in the area surrounding the hotel. Some are in the Parc de Diagonal Mar and one of the best is on the shopping centre's large (very) outdoor terrace. The shopping centre also has a Lego Fun Factory. This room offers big buckets of lego and duplo, a screen with videogames, a table with books… There, you’ll be able to leave DC unattended, while you mooch the shops! Next to the fun factory, there's a large pet shop and nearby there's a stand with remote control cars. For 4 Euros, the DC can play for 10 minutes, whizzing it up and down the shopping mall!
Diagonal Mar is a 10 or 15 min. ride on the metro from the city centre. It's right next door to the natural history museum.

Much as I love Barcelona I would hesitate to choose a city break with a 5 and 8 year old unless you've done it before and know they would like it?

Barcelona is excellent for a 5 and 8 year old. The aquarium is a must. It's one of the best in Europe apparently.
Cuitadella Park is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle with youngsters. It not only houses the city zoo, but also has row boats, fountains, and plazas. Numerous play areas and a great life-size replica of a Mammoth are great for kids (children love to sit on the trunk) and there’s always plenty of space for a relaxing picnic.
CosmoCaixa is a little bit of s trek but worth it. It’s crammed full of activities and exhibitions to captivate the minds of even the most restless! Do not miss out on Toca Toca. It’s an amazing activity where the children can actually touch exotic animals and learn all about their habitats. My daughter loved touching the snakes and lizards, while I hid behind her!
They'll love the magic fountain night show. It's much better when it's fully dark and fortunately in October you won't have to stay up so late for it.
The chocolate museum is also worth a trip. Kids see how chocolate came to be eaten and how it is made. The most fun, though, is browsing through various sculptures made of chocolate in forms. We saw a chocolate bull fighting scene, Mickey Mouse made of chocolate, and my DS's favourite, Nemo!
Walk through (and possibly buy a picnic) from Santa Caterina Market. Their eyes will be on stalks.
Even in October, let your kids design their own ice cream creation at Eyescream and Friends.

This sounds wonderful!

I’m about to book flights.

Really appreciate it Rice. Hotel looks lovely but I would prefer more central as being by the sea is not a priority in October. Any thoughts on good areas to focus search on?

I’ll do everything you suggested except the aquarium!

Also going to do a kids tour with runnerbeans. It looks brill.

We enjoyed hanging out in Barceloneta when we went with a 5 year old; market place with kids play area, nice cafes etc. It may be surprisingly warm in October and whilst you won't be sunbathing on the beach it would still be nice to hang out there for half a day and play in the sand etc.

There are some great parks with bar/cafes in them so you can have a drink whilst they play. Also lots of small play areas off the main shopping streets to keep them a amused.

We had a Airbnb in the old town as we were on a budget and liked to have the option to cook ourselves. Not keen on big hotels either.

I'd also say it's a great city to cycle round surprisingly for those with kids young enough to go in a bike seat.

GreasyFryUp

Did you like the air bnb?
If so, please could I have details as much prefer recommendations especially when on my own with the children

Thanks so much

Hi Highhorse. The address was Carrer dels Vigatans, 11, Barcelona, Catalonia 08003. Not sure if it still is an Airbnb- 4 years ago.

It was great. As we knew we couldn't go out at night we made sure we had a roof terrace so we could sit out with a drink or dinner. Downside was it was up 4 flights of stairs...

Gaudi's Park Guell.

Tibidabo! Great amusement park, fantastic views, but unsure if it is still open in October.

I hear the science museum is great as well.

We took out 3 year old and 1.5 year old to Barcelona last year. We stayed in an apartment where ch was so much better than a hotel as it has separate bedrooms so you got a bit of peace at night, fully fitted kitchen and washing machine etc. It wasn't much more than a hotel either. Was in the gothic quarter.

We took out 3 year old and 1.5 year old to Barcelona last year. We stayed in an apartment where ch was so much better than a hotel as it has separate bedrooms so you got a bit of peace at night, fully fitted kitchen and washing machine etc. It wasn't much more than a hotel either. Was in the gothic quarter.

We took out 3 year old and 1.5 year old to Barcelona last year. We stayed in an apartment where ch was so much better than a hotel as it has separate bedrooms so you got a bit of peace at night, fully fitted kitchen and washing machine etc. It wasn't much more than a hotel either. Was in the gothic quarter.

Sorry about duplicate post. App kept saying post failed.