Help with an itinerary for Barcelona with a toddler?

[MaryShelley1818]

Hi wise and travelled MNettters.

We’re going to Barcelona at the end of March/beginning of April for 3nts with toddler DS who will be 2yrs 3mths.
We arrive late Sunday evening so straight to bed, then will have all day Monday, all day Tuesday and Wednesday until teatime.
I think we’d like to do the zoo as DS loves animals but not sure when/what else to do.
We’re very relaxed and don’t arrange anything around naps/bedtimes as DS goes with the flow on holidays!

The Science Museum (CosmoCaixa) was recommended on here and my DD loved it and it would be suitable for smaller children too. Bit of a walk from the train (uphill as well) so might want to get a bus. I think you are near the Tibidabo there, the amusement park.

If it's warm enough the beach is nice too. Maybe the cable cars to the top of Montejuic as well. There is an aquarium at the shopping centre at the dock,name escapes me now but we got a discount voucher for it from McDonalds.

The Gothic Cathedral (not the Sagrada) is quite cheap to go into and in the Summer you could go up on to the roof and enjoy the views there.

We didn't go to Tibidabo. If you walk to the Science Museum cut through the Hospital building near the metro station and cut out one of the hills by using their two (outdoor) escalators!

Don’t miss the chance to spend time on one of Barcelona’s beautiful beaches. Even in the winter, the weather can be mild enough to enjoy some time in the sand and sun. If you get hungry, pop into the cute fisherman’s neighborhood of Barceloneta for a bite to eat. In the main square you’ll find a bike rental place, a playground, and the Barceloneta market, which is open til 2pm each day if you want to grab fruit and snacks. Despite the surfer hideout look, most of the bars and restaurants in Barceloneta are family friendly and even have highchairs!
A bus tour is a great way to cover a lot of ground in a short period of time and something transport-loving toddlers are likely to love. We took the Hop on Hop off tour and found it excellent. The space on the bus was enough for us to be able to leave the stroller unfolded and the dc loved being on the open top bus. While we didn’t see anything in depth, we were able to get a good sense of the city structure.
La Nena is a sweet and cosy café in Gracia that has games for older kids and adults plus a small toddler play area with blocks, books, and puzzles. Their hot chocolate is out of this world!
Barcelona’s parks are fantastic for kids and Parc Guell is a definite must see (however there are plenty of steps). It’s at the top of a steep hill. The bus leaves you at the bottom and the best way is to take your time and possibly consider then bribe of an ice cream: there is a shop just mid-way between the bus stop and the park!
Ciutadella Park is another great place to take toddlers for a run around. There are huge fountains, a playground and plenty of green space. Rent a rowing boat but be warned that there were no life jackets available when we visited, which made me a wee nervous while paddling about with a wriggling toddler. The zoo is in the park.
The aquarium is top-notch. It’s huge, pretty new, and right along the waterfront. it also has an interactive play area. The highlight of the visit for ours was without a doubt the shark feeding time, followed by the walk under the aquarium underwater tunnel!
The Montjuïc Fountain is also worth seeing and is a mix of lights, music and water and will enthral toddlers.
There are also plenty of more grown up attractions in Barcelona and you will be able to do many of these with a toddler in tow. The top three attractions in Barcelona are the Sagrada Família (pushchair accessible but you should pre book tickets to avoid queues), the Gothic Quarter), and Las Ramblas.

We got on the hop on/off bus with our 3yo and spent a lovely afternoon doing the same trip 3 times whilst she slept on us. Might not sound great but it was really nice to relax and be shown around

Thank you everyone for all the tips and advice.

Parc Guell, you do now have to pay to enter the Monumental area, so book in advance unless you want to see it for free VERY early am.
Buy a T10 ticket which gives you 10 trips on trains and buses for €10.20 and can be shared.
The ticket is changing to T10 Casual with a price rise in January.

Chocolate museum is often on the list for children too