Barcelona with young teens.

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I am thinking of taking my children ages 14 and 12 to Barcelona in the spring. My DD 14 really likes the idea of going there. However, I was chatting to a family member who is there currently and they said that they didn’t feel it was an appropriate city for children, that there was little to do and it was full of pickpockets and far to busy. Can I ask for your experiences and opinions please?

We went to Barcelona in August for 4 days with my 12 year old. There is absolutely loads to do, he throughly enjoyed it. I had read about pickpockets but we were fine.Just carried bags so opening on front and were careful where we put down bags when at restaurants. Definitely one of my favourite cities.

It’s busy and lots of tourists, but that’s the case for lots of cities - we didn’t feel it was any different in terms of busyness than the busy parts of Rome, Paris, Amsterdam etc.

We went in May this year, it was horribly busy about Sagrada Familia but much less busy elsewhere in the city. There is lots to do, although I guess it depends what your DC are interested in?

Pickpockets can be an issue, but that’s the case in most major cities with lots of tourists. Be sensible and have bags that you carry on your front and don’t put phones in your pockets and it will be much more difficult for a pickpocket.

There is absolutely loads to do, our teens love it and have been a few times in the last few years. Pickpockets are an issue in all big cities but just carry your valuables in a small bag in front of you.

I've taken mine there while babies and young teens. It's a great place to holiday
Does your relative think no children live in Barcelona? 🤣

That’s reassuring, thanks. I was feeling a bit deflated there as I’m just about to start planning, booking etc. I guess it must just be a case of different expectations. Can I ask what your favourite things to do there were please?

I'm there right now! I would say there's plenty for teens. The beaches are great if you like a bit of a beach vibe. The city itself it's extremely busy though and can get a bit much sometimes at the tourist spots. A good shout is to go out on a boat trip. We're staying a little bit out from the city itself near the harbour but the public transport is very easy to use. My kids are a wee bit older than yours and it's just and DH this time but I've no doubt they'd have loved it

If you want to do Sagrada Familia, book well in advance and try and go either as early as you can or as late as you can.

Similarly book Parc Guell in advance and go as early as you can or as late as you can.

We enjoyed the Picasso museum (although it was pretty busy and I’m not sure 100% worth the money)

Also enjoyed taking the Montjuïc cable car up to the castle, the Jardins del Mirador and Mirador de l’Alcalde - amazing views.

On the cable car theme - there is a furnicular up to Tibidabo for again great views of the city and also a theme park / funfair. It can be quite busy on the weekends but usually better during the week, especially if it’s not a public holiday / school holidays in Spain. Next to the theme park is an old basilica which is also worth a look at.

It’s amazing for kids. Take the funicular up to theme park on top of mountain, go on cable car, visit all the Gaudi houses, go to the beach, visit Parc Guell. It’s my favourite city to visit with kids.

We went with our teens this spring and stayed in Sitges rather than Barcelona itself. Meant we could visit the sights in the day, but then relax in Sitges in the evening. Our favourite thing to do was the Moco Museum.

My 14yo is going with school next year so the teachers obviously think there's lots for teenagers to do. DH and I went about 20 years ago and loved it. My favourite thing (which DD is also doing) was a day trip to Montserrat and doing a walk in the nature park.