Stressing about Spain holiday - help!

[Florabella]

I am going to Spain this week with 3 teenagers and suddenly feeling is is more of a stressful endurance challenge than a relaxing holiday!

We are doing a couple of nights in Barcelona. I have become paranoid about pickpocketing and losing our phones. Have ordered a cross body bag and younger two agree not to take their phones out). Slightly concerned about hostility to tourists, but it's out of my control.

Stressed about where to eat that won't break the bank and my 17 year old is beyond fussy. Was planning tapas and wanted to find somewhere for first night to take the stress out of finding somewhere that everyone is happy with. Tried to make the fussy 17 year old find somewhere she is happy with, but she is not engaging properly (looks for 10 mins and gives up). Her issues around food are getting worse and I don't want this to become a battleground

Then going to Tarragona and worried there is not enough to keep everyone happy. Does anyone know the area? Worried I have made a bad destination choice.

I know I am completely overthinking, but it's just so important to me that have a good time (and I really need to chill out a bit). Their Dad never takes them away and it's a big chunk of money for me to find to make this happen. It has been a very stressful year, and this is so important to me to make it good for everyone as the older one won't be coming next year.

Any advice (apart from the obvious just relax which is easier said than done with my personality and travelling on my own with 3 teens!)

Forgot to say that my 14 year old has been referred for adhd and gets anxious and overwhelmed easily which is another concern.

It all seemed so manageable and fun when I booked it almost a year ago - aaagh!

My 17 year old is currently backpacking with a friend in Europe and has stayed in various locations in Spain, including Barcelona. No problems as far as I know! Just go on what we call ‘London rules’ and have some simple habits in place like deciding on a landmark at which to meet should you lose one another etc..

I went to Barcelona last year.

Literally hundreds of places to eat in the centre. Unless your child has very severe restricted eating you will find somewhere. I'm vegan and I found loads of places.

Yes it's busy and you need to use London rules but it's no more dangerous than London.

I go to London with them all the time, and that doesn't feel stressful in the slightest. Perhaps the language barrier is making it worse. I took them to south of France last year which was fine, but I speak reasonable French,

Is Tapas more of a lunchtime thing in Spain? I am relying on that for affordable meals that kids have a wide selection to choose from.

Her eating is definitely beyond just a normal fussy teen, but at home I can manage it better

Went to Barcelona a couple of years ago with two teens in August. It was very busy, we're not from a big city though so if you compare to London then similar to that.
I was a bit paranoid about pickpockets but we were careful and were fine, used public transport no issues - again, act as you would in London.
It was VERY hot, one DC hated it and other loved it; open top bus hop on/hop off buses were great to see lots in the heat.
As for eating, mine are not adventurous. Can't remember where we ate but we did tapas and they were fine.
Enjoy your holiday 🙂

I knew Barcelona well, but too long ago to make any useful suggestions.
Tapas are not cheap anywhere in Spain, & you'd need a lot of them to make a proper meal.
I'd look for "Menu del diá" - a set meal (usually lunch) that restaurants are obliged to offer. Always good value

Where in Tarragona are you staying? The town itself or nearby beach resorts? I'm staying in the area at the moment and it's fine. There aren't that many British tourist here, mainly French and Spanish people on holidays. It's very relaxed and friendly.

what will your fussy 17 yo eat? Maybe we can come up with some suggestions.

there is always fast food or pizza - both cheapish and popular with most teens. It fills a hole and removes stress.

Searching out tapas in Barca is likely to take you into busy tourist traps I think, and for feeding a family it’s not the best.

you could also consider picnics. Any supermarket, give the fussy one a budget and let her do her thing, you buy something for you and the other two unfussy ones.

you could eat them on eg Montjuïc or take them to the public outdoor pools there. There is another lido near the harbour. Or the beaches. Tibidabo is also nice, fantastic views and a few good rides for teens. If you’re not up for paying theme park entry fees I think you can just sit in the gardens/ play park bits for free but I may be Mis remembering that.

Normal pickpocket precautions are completely enough in Barcelona. Copy crucial docs and credit cards to eg google pay or apple wallet on multiple phones as long as they have fingerprint/ face recognition so if anything goes astray you’ll be fine.

I hope you have a great time.

I have 3 teens with me too btw. There is plenty to do beyond the beach. There are a couple of water parks and a theme park (Ferrariland), if they like that kind of thing. Not sure how expensive they are though as (gratefully), mine haven't shown much interest in going.

Lots of food options here, depending on what your DD will eat? But they have the usual BK, McD etc if she's happier with familiar stuff? It's not where I really want to eat when in Spain, but we go once as the DC think BK abroad is more interesting and has different options to home!

Like others have said, treat Barcelona like London and you’ll be fine. If you can afford it, the tour bus is surprisingly good and will give you a chance to see the main sights relatively quickly. Otherwise, I imagine teens would enjoy the harbour area (lots of outside seating and people watching opportunities) or the Parc Montjuic and the Olympic area (agin, good for just mooching about).

Food-wise, I’ve never found tapas particularly cheap, but there are LOADS of food options in Barca and you’ll definitely be able to find things that your teens will eat. There are also a lot of decent bakeries so just popping in and grabbing something to eat on the move or in a park could be a strong option.

Avoid obvious tourist trap restaurants on main streets in busy areas. Go back a street or two. Between 2ish-5ish you will get a menu del dia in most places - basically a fixed price set of menu options at a decent price (includes starter, main course and dessert, often with drink) Food often comes with chips. If kids fussy, eat simple meat and chips as main course. You can even just ask for a sandwich mixto (pronounced sandwich meexto' - a cheese and ham toastie. Most pla ces do this. The supermarket Mercadona has prepared hot meals too (including chicken portions etc.)

Breakfast in Spain is very cheap. 2/3 euros for coffee and food (often toast with tomatos/ churros/ croissant)

Happy to answer any questions - not been to Barcelona but know Spain well.

Also, tapas usually in non tourist trap places, come free with a drink order. They will bring a small plate of food (they choose it) with each round of drinks (including soft drinks) Often just crisps though these days!

Most non-Spanish people say tapas when they mean 'raciones' which is when you order several large plates to share. Things like patatas bravas/ tortilla/ jamon/ albondigas would be most simple for kids I'd say as Spain has lots of things which kids might not like the look of - fish/ bull's tail...

I have an autistic child who is right up there on the scale of fussiness with food, and a 23 year old who has very limited foods she will eat, plus a vegetarian (DH) we've been to Spain numerous times and never had an issue finding somewhere that suits us all.
Kindly, stop making it an issue before it becomes one x

I’ve just got back from 3 weeks in Spain (Valencia) with a 10 and 8 year old and an autistic 5 year old with a very limited diet.
it was fine! Fun, in fact. I don’t think you need to ‘pan’ places to eat, as there will be so many restaurants/cafes/bars to choose from. There was always something for someone to eat!

I was in Barcelona a couple of weeks ago, not long after the water pistol attacks on tourists and it was the weekend of the Euros final. We had an amazing time, never felt unsafe, use street smarts, avoid Las Ramblas, and it’s great. The expensive places to eat were by the port and on Las Ramblas, there were great places away from that. It was really busy, keep and eye on each just so you don’t get lost in crowds, have an amazing time

I've just had a lovely few days in Barcelona, admittedly by myself with no one else to keep happy but there are lots of easy food options. Main takeaway for me though was I didn't always have to use restaurants, there are lots of supermarkets and your teen can get salads, hams, cheeses, bread, pastries literally endless possibilities. So many beautiful places to go and sit with a little picnic. My son went with his girlfriend and they found a fab place in a market where you just chose pasta + sauce + protein/cheese are required which they loved.

Everyone was incredibly welcoming, although I was apparently there at the same time as the water pistol incident, as a solo traveller I was welcomed and made to feel at home there and in other parts of Spain. You will have a lovely holiday.

ALSO! If you want to go inside the Sagrada Familia buy your tickets a good bit in advance, they are normally all sold out if you go on the day. Well worth it as well, it's astonishing inside.

I was in Barcelona four days ago with two teens - it was great and easy, didn't feel crime-ridden or threatening at all (I am a Londoner and always have a cross-body bag and a general sense of personal space and alertness, everywhere I go).

I recommend here for a cheap, delicious and fun eating experience https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/RestaurantReview-g187497-d997713-Reviews-BilbaooBerriaLaaBarra-Barcelona_Catalonia.html

Also go and get churros and chocolate here - super cheap and awesome

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/RestaurantReview-g187497-d1224854-Reviews-GranjaaMViader-BarcelonaaCatalonia.html

Tarragona is brilliant - gorgeous old town, lovely restaurants and not too expensive - loads of ruins and museums if you like that (I do) and excellent beaches too. It's very near Port Aventura the massive theme park (I would get evening tickets after 5pm as a) cheaper and b) cooler and much nicer) and there are two good aqua parks nearby too.

I would get the Barcelona card (and app) if there for a couple of days - it's well worth it and you can use all the transport for free plus get into loads of places for free or heavily discounted

I have never once planned anything in advance on holiday, never mind where to eat. Can't you just go with the flow a bit more? See what's what when you get there and what people feel like? Also stop trying to make things perfect. They won't be - nothing is- but enjoy the time away with your family and see where it takes you.

I love the sentiment of this but the reality of that buying tickets for things like theme parks, museums, tours and attractions are often much cheaper and easier than at the place itself when you have to join tortuously long queues in the sunshine.

This was my first thought. AI might not be the adult's idea of a perfect holiday but it is for most teens.

When we took two teens to Barcelona we did hop on hop off buses. I know that's very touristy but it feels safe and flexible. Don't stress about eating authentic Spanish food, if the fussy teen wants junk food let them have it, treat meals as necessary fuel stops rather than an important part of the holiday which will be ruined if not enjoyed.
We were careful with over body straps and yet still managed to forget a rucksack when we left a cafe. It was still there half an hour later when we went back!

This was 6 or 7 years ago. If I was going now I would have meals booked every night before I set off...

OP, dont worry about food, wherever you eat, you'll more than likely be able to get a bland salad or extra order of fries and bread if that's the kind of thing your fussy eater will eat.

Try not to be anxious op, tell yourself you'll be brilliant at this, you'll be calm, together and alert but not anxious. You're smart enough and aware enough to not be a target.

Watch some video on YouTube of pickpockets in Barcelona. They show where it happens most and the kind of groups the pickpockets move in/with. You can familiarise yourself with it as much as possible to be extra aware.

I don't know much about Tarragona but just looked it up , looks lovely.

We went in February and a guide told us it was busier then than in the summer months because most people found those too hot. It was busy but fine and I had read and worried about pickpockets, had no issues anywhere, just usual sensible precautions, we went on the train, subway etc with no problems and everything was fine and people friendly. Booked things online before going and saw people who couldn't visit things (Parc Guell etc) by turning up on the day as tickets had sold out. We did a walking tour with a company called runner bean and they did one suitable for children and families and were great. In the gothic quarter there are tons of food choices that are not too expensive and because we were tired by the end of each day we sometimes got pizza, pasty type pastries or amazing quiches from bakeries and ate on the way back to our hotel which was cheaper and simple, main meal at lunchtime is often better value than in the evening so it worked for us. People largely speak english and so the few words of Spanish I know weren't needed but the effort is always appreciated. Hope you have a nice time