Barcelona is the perfect city to wander through lazily, taking in the architecture, stopping for a coffee and seeing where the day takes you. But if you’re visiting Barcelona with teenagers, they’re bound to crave something more. Here are some top tips for activities the whole family will enjoy.
Without further ado, here are the top things to do when visiting Barcelona with teenagers.
Best outdoor activities
Head to the beach
Ever since the 1992 Olympics, when the city hall invested in developing Barcelona’s beaches, the city has become one of Europe’s favorite seaside cities. The nearly three miles of sandy beaches have play areas, showers, chiringuitos (small restaurants serving drinks and snacks) and even skate parks at the far end near Poblenou.
Go skating
Barcelona is never behind the times for long. This, combined with its size, accessibility and international popularity, mean it’s a great place to rent some skates and see the city in a unique way.
As you and your family skate along the beachfront, you could be forgiven for thinking you’re in California. As well as the official skate parks, the main skating zone in town is the area outside the MACBA, Barcelona’s contemporary art museum. Full of skaters all day long, this area is always alive with music as people skate, sit on the terraces with a drink and go to the art museum. Make a day of it with the whole family.
Take a bike tour
If you’re an active family, why not bike around Barcelona? There are loads of companies offering guided bike tours, as well as bike rentals if you want to go the self-guided route. Barcelona has an extensive network of cycle lanes that make it easy to safely cycle around the city, even if you’re unfamiliar with it. All bike rental companies offer maps so you can set out on a family adventure. You could even throw in some stops at a couple of tapas restaurants.
Explore Ciutadella Park
After the chocolate museum, be sure to visit Ciutadella Park not too far away. You can check out the famous fountain, rent a boat to ride around in the park’s lake, play table tennis on one of the many tables (be warned: it’s competitive), have your photo taken with the mammoth (yes, a giant mammoth) or simply relax, have a picnic, or toss a frisbee around.
Insider’s Tip: During the summer months, the park has numerous events, always with plenty of street food.
Top cultural attractions for teens
Get up close with Gaudi
With eclectic motifs, funky colors, and hidden symbols, Gaudi’s quirky style fascinates visitors of all ages – teens included! A visit to Barcelona with teens definitely needs to include seeing at least one of Gaudi’s photo-worthy sites. We especially recommend Parc Guell for a fun outdoor outing. Casa Mila and the Sagrada Familia are also sure to impress even the most jaded of teens.
Take a food four
We may be biased, but we firmly believe that one of the best ways to understand a city is to dive deep into its culture via the local dishes. And we encourage teens to try the Catalan fare, too!
We welcome teens (and kids of all ages) on our Tastes & Traditions of Barcelona Food Tour. This comprehensive tour includes 13 delicious tastes at 7 iconic establishments in Barcelona’s most historic neighborhoods. From beloved bakeries to tapas bars to the fishermen’s district, your local guide will highlight Barcelona’s most interesting corners. There’s never a dull moment, making our tour teen-approved.
Spend the afternoon in Tibidabo
Looking over Barcelona is Tibidabo. During the day it can be hard to see, but at night, if you look towards the back of the city (the view up Carrer Balmes is the best), you’ll see a church and a ferris wheel lit up—this is Tibidabo Amusement Park. The church is surrounded by some pretty average restaurants, so consider bringing your own food, but it offers amazing views and the entrance to the theme park is right nearby.
Tibidabo has the full range of classic rides and makes a great option for a day out. You may even be lucky enough to see one of the wild boars that roam Collserola, the hill upon which Tibidabo sits.
Exploring Barcelona’s sports scene
Take a tour of Camp Nou
Barcelona isn’t just the home of FC Barcelona, but that’s not how your teens may see it if they’re sports fans. FC Barcelona is one of the most famous soccer clubs in the world. Stars such as Lionel Messi, and Gerard Pique light up the night sky at Camp Nou, which holds up to 100,000 people. If you prefer basketball, handball, or futsal, you can always head to one of those games, too.
Another great way to see FC Barcelona is on a guided tour of the stadium. Options include a tour of the stadium and visit to the museum, or a much more expensive package with the chance to step onto the field, sit in the press box, and visit the changing room. It’s not the cheapest activity on our list, but it’s well worth considering if you and your family are into sports.
See Barcelona’s Olympic Village (and Montjuic)
You may, understandably, want to enjoy more views over the city, and there are few better places for this than Montjuic. You can enjoy incredible views of Barcelona and visit the castle, and in the summer they show films in the open air. You can even visit the Olympic Stadium, which is much less expensive than Camp Nou.
The highlight of a trip to Montjuic is the cable car, which has two possible routes, including one which connects to Barceloneta. The views are fantastic, and provide the most direct route from the castle to the beach.
Shopping and souvenirs
Barcelona has no shortage of great shopping – for adults and teens alike! Here are some popular shopping destinations for teenagers in Barcelona:
Shopping malls
Malls like Maremagnum, Diagonal Mar, and La Maquinista are popular shopping destinations for teens, offering a variety of stores and entertainment options all in one place.
Portal de l’Àngel
This pedestrian shopping street is one of the busiest in Barcelona and is known for its diverse range of shops, including international and local fashion brands that appeal to teens.
El Raval
This trendy neighborhood has a youthful vibe and is home to many vintage shops, second-hand stores, and independent boutiques. Teens often enjoy exploring the unique and alternative fashion options here.
Gràcia District
Gràcia is known for its laid-back atmosphere and eclectic fashion scene. Teens often visit the area for its independent boutiques, vintage shops, and locally designed clothing.
Passeig de Gràcia
This famous avenue is home to upscale boutiques and flagship stores of renowned fashion brands. While it can be expensive, some teens enjoy window shopping and getting style inspiration from the high-end fashion on display.
Bershka, Pull&Bear, Sfera, and Zara
These international fashion chains are popular among teens for their trendy and affordable clothing. You can find several outlets of these brands throughout Barcelona.
Skate shops and streetwear stores
Barcelona has a vibrant skate and streetwear culture, and teens interested in these styles can find plenty of specialized stores in neighborhoods like El Raval and El Gòtic.
Flea markets
Barcelona has several flea markets, such as Mercat dels Encants and Mercat de Sant Antoni, where teens can find unique and vintage clothing, accessories, and more. One funny souvenir is the caganer, Catalan figurines that depict world leaders and famous celebrities in a rather, ahem, interesting pose.
FAQ: Visiting Barcelona with teens
What neighborhood do you recommend staying in?
We’re partial to the lively and trendy Born neighborhood, which is home to boutiques, tapas restaurants, historical monuments, and beautiful alleyways. It’s also great for teens—and only a 20-minute walk from the beach!
How many days do you recommend spending in Barcelona with teens?
It really depends on how many activities your family would like to do, and how much time each will take. For example, if you plan to take a day trip or visit a beach in a neighboring city, we recommend adding one day per day trip. Overall, enjoy your visit! Barcelona is full of activities the whole family can enjoy. Take some time to plan your trip and no one will get bored.
Update notice: This article was updated on September 25, 2023.
