I’m all the time drawn to the historic aspect of the locations we go to. I really like strolling streets which were trodden for hundreds of years, standing on spots the place historical past was made and visiting buildings that had been dwelling to legends. My thoughts boggles in any respect of these moments from the previous that also echo in these locations. Historic sights additionally enchantment to younger travellers. What youngster doesn’t love story? Considered one of our favorite European metropolis breaks as a household is Barcelona – a vacation spot steeped in historical past. Fancy stepping again in time Barca-style? Learn on for our high historic Barcelona sights for households.
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What makes Barcelona so nice for households?
We’ve touched on Barcelona just a few instances over time – visiting earlier than youngsters, with our little ones forward of a Mediterranean cruise and in addition throughout a solo journey for me to the Costa Barcelona area. We wouldn’t hesitate to return.
There’s a lot color, the general public transport system is sweet and households are made to really feel welcome in every single place. It actually is a superb place for a metropolis break with infants and toddlers.
Attending to Barcelona is simple from a spread of UK airports and you may get a taxi to town centre in lower than an hour.
You can even seek for automobile rent in Barcelona supplying you with the freedrom to discover the broader Costa Barcelona at your individual tempo. I’d undoubtedly suggest visiting a few of the area’s historic Cava vineyards should you get the possibility. However first, let’s have a look at Barcelona’s high sights for historical past buffs!
Historic Barcelona sights
Right here’s seven historic Barcelona sights I believe households will love primarily based on locations we’ve been and have on our personal journey bucket listing:
1. Basilica of the Sagrada Familia
You may’t go to Barcelona with out seeing the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia…besides I’ve. And a stunning 3 times! The closest Mr Tin Field and I’ve gotten is standing on the steps outdoors having not been organised sufficient to purchase tickets upfront.
High tip: the queues for tickets on the day are monumental, so all the time purchase forward on-line and skip the road or e-book a guided tour for further perception.
The Sagrada Familia – notorious for being designed by Antoni Gaudi and, up to now, taking 135 years to construct – is a chunk of historical past within the making. When accomplished, its central tower will measure 566ft, making it the tallest cathedral in Europe. Being there throughout its development is a reminiscence to share for a lifetime.
The most effective elements for households to see is the Nativity facade, which was the primary a part of the cathedral to be constructed. It depicts the delivery of Jesus and incorporates symbolic creatures corresponding to turtles and chameleons – good for recognizing with younger kids.
2. Casa Batllo
Persevering with on a Gaudi theme, we are able to suggest a go to to Casa Batllo. This fantastical constructing is a legend in itself. From the facade that’s harking back to a sea monster to the free flowing inside of curves and lightweight.
Mr Tin Field and I took a self-guided audio tour 20 years in the past. I’d now like to return with our women for one among their household pleasant theatrical visits. You may select to be guided by actors enjoying both Antoni Gaudi himself or the free lipped housekeeper, Woman Ramona. It seems like a very enjoyable method to convey the story of the constructing and its design to life for youths.
3. Castell de Montjuïc
Montjuïc’s tales are positive to enchantment to followers of Horrible Histories. This fortress overlooking town has a chequered historical past of suppression and imprisonment. It was a key defence level within the Struggle of the Spanish Succession (1705 to 1714) – the primary world battle of recent instances.
The citadel bombarded the Catalan metropolis of Barcelona on plenty of events and was the setting for the torture of political prisoners through the Spanish civil battle (1936 to 1939).
Younger guests may even take pleasure in travelling on the two,754ft Teleferic de Montjuïc cable automobile to succeed in the highest of Montjuïc Hill.
High tip: keep away from visiting at peak instances (weekends) to get one of the best views of town and marina from the cable automobile.
4 Tibidabo Amusement Park
Tibidabo Amusement Park is Spain’s oldest amusement park and one of many oldest of its type on the earth. It sits on high of Mount Tibidabo – a part of the world’s largest metropolitan parks and on the sting of town.
Barcelona’s amusement park was based in 1889 and has greater than 25 family-friendly, classic rides – many with chook’s-eye view of Barcelona. In addition to white-knuckle rides that may entice teenage guests there are puppet exhibits, play areas and a ferris wheel to entertain youthful kids.
5. Park Güell
Other than being one other of Antoni Gaudi’s lasting masterpieces, Park Güell is an exquisite place to take kids to burn off steam. There’s fascinating architectural constructions in Gaudi’s naturalist type, winding walkways and loads of avenue sellers providing vibrant wares.
We took the Tin Field women right here after visiting ourselves a decade earlier than. I really like the inventive surprises round each nook, from mosaics to structure impressed by nature. You can even take pleasure in lovely views throughout town in the direction of the Mediterranean Sea.
High tip: solely the forest space of the park is free to roam round. For those who’d prefer to enter the memorial gardens the place you’ll see a hive of Gaudi’s finest designs then it’s a good suggestion to e-book tickets for Parc Guell upfront.
6. Montjuïc Magic Fountain
That is one among my enduring recollections of our first journey to Barcelona as a pair. I’d like to return to see it with our women. The Montjuïc Magic Fountain was inbuilt 1929 for the Worldwide Exhibition. The fountain in entrance of the Nationwide Museum of Artwork is now one among Barcelona’s hottest sights.
4 evenings per week through the peak vacation season it places on a lightweight, music and water present for tons of, if not hundreds, of spectators. The dancing water jets are certain to pique kids’s curiosity.
Right here’s the place to seek out it.
What’s your favorite historic Barcelona attraction?
The place to remain in Barcelona metropolis centre
Throughout out first household keep in Barcelona we booked into Leonardo Resort which is about again from the well-known Las Ramblas. In addition to lovely household rooms, its employees are tremendous pleasant employees and the situation is nice – 45 minutes from Barcelona Airport with all of the sights a simple stroll or metro experience away.
Check out our full assessment of Leonardo Resort Barcelona.
Extra inspiration for holidays in Europe
Right here’s some extra studying to encourage your travels to different European cities:
Need extra concepts for household holidays and days out? Learn my suggestions for smashing household journey and join my publication.
Disclosure: this publish has been written in partnership with Avis which will help with automobile rent in Barcelona.