Kids' stuff

Beaches

Catalonia has more than 500km of coast with beautiful beaches and popular family resorts. In the north of the region there are tiny rocky coves known as calas; as you move further south there are more longer beaches of golden sand. All the beaches along the Catalan coast are suitable for children although the water temperature is usually warmer in the south and the waves aren’t very big. However, don’t forget to check the flags on the beach before letting your children swim in the sea. Water sports lessons and sand castle contests for children take place in most towns during the summer season.

Theme Park Directory

Note the prices quoted below are for a whole day and in high season. They have been taken from the websites (or local tourism websites) and should be checked.

Parc D`Atraccions Tibidabo (BARCELONA)
Located on the Tibidabo Mountain in Barcelona city, this is the oldest amusement park in Spain. To get here you can take the city's only remaining tram, the Tramvia Blau (blue tram), at the Avinguda Tibidabo and then the funicular to the summit of the Tibidabo - this is the most attractive and picturesque way of getting to the park.
Address: Plaça del Tibidabo, 3-4
08035 - Barcelona
Tel: 93 211 7942
http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/turisme/exp/ing/ap07-54.htm
Prices: Adults €17; Children €5

Port Aventura Universal Mediterranea (TARAGONA)
This is Universal Studios’ theme park in Europe. There are five themes: Mexico, China, Far West, Polynesia and The Mediterranean with lots of rides and shows for all ages. Spectacular!
Address: Autovia Salou/Vila-seca, km2 (TARRAGONA)
Tel: 902 202 220
www.portaventura.es
Prices: Adults €34; Children €27 (Also multiple entry tickets for 2-3 days)

Costa Caribe (TARRAGONA)
Water adventures with rides for all ages!
Address: Autovia Salou/Vila-seca, km. 2 (Tarragona)
Tel: 902 202 220
www.portaventura.es
Prices: Adults €8.5; Children (5-12) €7; Children (under 4) Free

Gnomo Park (GIRONA)
Welcome to the world of fantasy and fun!
Address: Crtra. Lloret a Blanes
17310 Lloret de Mar (Girona)
www.gnomo-park.com

Catalunya en Miniatura (BARCELONA)
The biggest scale-model in miniature in the world showing all the important buildings and monuments of the region. Don’t miss it!
Address: Can Balasch de Baix , s/n
08629 - Torrelles de Llobregat (Barcelona)
Tel: 93 689 0960
www.catalunyaenminiatura.com
Prices: Adults €9.50; Children €6.50

Water Park Directory

There are many water parks in Catalonia. The following are probably the most suitable for children of all ages with good facilities for all the family and strictly enforced safety conditions. The prices shown below don’t include special rates, discounts for groups and/or family tickets so, please, check this out in advance.

Aqua Brava (GIRONA)
Address: Ctra.de Cadaqués
17480 - Roses (Girona)
Tel: 972 254 344
www.aquabrava.com
Prices: Children over 1.20 m height and adults €18 day, €14 half day;
Children smaller than 1.20m height €10 day, €8 half day

Aquadiver (GIRONA)
Address: Ctra. de Circumval.lació, s/n
17250 - Platja d'Aro (Girona)
Tel: 972 818 732
www.aquadiver.com
Prices: Adults €18.50; Children €12.50

Aquapark Safari Aqualeon and Safari Park (TARRAGONA)
Address: Finca Les Basses, s/n
43716 – Albiñana (Tarragona)
Tel: 977 687 656
www.aqualeon.es
Prices: Adults €17; Children €11.75

Aquopolis (TARRAGONA)
Address: Passeig Pau Casals, 65
43480 – La Pineda (Tarragona)
Tel: 977 371 640
www.aquopolis.es
Prices: Full day: Adults €16.40; Children €10.80 Half day: Adults € 12.50; Children €80

Illa Fantasia (BARCELONA)
Address: Finca Mas Brasso, s/n
08339 - Vilassar de Dalt (Barcelona)
Tel: 937 514 543
www.illafantasia.com
Prices: Adults €11; Children € 7.50

Magma-Thermal Centre (GIRONA)
Address: Veïnat de Vall, s/n
17430 Santa Coloma de Farners(Girona)
Tel: 972843535
www.magma-cat.com
Prices: Adults €20; Children (4- 12) €16; Children (under 4) Free

Water World (GIRONA)
Address: Ctra. de Vidreres, Km.1,2.
17310 - Lloret de Mar (Girona)
Tel: 972 368 613
www.waterworld.es
Prices: Full day: Adults €18.5; Children €11 Half day: Adults €13; Children €8

Animals

If your children love nature and animals, Catalonia is also well served by Natural Parks where observing birds and other animals can be a delightful and educational experience for the whole family. Don’t miss the Aiguamolls Nature Park of L'Empordà in the bay of Roses (Girona). This beautiful park offers activities for children, boat trips from Roses, bird watching and guided walks for everyone in the family. Click here for more information: www.gencat.es/mediamb/pn/espais/eparce15.htm

Zoo de Barcelona (BARCELONA)
More than 400 species from all over the world and lots of educational activities for children, birthday parties and much more!
Address: Parc de la Ciutadella, s/n-Villa Olímpica
08003 Barcelona
www.zoobarcelona.com
Prices: Adults €12.50; Children €8

Aquarium de Barcelona (BARCELONA)
One of the largest educational marine centres in Europe with 8,000 specimens of sea life from 300 different species. An unique experience!
Address: Moll d'Espanya del Port Vell, s/n
08039 BARCELONA
www.aquariumbcn.com/ing/
Prices: Adults €13; Children €9

Scuba diving & Snorkelling

Companies offering a range of classes/courses and hire of equipment for snorkelling and diving can be found in bays all over Girona.

L'Estartit
Medaqua
Tel: 972 752 043
Scuba diving, snorkelling, diving courses, kayak, water skiing and much more! Lots of activities for over twelves, though the ability to swim is essential. Parental permission is required for under eighteens.
www.medaqua.com

Tamariu
Stolli – Tel: 972 620 035
Llafranc
Triton Diving- Tel: 972 302 426
Aiguafreda
Sa Rascassa –Tel: 972 624 247

Kids in Barcelona

Poble Espanyol
Marqués de Comillas- Parc de Montjuïc
Tel: 93 325 7866
Monuments and buildings which portray the different peoples and cultures of Spain. Frequent fiestas make it a lively place with lots of fun for everybody - young and old.
For more information: www.poble-espanyol.com

Las Ramblas
Some of La Rambla’s most captivating attractions are its famous street performers entertaining the crowds and especially the children with their shows. Mime artists and human statues, musicians, puppeteers and clowns provide lots of fun for kids, who will also enjoy looking at the animals for sale and the stalls selling lot of children’s stuff.

Museums
Three museums you can't miss if you have an interest in art are: Fundació Joan Miró, the Picasso Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art, the first of which is especially good for kids:

Fundació Joan Miró
The Joan Miró Foundation not only gives you a great overview of the imaginative works of this giant of modern art but it is also a centre for music and theatre. The museum has guided tours with kids in mind, (they even get a book to take home), a theatre for children at weekends (October to May) and live performances with commentaries by the composers oriented towards school-age kids.
Click here for more information: www.bcn.fjmiro.es

Other ideas

There are also many areas where children over 12 can go canoeing or rafting, or try out other outdoor sports and activities. One of the most popular is:

Parc Olimpic del Segre (LLEIDA)
These facilities were created for the ‘92 Olympics and include rafting, hydro speed, whitewater and calm water canoeing, rowing and mountain biking.
Address: La Seu d’Urgell (Lleida)
25700 La Seu d'Urgell
Tel: 973 360 092
www.parcolimpic.com

Boat trips
There are boat trips in glass-bottomed boats from Tossa de Mar to San Feliu, visiting small bays and caves on the way.

A variety of companies operate a regular boat service up and down the Costa Brava from Platja Gran:
Vaixells Fons de Vidre (Tel: 972 342 229 / 340 272)
Crucerotours (Tel: 972 340 319
Cruceros del Nordeste (Tel: 972 340 272)
Viajes Marítimos (Tel: 972 369 095)

Nautilus (L’Estartit)
A unique cruise along the sea bed. Enjoy the beauty and marine life of the Medes Islands Natural Reserve. Suitable for both adults and children, this is an unforgettable view of the underwater world.
Address: Passeig Maritim, 23
Tel: 972 751 489
Open from April to October everyday from 9.30am to 7pm

With thanks to Andrew Martin for his photograph of the Tibidabo
With thanks to Sonia Junquer for writing this guide