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The Best Activities for Families
In the city: Anything by Antoni Gaudí, the city's most famous architect, immediately appeals to young eyes and imaginations. His whimsical Parque Güell with its imagery from the animal kingdom and hidden grottoes is a particular favorite. Speaking of animals, the city's world-class Aquarium with its walk-through tunnels and superb collection of Mediterranean marine life is also a good bet. The somewhat older and less-funded Parc Zoològic has a fantastic primate collection and is located in the Parque Ciutadella, which also boasts a lake with rowboats for hire, swings, and other assorted kiddie attractions. Museum-wise, a trip to the Maritime Museum, with its 16th-century galley and early submarine, could be combined with a jaunt on Las Golondrinas, quaint, double-decker pleasure boats that take you from the port to the breakwater. The Museu de la Cera (Wax Museum), may not be up to the standard of its counterpart in London, but is interesting enough to make it worth a visit. Older children will also find the Museu de la Xocolata (Chocolate Museum) enticing and the newly opened Science Museum has excellent hands-on exhibits for all ages. Then, of course, there are the beaches -- most with showers, toilets, bars, and hammocks for rent. Happy Park in L'Eixample, just off the Passeig de Gràcia, is a vast, indoor all-weather fun park where teenies can enjoy twister slides, ball pools, and other fun activities. There's also a day-care center for tots.
On the Outskirts: An all-time favorite is the Parc d'Atraccions Tibidabo. This veteran amusement park, perched on top of the city's highest peak, provides death-defying attractions and a few gentler ones from bygone days. The Parc del Laberint d' Horta, meanwhile, is a neoclassical park complete with eponymous maze on the outskirts of the city; and up in the Zona Alta above Pedralbes, the Parc del Castell de l'Oreneta has miniature train rides, weekend pony canters, and playgrounds with games for kids aged 3 and up.
Farther Afield: Montserrat, Catalonia's "spiritual heart," offers plenty of walking trails amid its phantasmagoric terrain of huge rocks, caves, and, of course, the monumental monastery itself.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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