Planning a trip to Barcelona with teens or tweens? Enric Massó, author of Discovering Barcelona: a travel guide for teens, shares four brilliant days out that will keep even the fussiest teenager entertained — all within easy reach of the city.
Barcelona itself is a fantastic destination for families with older kids, but Catalonia’s real trick is what lies just beyond it. In a region roughly the size of Belgium, you’ll find golden beaches, dramatic cliffs and coves, mountain ranges over 10,000ft high, dense forests, wide open plains, volcanic landscapes and rich wetlands — all only a few hours from wherever you’re staying.
Here are four outings near Barcelona that are well worth building into your trip.
#1. Enjoy the wildest rides at Port Aventura in Salou
Forget every other theme park you’ve been to — this is what you’ve been waiting for. Port Aventura is a theme park and resort about 100km (62 miles) south of Barcelona, known for its thrill rides, big live shows and musicals, and themed lands inspired by Mexico, the Far West, Polynesia and China.
Port Aventura also has an adjoining water park, Costa Caribe, so pack a change of clothes — you’re guaranteed to get splashed. The resort has plenty of restaurants and several hotels if you fancy staying longer, and there’s even a dedicated train station named after the park to get you there.
#2. Discover the secrets of a magic mountain in Montserrat
Montserrat (pronounced “moon-sah-rat”) is a striking mountain range unlike anywhere else you’ll have visited. From a distance its silhouette looks like the toothed blade of a saw — and that’s exactly where the name comes from, as Montserrat means “sawn” or “serrated” mountain” in Catalan.
Take the cable car, the Aeri de Montserrat, for a breathtaking ride over the Llobregat River and valley, up to the thousand-year-old Benedictine Montserrat Monastery. Legend has it the image of Our Lady of Montserrat, known as the Black Madonna, was found in a nearby cave in the year 880. In the Basilica you can also hear one of the oldest boys’ choirs in Europe, the Escolania de Montserrat.
Montserrat is also a Natural Park with hiking trails to suit all ages and fitness levels, making it an ideal day trip from Barcelona by a short train ride.
Recommended Reading: Top 10 Things to do in Barcelona with Teens (or Tweens)
#3. Visit the romantic city of Girona
Girona (pronounced “gee-roh-nah”) is often thought of as Catalonia’s unofficial second capital. Travellers flying into Barcelona via Girona airport may already know the name, but this charming city — barely an hour from Barcelona and the Costa Brava — sees far fewer tourists than the busier centres.
Girona’s medieval centre is one of the best preserved in Catalonia, with visible traces of the city’s Christian, Muslim and Jewish history as you wander through it. The 12th-century Arab Baths were modelled on earlier Muslim and Roman bath-houses.
The Jewish Quarter, known as “El Call”, is one of the best preserved in Europe — enjoy exploring its narrow lanes, and perhaps stop at the Museu d’Història dels Jueus (Museum of the History of the Jews). If your legs are up for it, climb the 86 steps to the city’s cathedral and its 12th-century cloister, and consider combining your visit with the nearby medieval village of Besalú.
A high-speed train connects Barcelona and Girona in around 45 minutes, or you can take a slower regional train, which takes about 90 minutes.
#4. Travel back in time to the Middle Ages in Besalú
Besalú (pronounced “beh-sah-loo”) sits in the Garrotxa county, near Girona. It was once far more significant than its size today suggests, having been the capital of its own county in the early Middle Ages — home to Wilfred the Hairy, credited with unifying Catalonia.
The town’s standout feature is its 12th-century Romanesque bridge over the Fluvià river, complete with a gateway at its midpoint. Wander the arcaded streets and squares, and take in the restored mikveh — a ritual Jewish bath dating from the 11th or 12th century — as well as the remains of a medieval synagogue near the river. It’s about as close as you’ll get to stepping into a genuine medieval town, and well worth the trip.
Photo credits: Montserrat (cruisinskier–Photobucket); Girona (MiquelC–Flickr, CC BY 2.0); Besalú (dynamosquito–Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0)
Recommended Reading: 9 European city breaks you might never have thought of
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You’ll find plenty more ideas in Discovering Barcelona, A Travel Guide for Teens, a comprehensive travel guide covering everything from history and landmarks to local language snippets and metro maps, plus an extensive index of the best spots in Barcelona for young visitors. The layout is engaging, with useful tips and hints for touring the city and beyond — a handy companion for a young traveller heading to Barcelona, or for keeping one occupied on the journey there.
If you or someone you know is planning a trip to Barcelona with kids, this travel guide makes a lovely gift.
More info at: www.discoveringbarcelona.info
 | By Enric Massó (Barcelona, 1969). A hardcore traveller, Enric is a regular contributor at several travel-related websites such as TripAdvisor, VirtualTourist and the InfoCatalonia.eu sites among others. He was born and bred in Barcelona but has lived in different cities across several continents. As a day job, Enric is a business strategist, but in his spare time he likes to write about travel and cultural awareness. He has always been passionate about European cities and most especially his own city, Barcelona: its history, heritage, its vibrant life. With the typical charm of the Mediterraneans, he proudly enjoys showing the city to his foreign friends when visiting, many of whom have teenagers. But he soon realised that, although Barcelona ranks very highly among Europe’s top city destinations, there wasn’t much information aimed at teens — most guides were written for grown-up travellers. So he started gathering information and putting it into a format made just for them: easy to read, fun and entertaining — Discovering Barcelona, a travel guide for teens. Have a peek using Amazon’s “Look Inside” feature. |
Have you visited any of these places, or do you have a favourite outing near Barcelona? Tell us in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Port Aventura from Barcelona?
Port Aventura is about 100km (62 miles) south of Barcelona, and there’s a train station right at the resort, making it an easy day trip.
Is Montserrat suitable for a family day trip?
Yes — Montserrat is a popular day trip from Barcelona. The cable car journey up the mountain is an experience in itself, and the Natural Park has hiking trails suited to a range of ages and fitness levels, alongside the monastery and Basilica to explore.
How do you get from Barcelona to Girona?
There’s a high-speed train that takes around 45 minutes, or a slower regional train that takes about 90 minutes, with several services running daily.
Can you visit Girona and Besalú in one day?
Yes, many visitors combine the two, since Besalú is a short onward trip from Girona and both are compact enough to explore together, though you may want to pick one to enjoy at a more leisurely pace if time is tight.
More Ideas for Your Trip
- Top 10 Things to Do in Barcelona with Teens (or Tweens)
- 9 European City Breaks You Might Never Have Thought Of
- More family adventure ideas from MyKidsTime
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