Updated: December 22, 2025 • By Santorini Dave
Best Family Hotels in Barcelona
• Best Pool: Grand Central
• Family Suite: Apartments Sixtyfour
• Family of 4: Colón Hotel
• Family of 5: Catalonia Ramblas
• Family of 6: Apartments Sixtyfour
We did several tours in Barcelona. The Market to Fork Cooking Class was the best. On our most recent visit we stayed at the fun, trendy, and centrally located Aparthotel Arai.
Barcelona Family Hotels – My Advice
- My Top 3 Family Hotels:
• Aparthotel Arai: This is my #1 pick for families. It is a luxury boutique hotel in the Gothic Quarter, but the rooms are “apartments” with small kitchenettes (microwave/fridge) and family layouts. Plus, it has a rooftop pool.
• Grand Hotel Central: True 5-star luxury with arguably the best rooftop infinity pool in the city. Excellent location near the Cathedral.
• Eurostars Grand Marina: Located in Port Vell right on the harbor (great views). It looks and feels like a luxury cruise ship. Huge suites and a seasonal rooftop pool.- Best “Cheap” Hotel for Families: Apartaments Ciutat Vella. These are clean, functional apartments with kitchens and a rooftop hot tub. The location is busy (10 minutes to Las Ramblas), but the value is unbeatable for families who want to cook their own meals.
- Hotels with Pools (Essential for Summer): Barcelona gets hot and humid in July and August. A pool is a lifesaver for kids after a morning of sightseeing.
• SB Icaria: Located near the beach (Bogatell), large pool, very family-focused.
• Andante: The best budget/midrange option with a rooftop pool.
• Duquesa de Cardona: Boutique feel near the port with two small plunge pools.
• Catalonia Plaza Catalunya: Right off the main square, beautiful pool.- Neighborhood Strategy (Gothic vs. Eixample):
• Gothic Quarter/El Born: Stay here for atmosphere. It’s a maze of medieval streets, charm, and history. However, it is loud, crowded, and navigating a stroller over the cobblestones can be tough.
• Eixample: Stay here for convenience. This is the 19th-century expansion of the city. The sidewalks are wide (great for strollers), it is safer, quieter at night, and home to the best architecture (Casa Batlló, La Pedrera).- The “Late Dinner” Challenge: Spaniards eat late. Most good restaurants don’t open for dinner until 8:00 pm or 8:30 pm. If your kids are hungry at 6:00 pm, your options are limited to tourist traps on Las Ramblas or tapas bars (which serve food all day). My advice: Embrace the “Merienda” (afternoon snack) at 5:00 pm to tide them over, or look for restaurants with “Cocina Non Stop” (all-day kitchen).
- Book Sagrada Familia Now: Do not just show up at the Sagrada Familia expecting to get in. It sells out days (sometimes weeks) in advance. You must book tickets online for a specific time slot before your trip. The “Tower View” tickets are cool but note that children under 6 are not allowed up the towers for safety reasons.
- Getting Around with Kids: Barcelona’s transport rules are strict.
• The Age Limit: Children under 4 travel free. Anyone 4 or older pays the full adult fare.
• Best Ticket: Buy the T-Familiar card (€11.05). It provides 8 rides and is shareable, so one card can cover the whole family for a few journeys.
• Note: The popular T-Casual (10 rides) is not shareable; don’t buy it for a group.
• Strollers: The metro is mostly accessible, but older stations in the Gothic Quarter lack elevators. Buses are 100% accessible and often easier with a stroller.
Our suite at Aparthotel Arai.
The 7 Best Family Hotels in Barcelona
1. Grand Hotel Central (luxury) – El Born
Hotel Phone: +34 932 957900
Fabulous, Art Deco-style, 5-star hotel featuring attractive suites and grand suites (family of 4) with included breakfast, mini-bars, Nespresso coffee machines, deep-soaking bathtubs, high ceilings and ancient city wall views. Grand suites add kitchenettes & Gothic quarter views with the option to connect to more rooms for larger families. Hotel has a trendy skybar and a fantastic rooftop infinity pool with excellent views. Awesome location beside the Barcelona Cathedral close to museums, the boulevard, restaurants & tapas bars.
• Hotel Website • Check prices for Grand Hotel Central
2. Aparthotel Arai (luxury) – near La Rambla
Hotel Phone: +34 933 203950
Luxury boutique hotel set in a restored 18th-century palace in the heart of Barcelona’s historic Gothic Quarter featuring exquisite family rooms (sleeps family of 4) with parquet floors, exposed stone walls, high vaulted ceilings with wooden beams, lovely porcelain decorated headboards, sofa beds, mini-bars, bathtubs/showers, fully-equipped kitchens (cooking hobs & fridges) and balconies with Plaza/street views. Also has exclusive suites (for up to 4 people) with 2 private terraces featuring jacuzzis, sitting/dining areas, sofa beds, and city skyline views. Includes a rooftop pool and Kokka, a great Peruvian restaurant. Key attractions, restaurants, antique & crafts shops are within easy walking distance.
• Hotel Website • Check prices for Aparthotel Arai
3. Eurostars Grand Marina (luxury) – Port Vell
Hotel Phone: +34 93 6039000
Minimalistic seafront hotel resembling a transatlantic cruise ship, set in Port Vell, featuring contemporary executive suites (family of 4) with lots of natural light, bathrooms with jacuzzi bathtubs, living/dining areas, mini-bars and private terraces. Great location with shopping and more, a short stroll away and a hop on/hop off bus stop right outside.
• Hotel Website • Check prices for Eurostars Grand Marina
4. Colón Hotel (midrange) – Ciutat Vella
Hotel Phone: +34 93 3011404
Brilliantly located neoclassic hotel, set right across the square from the Barcelona cathedral, close to the Gothic Quarter, featuring bright, comfortable Junior suites (up to 4 people) with sitting areas, balconies, bathtubs, Nespresso coffee machines, mini-bars and balconies with impressive Cathedral views. Within easy walking distance of attractions, the port, restaurants, markets, boutique shops etc.
• Hotel Website • Check prices for Colón Hotel
5. Catalonia Ramblas (midrange) – El Raval
Hotel Phone: +34 93 3168400
Four star hotel, close to Catalunya square offering elegant family rooms (sleeps family of 5) with bunk beds, sofa beds, tea/coffee facilities and mini-bars. There’s a metro station nearby and the Gothic neighbourhood is within easy walking distance. The hotel offers a free daily afternoon buffet (sandwiches/pastries) which is perfect for kids before the late Spanish dinner time.
• Hotel Website • Check prices for Catalonia Ramblas
6. Citadines Ramblas (midrange) – El Barri Gotic
Hotel Phone: +34 932701111
Mediterranean-inspired aparthotel on Las Ramblas. Spacious 1-bedroom apartments (sleep 4) with kitchens including dishwashers. Located steps from the Boqueria Market and Plaça de Catalunya.
• Hotel Website • Check prices for Citadines Ramblas
7. Turin (midrange) – El Raval
Hotel Phone: +34 933024812
Excellent value just off La Rambla. Quadruple rooms are clean and functional but basic (no tea/coffee). Great for families on a budget who want to be in the heart of the action.
• Hotel Website • Check prices for Turin
More Hotels for Families in Barcelona
- SB Icaria
Large family and triple rooms. Nice outdoor pool. - Andante
Good sized triple and family rooms. - Royal Ramblas
Large family rooms. Interconnecting rooms available. - Catalonia Plaza Catalunya
Large family rooms available. Nice outdoor pool.
Family Apartments in Barcelona
Apartments Sixtyfour (midrange) – Eixample
Hotel Phone: +34 648182597
Outstanding family-friendly apartments in a great central location. Large one, two, and three bedroom suites (family of 6 or more) have full kitchen, dining area, and living room.
• Hotel Website • Check prices for Apartments Sixtyfour
More apartment rentals for families in Barcelona
All units are centrally located and have kitchens. Most have washer/dryer and parking.
- Barcelonastuff Apartments (Rambla Beach)
Beautiful 3-bedroom apartments for families of 6. - BCN Apartments 41
Luxurious two and three bedroom apartments for families of 4 to 6. - Catedral Bas Apartments
1-bedroom apartments for family of 4, 2-bedroom apartments sleep families of 5 or 6. - Home to Home Barcelona
Large 1 and 2-bedroom apartments for families of 4 to 6. - The Lonely Chimney Apartments
Affordable two-bedroom apartments in the quiet, local Poblenou neighborhood near the beach.
Santorini Dave was started in 2011 when I posted a short guide to visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my site publishes regularly updated guides to 
Hey Santorini Dave! Can you help me pick a good home base for my family of 5 (3 kids)? We want to relax at the beach but also see the sites. We’ll only have 3 days in Barcelona. Jenn
Since your time in Barcelona is limited and you want to include some beach time, I recommend going with one of three neighbourhoods:
Barri Gotic & Las Ramblas Barri Gotic is the super-central medieval quarter and the heart of the city, while Las Ramblas is Barcelona’s most popular pedestrian boulevard. It’s very walkable, lots of restaurants, close to many sights, and the Barceloneta Beach is a 10-15 minute walk away, depending exactly on where you stay. Family-friendly attractions include the Chocolate Museum and the Aquarium. Family-friendly hotels include Le Meredien (swimming pool, kids’ menu), Hotel Royal Ramblas (family rooms), Hotel Regina (family rooms) and Grand Hotel Central (family rooms, outdoor pool).
La Ribera is next door to Barri Gotic, also part of medieval Barcelona and also within easy walking distance of many attractions, as well as Barceloneta Beach. Plus there’s the large Ciutadella Park next to it, as well as Barcelona Zoo. Family-friendly hotels include Duquesa de Cardona (on the waterfront, outdoor pool, connecting rooms and extra beds available).
Eixample is just north of Barric Gotic and La Ribera and further away from Barceloneta Beach, which is the most central of Barcelona’s beaches. However, it’s more convenient if you want to visit the Sagrada Familia and check out some of the famous Gaudi architecture. Also, it’s only a short metro ride from the waterfront, from where it’s a 10-minute walk to the beach. Eixample’s family-friendly hotels include Best Western Premium Hotel Dante (family rooms, extra beds available, babysitting arranged), Petit Palace Museum Hotel (family rooms), Casa Fuster (outdoor pool, connecting rooms, babysitting, extra beds) and NH Calderon Barcelona (outdoor pool, connecting rooms).
We are traveling to Catalonia in June/July w/ 3 kids (9, 14, 17). Any thoughts on places to go (outside of Barcelona)? Activities? Villages that aren’t too over-run? Any direction would be much appreciated.
Mike Wilson
There are numerous places you can visit in Catalonia, both as day trips from Barcelona and as overnight stays.
Below are some general suggestions:
1. Montserrat. This is a rocky mountain 50km north of Barcelona, with a famous monastery, Benedectine Monestir de Montserrat, more than halfway up the mountain. The monastery is home to the Black Virgin, one of Spain’s most revered icons; pilgrims come here to pray and Barcelona’s football team come here to leave offerings before a big game. You don’t have to be a pilgrim to visit; apart from the monastery and a couple of shrines, there are some great walking paths leading to the top of the mountain, with excellent views towards the coast. There’s also a good art museum, a restaurant and a hotel. It’s an easy day trip from Barcelona. Take the metro to Espanya station and then the R5 train heading towards Manresa; the journey takes just over an hour. If you want to take the cable car to the monastery, get off at Aeri Montserrat; if you prefer to take the Cremallera Funicular cog railway up the mountain, alight at Monistrol Montserrat.
2. Figueres. Another easy day trip from Barcelona. Even if you’re not huge fans of Salvador Dali, this town is well worth a visit for the Teatre-Museu Dali, a red castle topped with Oscar-like golden statues and giant eggs and studded with plaster croissants. It’s both Dali’s final resting place (he’s buried in the crypt) and a superb museum of his work. There are numerous surreal installations and paintings and even a separate section displaying strange and intricate jewellery designed by Dali. Try to go early on a weekday, because it’s a huge favourite with school groups and tour groups in general. High-speed trains take around an hour to get to Figueres from Barcelona-Sants train station.
3. Cadaques. This is an attractive little fishing town on the Costa Brava, near the border with France. It sees more domestic visitors than international ones, there are some great seafood restaurants and there are some good coastal walks from there. A short (20min) coastal walk leads to to Port Lligat, a tiny fishing village where you find the Casa-Museu Dali. Again, even if you’re not huge fans of the surrealist artist, it’s great fun for adults and kids alike to poke around his private home, full of wacky objects – from a taxidermied polar bear to an oddly-shaped swimming pool and a tower spiked with pitchforks. It takes around two and a half hours to drive from Barcelona to Cadaques, so it’s worth combining a visit with a trip to Figueres and staying overnight in Cadaques. L’Horta d’en Rahola is an atmospheric, converted 17th century farmhouse, while Hotel Llane Petit is all whitewashed rooms overlooking a pebble beach.
4. Port Aventura. It takes around an hour and a half to drive from Barcelona to Port Aventura, one of Spain’s better amusement parks. There are rides suitable both for your younger child and the teenagers, from a freefall tower and rollercoasters to spinning teacups and wet’n’wild splash rides.
5. Tarragona. If you’re a family of history buffs, Tarragona is well worth a visit. Just over an hour’s drive from Barcelona along the coast, the town is the second most important Roman site in Spain, with plenty of ruins surviving intact. There’s a well-preserved amphitheatre, a necropolis, aqueduct, Roman forum and other remains, as well as an excellent archaeological museum. Tarragona also has some nice beaches, and you can stay overnight in Tarragona and combine a visit to the ruins with a visit to Port Aventura. Hotel Placa de la Font is central to the action in Tarragona.
6. Sitges. Okay, Sitges is touristy, but it also has some of Catalonia’s best beaches, a nice maze of streets to wander around, and good seafood restaurants along the waterfront. High-speed trains from Barcelona-Sants take around half an hour to get here.
7. Delta de L’Ebre. A couple of hours’ drive south of Barcelona, this is the most important birding habitat in northern Spain. It’s a great expanse of marshland, waterways and dune-backed beaches and it’s about as far from touristy bustle as you can get. In summer you’re not likely to see the flamingos, but there are numerous waterside trails ideal for cycling or walking and the beach by the seafront village of Ruimar is a great place for watersports such as kitesurfing, sea kayaking and wakeboarding. You can rent bicycles in Ruimar as well. The best places to stay in the Delta are the casas rurales (farmhouses turned guesthouses) that give you a proper taste of Catalonian rural life. Some of the best include Masia Tinet and Mas del Tancat. The Delta is also known for its distinctive cuisine – lots of seafood, plus dishes that make use of locally grown rice. Mas Prades is a great local restaurant.
8. Finally, if you’re into hiking and have a rental car, I recommend spending 2-3 days in the picturesque Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici, Catalonia’s only national park that’s near the French border (about 4 hours’ drive from Barcelona). In winter it’s great for skiing and in summer there are numerous hiking trails winding between the tiny villages in the mountains. Base yourselves in Taull where there’s an excellent upmarket hostel, Alberg Taull run by a guy from Arizona, or else stay in the village of Espot at the Roca Blanca.
First time in Barcelona and Spain and looking for a good/great restaurant to sample local food. Any recommendations for Barcelona restaurants with kids? Nothing fancy. Staying near La Ramblas.
Elaine
Txapela is a delicious easy-going restaurant a short walk from Las Ramblas. Mainly small plates so you can sample lots of dishes. Try to sit up at the bar so you can see and ask about all the dishes going by. Our kids loved it as much as us.