Best family hotels in Barcelona for a kid-friendly city break

Planning your next trip to Spain? Put Barcelona at the top of your list. This family-friendly spot is perfect for combining a city break and a beach escape, and we've found the best hotels for adults and kids to stay in.

By Rachel Erdos | Last updated Jun 19, 2024

Best family hotels Barcelona

Full of colour, culture, history and art, Barcelona is a fun and friendly city, and perfect for a family holiday. Around a two-hour flight from the UK and blessed with a string of urban beaches, it's a great destination for a year-round family city break. And it makes a brilliant base for exploring more of the Costa Brava and beyond on a Spanish summer holiday.

Kids might not appreciate the architectural wonders of La Sagrada Familia but they'll likely enjoy whizzing round Parc Guell, where Gaudi's bold designs frame the colourful gardens. And tapas is a great way to introduce children to a variety of dishes - patatas bravas and croquettes are sure to appeal. Don't miss a trip to see the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, the Tibidabo Amusement Park and the excellent Science Museum, or the Camp Nou if your kids are footy mad. Beyond the attractions, you'll find beaches, parks and grand squares to kick back (or run around) in.

We're armed with hotel suggestions from the Mumsnet holiday forums to highlight the best family-friendly hotels in Barcelona.

Best family hotels in Barcelona at a glance

  • Best overall: H10 Madison | Book now

  • Best budget: Novotel Barcelona City | Book now

  • Best city centre: K&K Hotel Picasso El Born | Book now

  • Best apartments: Paseo de Gracia Bas Apartments by Aspasios | Book now

  • Best in the Gothic Quarter: Aparthotel Arai 4* Superior | Book now

  • Best for luxury: Grand Hotel Central, Small Luxury Hotels | Book now

  • Best by the beach: Eurostars Grand Marina | Book now

  • Best boutique: Hotel Jazz | Book now

  • Best for views: Colón Hotel Barcelona | Book now

  • Best for large rooms: H10 Urquinaona Plaza | Book now

1
Best overall hotel
What Mumsnet users say
Shakinsteven · Stayed + rated
"Can recommend H10 Madison. Rooftop pool with fabulous views. Close to La Bocqueria"
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Our verdict

With a beautiful rooftop terrace overlooking the city and a heated swimming pool, the kids will find it hard to leave the H10 Madison. But the location puts you within strolling distance of the Gothic Quarter and Parc de la Cuitadella.

There's an in-house snack bar (great for kids) and the restaurant serves Catalan, Mediterranean and Spanish dishes plus a kid-friendly daily buffet breakfast.

Inside, the sleek modern rooms feature high ceilings and huge rainshowers.

It's easy to explore Barcelona's blockbuster sites from here, including La Sagrada Familia, and the Picasso Museum and it's close to Somorrostro Beach and Sant Miquel Beach.

Read next: The best family hotels in Tenerife, according to parents

2
Best budget hotel
What Mumsnet users say
Lordofmyflies · Stayed + rated
"We've stayed at the Novotel Barcelona. It has a lovely roof pool and bar and stunning views. 20 mins walk to Las Ramblas"
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Our verdict

As chain hotels go, Novotel is a reliable brand for quality budget stays. And this hotel on Avenida Diagonal is smarter than most with a rooftop terrace and pool offering panoramic views.

Elsewhere, there's a gym, a sleek bar and a stylish breakfast room. Family rooms sleep up to four with a double bed and sofabeds. All Family rooms come with lovely city views.

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3
Best city centre hotel
What Mumsnet users say
cauliflowersqueeze · Stayed + rated
"Highly highly recommend K&K Hotel Picasso El Born. Beautiful central setting, right next to bus routes, rooftop swimming pool. Amazing place and would go back there in a heartbeat"
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123sunshine · Stayed + rated
"I second this recommendation. Lovely hotel in a great location"
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Our verdict

With elegant interiors and flawless rooms, the K&K Hotel Picasso El Born is a lovely hotel that the whole family can enjoy.

Its smart rooftop terrace - with a pool deck, sun loungers and bar - means that you can kick back in the sun in between sightseeing. The hotel offers a buffet-style breakfast and there are plenty of Spanish dishes and tapas on the menu for dinner. Conveniently located a short walk from the Picasso Museum, Las Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter, it's well placed for some of Barcelona's biggest attractions.

As for the kids, the hotel is right across from the tranquil Parc de la Ciutadella, home to one of Europe’s largest aquariums, and a 13-hectare zoo which houses 400+ species.

Read next: The best Marbella hotels for families, as rated by parents

4
Best Barcelona apartment
What Mumsnet users say
CCL · Recommended destination
"The area felt safe and was within walking distance of everywhere we needed. The apartments were lovely too"
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Our verdict

Mumsnetters rate Eixample as a great base for family holidays in Barcelona - "it's a bit off the main drag but close to the Gaudi stuff with metro stations and lovely shops and bars (Confusedteacher)" and the Paseo de Gracia Bas Apartments offer a stylish self-catering option in the neighbourhood.

The light-flooded one-bed and two-bed apartments feature beds and sofabeds and are equipped with kitchens and dining areas. The penthouse comes with a balcony and an outdoor dining area.

You're less than a 10-minute walk from Las Ramblas and Plaza Catalunya and there are loads of restaurants, bars and supermarkets nearby.

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5
Best Gothic Quarter hotel
Our verdict

With a cracking location in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, the Aparthotel Arai 4* Superior is a stylish stay for a Barcelona break with the family.

Housed in a beautiful 19th-century building, the interiors feature exposed stone walls and huge windows

Deluxe rooms sleep up to three and Family rooms sleep up to four with a double or single beds and two sofabeds. All rooms feature a kitchenette to give you a bit of flexibility when it comes to breakfast and snacks. You could stock up on supplies from the city's La Boqueria food market, less than a 10-minute walk away. There's also an on-site restaurant and a Peruvian bar.

Up on the rooftop you'll find an outdoor pool and there's also a gym and a sauna if you want to squeeze in a workout.

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6
Best luxury hotel
Our verdict

With its grand entrance hall and sweeping staircases, the 5-star Grand Hotel Central is a design hotel with a wow factor. It's beautifully decked out inside and you can enjoy fantastic views of Barcelona Cathedral and the nearby Gothic Quarter from the rooftop terrace and pool.

Modern rooms feature 4k high-definition TVs for crystal-clear Peppa Pig re-runs, as well as large rainfall showers. Family rooms sleep up to four and come with a separate lounge area and bathtubs.

It's located in Barcelona's El Born district, a high-end neighbourhood home to boutiques, bars and restaurants.

Read next: The best destinations in Spain for a family holiday

7
Best hotel by the beach
Our verdict

This huge hotel puts you in a top location for exploring Barcelona's best beaches. Set within the iconic World Trade Center, you can't miss this waterfront building with its boat-inspired design.

Kids will love watching cruise ships sail by and dock in the port and the whole family will enjoy a fresh sea breeze in the hot summer months. Despite its beachfront location, you're right next to Drassanes Metro Station for easy access to the city's main attractions.

There's a Mediterranean restaurant on-site, as well as cocktail bar where you can enjoy live music. There are loads of different room configurations for families of all sizes, including a Family Suite with two separate bedrooms.

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8
Best boutique hotel
What Mumsnet users say
Lala1245 · Stayed + rated
"Hotel Jazz is fab. Great location and lovely rooftop pool"
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Our verdict

This petite hotel just off Las Ramblas is a great option for a stylish central stay.

It's a two-minute walk from Plaza Catalunya and you can reach the Gothic Quarter in around 10 minutes (or 30, depending on whether you have meandering toddlers in tow).

There's a small rooftop terrace and pool and the modern cafe-cum-bar serves breakfast every day.

Family rooms come with a sofabed, and travel cots can be added for free on request.

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9
Best hotel with views
Our verdict

Opposite Barcelona Cathedral, the views from Colon Hotel's rooftop terrace are hard to beat. And the hotel holds its own in terms of design - it's housed in a stunning neoclassical building but the interiors are sleek and modern.

Linger at the terrace cafe with a coffee (and a babyccino) and take in the views from the square overlooking the cathedral. The restaurant serves Catalan cuisine as well as child-friendly dishes.

If you can take it in turns to take the kids out exploring, there's a spa for on-site treatments.

There are lots of different room options. If you're looking to push the boat out, the Suites with cathedral views offer loads of space of families as well as gorgeous vistas.

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10
Best hotel with large rooms
What Mumsnet users say
Hotelhelp · Stayed + rated
"We stayed in H10 Urquinaona Plaza recently and it was a great location and the hotel was lovely!"
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Our verdict

Right next to Urquinaona Metro Station and a five-minute stroll from Plaza de Catalunya and Las Ramblas, this sleek hotel is great for families looking for spacious rooms.

The bigger Family Rooms have an extra large double bed and a sofabed, and free cots are available on request. The all-white rooms are breezy and flooded with light and some feature terraces or patios with garden views. The Nespresso coffee machines are great for a morning brew.

Up on the rooftop you'll find an outdoor pool - it's small but handy for cooling off in - and there's a bar and loungers too. Downstairs you can hang out in the library bar and there's a restaurant for local and international dishes.

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Is Barcelona child-friendly?

With a bit of planning and preparation, most destinations can be child-friendly but Barcelona is particularly well suited to kids with an array of fun attractions, green parks and beaches. There are plenty of kid-friendly hotels to choose from and restaurants are welcoming to families. It's also a great jumping off point to explore the Costa Brava and beyond. Spain's biggest theme park, PortAventura World is around a 90-minute drive from the city.

Some of our favourite family-favourite attractions in Barcelona include:

  • Cosmocaixa (Science Centre)

  • Montjuïc (Magic Fountain)

  • Tibidabo Amusement Park

  • Barcelona Aquarium

  • Kids & Family Gothic Quarter Walking Tour walk

  • Chocolate Museum

  • Barcelona Zoo

  • Museu Blau (Natural History Museum)

When is the best time to go to Barcelona?

Barcelona is a great year-round city break destination. Temperatures can be pleasant in January and spring sees mild sunshiney days. Its peak season is between March and September, when you'll see lots of outdoor events and festivals taking place throughout the city. People flock to the city's beaches between May-August. Be prepared for hot city streets if you're sightseeing in the summer months - aim to head out early and plan a dip in the sea to cool off later on.

Where can I get cheap flights to Barcelona?

It’s always worth checking price comparison sites like Skyscanner or Momondo to find a deal. Be flexible with your dates to find the best prices. Flights are often cheaper the further you book ahead and Tuesday is always one of the cheapest departure days. You may get lucky with some last-minute deals but not usually in the school holidays. It’s also worth looking out for package holiday deals with companies like easyJet and British Airways.

Do I need to hire a car in Barcelona?

Unless you’re travelling further afield, hiring a car is usually unnecessary on a family trip to Barcelona. Especially when public transport is widely available and easily accessible across the city.

About the author

Rachel Erdos is an Editor at Mumsnet where she commissions, edits and writes content with a focus on family travel, product reviews and homeware roundups.

She's a mum of two and travels as much as she can with her kids. She's written destination guides, hotel reviews and travel tips for publications including the Guardian, Four Seasons Magazine, Visit Britain, Visit London and TripSavvy, and loves seeking out, recommending and writing about fun family-friendly attractions, destinations and hotels.

She can often be found scouring the Mumsnet holiday forums for top tips from parents that have been there and done that.

How we chose our recommendations

Finding good hotels in popular cities is no easy task, particularly when searching for hotels that are suitable for families. Before we start any research, we always consult our Mumsnet holiday forums to check which family-friendly Barcelona hotels Mumsnetters have stayed in and would recommend to others.

We then look at hotel reviews from previous guests, assess child-friendly on-site amenities, location and proximity to attractions that appeal to kids and look at overall quality. Taking all of this into consideration, we then narrow down our findings to produce an in-depth list of the best family hotels in Barcelona. We’ve done all the research for you, and feel there’s something here for everyone.

Why you should trust us

As mums ourselves, finding the best family-friendly hotels in Barcelona is important to us both professionally and personally. Therefore, we work hard to bring even-handed advice that you can count on. Although we do use affiliate websites (click-to-buy) links in our articles, this does not sway our judgement and is only used to help us fund helpful articles like this one.