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Two weeks in Spain with a small child - thinking Barcelona +? other ideas?

Hello all- first time poster, but been a fan of Rick Steves for years - but usually went over to TA for their forum but figured I would try here to get some different view points.

Background - My wife and I and our 4 year old daughter will be taking my active 74 year old mother to Europe for 2 weeks at the end of September. We have been throwing around ideas - but realize we need to really need to finalize plans. We are leaning towards southern Europe do we get the nicest weather and can spend more time outside - especially with the little one to make things easier.

We are looking to have maybe two bases to avoid the packing and packing and travel between locals. We sorta like to do the slow travel and immerse ourselves in a place vs 2 nights here, 3 nights here, 2 nights there, etc. We really loved Rome for that very aspect of being able to duck into random churches, the pantheon, then grabbing a bottle of wine and just soaking in the world. I am tempted to go back, but both of us and my mom (on her only European trip ever) have been there. I am sure I would love it, but just thinking of other options. Basically thinking about the best place to a sort of slow travel experience similar to what you could fine in Rome/Italy.

My questions we have:
1. Barcelona is obviously a very popular and big bustling city, are there the types of places that Rome has that you can duck in and explore for a bit minutes and move on (think of the walking tours of Rome thru chruches, trevi fountain, etc). Or are most of the attractions ticketed - I know the big ones are (familia sagrada, etc) - I am just thinking if the little one throws a tantrum in the middle of a tour, we might have have to head out and don't want to be out the $$, etc.I am sure she can last throw a tour or two, but every day would get a little old for her.

  1. Food - My mom is not into seafood (I know - her loss) - but that isn't gong to change at this time - will we have any issues? She never complains, but might not be into what traditionally is eaten there (plus spicy food doesn't work for her due to some dry mouth issues) - between her and a typical 4 year old American child - will we have issues at most places?

  2. 1 week there- too long? Will we get bored? I doubt it, as I am sure we can always find a park, or football game, etc.

  3. Where to add on for second week? Originally I was looking at Andalusia for two weeks, but it is sorta a pain to get there from Raleigh - 3 flights and just not sure if I want to have that long of trip with the little one. I looked at Costa Brava a bit - if we did that- is it best to rent a car? Any highlights that would be best?

  4. Any other tips? Locations to think about?

thanks in advance!

Posted by
3262 posts

You could divide your time between Madrid and Seville or somewhere else in Andalusia. Drive or fly to Atlanta - fly direct to Madrid (spend a week) and train to Seville. For a smaller city, I like Cadiz with daytrips nearby.

If you really love Italy, pick two places there - a week in Rome, and a week in Lucca or a smaller Italian city.

Posted by
11510 posts

I agree with the poster above- Madrid plus some of Andalusia- Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada, Cadiz.

Posted by
106 posts

appreciate the relies- I am just curious why both of you didn't really mention going to Barcelona - does that likely not really fit what I am looking for? Like I told my wife (who is from NY)- that I really don't have a desire to spend a week in city such as NYC - not saying Barcelona is NYC, but if it just feels like big modern metropolitan area - that might not be at the top of my list.

Posted by
3262 posts

I personally like Madrid much more than Barcelona. Madrid a large city with lots of see and do - I could easily and happily spend one week there. Public transportation is easy there as well.

I just don't have the same feeling about Barcelona.

I agree with a post on the Italy forum - Verona could be a nice choice for a smaller Italian city (or Lucca!)

Posted by
4150 posts

Barcelona is obviously a very popular and big bustling city, are there the types of places that Rome has that you can duck in and explore for a bit minutes and move on (think of the walking tours of Rome thru chruches, trevi fountain, etc). Or are most of the attractions ticketed - I know the big ones are (familia sagrada, etc)

I think I know what you mean, in that regard I would not compare Barcelona to Rome. Most of the sites worth seeing In Barcelona are in generally the same area and swamped with tourists, timed tickets are a must. Think of it more like a disneyland where you have to have a plan mapped out in the right order to see things properly. Barcelona does not lends itself well to spontaneous organic exploration. Outside of a few historic neighborhoods Barcelona is a fairly modern city.

Sevilla would be closer to Rome in the manner you describe.

Food - My mom is not into seafood (I know - her loss) - but that isn't gong to change at this time - will we have any issues? She never complains, but might not be into what traditionally is eaten there (plus spicy food doesn't work for her due to some dry mouth issues) - between her and a typical 4 year old American child - will we have issues at most places?

The main protein in Barcelona and Spain for that matter is seafood. Spain is actually the second largest consumer of seafood per capita in the world, behind Japan. We also love Pork in Spain so that can be a readily available non seafood option in most restaurants.

In Spain we typically do not eat spicy food, it is a common misconception of foreigners visiting our country. Just don't eat patatas bravas and pimientos de padron and you will be fine.

1 week there- too long? Will we get bored? I doubt it, as I am sure we can always find a park, or football game, etc.

You should have enough things to see or do for a week in Barcelona

Where to add on for second week? Originally I was looking at Andalusia for two weeks, but it is sorta a pain to get there from Raleigh - 3 flights and just not sure if I want to have that long of trip with the little one. I looked at Costa Brava a bit - if we did that- is it best to rent a car? Any highlights that would be best?

Andalucia will also be still quite hot in September.

From Barcelona with a car for one week you can either head north along the Costa Brava or you can head south along the Costa Dorada/Costa del Azahar which is lesser well known but no less interesting. If you go south I'd suggest Garraf, Poblet Monastery, Tarragona, Castillo de Miravet, Peñíscola. If you go north I'd suggest Tossa de Mar, Calella de Palafrugell, Girona, Empúries, Rupit.

Any other tips? Locations to think about?

Not sure when exactly are your dates, but in Barcelona from Sept 21-25 is La Mercè. It's a city wide festival with 100s of cultural events spread throughout Barcelona's squares, streets, museums, and parks. This is something that we put on for ourselves, not just for tourists so it's great opportunity to experience our local culture. The best part it's free!

For the little one, you can consider a visit to Tibidabo, it's the oldest amusement park in Spain, located on a mountain overlooking Barcelona, the views alone are worth it. One takes a funicular up the mountain to reach it.

Posted by
27765 posts

I found Barcelona a very walkable city. Neighborhoods like Gracia are great for just wandering around, and I loved the quirky modernista architecture sprinkled around the Eixample. Then there's the medieval Barri Gotic. For me, Barcelona is a lot more visually interesting than Madrid, because the architecture is more varied, but Madrid is definitely attractive. I'd agree that the sightseeing situation in Barcelona, with a lot of very expensive sights, is challenging if you want to see the most popular places (which are the most popular for a reason). I could spend a week there without going inside a building, but I am a big fan of walking around and of modernista architecture.

I'm not sure there's anywhere in Spain that offers as much free sightseeing as you get with all the free-to-enter, artistic-masterpiece churches in Rome.

Posted by
148 posts

We visited Barcelona with 7 and 9 year old kids pre-Covid. Like other Spanish cities, there were little playgrounds in many squares, including across the street from Sagrada Familia if I remember correctly.

Our kids loved the living statue performers so we walked along La Rambla at least twice.

We didn't go into the Barcelona Cathedral but we did go to a small festival in front of it. We did go into Santa Maria del Mar for a short visit; I think by donation. We went to the beach one day and there are outdoor sculptures.

El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria looks like a covered market but inside is an archaeological site. I think it is free unless you do a tour.

Parc Guell is outdoors and there are different areas to visit within it. The parks at Montjuic have great views.