As a family we love adventure holidays, ideally those with a mix of mountains and sea – we love a bit of beach fun, but there’s also nothing like a day spent hiking as a family. Finding such a place can be tricky sometimes, so we’re always on the lookout for holiday locations that cover all bases.
In the Catalunya region, you’ll find the Costa Barcelona – under an hour from the Catalan city, and home to over 100km of sandy beach and picturesque coves, quaint fishing towns, stunning nature reserves, and Spain’s most famous sparkling wine. I’m fairly certain that ticks all the boxes on our family trip requirement sheet!
I’m lucky to be travelling to the Costa Barcelona in just a few days, thanks to BritMums & the Costa Barcelona Tourist Board to discover all the region has to offer to families looking for the perfect Spanish holiday. I’ll be going with some fantastic travel bloggers that I’m very excited to catch-up with, including Cathy (Mummy Travels), Lisa (Travel Loving Family) and Britmums’ very own Jen (Jenography) and Suzanna (A Modern Mother).
As you can probably tell, I’m incredibly excited about the trip, and would love for you to follow me virtually on social media by using the hashtag #BMLcostabcn for gorgeous views on Instagram & Instagram stories and plenty of tweets – Cathy has even hinted at a Facebook live event (who knows I may even give it a go!).
Naturally I’ve done a bit of research into our itinerary beforehand, so in the meantime, I can provide you with some ideas on things to do in Barcelona with kids. Reviews to follow soon!
What to do in Costa Barcelona with Kids?
If like me, you’re a Costa newbie, you’ll be happy to hear the region has a very wide variety of activities perfect for families with children of all ages. Here are some examples of the activities we’ll be taking part in this weekend, which in combination with the region’s beautiful beaches make for a fantastic family holiday.
Watersports Centre in Calella
Any resort that has watersports is a big plus in my family, and the watersports centre in Calella offers an incredible range of options for families. From relaxing paddle-boarding to adrenaline-charged banana boat rides, and even parasailing for the adventurous! I made the mistake of showing my son some videos of a banana boat the other day, which then led to a tantrum as he wanted to do it that afternoon, so I’ve had to promise him we’ll go to the Costa Barcelona soon as a family!
Alta Alella Vineyard
An excursion that is somewhat surprisingly ideal for everyone! This family-run organic Cava vineyard, which produces white and rosé wine, as well as cava, is unlike any others that I’ve visited before. It’s not just the beautiful setting overlooking the Mediterranean sea, but it also has a fascinating educational programme for children, that helps them to understand the process of turning grapes into delicious “mummy juice”. Basically, it encourages the children not to frown at you every time you refill your glass. Now that’s what I call ‘child-friendly’!
Montseny Natural Park
This gorgeous natural park lies within the UNESCO designated Montseny Biosphere Reserve. A nature lovers’ dream, it offers a variety of Mediterranean forests at lower altitudes, Central European forests and sub-alpine fauna at the very top! We will be exploring the Tordera river path, but for the more adventurous among you, the Montseny Natural Park has plenty of epic hiking and mountain-biking trails.
Caldes de Montebui
Time to head to Spain’s best-preserved Roman Baths in the pretty town of Caldes de Montebui. The historic thermal baths dotted around the city are a major attraction here, and there are several tours you can take part in. I confess though that what I really can’t wait for is to take a reviving dip in a bath without my son asking if he can get in as well with his dinosaurs, or his father shaving at the sink. Oh, and I dare you to swish your hand through the 76c water which flows out of the Fountain of Lions!
Castelldefels Castle
Budding knights and princesses can search for a dragon or two when they visit the truly spectacular Castelldefels Castle. This 16th century castle is located in the former frontier town of Castelldefels, commands spectacular views, and was once used to defend the city against Barbary pirates – more than enough history to keep your little ones enthralled.
Best time to travel to Costa Barcelona:
The Costa Barcelona region is spoilt with virtually year-round sunshine, but if your children aren’t yet at school then I’d recommend visiting off-peak, in May-June or September/October, for the best weather conditions and visitor numbers a fraction of what they are during peak season.
How to get to Costa Barcelona:
The best way to get to the Costa Barcelona is to travel to Barcelona itself (just 2 hours from London), and then either drive for 45 minutes to reach Calella, a good base for exploring. If you’ve never visited Barcelona by the way, then I suggest leaving a day either at the start or the end to see just a few of the city’s many highlights, from the Gaudi architecture to the fabulous beach.
Have you ever been to Costa Barcelona? I’d love to hear your experiences!
nb: I was lucky enough to have been invited by BritMums and the Costa Barcelona Tourism Board, but as always all opinions, memories and probably many glasses of cava will be my own.
