The Rough Guide to Barcelona 8 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

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Children’s Barcelona

aking your children to Barcelona doesn’t pose insurmountable travel

problems, but it’s as well to be aware of the potential difficulties before

you go. Below we’ve pointed out some of the things you might find

tricky, as well as providing a few pointers for a smooth stay. Once you’re

happily ensconced, and have cracked the transport system, you’ll find that not

only will your children be given a warm welcome almost everywhere you go,

but in many ways the city appears as one huge playground, whether it’s a day

at the beach or a daredevil cable-car ride.There’s plenty to do for children of

all ages, much of it free or inexpensive, while if you coincide with one of

Barcelona’s festivals, you’ll be able to join in with the local celebrations, from

sweet-tossing and puppet shows to fireworks and human castles. “Children’s

attractions” rounds up the best of the options for keeping everybody happy; for

sporting suggestions and outdoor activities, see Chapter 16. Finally, for plenty

more ideas, check out the English-language resource and support site

www

, which is packed with information on everything from

safe play areas to babysitting services.

Public transport

With very young children, the main problem is using

public transport

especially the metro, which seems almost expressly designed to thwart access to

pushchairs and buggies. Most stations are accessed by stairs or escalators, and

there are steps and stairs within the system itself, making it difficult for single

travellers with young children to get around easily. Even with two adults, you

often face a stiff climb out of stations with the pushchair. However, the stations

on lines 1 and 2 – including Universitat, Catalunya, Passeig de Gràcia and

Sagrada Família – are accessible by lift from street level, and many FGC stations

have lifts to the platforms, too, including Espanya (for Montserrat trains) and

Aringuda. del Tibidabo (for Tibidabo). All city buses have been adapted for

wheelchair access and so have room to handle a buggy. Children under 4

travel

free

on public transport, while there are reduced prices for tickets on the sight-

seeing Bus Turístic and the cable cars.

Products, clothes and services

Disposable

nappies

(diapers),

baby food

formula milk

and other standard

items are widely available in pharmacies and supermarkets, though not neces-

sarily with the same range or brands that you will be used to at home. Organic

CHILDREN’S BARCELONA

Public transport • Products, clothes & services