Street Dancing with
a side of Tapas

Our family trip to Barcelona was the perfect mix of fun, history, and unforgettable views. From exploring Gaudí’s whimsical architecture to strolling down the lively streets of the Gothic Quarter, there was something magical around every corner. We timed our visit with Día de la Hispanidad, Spain’s national holiday, which added an extra layer of excitement—think parades, music, and a city bursting with color.

Barcelona with the Family: A Whirlwind of Culture, Celebration, and Tapas

First things first—we checked into our temporary Barcelona home, the Royal Passeig de Gràcia. This sleek, modern hotel is perfectly perched right in the heart of the city, just steps from some of Gaudí’s most iconic masterpieces and the bustling energy of Passeig de Gràcia itself.

The real showstopper? The rooftop bar. With jaw-dropping panoramic views of the Barcelona skyline—yes, including a peek at La Sagrada Família—it quickly became our nightly ritual. As the sun dipped behind the city’s rooftops, we sipped sangria and soaked in the golden glow.

4-5 days break

We recommend this destination as a 4-5 day getaway.
It is a popular tourist destination so aim for off peak.

  • Flying from Abu Dhabi to Barcelona: Planes, Patience & Passport Lines

    Ah, the joy of international family travel: magical memories, exciting new destinations… and, of course, the airport marathon that precedes it all.

    Our journey from Abu Dhabi to Barcelona started with high spirits, neatly packed snacks, and an ambitious belief that our children might actually sleep on the plane. (Spoiler: they didn’t.)

    The Flight: Surprisingly Smooth-ish

    We flew out of Abu Dhabi International Airport, which we’ve got to say, is pretty fantastic for families. The check-in process was painless, and we even had time to let the kids burn off some energy before boarding—translation: they sprinted laps around the gate area while we pretended not to know them.

    The flight itself was relatively smooth. Long? Yes. But with a steady rotation of cartoons, coloring books, and snacks strategically deployed every 45 minutes, we managed to avoid any full-blown mid-air meltdowns. The in-flight entertainment was a lifesaver, and we clung to those little airline meal trays like lifeboats of distraction.

    Then came Barcelona El Prat Airport.

    Customs: Where Time Slows to a Crawl

    We landed, groggy but triumphant. "We made it!" we thought. "Just breeze through customs, grab our bags, and start our Spanish adventure!"

    Ha. Haaa.

    Turns out, customs had other plans.

    We were met with a line that stretched so long we weren’t sure if it ended in passport control or just looped back into some kind of travel purgatory. The kids—who had powered through the flight like little warriors—suddenly remembered they were exhausted, starving, and allergic to standing still.

    Cue the squirming. The whining. The sitting on the floor. The dramatic sighing (from the grown-ups too).

    We tried it all—games of "I Spy," storytelling, snack bribes, and even a desperate round of “Guess That Country Flag.” But customs lines with children are like time warps: you enter with hope, and leave 47 years older.

    Pro Tips We Wish We'd Known:

    • Snacks are currency. More than you think. Triple it.

    • Have a travel game plan. Digital or not, make sure your kids have some form of entertainment that doesn’t involve jumping on your suitcase.

    • Talk about customs before the trip. Turns out, "long line where we can't move and have to stay calm" needs a bit of prepping.

    • Pack your patience. Seriously, it’s the most important thing you can bring—besides passports.

    Arrival At Last

    When we finally made it through customs, retrieved our bags (somehow still intact), and stepped into the Barcelona moonlight, it all felt worth it. A new city, new adventures, and the promise of tapas and Gaudí waiting just around the corner.

    Was the customs line painful? Yes.
    Did we consider abandoning our luggage and just moving into the airport instead? Also yes.
    But we made it, kids in tow and only slightly melted.

    And if we can survive that, we can survive anything—probably even a theme park queue.

  • We stayed 3 nights checked into the effortlessly chic Royal Passeig de Gràcia, which is basically what happens when style, location, and convenience have a very glamorous baby. Smack in the middle of Barcelona’s bustling shopping and sightseeing strip, it’s so central we could practically high-five Casa Batlló from the lobby.

    But the real crown jewel? That rooftop bar.

    Imagine this: sweeping views of the city, the unmistakable silhouette of La Sagrada Família in the distance, and you, drink in hand, trying to look casual while taking 73 sunset photos. Every evening, we’d ascend like weary explorers returning from tapas-fueled quests, only to be rewarded with sangria, skyline, and smug contentment.

    It didn’t matter that the kids were arguing over who got the last breadstick—Barcelona at golden hour has a magical way of making everything feel serene. Even if someone spilled juice on your lap five minutes earlier.

    This rooftop became our nightly family wind-down spot, where grown-ups recharged and kids made a game out of spotting famous buildings like architectural detectives (with cookies). Honestly, we’d go back just for this view.

  • Eat Tapas, Drink Sangria.
    Walking Family history tour.
    See Gaudi’s magic - Book ahead.
    CosmoCaixa museum.
    San Sebastian beach.

Let’s Dance.

¡Olé! We Landed Just in Time for a National Holiday

Turns out we landed the day before Día de la Hispanidad, Spain’s national day—and the city was already buzzing like a bottle of cava. Día de la Hispanidad is Spain’s national day—think of it as a fiesta in full technicolor. Celebrated every October 12th, it marks Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas, but in modern-day Spain, it’s less history lecture, more vibrant street party. Picture military parades, flags flying high, and cities bursting with color, music, and national pride. It’s Spain showing off its festive flair, and yes, it absolutely understands the assignment.

We were literally dancing in the streets. Flags flying, music blaring, and spontaneous parades popping up like tapas plates at dinner. We didn’t plan for it, but it was the kind of travel surprise that makes you want to high-five your own itinerary.

History for the Win (and The Caganer)

After all the music, parades, and tapas-induced food comas, we decided it was time to inject a bit of educational virtue into the trip—you know, for balance. So, we booked ourselves onto a family-friendly historical walking tour of Barcelona. Now, I’ll admit, the kids groaned at the word “tour” (as if we’d signed them up for homework on holiday), but within ten minutes, they were hooked.

Our guide was a storytelling wizard—equal parts historian, comedian, and street performer. They whisked us through the winding alleyways of the Gothic Quarter, where every cobblestone felt like it had a tale to tell. We learned about Roman ruins lurking beneath the city streets, medieval myths, and royal secrets. The grown-ups got a kick out of all the historical intrigue, and the kids? Well...

Enter: The Caganer.

Now, if you’ve never heard of this little Catalan legend, allow me to enlighten you. The Caganer is a figurine found in traditional nativity scenes—but with a twist. He’s not singing carols or bringing gifts. No, this guy is squatting with his pants down, mid-poop, right behind the manger. And he’s smiling. Proudly.

At first, the kids thought it was a joke. Then they saw it in a shop window. Then another. And another. Santa Caganer. Messi Caganer. Queen Elizabeth Caganer. There’s even a Darth Vader Caganer. It was like a scavenger hunt of toilet humor meets pop culture.

Our guide explained that the Caganer symbolizes fertility, good fortune, and the importance of returning nutrients to the earth. But let’s be real—our kids were just delighted to hear the words “poop” and “nativity” in the same sentence, and the history lesson stuck because of it. Genius.

By the end of the tour, they weren’t just spouting facts about Catalan independence and Gothic architecture—they were giving us a full report on the agricultural symbolism of the Caganer, complete with impressions. You're welcome, future social studies teacher.

Moral of the story? If you want your kids to absorb history while actually enjoying themselves, find a tour that includes at least one bizarre statue doing something inappropriate. Barcelona delivered.

The America’s Cup: Boats, Buzz, and Big Vibes

Barcelona was also hosting the America’s Cup, which turned the waterfront into a nautical party. Sailboats, fans, branded merch everywhere, and an energy that made you want to start cheering for a team even if you didn’t know who was racing. Spoiler: we did, and it was our sister island New Zealand!!!! Of course we had to check out the sailing village and help cheer on our team.

Tapas: The Real MVP

We ate. Oh, did we eat. From golden, crispy patatas bravas to melt-in-your-mouth jamón ibérico, every meal felt like a celebration of flavor. Coming from a Sans Pork country we savoured the jamon options. The kids proudly leveled up to pan con tomate experts, while we adults fully embraced our inner tapas aficionados—sangria in hand, of course. One standout? La Flauta. So good, we went back twice. It gets busy so go early and enjoy a table by the chef, this way the kids get free entertainment too.

Gaudí’s Greatest Hits (and a Ticket Fail)

When in Barcelona, doing the Gaudí trail is basically a rite of passage—like eating tapas or mispronouncing “Sagrada Família” on your first try. So naturally, we set off on our architectural adventure, ready to be wowed by the weird and wonderful world of Antoni Gaudí, Catalonia’s favorite creative genius slash madman.

We started with Casa Batlló, which looks like something out of a Tim Burton dream, if Tim Burton was obsessed with sea creatures and stained glass. The building’s wavy façade and mosaic-covered bones (literally inspired by skeletons!) had us staring up like total tourists—which we fully embraced.

Next stop: La Pedrera (Casa Milà). Also known as "the stone quarry," it’s a curvy, undulating building that breaks every rule of straight lines and boring design. We didn’t go inside, but even from the sidewalk, it felt like Gaudí was whispering, “Hey, architecture doesn’t have to make sense—let’s get weird.” Again, the kids nodded politely, clearly waiting for the next snack break.

But then we arrived at La Basílica de la Sagrada Família, and even the kids' jaws dropped. You can’t really prepare for how mind-blowingly massive and intricate this place is until you're standing in front of it. It’s still under construction—yes, still, after 140+ years—and somehow that makes it even more impressive. The spires pierce the sky, the facades are filled with Biblical chaos, and Gaudí’s vision looms in every nook and cranny. It felt less like visiting a church and more like stepping into a sculpted daydream.

And then… came the moment we’d been hyping up for days: Park Güell. This was going to be the crown jewel of our Gaudí extravaganza! Whimsical mosaics! Gingerbread-style houses! Lizard statues for climbing (not actually allowed, but the kids had plans)!

We arrived. We grinned. We marched to the entrance.
And then—we were DENIED.

Turns out the tickets sell out early, and they were sold out. As in, “not a single spare ticket in all of Gaudíland.” Cue the dramatic music. Cue the slow-motion camera pan to our devastated faces pressed against the gates like kids at a candy store after closing time.

The kids took it surprisingly well, mostly because we let them have ice cream. But lesson learned: book ahead, people. Park Güell is gorgeous, magical, and also wildly popular. Don’t just rock up with blind optimism and an Instagram dream. You will end up with sad selfies and a promise to “definitely come back next time.”

CosmoCaixa & a Food Festival (Because Science and Snacks)

To round out our Barcelona adventure, we spent an afternoon at CosmoCaixa, the city’s incredible science museum—and wow, was it a hit. From the moment we walked in, it was clear this wasn’t your average “look but don’t touch” kind of place. The hands-on exhibits had everyone—kids and adults—completely hooked. We explored everything from the inner workings of the human brain to the mysteries of space in the planetarium. There was even a rainforest you could walk through (yes, indoors!), complete with humidity and all.

As if that wasn’t enough, we walked outside and stumbled upon a food festival happening right on the museum grounds. Talk about a jackpot. Picture rows of local food stalls, the smell of grilled delicacies in the air, upbeat live music, and families lounging on picnic blankets. It was the kind of unexpected magic that makes travel so special—where you show up for the science and stay for the snacks…and maybe a little dancing.

Final Verdict:

Barcelona = family fun, cultural highs, dancing, boats, tapas, and a surprising amount of Caganer statues. We came, we saw, we salsa’d, we snacked. 10/10 would get denied entry to Park Güell again.