Barcelona Mum

Park Güell

Probably the world´s most enchanting public park created by Barcelona´s most famous son, Antón Gaudí. Loosely based on Hampstead Heath in London, the park boasts sparkling mosaic stairways, multicoloured buildings and fairytale fountains. It is pure fantasty and kids will love it.
How to get there: Bus 24 from Plaza Catalunya stops right outside the main entrance. Metro Vallcarca (walk out the metro down Avenida Militar for 4 blocks, turn left at Baixada de La Gloria and take the outdoor escalators to the Park entrance. It is signposted).

Comments: 
Tthere are two cafés in the park selling sandwiches and basic tapas. It might be best if you bring a picnic.

Recommended by Tracy Flowerday

Ciutadella Park & Play area

The Ciutudella Park  is Barcelona´s most centrally located green space, sandwiched between the districts of Poble Nou, Barceloneta and San Pere. For families, there are a huge amount of facilities and activities including the Zoo, the Geology Museum, the Hivernacle (currenlty being renovated) and the boating lake. You can also rent out bikes at the main entrance (www.bicing.com). Located at the top end of the lake, twice daily toddlers can enjoy free toys and games in addition to the permanent swings and slides.There is even a sprinkler in the summer which the kids love! 11am-2pm every day and 4.30pm-6.30/7pm from mid september to mid June. 5.30pm-8.30pm from mid June to mid September
Calle Wellington with Pujades. Metros Arc de Trionfo/Barceloneta, (+34) 934283934 www.bcn.cat/parcsijardins/act_altres_portal.htm?codi=13
 

Comments: 
There are 2 other play areas in the park for slightly older children and there is also a boating lake. Two cafés nearby.

Mar Bella & Base Nautica

Mar Bella beach is about a 20 minute walk north of the Port Olimpic (left facing the water) and probably the most child-friendly of all of Barcelona´s beaches. It is clean and quiet and you can find a children´s play-area, lifeguards, sunbed hire, showers and a beach restaurant (chiringuito). The Base Nautica is can also based here, where you can hire small sailing boats, canoes and kayaks.
Base Nàutica Municipal , Avda. Litoral s/n  Platja Mar Bella (+34) 932210432 info@basenautica.org

Comments: 
Be warned! There is a nudist section on the beach - should be obvious where it is! .
 

Recommended by Carrie Frais

Parc de Collserola

Often overlooked but this Natural Park is literally a breath of fresh air and so close to the centre of town. The park is huge (22 times the size of New York´s Central Park) - the largest city park in the world. The information centre provides numerous walking guides and hikes to Tibidabo, the Torre de Collserola or the town of Vallvidrera. 
Take train to Baixador de Vallvidrera from Plaza Catalunya and you arrive right in it. Information Centre Ctra de LÉsglesia, 92. (+34) 932803552 www.parccollserola.net

Comments: 
You can ask for tours in English

Recommended by Rachael West

Barceloneta

Barceloneta beach is popular with families due to its proximity with a huge choice of restaurants and the pedestrian walkway along Passeig Maritim, where you can also cycle. The beach gets very crowded in summer but is regularly cleaned. Likewise the water -  for a city beach - is suprisingly clean. We suggest you don´t plonk yourself on the nearest available space but walk a little further on towards the Olympic Port where it gets much less crowded.
Metro Barceloneta or any Passeig Maritim bus route. For daily information on the city´s beaches call (+34) 934810053

Comments: 
Just to the south of Barceloneta beach is the Club Natació Barcelona where you can pay 9 euros for all day use of their huge outdoor pool and private beach with loungers. There is also a children´s and indoor pool. www.cnb.cat for times.
 

Recommended by Carrie Frais

Parc del Laberint d'Horta

This 17 acre park really warrants a short trip from town. It is a fairytale park with its pretty walkways, canal, romantic gardens, cascade and of course, the maze which kids will love. Entrance fee 1,90 euros
 Pg Castanyers 1. Directly behind the Velodrome. Metro Mundet.  (+34) 934283934 www.bcncat/parcsijardins

Comments: 
There is a play and picnic area

Recommended by Julie Stephenson