Kids in Barcelona - Family and parents guide to activities, shopping, holiday apartments, events, health, schools and nurseries, babysitting and childcare, and playgroups in Barcelona.

Swimming in Barcelona

It can be surprising how few places seem to exist for taking children swimming outdoors in Barcelona. Unless you have family membership at the gym or are lucky to share a communal pool, you may opt for the obvious choice of one of the Barcelona beaches. There are places that you can go to cool off in the city and just out of town, it is just a question of knowing where they are...

Paddling Pools

Hidden away in an interior garden not far from Pg de Gracia, the  Eixample boasts its very own beach. La Platja del Eixample - Torre de les Aïgues opens its doors from the last week of June until the first week of September.  The "Beach" itself is a clean, reasonably sized paddling pool with the a sandy play area for children.  As well as plenty of shade and benches to rest on, this small park has blue and white changing rooms in traditional beach style, toilets and outdoor showers plus lifeguards on hand.

If you are looking to paddle, then you cannot do better than the vast pool at the Parc de la Creueta de Coll in Gracia. On a hill near Vallcarca, this park is a real find and very popular duing the summer months. As well as two small playgrounds and a cafeteria, there is plenty of grass to relax on. The park is host to other summer activities including outdoor music events.  Until mid-September, the pool is open daily from 10am-8pm and is well worth the trip for a nice afternoon out with the kids.

Torre de les Aïgues - Platja del Eixample
Roger de Llúria, 56 Metro: Girona or Pg. de Gracia
Tel. 637 402 866
Jun. 25th -Sep. 7th 2008 Mon-Sat 10am-8pm Sun 10am-3pm
Entrance: €1.40; Weekly pass €5.50; Monthly Pass €18.60; Under 1's Free

Llac de la Creueta de Coll
Passeig de La Mare de Deu de Coll 89 Metro: Lesseps/Vallcarca then bus (5 mins.)
Tel. 600 453 730
Jun. 26th–Sep. 14th 2008.  10am – 8pm
Entrance: €4.40 adults; €2.75 children; Under 3's Free

Outdoor Swimming Pools

Although several private and public sports centres have outdoor pools, not all of these are open for daily entry.  You can check with your local gym if they allow "Entrada Puntual" but you may be surprised that one-day admission can cost upwards of 9 euros which makes it an expensive swim for all the family.  If the club is having a busy day, then members or "socios" take priority. Check beforehand as you may arrive only to find that they have reached their quota and you won't be allowed in. 

Piscina Can Caralleu in Sarriá has an outdoor pool open to the public from June until September. The hours are limited from 9am until 4pm and to afternoons only at the weekends. The sports club has both a larger pool of 12mx25m plus a smaller children's pool of 8mx11m. This used to be one of the more economical options for outdoor swimming in the city, however, due to high demand prices this year are now €10.30 for adults and €4.40 for children.

With admission prices so high you may want to make a day of it when you go to the pool. One of the best options to do this is at the Complex Esportiu Municipal Banys Sebasti in Barceloneta. The sports centre has 2 outdoor pools, one for lane swimming and another for free swimming, more suitable for children. The pools are not particularly shallow and can be a little chilly. Although the outdoor pools get very busy during the summer, there always seems to be space to swim and plenty of sun loungers to choose from. You have the added advantage of overlooking the beach where the club has its own private sandy area with a small cafeteria when you can eat lunch. You can also venture out onto the main beach and still return to the pool for swimming later so that you get the best value for your money throughout the day.

The Complex Esportiu Guinardó has a pleasant outdoor pool that you can access daily until the end of August for the very reasonable price €3.90 or €4.10 at weekends. The pool can be accessed from the gym itself by members or from the separate public entrance and you can usually count on getting in without a problem any day of the week. 

Piscina Can Caralleu

Esports 8, Sarriá Tel 93 203 7874

Open mid June- mid Sept  daily 9am-4pm; Adult €10.30; Child €4.40

Complex Esportiu Municipal Banys Sebasti

Pl del Mar s/n  Tel 93 221 0010

Mon-Sat & hols 7am-10pm, Sun 8am-7pm; Adult: €10.10 Child under 3: €3.10; Child 4-10 €5.85

Complex Esportiu Guinardó

Av. Mare de Déu de Montserrat, 136-140 Tel. 93 436 4746

Open Jun 2nd - Aug 31st. Mon-Fri 11am to 5pm. Sat-Sun until 7pm.

Entrance €3.90 weekdays; €4.40 weekends

Llac de Can Dragó

Rosselló i Porcel, 7-11 Tel. 93 276 1080

A huge sports complex that features a large pool with shallow areas for children to swim.  Although located in a not so attractive industrial zone in Nou Barris, the pool area itself has grass and shade. 

Adult: €4.90; Child 6-14 yrs: €2.65; reduced rate for under 5's (weekend ratess: €6.25 adults /€4.30 child
Open until 7.30pm

Metro: Fabra i puig (fair walk from station) 

See more Outdoor Options in Swimming Pools and Classes

Barcelona Beaches 

Not all Barcelona Beaches are made equal. Although the tendency for many tourists is to head to Barceloneta which is closest to the city centre, the beaches stretch for several kilometres along the Barcelona coastline and each has its own distinct characteristics. Nova Icària and Bogatell Beach are those closest to the Port Olimpic area with its small marina, choice of bars, shops and restaurants. There is also a climbing frame on the sand for kids here plus a somewhat dated but still popular outdoor fitness area.

If you are looking for somewhere a little quieter then head to the beaches of Mar Bella and Nova Mar Bella further to the East. Although still busy in the summer, you can also enjoy the grassland in the park just up from the beach which has plenty of space for picnics and a children's playground at the bottom of the Rambla del Poblenou. One of the nicest offerings of the city beaches are the Chiringuitos, the beachside cafes that open throughout the daytime and evening for light meals and drinks and relaxing music.

Heading even further east along the shoreline, it can come as a surprise to discover a natural seawater swimming pool built as part of the Parc del Forum.  An area of sea is sectioned off where you can dive and bathe during the summer months.

An additional perk of the city beaches is that you can leave your reading material at home. A book lending service known as the Biblioplatges operates on the beach during the summer months. The centres loan 350 titles in Catalan, Castellano, English, French, Italian and German as well as newspapers and magazines. They open on Mar Bella Beach at the Espigó de Bac de Roda (3rd July – 31st August) and  Barceloneta Beach at the Centre de La Platja on the beach front near Hospital del Mar (3rd July – 30th September). The libraries open from 11am to 7pm and their selection includes 80 children's books, 30 different comics and 8 children's magazines.  See further details on Barcelona Beaches

Water Parks   

A day at a water park is an irresistable suggestion for most kids and which offers a great summer outing for all the family.  Those accessible from the city usually offer free transport when you buy your entrance ticket from the train or bus station. If you cannot face a full day of water-soaked fun, then half-day passes are typically  available.  There are several Parc Aquatics, that can be reached fairly easily from the city both along the Costa Daurada and further up on the Costa Brava within up to an hour or so away.

As well as Illa Fantasia which is the closest at only a short trip out of town in Vilassar de Mar, you can also head down to the Costa Caribe water park at Universal studios Port Aventura near Tarragona.  Also enroute to Tarragona you will find Aqualeon. Not content to be just a water park, the centre also doubles as a Safari park with exotic birds, reptiles and a mini-zoo and park for younger children. Marineland Catalunya, near Blanes also combines water play with wildlife by way of a marine zoo, dolphinarium and plenty of fun slides.  See further details on Barcelona Water Parks