Barcelona with kids

The old town from La Boqueria to Columbus

• 5Sights
• 2Kid stops
• about 3 kmDistance
• 2 hoursWith play time

This walk of about 3.0 km links five of Barcelona's best-known places: La Boqueria Market, Plaça Reial, Barcelona Cathedral, Santa Maria del Mar and the Columbus Monument. It stays in the old town, from the Ramblas through the Gothic Quarter to the old fishermen's quarter and back to the foot of the Ramblas, and it is outdoors all the way.

There are two kid stops. The first is a playground near Plaça de Sant Miquel, after Plaça Reial and before the cathedral. The second is a playground by Passeig de Colom, after Santa Maria del Mar and before the last stretch to the Columbus Monument. Each one comes after two landmarks, so the walk keeps stopping for play.

1. 

   La Boqueria Market

   The famous food market just off the Ramblas.

   Photo: Didier Descouens · CC BY-SA 4.0

2. 

   Plaça Reial

   The arcaded square with Gaudí-designed lampposts.

   Photo: Mac9 · CC BY-SA 3.0

3. Playground near Plaça de Sant Miquel Playground

   A playground in the Gothic Quarter, a short walk from Plaça de Sant Miquel and Carrer dels Templers, mapped as open to everyone.

   On the map

4. 

   Barcelona Cathedral

   The Gothic façade from the square in front.

   Photo: Fernando · CC BY-SA 4.0

5. 

   Santa Maria del Mar

   The plain Gothic church of the old fishermen's quarter.

   Photo: Kent Wang · CC BY-SA 4.0

6. Playground by Passeig de Colom Playground

   A playground beside Passeig de Colom and Plaça del Duc de Medinaceli, mapped as open to everyone.

   On the map

7. 

   Columbus Monument

   The column and statue at the foot of the Ramblas.

   Photo: RayAdvait · CC BY-SA 4.0

Tips for parents

• At La Boqueria, children can watch how locals pick the fruit. One guide says the market dates back to the 1200s.
• The lampposts on Plaça Reial were designed by Gaudí, so children can look for them on the square.
• One family guide calls the Gothic Quarter a giant maze for younger visitors, with narrow streets and hidden squares, and suggests making the walk a challenge: look for gargoyles, Roman remains and the skull beneath the Pont del Bisbe.
• Public toilets are mapped about 80 m from La Boqueria, about 120 m from Santa Maria del Mar and about 120 m from the Columbus Monument. The ones near La Boqueria and Santa Maria del Mar are mapped as free to use.
• The Moll de la Fusta pedestrian area is mapped about 50 m from the second playground. A guide to Barcelona with kids recommends Port Vell, the old harbour, as a stroll where children can look at the boats.

Public toilets

• About 80 m from La Boqueria Market · On the map
• About 120 m from Santa Maria del Mar · On the map
• About 120 m from Columbus Monument · On the map