Barcelona immediately feels different from many other European cities. It is lively without being overwhelming, historic yet modern, and full of colour, parks and wide boulevards. During this trip our daughters are just one and three years old. Exploring a city with children this young requires a different pace, and Barcelona turns out to be the perfect destination.
For five days we stay at Apartments Sixtyfour, located on the elegant Passeig de Gràcia. Looking back, we couldn't have picked a better base for discovering the city.
Space!
From the moment we arrive, the apartment already feels like home. Instead of squeezing into a hotel room, we have a spacious three-bedroom apartment with a comfortable living room, fully equipped kitchen and plenty of room for the children to play. Travelling with toddlers means naps, early mornings and flexible mealtimes. Having our own apartment makes everything much easier.
The location is simply outstanding. Casa Batlló is almost directly across the street, while Casa Milà, Plaça de Catalunya and Las Ramblas are all within walking distance. The Passeig de Gràcia metro station is only a few minutes away, but we hardly use it. Barcelona is a city that invites you to walk.
That is exactly what we do.
Every day we simply head outside and start exploring. One moment we admire impressive architecture, the next we stop for an ice cream or discover another playground. Travelling with young children teaches us not to rush. Some of our favourite memories come from wandering through streets we never planned to visit.
The neighbourhood around Apartments Sixtyfour is one of Barcelona's most beautiful. Passeig de Gràcia is lined with elegant buildings, luxury boutiques and cafés, but it is the architecture that steals the show. Every block seems to reveal another masterpiece.
One building in particular catches our attention: Casa Lleó Morera. Its intricate façade, balconies and tower make it one of the highlights of the famous Block of Discord, where several of Catalonia's greatest architects competed to create the most spectacular building. We find ourselves looking up almost constantly.
Barcelona's history stretches back more than 2,000 years. Founded as a Roman settlement, it later became one of the Mediterranean's most important trading cities. Walking through the Gothic Quarter, we still find traces of that long history. Narrow medieval streets suddenly open onto lively squares filled with cafés, musicians and terraces. Even with a stroller, it is a wonderful area to explore.
No visit to Barcelona would be complete without Antoni Gaudí. His influence is everywhere. His buildings seem to ignore straight lines completely, replacing them with curves, colours and shapes inspired by nature.
Because Casa Batlló is almost opposite our apartment, we pass it several times during our stay. The colourful façade looks different every time the light changes. It almost resembles something from a fairy tale, and even our young daughters seem fascinated by the unusual balconies and shimmering mosaics.
Just a little further along Passeig de Gràcia stands another masterpiece: Casa Milà (La Pedrera). Its flowing stone façade is unlike anything we have ever seen. The rooftop becomes one of our favourite places, with its famous sculptural chimneys that almost look like silent guardians watching over the city. They are both functional and artistic, perfectly illustrating Gaudí's extraordinary imagination.
Of course we also visit the magnificent Sagrada Família. Even though our children are still very young, they immediately notice the colourful stained-glass windows and the enormous tree-like columns inside. The church feels surprisingly welcoming rather than overwhelming.
View of Sagrada Familia (Pixabay)
One of the biggest surprises during our stay is how child-friendly Barcelona is. Everywhere we walk we discover playgrounds. Some are hidden between apartment buildings, others overlook squares where locals gather in the evenings. Our daughters happily climb, slide and make new friends while we enjoy a coffee on a nearby terrace.
We also spend an afternoon along the waterfront. The palm-lined promenade, sandy beaches and relaxed atmosphere offer a completely different side of Barcelona. Modern sculptures stand beside the Mediterranean while children play in the sand and families stroll along the boulevard. It is the perfect place to slow down after a morning of sightseeing.
Another enjoyable stop is the beautiful Museu Picasso. Even if contemporary art is not your main reason for visiting, the museum itself is worth seeing. It occupies several connected medieval palaces with peaceful courtyards that transport us back centuries. The contrast between these historic buildings and Picasso's revolutionary artwork makes the visit especially memorable.
What surprises us most is that Barcelona is not only about famous landmarks. Some of our favourite moments happen while wandering through quiet residential streets. Balconies overflow with flowers and plants, colourful shutters frame old windows and every corner seems to reveal another beautiful façade. The city feels lived in rather than designed purely for tourists.
Food naturally becomes part of every day. We alternate between tapas, fresh pastries, fruit from local shops and simple meals in our apartment. Having our own kitchen proves invaluable with two young children. Breakfast is relaxed, snacks are always within reach and we never have to worry about restaurant opening hours.
Guests who stay at Apartments Sixtyfour consistently praise exactly the things we appreciate ourselves: the spacious apartments, spotless cleanliness, excellent service and exceptional location. Families especially value having all the comfort of an apartment while staying right in the middle of Barcelona. Looking back, we completely understand why so many visitors return.
Five days pass surprisingly quickly. Barcelona proves to be a city that works beautifully with young children. There is enough culture for adults, enough space for little ones to play and enough atmosphere to make every walk feel like a new discovery. Apartments Sixtyfour provides exactly the kind of comfortable base that allows us to enjoy the city at our own pace.
WOW
The location is unbeatable. Many of Barcelona's most famous sights, including Casa Batlló and Casa Milà, are only a few minutes' walk from the apartment.
The spacious apartment gives us all the comfort and flexibility we need when travelling with a one-year-old and a three-year-old.
Barcelona surprises us with its family-friendly atmosphere. Beautiful parks, playgrounds on almost every corner, stunning architecture and a relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle make it a city we would happily visit again.
