Hello Fodorites,

I'd love to hear your suggestions for family-friendly day trips from Barcelona. We'll be there in February. Our girls will be 11 and 8yo. Medieval cities, history, castles, that kind of thing (rather than amusement parks, etc). Also, can anyone recommend an excellent tour company that facilitates day trips from Barc?

For some context, we are planning an 8-day trip to Spain in February. Thinking we will base ourselves in Barcelona. Considering taking a train to the Andalucia region and spending two or so days there. (I'd love to see the Alhambra.)

Does this sound like a good plan? I'll take any suggestions you want to offer. We've never been to Spain before.

Thanks!

Montserrat might fit the bill.

Yes Montserrat came to my mind too - kids will love taking the cable way up to the mountain top shrine and walking the Path of the Cross (regardless of their religious background) and wait in line to glimpse the mysterious Black Madonna holy icon.

No need for any tour to go there - take suburban train to Montserrrat's life - really close to Barcelona - but in February may be cool as in cool.

You could take an overnight train Barcelona to Granada and that could be an adventure for the kids too - www.renfe.com the Spanish Railway site for details - book far enough in advance to get discounted tickets -fly into Barcelona and say out of Seville or Madrid (just a few hours from Seville by train) - for lots of goodies on trains and overnight trains and what to expect check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

It's a long daytime train ride from Barcelona to Granada so fly if not into the overnight train.

Can you fly into Madrid instead ? Much more on offer there - Toledo, Segovia, Granada, Cordoba, and Seville.

The Alhambra in Granada is a "castle". I can't think of a great one near Barcelona, there are some going up towards Perpignan. There is one in Figueres which isn't too far by train but I don't think it would really be that thrilling for young children. You bet the judge.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sant_Ferran_Castle

While in Barcelona, do Montjuic, you can get a funicular up there, also. It has a "fortress", not sure if you are thinking of that as different from a castle or not. I don't think it's really a tourist attraction, though, or necessarily open for visitors.
http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...-montjuic.html

Thanks for the info, everyone.

Bedar, we could fly into Madrid, but I really have my heart set on Barcelona (Gaudi, etc).

An alternative idea is to just do Barcelona and Madrid. Take the train from one to the other. Done. But I think we would miss seeing a medieval city and some great old sites.

PalenQ, I had no idea there was a night train from Barcelona to Granada. Interesting option. My 8yo would flip out with joy.

sorry - but checking schedules I can find no longer a night train - I did take one several years ago after checking www.bahn.de/en - the German railways site that I use for easy to get schedules for all European trains I can't find one no more.

It would have been a treat for the kid - should have checked out before posting.

Darn! We have some tough choices ahead of us. Perhaps we should fly into Barcelona, spend a few days, then take the train to Madrid, spend a few days, then take the train to see the Alhambra. Fly out of southern Spain, if possible. Aacckk! I would feel weird skipping Madrid, one of the great cities of Europe. But I think we have our hearts set on Barcelona and the Andalucia region.

Help!

In February I'd sure head to warmer weather than the other two (Barcelona will not be cold however and could be just nice - Madrid at higher elevation less so).

So so much to do in Seville/Granada/Cordoba area.

In Barcelona a trip up to Montjuic - on a hill overlooking Barcelona could be fun for kids - especially the cable car ride up and down:

https://barcelonando.com/montjuic-olympic-ring

<But I think we would miss seeing a medieval city and some great old sites.>

Well, that is Barcelona: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...val-route.html

Go down into Roman Barcino: http://museuhistoria.bcn.cat/en/node/647

Visit narrow Carrer Montcada, the most important street in the city from the 12th century: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...-montcada.html

Barcelona is famous for its Gothic quarter: http://bcnshop.barcelonaturisme.com/...ic.html?prom=0

And Plaça Sant Felip Neri might give you the ultimate Barcelona experience: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...elip-neri.html
http://irbarcelona.org/barcelona-squ...nt-felip-neri/
https://www.lomography.com/magazine/...san-felip-neri