Things to do in Barcelona for Teenagers

By Dom Bewley
teens barcelona

Whether you're willing to admit it or not, the ever-dancing, attention-seeking, slang-slinging teens will inherit the Earth. It's enough to make your head shudder uncontrollably. Anyway, yes, teens. They are people too, and as such, have interests we may never truly understand. That can make it hard if you're taking the moody ungrateful specimens on vacation. What is a grown, world-weary sort like you supposed to do?

Or, are you a cool, hip, skateboarding teen? Hey there dude; we're down with your sort. We know our front-facing caps from our back-facing ones, and sometimes we get gnarly too! Sigh.

No matter who you are, you want to know what things there are for teenagers to do in Barcelona, don't you? Well, lucky for you, we've come up with this bodacious list of awesome things that will satisfy even the shortest of attention spans. So, let's get on with it. These are our picks for the best things to do in Barcelona for teenagers!

Including:

  • Soccer stadium studies
  • Street art situations
  • Escape room escapades
  • Segway madness
  • Beach braving
  • and more!

Camp Nou tour

Things to do in Barcelona for Teenagers

This one's for teen soccer fans only, so apologies in advance. Barcelona is arguably one of the greatest soccer teams of all time, with countless domestic and European trophies to their name. Some of the best players to ever kick a ball have called the city home, and when they kick that ball, sometimes it goes in the net. Great stuff.

So, why not head to the home of Barcelona's soccer success and take a tour of the Camp Nou? You'll walk where players like Messi, Ronaldinho, and Henry have walked. Your guide will give you the inside scoop on the goings-on behind the scenes. And you'll get a look at the impressive trophy cabinet and be able to take Snapchats, or whatever else teens do these days, with reckless abandon.

Walk through the players' tunnel onto the pitch, see where the broadcasters lose their minds at the mind-boggling displays of skill, and step into the changing rooms where they prepare for battle. Soccer battle, the kind where no one really gets hurt, but they sure pretend they do.

The perfect choice for any ball-friendly teenager.

 

Moco Museum Barcelona

Things to do in Barcelona for Teenagers

Yes, you may think at first that many teens would turn their attention-seeking noses up at an art museum. After all, no one's there to see them, just some stupid paintings. Well, they might turn their nose back down to a standard level if they discovered it wasn't just art, but street art. They may even crack a smile. Think of all the likes and shares.

If so, drag them along to the Moco Museum Barcelona, where teenagers can immerse themselves in modern art marvels from some of the genre's biggest stars. They'll see pieces from Banksy and David LaChapelle, as well as older works from the likes of Dali and Andy Warhol. Reel them in with the street art, then surprise them with the 20th-century artists. It's the perfect plan.

For any teenager with even a passing interest in art, street art, or ideologically-driven media, the Moco Museum is easily one of the best things to do in Barcelona for your darling little Zoomers.

 

Escape Hunt Barcelona

Things to do in Barcelona for Teenagers

Does your teen think they're smart? Put those smarts to the test in a controlled environment they have to pass to escape. No, we're not talking about school (though the parallels are startling). Instead, we're chatting about escape rooms. These daring mazes of dastardly design are sure to tear your teen away from the screen and put them to work. And they'll love it.

At Escape Hunt Barcelona, they have three themed rooms to get trapped in, including the Mystery of Gaudí, School Thieves, and The Vampiress of Barcelona. Perhaps avoid the School of Thieves one; we wouldn't want to give them ideas for next semester. That was a joke - they'll learn nothing.

If you have a sizable clan, you can split into teams and tackle a room each to see who comes out on top. Doesn't that sound like good teen fun? Yes, it does.

 

 

Ciutadella Segway tour

Things to do in Barcelona for Teenagers

Nothing makes a video go viral quite like a unique mode of transport. Well, maybe, we're not really into that. But if your teenager is, or if you're a teen reading this, then boy do we have a vacation suggestion for you! Segways!

Yes, those two-wheeled wonders are back, and this time, you can board your e-chariot and burn around Ciutadella Park and learn all about its history! If you've never boarded the 'transport of the gods' before, cry no tears. Your park guide doubles as a bonafide Segway instructor. So once you meet up, he'll give you some handling tips, and then it's off into the sunset...of the park you're already in.

You'll zoom past the city's zoo, the famous Cascada fountain, and learn all about the park's many landmarks and their history. And, of course, they can make a social story about the whole thing for internet points, which is what they really want.

 

Barcelona's Beaches

Things to do in Barcelona for Teenagers

And finally, we'll end our guide of things for teenagers to do in Barcelona with everyone's favorite sandy getaway; the beach! Whether you're looking to relax, go for a swim, or take part in some beach-based activities, everyone loves the beach. And thankfully for you and your teen of choice, there are plenty of beautiful beaches to choose from in Barcelona!

There's Barceloneta, arguably the city's busiest and most tourist-friendly beach, with plenty of space to stretch out, places to eat and drink, and watersports to take part in. It'll likely be a good place for a sociable teen to make some new friends, given the abundance of traveling families who flock there every year. Could your teen of choice be involved in a whirlwind summer romance? Hopefully not.

But Barceloneta is just one of the many beaches dotted across the city's coastline, so pick whichever one suits you and head there while the sun's out and the getting's good!

And that's our list of things for teenagers to do in Barcelona. Good luck! And grab a Barcelona attraction pass and sightsee while you save!

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Tourist in Barcelona's Parc Guell
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Things to do near the Sagrada Familia

It’s all about the architecture in and around Barcelona’s Eixample district, where after ogling the show-stopping Sagrada Família, you can check out more (much more) Gaudí eye candy, plus several more architectural marvels including the Hospital de Sant Pau and Arc de Triomf. Join us on our whistle-stop tour of all the best things to do near the Sagrada Família in Barcelona…
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Various busts on display at the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya
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Best Art Galleries in Barcelona

Barcelona’s cultural wealth would be nothing if not for its many celebrated artists and artistic movements. Famous for its rich diversity of architecture and its output of such renowned figures as Antoni Gaudí, Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró, the Catalan capital is brimming with fantastic examples of creative expression. To honor and preserve the works of its famous artists, Barcelona is full of museums and art galleries exploring their art, inspirations and lives in great detail. While it may be tricky to keep count of the city’s many cultural hubs, we’ve put together this directory of some of the best art galleries in Barcelona for you to mix into your itinerary. Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC) Housed within the impressive halls of the Palau Nacional in Montjuïc, the MNAC boasts a collection of a thousand years of visual art from throughout the Catalonia region. Standing as the largest and most significant museum in Barcelona, the MNAC features the world’s largest collection of Roman frescoes and the most important collection of Catalan art. Exhibitions cover various different forms and eras of artistic expression, from religious art to civil war propaganda. It also offers an insight into the evolution of art movements throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, as neoclassicism makes way for realism and the region’s celebrated art nouveau movement of modernism. Museu Picasso Spread across five Gothic palaces within the popular Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, the Museu Picasso is home to one of the world’s most complete collections of Pablo Picasso’s works. The museum prides itself on providing a key insight into the artist’s early life and career, having spent his formative years studying in Barcelona. With a collection of more than 4,000 pieces donated by various aristocrats, other Barcelona museums and Picasso himself, exhibitions vary throughout the year to explore different aspects of the painter’s life, inspirations and art style. Fundació Joan Miró Dedicated to the celebrated Catalan artist Joan Miró, this modern art museum was established by Miró himself in 1975. Widely considered one of Barcelona’s most influential artists, with examples of his art visible throughout the city today, Miró donated the majority of his works to the Fundació in the spirit of making art publicly available. Now one of the most significant attractions atop Montjuïc, the Fundació is home to over 10,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, carpets and other such pieces. The museum serves to honor the life and art of both Miró and other comparable modern artists, such as Joan Prats, Kazumasa Katsutas and Miró’s own wife, Pilar Juncosa. Museu d'Art Contemporani (MACBA) Situated in Plaça dels Àngels in the Raval district of Barcelona, the MACBA serves as both a contemporary art gallery and a statement to the cultural and political importance of artistic expression. Initially established in 1959 by art critic Alexandre Cirici Pellicer, one of the museum’s earliest exhibitions, ‘Art and Peace’, was set up in 1963 in indirect protest of the Franco dictatorship. While this political provocation brought a brief end to the organization, the project was revived in 1985 by the then Minister of Culture of Catalonia. It wouldn’t be until 1995, however, that the gallery was officially opened to the public, after decades of changes in political policies and ownership. With a primary focus on the latter half of the twentieth century, the MACBA showcases contemporary art in its many forms and from various different prominent names. Exhibitions change every three to six months to showcase different painters, sculptors, filmmakers and other contemporary artists, along with various events, conferences and workshops to complement them. CaixaForum Opened in 2002 in the restored Casa Casarramona clothing factory at the foot of Montjuïc, CaixaForum is considered to house one of the most important collections of contemporary art in Europe. The museum is owned and sponsored by the Caixa banking foundation, and serves as their proprietary social and cultural center. Originally constructed by celebrated Catalan architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch, the building itself stands as a monument to the Catalan Art Nouveau movement of Modernism. Caixa’s acquisition of the site allowed for its restoration and extension, preserving its original style while also incorporating more modern stylistic features. Over 800 permanent exhibits showcase the works of prominent contemporary artists such as Anish Kapoor and Tony Cragg, while an additional three rooms house temporary exhibitions throughout the year. Previous exhibitions have explored the works of Salvador Dalí and various specific aspects of the contemporary art world as a whole. Museu del Modernisme de Català Perhaps the most famous art movement to come out of Barcelona, and indeed Catalonia as a whole, is the Catalan Art Nouveau movement known as Modernism. Perpetuated by such creative visionaries as celebrated architect Antoni Gaudí, the works of modernist artists can be found scattered throughout much of the city. The Museu del Modernisme is located on Carrer de Balmes, close to the Universitat de Barcelona. In maintaining its character, the building itself was built in the modernist style in the early twentieth century, originally serving as a factory and residential complex. Featuring over 350 works by 42 artists of multiple different disciplines, it houses an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, furniture and other artworks created in various forms of the modernist style. Museu Can Framis Established in 2009 within a former factory building in the hip Poblenou district, the Museu Can Framis is home to the contemporary art collection of the Fundació Vila Casas. The museum features some 300 works by artists born or residing in Catalonia from the 1960s onwards. Its photography exhibition is the only exception to this rule, showcasing the works of both local and international photographers. The museum hosts a series of temporary exhibitions throughout the year with a specific focus on individual artists. One exhibition per year is reserved for the Fundació Vila Casas open art competition, within which the winner has the opportunity to showcase their work. Centre d'Art Santa Mònica Built upon the former seventeenth-century Convent de Santa Mònica a little ways off La Rambla, the Centre d'Art Santa Mònica stands as a celebration of art as a whole. Its diverse exhibitions cover all artistic disciplines from design and photography to performing arts and music. The museum showcases various different traveling exhibitions, from artists both local and international. As such, its collection never remains the same, offering a wholly unique experience every few months. Its main focus is to provide an exploration of creative expression and innovation, whether through architecture, literature, design, gastronomy, music or any other artistic medium.
Robert Heaney
barcelona autumn
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Things to do in Barcelona in Autumn

Ahoy there, traveler! You must be ever so weary from all that scrolling. Sit down, take a load off. Do we have a tale for you—a tale of a city wonderful all year round. One where the temperature stays between 60-70°F, even when the leaves start to fall. You may have even heard of this utopia. It's none other than the Catalan capital of Barcelona. A hotbed of culture, food, and sun-soaked fun, it's a city you can visit all year round. So, if the leaves are falling, and a vacation is calling, what's stopping you? Well, perhaps you simply don't know what to do once you get there. Never fear, wanderer! Listen close, for this list of the best things to do in Barcelona in Autumn is sure to inspire and delight in equal measure! Featuring: Exploring architecture Sampling street food Relaxing in the great outdoors The museum scene Hanging out with animals   Explore the city's architecture Given the city's pleasant temperatures, even in the fall, why not take to the streets and go exploring? There's so much incredible architecture to discover in Barcelona! Either head off on your own, or take a walking tour if you'd like expert insight into the history of the buildings and their creators. Spain's most famous architect, Antoni Gaudi, has a number of walks dedicated to his bewildering buildings. You could take a tour of his most famous work, the Sagrada Familia, or add a little green to your walk in Park Guell. Sample the local produce during a tour of the city's ancient markets or explore the city's spookier side in the Raval district. While some might prefer these curated experiences, there's nothing stopping you from stepping into the unknown and charting your own path through the city's beautiful, winding streets!   Try some delicious street food Spain is responsible for some of the world's most lauded foods, so make the most of your stay by eating it all! Street food has seen a worldwide resurgence in recent years, with entire markets and events dedicated to it. And just as well, because Barcelona has relatively strict rules about when and where vendors can set up shop. There's the All Those Food Market, held on the grounds of the University of Barcelona, which brings together chefs, artisans, and foodies to celebrate all things food. You'll find stalls a-plenty, with delicious Spanish street food and craft drinks to wash it all down. Or there's Eat Street Market, which has a residency in Nau Bostik, an old factory. How very spontaneous! A mix of live DJs, curated food offerings, and refreshing beverages is sure to hit the spot. They also cater to all the veggies out there, so there's no reason not to check it out! And finally, set in a delightful garden nestled in an old industrial district, Palo Alto Market Fest is open the first weekend of every month. You'll find live music, fantastic street food, and even activities for the little ones.   Check out Barcelona's beaches and parks Of course, given the bearably warm climate in autumn, it's worth checking out Barcelona's summer spots too. The city's beaches will likely be less busy, meaning you can grab the best seat in the house and lounge to your heart's content. You may have already heard of Barceloneta - it's Barcelona's most famous beach for a reason! Whether you simply want to sit and sun, sip a refreshing cocktail on the beach, or sit seaside for some delicious food, it's got it all. And, while it's often pretty tourist-heavy during the peak summer months, those numbers dwindle during autumn. Of course, there are plenty of other beaches to check out too. Or, if you'd rather be a little closer to nature, go for a walk or picnic in one of Barcelona's beautiful parks! There's the previously-mentioned Park Guell, which was designed by Gaudi. You'll find plenty of weird and wonderful architecture, mosaics, and sculptures there. Or, head to Horta Labyrinth Park to explore, you guessed it, an incredible maze.   Go to a museum However, if Barcelona's temperate autumn hits the cooler end of the spectrum, there's plenty to do indoors too. Open your mind and suckle on that sweet knowledge at one of its many museums. The Moco Museum has exciting pieces from artists past and present, from Andy Warhol to Banksy. And alongside art powerhouses like Dali and Damien Hirst, you'll see works from up-and-coming artists. Or, check out Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona, which houses over 5000 unique art pieces from the latter part of the 20th Century. This collection focuses on Spanish and Catalan artists, although you'll also find international artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Alexander Calder on show. Alternatively, get more hands-on at CosmoCaixa, an interactive journey that marries art and science to explore the Earth, geology, space, and time. Definitely one to check out on a cooler Autumn day in Barcelona!   Walk and talk with the animals And finally, why not spend a bit of time on your trip by spending some time with some exotic fauna? Barcelona has some great animal spots to visit too. There's L'Aquàrium de Barcelona, where you'll find over 11,000 wonderous underwater creatures like sharks, rays, and eels. Walk through the underwater tunnel and watch them swim all around you. Or head to the 14 Mediterranean aquariums representing the areas' different underwater ecosystems. And the - ahem - jewel of the aquarium is the Jewels of the Sea exhibition, which shines a light on how shells have been used in jewelry, tools, and decorations throughout the world for millenia. Alternatively, if you like your animals a little more land-based, head over to Barcelona Zoo, where you'll rub shoulders with cheetahs, giraffes and gazelle at the Africa Sahara exhibit. And make sure to check out the Reptile house, with its myriad exotic species of scaly pals, including komodo dragons, alligators, and snakes! And that's our list of the best things to do in Barcelona in Autumn! Whether inside or outside, you're sure to find some great entertainment that'll keep you captivated.
Dom Bewley

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