Whether your family enjoys wildlife adventures, underwater adventures, hiking or horseback riding, Barcelona and Catalonia have something to offer.
Barcelona Adventures and Activities
- Club Aire Libre Cala Llevadó is a good place to start. The club features an incredible mix of activities, including obstacle courses, archery, canoeing, snorkelling, kayaking, football, tennis, roller hockey and Frisbee.
- There are also several national and regional parks in the area. The Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici national park (with an information office in Espot, features amazing views. The 100,000-acre park is in the northwestern segment of Catalonia, and is nestled in the Pyrenees Mountains. There are fine examples of Ice Age glacier erosion on the park’s rock surfaces. Unique wildlife can be found here, such as the chamois, marmot, black woodpecker, golden eagle and Pyrenean Brook Salamander.
- Participate in a mock war at Fang Aventura (located in Barri Batllori in Esponellà just west of Girona), the largest paintball facility in Spain. There are six fields, including one with a river acting as the boundary between two villages. The outfit supplies overalls, a mask, paintball guns and paintballs.
Hiking and Golfing Adventures
- There are endless opportunities for walking and hiking in this area. If you prefer a guide on your excursions, Agama hosts guided walking tours of the Catalan Pyrenees or Catalan monasteries.
- Catalonia provides a great setting for golf. The Club de Golf & Hotel Relais Torremirona (llocated in Navata) provides views of both the Pyrenees and the sea for golfers. It features 18 holes and a bar. Club de Golf Costa Brava (located in Santa Cristina d'Aro) is an 18-hole course featuring a restaurant, bar, hotel, equipment rental and equipment sales.
Horseback Adventures in the Barcelona Area
There are numerous venues for riding horseback, either through lessons or horseback tours. They include:
- Escola Municipal d'Hípica La Foixarda (located at Avenida Montanyans, 1 in La Foixarda), which has a riding school and lessons for children and beginners.
- Hipica Can Genassa (located in Maia de Montcal), which offers excursions into the countryside and visits to small Catalan villages or into the mountains. They offer one-hour tours for beginners. Experienced riders can go on rides between an hour and a day in length.
One thing to keep in mind during adventures in Catalonia and Barcelona is that the Asp viper, a small poisonous snake, can be found at altitudes above 7,500 feet. Be sure to keep on the lookout and have your extremities (especially your ankles and lower legs) covered. If you see a snake, do not disturb it and stay a few feet away at all times.
Barcelona and its Catalan region make a great destination for family adventures, whether you have younger kids or prefer softer adventures or you have teens and like more challenging adventures.
Kelby Carr - Kelby Hartson Carr is an Asheville, N.C. mother of three, a seasoned travel writer, and has extensive experience traveling with children. ...
