Itinerary Summary
Two Barcelona days cover the Sagrada Familia in the morning and Park Guell in the afternoon, then the RENFE train takes about 1.5 hours south to Salou for three PortAventura days - the main theme park…
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Barcelona arrival and an easy Eixample first evening
10:00
2h
Aerobus from El Prat to the Eixample
The Aerobus stops at Placa Universitat and Placa Catalunya, both a short walk from Eixample hotels. Children under four travel free, and the bus takes about 35 minutes with space for luggage underneath.
📍 Barcelona El Prat Airport
15:00
2h
Eixample walk and a first gelato
The wide pavements of the Eixample grid make an easy first walk with children, and Passeig de Gracia has gelato shops and benches. Traffic runs one way on each street, so cross at the marked lights.
📍 Eixample, Barcelona
19:00
1.5h
Early family dinner near Passeig de Gracia
Catalan restaurants open for dinner at 20:00, but the pizza and tapas places off Passeig de Gracia serve from 19:00, which suits children. Confirm high chairs when booking and ask for a table away from the door.
📍 Eixample, Barcelona
💡 Pro Tip: Barcelona El Prat (BCN) is 35 minutes from the centre by Aerobus, and the T-casual 10-ride card works for the whole family on metro and buses. Spain is UTC+1, or UTC+2 in summer. Entry rules depend on your passport; see the Spain visa section for Schengen requirements. Book family rooms early, as quad rooms in the Eixample are limited.
Days 2-7 are member-only
Members get the complete day-by-day plan with timing, transport and on-the-ground tips.
Budget Breakdown
AccommodationUS$63035%
Barcelona Eixample hotel and PortAventura resort hotel, 6 nights
Food & DiningUS$36020%
Park meals, churros and kid-friendly cafes
Remaining cost categories are member-only
Members see the full breakdown for flights, hotels, food, tickets and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PortAventura suitable for young children, and what are the height rules?+
PortAventura World has areas aimed at younger children alongside thrill rides, but many major coasters have minimum height limits, so check each ride before queuing. Ferrari Land skews to older kids and teens. The Caribe Aquatic Park suits families in warm months. Read the official height chart online before booking.
Is a multi-park ticket better value than single-day PortAventura tickets?+
For three park days, a multi-park ticket usually works out cheaper than buying separate single-day entries, and it lets you move between the main park, Ferrari Land and Caribe Aquatic Park. Compare the official PortAventura site's current bundles, and note that some add-ons and fast passes cost extra.
How do you get from Barcelona to PortAventura by train?+
RENFE regional trains run from Barcelona to Salou and PortAventura in about 1.5 hours, with the station a short walk or shuttle from the resort. Book seats in advance in summer. Staying on-site at the resort reduces daily travel and makes early park entry easier with children.
What is the best time to visit PortAventura with kids to avoid queues?+
April to June and September to October bring shorter queues and milder weather, and this itinerary is timed for those windows. July and August are hottest and busiest, with long waits on major rides. Weekdays are quieter than weekends and Spanish school holidays, so plan park days accordingly.
Attractions in This Guide
Guide at a Glance
- Duration: 7 days
- Budget: Comfort · approx. $1,500–2,090 (≈ €1,300–1,820), excl. int'l flights; per family of 2 (1 adult + 1 child)
- Difficulty: easy
- Best for: Family
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