2. Las Ramblas―This street started as Barcelona’s meeting place and market. Now a mile-long pedestrian avenue, it’s busy day and night mainly with tourists ogling painted human statues and street gamblers. Don’t miss the large Miro mosaic amidst the souvenir kiosks that offer everything from kid’s size flamenco dresses to any imaginable variation of team Barcelona soccer jersey. The highlight is La Boqueria market selling all kinds of regional foods from whole suckling pigs and live lobsters to exotic hams, spices, olives and specialty sweets. It’s fun for kids, but tread carefully as Las Rambla is hectic and rife with pickpockets.

For a treat: Walk just a few blocks, get away from the crowds and into the nearby Barri Gotic neighborhood for deliciously thick hot chocolate and churros at La Pallaresa.

3. Museu Picasso― Show your kids why Picasso is one of the most acclaimed artists of the 20th century with a tour through this fantastic collection. The focus of the museum is actually on his formative years and particularly good for explaining to children how artists evolve over time. There is a great video showing how his paintings were inspired.

If your kids are more into food than art, two blocks away is Barcelona’s chocolate museum, where they can learn about the history of chocolate in Europe and South America.

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