Excursions for Teens

Hi,

We're sailing in the Western Med in August with our two tween / teen girls - 14 and 12 (or almost 15 and almost 13 by the time we leave).

I know that there wont be a spare moment while we're on board but I'm starting to think about shore excursions. We'll visit Gibraltar, Malaga, Cadiz, Barcelona, Palma, Villefrance, Corsica, Cartegena.

There are only so many churches and monuments they will endure before the inevitable cries of "I'm bored, can we not just go back and swim?".

Any ideas for particular attractions or excursions which might appeal to teens in particular? One is super sporty and is getting very excited about seeing Camp Nou in Barcelona and the other is a real fashionista.

Any input welcomed :D

In Barcelona: Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, Casa Milà... nearly everybody likes these, including teens... the plasticity of the Modernist movement is very eye-catching... here feed them these videos: Casa Batlló: http://infocatalonia.eu/w/htZf2 or this one from the Sagrada Família: http://infocatalonia.eu/w/muA2f

For the sporty one, aside from Camp Nou, you also have the Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc, where the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1992 Olympics were held. Many don't know that Barcelona had already been a candidate in the 1924 and the 1936 Olympics and that the stadium had been built in 1929 precisely for this later bid. Next, to the stadium there's the Olympic Museum (http://www.museuolimpicbcn.cat/esp/home.asp). Also, for a more active activity, you could look at a sailing sortie, or a kayak lesson... https://www.velabarcelona.com/en/poliwin/familia/2

A crazy idea if at least one of you two (the adults, that is) know how to roller skate... every Friday night, the Roller Barcelona Association (https://www.timeout.cat/barcelona/ca/esports/com-i-on-patinar-a-barcelona) convokes all those that like to roller skate to have a fun session skating in group thru the streets of the city, it's free (you can rent the skates if you don't have them) and it's only required that you manage the basics of skating so you're not delaying the group too much. Sometimes as much as 300 get together...

For the fashionista, just "drop" her in Portal de l'Àngel, off Plaça Catalunya... that area is full of trendy shops in the likes of Zara, Desigual, Mango and the lot. It's affordable fashion so won't break your bank. She can spend "literally" a whole day just in those few streets as there are hundreds of shops. The main two streets you should focus on are: https://www.scribblemaps.com/maps/view/ForFashionistaTeens/BCNTeensFash albeit in the contiguous streets you'll keep finding more shops. There are other areas in the city, but I thought this one would probably suit you best. Then, just for window watching, you can all go up to Passeig de Gràcia and check the expensive stores there.

Other stuff they both will certainly like: the Font Màgica (http://infocatalonia.eu/w/54XRj) -albeit you need to check schedules, it's not on every day-, a treat at Caelum in the Old City (http://bakingbites.com/2011/11/caelum-barcelona-spain/), the Aquarium (http://infocatalonia.eu/w/JldcR) and/or the Zoo (http://infocatalonia.eu/w/WzJfn), the Chocolate Museum (http://infocatalonia.eu/w/pr3jJ), the Tibidabo Fair (https://www.tibidabo.cat/en/home)...

It's difficult to list "just a few things" as the city offers a lot... I hope this might help.

Enric

Maybe it's not quite appropriate here, but I feel Tina might be interested: https://www.amazon.com/Discovering-Barcelona-travel-guide-teens/dp/8461657454 Apologies if anyone sees it unwelcome. Let me know and I myself will ask the Admin to remove this post.

In Barcelona: Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, Casa Milà... nearly everybody likes these, including teens... the plasticity of the Modernist movement is very eye-catching... here feed them these videos: Casa Batlló: http://infocatalonia.eu/w/htZf2 or this one from the Sagrada Família: http://infocatalonia.eu/w/muA2f

 

For the sporty one, aside from Camp Nou, you also have the Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc, where the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1992 Olympics were held. Many don't know that Barcelona had already been a candidate in the 1924 and the 1936 Olympics and that the stadium had been built in 1929 precisely for this later bid. Next, to the stadium there's the Olympic Museum (http://www.museuolimpicbcn.cat/esp/home.asp). Also, for a more active activity, you could look at a sailing sortie, or a kayak lesson... https://www.velabarcelona.com/en/poliwin/familia/2

 

A crazy idea if at least one of you two (the adults, that is) know how to roller skate... every Friday night, the Roller Barcelona Association (https://www.timeout.cat/barcelona/ca/esports/com-i-on-patinar-a-barcelona) convokes all those that like to roller skate to have a fun session skating in group thru the streets of the city, it's free (you can rent the skates if you don't have them) and it's only required that you manage the basics of skating so you're not delaying the group too much. Sometimes as much as 300 get together...

The teachers of the Barcelona Roller Skate Club act as coordinators sheltering the group from pedestrians and traffic and helping those that stay lagged. This'd certainly be an unforgettable experience for your sporty one, if she knows how to roller skate that is, but she needs to be accompanied by an adult, of course. And you have to be prepared to stay up late. If you're (seriously) interested I can try to find out the particulars for you.

 

For the fashionista, just "drop" her in Portal de l'Àngel, off Plaça Catalunya... that area is full of trendy shops in the likes of Zara, Desigual, Mango and the lot. It's affordable fashion so won't break your bank. She can spend "literally" a whole day just in those few streets as there are hundreds of shops. The main two streets you should focus on are: https://www.scribblemaps.com/maps/view/ForFashionistaTeens/BCNTeensFash albeit in the contiguous streets you'll keep finding more shops. There are other areas in the city, but I thought this one would probably suit you best. Then, just for window watching, you can all go up to Passeig de Gràcia and check the expensive stores there.

 

Other stuff they both will certainly like: the Font Màgica (http://infocatalonia.eu/w/54XRj) -albeit you need to check schedules, it's not on every day-, a treat at Caelum in the Old City (http://bakingbites.com/2011/11/caelum-barcelona-spain/), the Aquarium (http://infocatalonia.eu/w/JldcR) and/or the Zoo (http://infocatalonia.eu/w/WzJfn), the Chocolate Museum (http://infocatalonia.eu/w/pr3jJ), the Tibidabo Fair (https://www.tibidabo.cat/en/home)...

 

It's difficult to list "just a few things" as the city offers a lot... I hope this might help.

 

Enric

Wow, thank you so much for your response! I really appreciate the time and effort which you have gone to.

I'm making enquiries about a half day tour with Barcelona City Tours following reviews on here but maybe I should just book you!! The tour will hopefully include the main tourist attractions Parc Guell, Sagrada Família, Olympic Stadium etc but maybe in the afternoon I could send my husband and our sporty teen to Camp Nou and explore the shopping district with our elder daughter.

We are in Barcelona on a Friday but will need to be back on board by 6 so we'll have to skip the roller skating this time but it does sound fantastic. Maybe I should bring the idea to Manchester... ;)

And thank you for the book recommendation. Now I'm just thinking that a few hours in Barcelona won't be nearly enough and that we'll need a long weekend break another time.

LOL!.... I am not in the tourism business, just a passionate and proud Catalan born and bred in its capital, Barcelona, which is happy to share one's knowledge of the city in the forums in my spare time. ;)

In Barcelona: Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, Casa Milà... nearly everybody likes these, including teens... the plasticity of the Modernist movement is very eye-catching... here feed them these videos: Casa Batlló: http://infocatalonia.eu/w/htZf2 or this one from the Sagrada Família: http://infocatalonia.eu/w/muA2f

 

For the sporty one, aside from Camp Nou, you also have the Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc, where the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1992 Olympics were held. Many don't know that Barcelona had already been a candidate in the 1924 and the 1936 Olympics and that the stadium had been built in 1929 precisely for this later bid. Next, to the stadium there's the Olympic Museum (http://www.museuolimpicbcn.cat/esp/home.asp). Also, for a more active activity, you could look at a sailing sortie, or a kayak lesson... https://www.velabarcelona.com/en/poliwin/familia/2

 

A crazy idea if at least one of you two (the adults, that is) know how to roller skate... every Friday night, the Roller Barcelona Association (https://www.timeout.cat/barcelona/ca/esports/com-i-on-patinar-a-barcelona) convokes all those that like to roller skate to have a fun session skating in group thru the streets of the city, it's free (you can rent the skates if you don't have them) and it's only required that you manage the basics of skating so you're not delaying the group too much. Sometimes as much as 300 get together...

The teachers of the Barcelona Roller Skate Club act as coordinators sheltering the group from pedestrians and traffic and helping those that stay lagged. This'd certainly be an unforgettable experience for your sporty one, if she knows how to roller skate that is, but she needs to be accompanied by an adult, of course. And you have to be prepared to stay up late. If you're (seriously) interested I can try to find out the particulars for you.

 

For the fashionista, just "drop" her in:) Portal de l'Àngel, off Plaça Catalunya... that area is full of trendy shops in the likes of Zara, Desigual, Mango and the lot. It's affordable fashion so won't break your bank. She can spend "literally" a whole day just in those few streets as there are hundreds of shops. The main two streets you should focus on are: https://www.scribblemaps.com/maps/view/ForFashionistaTeens/BCNTeensFash albeit in the contiguous streets you'll keep finding more shops. There are other areas in the city, but I thought this one would probably suit you best. Then, just for window watching, you can all go up to Passeig de Gràcia and check the expensive stores there.

 

Other stuff they both will certainly like: the Font Màgica (http://infocatalonia.eu/w/54XRj) -albeit you need to check schedules, it's not on every day-, a treat at Caelum in the Old City (http://bakingbites.com/2011/11/caelum-barcelona-spain/), the Aquarium (http://infocatalonia.eu/w/JldcR) and/or the Zoo (http://infocatalonia.eu/w/WzJfn), the Chocolate Museum (http://infocatalonia.eu/w/pr3jJ), the Tibidabo Fair (https://www.tibidabo.cat/en/home)...

 

It's difficult to list "just a few things" as the city offers a lot... I hope this might help.

 

Enric

Thank you, as always very helpful Enric :)

My pleasure guys.

I'm going to be in Barcelona for 3 days pre-cruise with with my 13 yr old so these are some great ideas!

These are awesome suggestions. I will also be on a cruise in August with my 13 and 14 year old daughters and concerned that I will here they are bored. Thank you for these suggestions.

Ah, no, don't you worry guys... a bit of research online and you'll discover that Barcelona is a vibrant city full of activities for all ages, all year round, and we like to share our activities with foreign visitors so you'll find plenty to keep your "brats" busy, LOL!

A few sites worth looking at:

http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/

http://www.infocatalonia.eu/

http://www.timeout.com/barcelona

http://lameva.barcelona.cat/en

http://www.barcelonaesmoltmes.cat/en/inici

http://patrimoni.gencat.cat/en/discover/search

Also, worth mentioning that's important to see if when you're going to be around there is any heritage festival going on. We Mediterraneans do celebrate our culture and our traditions throughout the year and there are plenty of celebrations, festivals, etc.