Best Family City Breaks – A Complete Guide 2026
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Lucy Starrs
Barcelona on a Budget
Barcelona is an amazing city with its unique Catalan culture, stunning Gaudí architecture, world-class cuisine, lively Las Ramblas promenade, and sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches. Visiting on a budget can be tricky but not impossible!
Average weather in Barcelona
5 reasons to visit Barcelona
Barcelona is a vibrant blend of old and new. The Catalan capital boasts Gaudí’s stunning architecture, lovely beaches, and delicious tapas. Founded in the 3rd century BC, it’s a city where history and modernity coexist, offering plenty for visitors to explore and enjoy. Look for more peripheral accommodation if you want to get the cheaper prices. Public transport in the city is excellent.
Gaudí's wonders
Sunny beaches
Tapas and cuisine
Gothic Quarter
Nightlife fun
Recommended Hotels
Catalonia Sagrada Familia
Barcelona
- Rooftop Pool
- 1.3km from Sagrada Familia
- Great Reviews
45 Times Barcelona Hotel
Barcelona
- Great Central Location
- Opposite Placa de Catalunya
- 30m From the Nearest Bus Stop
Catalonia Barcelona Plaza
Barcelona
- Rooftop Pool and Terrace
- Excellent Public Transport Links
- 2.4km from Las Ramblas
RELATED ARTICLES
DIY Deals
FAQs
Barcelona is renowned for its stunning architecture and vibrant culture. Key attractions include:
- Sagrada Família: Antoni Gaudí’s iconic basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Park Güell: Another Gaudí masterpiece featuring colorful mosaics and unique structures.
- La Rambla: A bustling street filled with shops, restaurants, and street performers.
- Gothic Quarter: A historic area with narrow medieval streets, charming plazas, and the Barcelona Cathedral.
- Casa Batlló and Casa Milà (La Pedrera): Famous Gaudí-designed buildings showcasing unique architectural styles.
The best time to visit Barcelona is during the spring (April to June) or fall (September to October). These seasons offer pleasant weather, fewer tourists, and a variety of cultural events. Summer (July and August) can be very hot and crowded, while winter (December to February) is cooler and less busy, though still enjoyable.
Barcelona has an efficient public transportation system, including:
- Metro: The city has an extensive metro network that covers most tourist areas.
- Buses: There are numerous bus routes, including night buses.
- Trams: Trams are available in certain parts of the city.
- Bicycles: Barcelona is bike-friendly with many bike rental options and dedicated lanes.
- Walking: Many attractions are within walking distance of each other in the central areas.
Barcelona offers a rich culinary experience. Must-try local foods include:
- Tapas: Small, flavorful dishes often enjoyed with drinks.
- Paella: A traditional rice dish with seafood or meat, though it’s originally from Valencia, it’s popular here too.
- Patatas Bravas: Fried potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce and aioli.
- Pan con Tomate: Bread rubbed with ripe tomatoes, olive oil, and salt.
- Crema Catalana: A Catalan dessert similar to crème brûlée.
- Language: While Spanish (Castilian) is widely spoken, Catalan is the official language of Catalonia. Learning a few phrases in Catalan is appreciated.
- Siesta: Many shops and businesses close for a few hours in the afternoon for a siesta, typically between 2 PM and 5 PM.
- Dining hours: Spaniards eat later than many other cultures, with lunch around 2-3 PM and dinner around 9-10 PM.
- Tipping: Tipping is not obligatory but appreciated. Rounding up the bill or leaving small change (5-10%) is common.
- Respect for traditions: Barcelona has a strong cultural identity. Respect local customs, traditions, and the unique Catalan culture.
Keep up to date...
£266pp is a fab package holiday price for the Easter holidays. There’s a heated indoor pool for the kids to splash in, and the cooler weather makes it a great time to explore this gorgeous island.
Comment EASTER and I’ll send you the link for the hotel. Alternatively check out my linktree as it’s currently on there.
The links I share are affiliate links
#thetravelmum #familytravel #eastertravel #cheaptravel
Mar 13
£266pp is a fab package holiday price for the Easter holidays. There’s a heated indoor pool for the kids to splash in, and the cooler weather makes it a great time to explore this gorgeous island.
Comment EASTER and I’ll send you the link for the hotel. Alternatively check out my linktree as it’s currently on there.
The links I share are affiliate links
#thetravelmum #familytravel #eastertravel #cheaptravel
Ksamil is a town on the Albanian Riviera and has had some very mixed reviews over the years, and I think a lot of that comes down to when you visit.
We absolutely loved our trip. It was incredibly affordable too - we paid £190 for six nights in an apartment that slept five! (This was in 2023) I’ve written a full blog post about the trip over on the website, where I’ve shared some great-value accommodation options and tips if you’re thinking about booking something similar.
Comment BLOG and I’ll send you the link along with some cheap flights and info on how to get there!
Expect things like:
🍻 £1.50 pints
🦐 Seafood dishes for under £10
☀️ Beautiful, crystal-clear beaches
We visited in May, when there were very few other people around. The town was just starting to open up for the season, the weather was lovely, and it felt relaxed and easy to enjoy.
June also seems like a great time to visit – a few more things open, but still without the peak summer crowds.
July and August appear to be a very different experience. The town is quite small, and it struggles to cope with the number of visitors in peak season. It can feel very crowded, and prices - particularly for things like sun loungers - can become very steep because of the demand.
So if Ksamil is on your list, timing really is everything!
#albanianriviera #familytravels #thetravelmum
Mar 10
Ksamil is a town on the Albanian Riviera and has had some very mixed reviews over the years, and I think a lot of that comes down to when you visit.
We absolutely loved our trip. It was incredibly affordable too - we paid £190 for six nights in an apartment that slept five! (This was in 2023) I’ve written a full blog post about the trip over on the website, where I’ve shared some great-value accommodation options and tips if you’re thinking about booking something similar.
Comment BLOG and I’ll send you the link along with some cheap flights and info on how to get there!
Expect things like:
🍻 £1.50 pints
🦐 Seafood dishes for under £10
☀️ Beautiful, crystal-clear beaches
We visited in May, when there were very few other people around. The town was just starting to open up for the season, the weather was lovely, and it felt relaxed and easy to enjoy.
June also seems like a great time to visit – a few more things open, but still without the peak summer crowds.
July and August appear to be a very different experience. The town is quite small, and it struggles to cope with the number of visitors in peak season. It can feel very crowded, and prices - particularly for things like sun loungers - can become very steep because of the demand.
So if Ksamil is on your list, timing really is everything!
#albanianriviera #familytravels #thetravelmum
Looking for a great value family friendly holiday? Look no further 🫡 We are a group of mums who spend our time hunting out the best deals and sharing them with you!
If you want more information on these holidays, comment “DEALS” and I’ll send you the links with more info. We aren’t travel agents, just a group of mums hunting for great family deals and sending you the best ones. You will book as normal on the providers website.
The La Palma deal is flying from Manchester.
The Tenerife deal is from Leeds.
The Marrakech deal is from Glasgow.
We have pages for each airport over on our website ❤️
I’ll post the best deals we find each day like this all week - are you looking for anything specific?! Let us know!
The links we share are affiliate links.
#thetravelmum #familyholiday #traveldeals
Mar 9
Looking for a great value family friendly holiday? Look no further 🫡 We are a group of mums who spend our time hunting out the best deals and sharing them with you!
If you want more information on these holidays, comment “DEALS” and I’ll send you the links with more info. We aren’t travel agents, just a group of mums hunting for great family deals and sending you the best ones. You will book as normal on the providers website.
The La Palma deal is flying from Manchester.
The Tenerife deal is from Leeds.
The Marrakech deal is from Glasgow.
We have pages for each airport over on our website ❤️
I’ll post the best deals we find each day like this all week - are you looking for anything specific?! Let us know!
The links we share are affiliate links.
#thetravelmum #familyholiday #traveldeals
Flights alone can cost this, but you’re getting flights with luggage, transfers and ELEVEN nights at this lovely hotel! Menorca is amazing, so many great places to explore. I’d recommend hiring a car and exploring the island.
I’ve got the link in my linktree or comment MENORCA and I’ll send you the link plus a blog post I wrote from our latest trip to the island ❤️
The links we share are affiliate links. We source our own deals from lots of different holiday providers.
#thetravelmum #cheapholidays #menorca #familytravel
Mar 5
Flights alone can cost this, but you’re getting flights with luggage, transfers and ELEVEN nights at this lovely hotel! Menorca is amazing, so many great places to explore. I’d recommend hiring a car and exploring the island.
I’ve got the link in my linktree or comment MENORCA and I’ll send you the link plus a blog post I wrote from our latest trip to the island ❤️
The links we share are affiliate links. We source our own deals from lots of different holiday providers.
#thetravelmum #cheapholidays #menorca #familytravel
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