Twin Centre Skiing With Barcelona at Easter

Barcelona Park Guell

If you’re looking for an Easter ski holiday with a twist, why not combine the slopes of Andorra with the city sights of Barcelona!  With plentiful flights between the UK and Spain’s second city, loads of family fun in the mountains, and a huge choice of family-friendly activities available in Barcelona, it’s the ideal combination to have a totally memorable holiday.

With spring skiing conditions, you can ski in the mornings followed by some awesome family activities in the afternoons, and I’ve included some ideas in this blog.

How long do we need?

For a ski and city break twin centre holiday we’d recommend a minimum of five nights, depending on your flight times, although six or more nights will make it a much more relaxed experience.

Should we ski first or city first?

This really depends on personal preference, although you should also bear in mind your flight dates and if you want to take group lessons, which start on Saturdays and Mondays.  Personally I would suggest skiing first, as I’m always super excited to hit the slopes, plus on the way home you’re nice and close to the airport so you can really take advantage of your last day.

Do we need a car?

For a family twin centre ski holiday at Easter, we’d definitely recommend hiring a car to be able to make the most of your trip, so that you can easily access the variety of activities away from the slopes during your afternoons and evenings.  You can drop off your car on the way back to Barcelona, as you don’t need a car to explore the city.

That being said, you don’t need to have a car.  We offer private and shared airport transfers between the airport and ski resorts, as well as back to the city on your return.  For shared transfers the Barcelona city stop is right outside the Zona Universitaria Metro station, so easy access to the main city locations.

Family activities in Andorra

Aside from skiing, Andorra has a great selection of family activities which you can enjoy.  If you’re visiting in April for a spring ski holiday then you’ll usually find the snow gets quite soft in the afternoons, so many customers enjoy skiing in the morning, then relaxing off the slopes in the afternoon.  Here are five ideas for family activities to enjoy in Andorra this April:

  1. Magic Gliss & Zip Line

Head to Grandvalira Canillo where kids and parents alike will love the Magic Gliss mountain coaster, which whizzes down the track with bends and bumps.  Smaller children can share with a parent, and older children are fine to go on their own.  Just next to Magic Gliss is the Zip Line, flying down across the lake for an exhilarating experience, suitable for around age 9+ depending on weight, which can either be a tandem flight or go it solo.

Magic Gliss Mountain Coaster, Canillo
  1. Caldea and Likids Caldea

Relax at the incredible Caldea thermal spa in Andorra la Vella which, at 6,000m², is one of Europe’s largest spas, and standing at 80 metres in height, is Andorra’s tallest building.  Then for children aged 3-8 years, within Caldea is the Likids spa which is exclusively for children, and has it’s own team to look after them whilst parents enjoy the main spa.

  1. Central Park

A free activity, definitely a big hit with the kids, is a visit to Central Park in Andorra la Vella.  In springtime it’s a beautiful park to enjoy, which features a large adventure playground as well as football goals and basketball hoops.  There’s a large carpark by the park too so very easy to access, and it’s only a five-minute walk to the main shopping street so you can grab your duty free shopping at the same time!

  1. Naturland

Located around 10 minutes up into the mountains from Sant Julia, and around 30 minutes from the centre of Andorra, Naturland is an amazing adventure centre with loads of family activities.  The main event is the Tobotronc which is the longest mountain coaster in the world at 5.3km long!  However, you and your kids can also enjoy trampolines, treetop adventure activities, zip lines, pony rides, and other activities.

Naturland Forest Line
  1. Ice Skating

Canillo is home to Palau de Gel, a large ice rink and activity complex, so a great way to spend an afternoon or evening.  As well as ice skating, they have a timetable of karting on ice, curling, and hockey, plus they have a climbing wall and swimming pool.

Where to visit in Barcelona

Barcelona is a vibrant city that has a lot to offer for families looking for fun activities. With the arrival of spring in April, the city is alive with energy and excitement. Here are five ideas for family activities to enjoy in Barcelona this April:

  1. Explore Park Güell

Park Güell is one of the most famous landmarks in Barcelona and a great place for families to explore. Designed by the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, the park is filled with whimsical structures and colorful mosaics that will delight both children and adults alike. Take a stroll through the park, have a picnic on the grassy areas, and enjoy the stunning views of the city.

Barcelona Park Guell
  1. Visit the Barcelona Aquarium

The Barcelona Aquarium is a must-visit attraction for families, especially those with children who love marine life. It’s one of the largest aquariums in Europe, with over 11,000 animals from 450 different species. The aquarium is divided into different sections, each showcasing a unique marine environment. Visitors can get up close with sharks, rays, and other sea creatures, making for an exciting and educational experience.

  1. Take a bike tour

Barcelona is a bike-friendly city, and a bike tour is a fun and healthy way for families to explore the city. There are several tour companies that offer family-friendly tours, which usually take about 3 hours and cover some of the city’s main attractions, such as the Gothic Quarter, the Sagrada Familia, and the beach. It’s a great way to see the city while getting some exercise and fresh air.

  1. Have a beach day

If you have a sunny day, Barcelona has several beautiful beaches that are perfect for a family day out. Barceloneta is the most popular, but if you’re looking for a quieter spot, head to the beaches further north. Pack a picnic, some sunscreen, and spend the day building sandcastles, swimming, and soaking up the sun.

  1. Visit the Tibidabo Amusement Park

The Tibidabo Amusement Park is located on top of a hill overlooking the city and offers stunning views of Barcelona. The park has a range of rides and attractions suitable for all ages, from thrilling roller coasters to gentler rides for younger children. There are also several restaurants and cafes in the park, making it a great spot for a family day out (just check the specific opening days/times over the Easter holidays).

Tibidabo Amusement Park in Barcelona

Suggested Itinerary

As mentioned earlier, the minimum duration we would suggest for a city and ski twin centre break would be five nights, and here is a suggested itinerary to get you three days on the slopes, perfect if you’re taking group lessons as there’s a course for three mornings from Mondays…

  • Day one – take a morning flight to Barcelona, pick up a rental car, and drive to Andorra.  When you arrive pick up your equipment and your lift passes so you’re ready to hit the slopes in the morning.
  • Day two – with an Easter ski holiday it’s best to hit the slopes early to make the most of the spring snow.  By early afternoon it’s time to enjoy a family activity.
  • Day three – enjoy your morning on the slopes, then after a lunch on the mountain soaking up some of the spring sunshine Andorra is famous for, take a trip to the spa to really relax and unwind.
  • Day four – get your bags into your hotel’s luggage room (or the boot of your car) before you hit the slopes for your third morning of skiing, then after a quick lunch drive back to Barcelona and drop your car at the airport.  It’s easy to take the Metro from the airport into the city, and only takes around one hour to most major locations, so you can be enjoying tapas for dinner.
  • Day five – a full day to see the sights of Barcelona, either with one or more of our suggestions, or to pack in as much as possible you can take one of the hop-on-hop-off bus tours around the city.
  • Day six – book your flight for as late in the day as possible so you can enjoy more of the city sights.  With a short stay like this one, it pays to book a hotel close to the centre and close to a Metro stop.

In conclusion, if you’re thinking of doing something a little different this Easter with a ski and city twin centre holiday, there’s no shortage of family-friendly activities to enjoy both in Andorra and in Barcelona this April, all combined with some fantastic time on the slopes.  So why not plan a trip to Andorra and Barcelona with your family this spring and create some unforgettable memories together?