When your family is scattered across different places, planning a family reunion becomes a logistical challenge. One sister in Girona, another in Switzerland, mom in Tarragona… Where do you meet?
If you’re looking for where to meet family in Barcelona, the city makes perfect sense: train connections from anywhere, an international airport for those living abroad, and a historic center ideal for strolling and enjoying time together.
But there’s a question many families ask: how do you turn the gathering into something more than just meeting for lunch?
Why Plaça Catalunya Is the Perfect Meeting Point
If you want to organize a family reunion in Barcelona, Plaça Catalunya has a huge advantage: every transport line passes through here.
- From Girona: 38 minutes by high-speed train
- From Tarragona: one hour by regional train
- From the airport: 35 minutes by Aerobus
It’s literally the center of everything. And once you’re here, you have the Gothic Quarter, La Rambla, El Born… all within a five-minute walk. It’s where local families regularly meet because it makes it easy for everyone to arrive without hassle.
From Girona, Tarragona, and Switzerland: A Family Reunion in Barcelona
Last week, three women came to our self-portrait studio: a mother and her two daughters. The mother lives in Tarragona, one daughter in a village near Girona, and the other works in Switzerland and was visiting.
They hadn’t seen each other—all three together—in months. And instead of just meeting for lunch, they decided to do something different: a family photoshoot together.
Meeting for coffee isn’t the same as meeting to create something. The session became the plan itself: laughs, silly poses, moments of connection we usually don’t capture because we’re too busy living.
Why a Photoshoot Works for Family Reunions
When you live far from your family, photos together are rare. We have blurry selfies, group shots where someone is always missing, quick snaps we never get around to printing.
As Lucía Basulto shares in her Google review:
“A super fun family experience and highly recommended! With kids, photo sessions with a photographer get complicated, but with the privacy at Youlo it’s easier for the little ones. And you leave with a memory that lasts.”
Without a photographer watching, people relax. And with over 200 photos in a session, everyone looks good in at least a few.
Ideas for Planning Your Family Reunion in Barcelona
If you’re thinking about things to do in Barcelona with family, here are some ideas to make the most of the day:
- Morning: Arrive early, grab a relaxed coffee at a terrace in the city center
- Mid-morning: Do something together that leaves you with a tangible memory. A photoshoot, a workshop, something you can take home
- Lunch: El Born has restaurants for every taste. If you’re a large group, book in advance
- Afternoon: Stroll along Barceloneta if the weather’s nice, or get lost in the streets of the Gothic Quarter
Barcelona: Where All Paths Cross
The three of them left with over 100 digital photos. But above all, they left with the feeling of having done something meaningful together.
If your family also lives scattered across different cities, Barcelona is the point where all paths cross. And turning the meetup into an experience—not just a meal—makes the day twice as worthwhile.
Thinking about planning your own family reunion? Book your family photoshoot in Plaça Catalunya.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What’s the best area in Barcelona to meet with family?
Plaça Catalunya is ideal because every transport line (metro, FGC, Rodalies, high-speed train, Aerobus) passes through here. Plus, from this point you have direct access to the historic center.
What are some original things to do at a family reunion?
Activities that leave you with a tangible memory work great: a family photoshoot, a cooking workshop, or even a themed guided tour. The key is to do something together, not just eat.
How do I easily get there from Girona or Tarragona?
From Girona you arrive in 38 minutes by high-speed train direct to Passeig de Gràcia (a five-minute walk from Plaça Catalunya). From Tarragona, the regional train takes about one hour to Passeig de Gràcia or Sants.
