Caldes de Montbui
A thermal spa town 40 minutes from Barcelona with hot water bubbling from the ground, Roman remains, and a cosy small-town atmosphere perfect for a relaxed family day out. In winter, dipping your feet in the 74-degree Font del Lleo is an experience kids never forget.
Highlights
💡 Parent tip: The Font del Lleo in the main square has water at 74°C — don't let kids put their hands in directly. The Thermalia museum is small and quick to visit with children. Pleasant terraces on the square for a drink.
Caldes de Montbui is a perfect plan for those winter days when you need to get out of Barcelona but don’t want to freeze. The town has thermal springs that bubble up at 74 degrees Celsius and a spa tradition going back to the Romans. The Font del Lleo in the main square is fascinating for kids: hot water coming right out of the ground in the middle of the street. Be careful though, it’s very hot, so make sure they don’t put their hands in directly.
The Thermalia museum explains the town’s thermal history and has remains of Roman baths. It’s small and can be covered in half an hour, perfect for children. But the real joy of Caldes is wandering through the old town, discovering the fountains that pop up unexpectedly on street corners, and sitting on a terrace in the square for a drink while the little ones run around. It’s a living town, not a museum, and you can feel that in the atmosphere.
To complete the thermal experience, there are several spas and bathhouses in town. Some offer family sessions or thermal pools where children can enter. Check in advance as policies vary. If you’re going with babies, the thermal water is a treat in winter: warm feet, steam in the air, and a sense of wellbeing that spreads to the whole family. The town has good traditional Catalan restaurants. The road from Barcelona is straightforward with no tolls.