Best school farms to visit with kids near Barcelona

Looking for a different day out with the kids? School farms are one of the best options for families who want a day outdoors with real animals and educational activities. And the good news is that near Barcelona there is an excellent range of centres where children can touch, feed and observe farm animals in a safe, supervised environment.

In this guide we have selected the 8 best school farms accessible from Barcelona, with practical information on location, activities, ages, prices and what makes each one special. All are within 90 minutes by car.

Why visit a school farm with kids

Before diving into the list, it is worth remembering why school farms are much more than a weekend outing. Unlike a zoo, a school farm allows direct contact with the animals. Children do not watch from behind glass: they feed goats, collect eggs, groom ponies and observe how animals live up close.

Direct contact with animals and working outdoors help children develop empathy, responsibility and awareness of the natural environment. It is no coincidence that more and more schools are incorporating farm visits into their curriculum.

Concrete benefits for children

• Connection with rural life: Many urban children have never seen a hen laying an egg. The school farm bridges that gap.
• Experiential learning: Feeding a rabbit, watching the spring young or identifying aromatic plants are lessons that stick.
• Physical activity outdoors: A full day walking, running and discovering with their hands. Zero screens.
• Social skills: Sharing the care of animals with monitors and other families builds cooperation and communication.

The 8 best school farms near Barcelona

1. Granja Natura (Navàs, Bages)

Granja Natura (CAN, Centre d’Apropament a la Natura) is one of the most complete environmental education centres in Catalonia. Located in El Mujal, Navàs, roughly 1 hour (80 km) from Barcelona via the C-16, exit 71 Navàs Sud, it offers an immersive experience with over 30 animal species, many of them rescued.

What sets it apart is its integrated educational approach. It is not just about seeing animals: during the 2-hour guided visit children get close to them, learn about them and discover how they live, accompanied by monitors specialised in environmental education.

• Location: El Mujal, Navàs (Bages), around 80 km from Barcelona via the C-16
• Ages: All ages (children’s prices from 2 to 14)
• Opening: Families on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Centre open 10.45 to 16.30, guided visit 11.00 to 13.00
• Animals: Goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits, ponies, sheep, birds of prey, tortoises and exotic species
• Activities: 2-hour guided visit, afternoon workshop with a birds-of-prey flight (12 EUR, 15.00 to 16.15), picnic area with barbecue service and the Caretaker for a Day experience (from age 7)
• Price: Guided visit 15.90 EUR adults, 13.90 EUR children 2 to 14, 6.95 EUR infants 1 to 2 (under-1s free). Full day 27.90/25.90 EUR
• Booking: granjanatura.com
• Best for: Families looking for a complete experience, not just a quick visit

2. Can Gel (Canovelles, Vallès Oriental)

An educational farm with a long track record in the Vallès region. Can Gel stands out for its proximity to Barcelona (30 minutes) and its programmes for school groups and families. Specialised in traditional Catalan farm animals.

• Location: Canovelles (Vallès Oriental), 30 min from Barcelona
• Ages: 3 to 12
• Animals: Horses, ponies, goats, chickens, rabbits, ducks
• Activities: Pony ride, animal feeding, bread-making workshop, guided visit
• Approximate price: 10-14 EUR per person

3. La Granja d’Aventura Park (Viladecavalls, Vallès Occidental)

A space that combines farm with adventure park. Families can enjoy both animal contact and adventure circuits, zip lines and outdoor games. An excellent option if the children need plenty of physical activity.

• Location: Viladecavalls (Vallès Occidental), 40 min from Barcelona
• Ages: 3 to 14
• Animals: Ponies, goats, rabbits, chickens, ducks
• Activities: Adventure circuit, zip line, animal feeding, pony ride
• Approximate price: 12-18 EUR per person

4. Granja Escola Can Coll (Cerdanyola del Vallès)

Located within Collserola Natural Park, Can Coll combines a farm visit with nature trails inside the park. Managed by the Consorci del Parc de Collserola, it is one of the most accessible options from Barcelona.

• Location: Cerdanyola del Vallès (within Collserola), 25 min from Barcelona
• Ages: 3 to 12
• Animals: Chickens, ducks, goats, sheep
• Activities: Guided farm visit, nature trails, garden workshop, birdwatching
• Approximate price: 8-10 EUR per person

5. Can Montcau (Sant Llorenç Savall, Vallès Occidental)

A restored farmhouse at the foot of the Sant Llorenç del Munt Natural Park. Offers family visits and school programmes with a strong focus on sustainability and organic production.

• Location: Sant Llorenç Savall (Vallès Occidental), 50 min from Barcelona
• Ages: 4 to 12
• Animals: Horses, goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits
• Activities: Animal care, cheese making, organic garden, hiking
• Approximate price: 10-15 EUR per person

6. La Fageda (Santa Pau, Garrotxa)

A social cooperative with a dairy farm and yoghurt factory recognised across Catalonia. The visit combines the cow farm with the yoghurt workshop and a walk through the Fageda d’en Jordà beech forest. Further from Barcelona (90 minutes), but an unforgettable experience.

• Location: Santa Pau (Garrotxa), 90 min from Barcelona
• Ages: 4 to 14
• Animals: Cows, calves
• Activities: Dairy farm visit, yoghurt workshop, forest walk
• Approximate price: 8-12 EUR per person

7. Granja Escola La Torre (Santa Susanna, Maresme)

A school farm near the Maresme coast. Ideal for combining with a beach outing in summer. Family programmes at weekends.

• Location: Santa Susanna (Maresme), 60 min from Barcelona
• Ages: 2 to 10
• Animals: Ponies, goats, rabbits, chickens, ducks, pigs
• Activities: Pony ride, animal feeding, bread-making workshop, garden
• Approximate price: 10-14 EUR per person

8. Can Sala (Bigues i Riells, Vallès Oriental)

A family farm with a very welcoming atmosphere and very small groups. Specialised in visits for families with young children (from 18 months). Animals very accustomed to contact with infants.

• Location: Bigues i Riells (Vallès Oriental), 35 min from Barcelona
• Ages: 18 months to 8 years
• Animals: Goats, sheep, rabbits, chickens, ducks
• Activities: Free contact with animals, guided feeding, farmyard stories
• Approximate price: 8-12 EUR per person

Quick comparison: which school farm to choose

Farm	Distance BCN	Ages	Price	Best for
Granja Natura (Navàs)	~1 h	All	15.90 EUR	Complete experience, full day
Can Gel (Canovelles)	30 min	3-12	10-14 EUR	Proximity, quick visit
Aventura Park (Viladecavalls)	40 min	3-14	12-18 EUR	Active kids, adventure + farm
Can Coll (Cerdanyola)	25 min	3-12	8-10 EUR	Accessibility, budget price
Can Montcau (Sant Llorenç)	50 min	4-12	10-15 EUR	Sustainability, nature
La Fageda (Santa Pau)	90 min	4-14	8-12 EUR	Unique experience, yoghurt
La Torre (Santa Susanna)	60 min	2-10	10-14 EUR	Combine with beach
Can Sala (Bigues i Riells)	35 min	18m-8y	8-12 EUR	Very young children

Prices, ages and schedules for the other centres are indicative; always confirm them on each farm’s official website before booking.

Practical tips for your visit

What to bring

• Comfortable clothes that can get dirty (children will be touching animals and soil)
• Closed, sturdy footwear (no sandals)
• Hat and sun cream (most activities are outdoors)
• Water bottle
• A change of clothes for the youngest ones

When to go

Spring (March to June) is the ideal time: animals have young, the garden is in full growth and the weather is pleasant. Autumn (September to November) is also excellent and tends to be less crowded.

In summer, some farms organise day camps and nature camps for younger children. Granja Natura does not run its own camps, but it is an ideal destination for the outings of day camps, youth groups and clubs looking for a day in nature, and it welcomes families on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays with advance booking (guided visit 11.00 to 13.00). Winter limits the options at some centres, though many open at weekends.

Book ahead

The best-rated school farms fill up quickly, especially on spring weekends. Booking 1-2 weeks in advance secures your spot. Some require mandatory booking to manage capacity.

Granja Natura: much more than a visit

If you are looking for an experience that goes beyond the 2-hour visit, Granja Natura in Navàs offers a complete immersion in rural life. With over 30 animal species, many of them rescued, and monitors specialised in environmental education, it is the ideal place for your children to truly connect with nature.

In addition to family visits, it also offers school trips, birthday parties and a volunteering programme for those who want to go deeper into learning about the animals. And if you organise a day camp or a youth group, it is a perfect summer excursion. Book your visit at granjanatura.com and enjoy a day the kids will remember for months.