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Barcelona, in Northern Spain, is an enchanting coastal city with endless culture, stunning architecture, and world-class drinking and dining options. But there’s more to the Catalonia region than Barcelona and, if you are prepared to venture a little out of the city, you’ll be handsomely rewarded with beautiful mountain ranges, whitewashed towns, and spectacular beaches.
A few of our favorite Barcelona day trips are listed below, and all are just a short ride away.
See Stunning Views from Montserrat Mountain
Montserrat Mountain, with its jagged rock formations, has the appearance of a giant serrated handsaw. And the Catalans must agree because Montserrat translates to ‘saw mountain.’ It rises to 1,236 meters at its highest peak and has been shaped by wind and water over many thousands of years.
Montserrat is home to Catalonia’s holiest site, the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey. The Abbey dates back to the 11th century, and the site has a Romanesque church, a 12th-century library, and an exceptional museum of fine arts and archaeology.
It’s also home to a community of 80 Benedictine monks who are devoted to a life of prayer and the study of theology. The restaurants at Montserrat Abbey serve Catalan and Mediterranean cuisine in stunning surroundings of 16th-century buildings with panoramic mountain views.
Montserrat is great for hiking, and the views are spectacular from just about everywhere. But if you prefer to take it easy, you don’t have to trek to enjoy the vistas. Simply hop on the Aeri de Montserrat: a state-of-the-art, German-made funicular cable car that leaves every 15 minutes. The 1,350-meter ride up to the monastery takes around five minutes.
Getting to Montserrat from Barcelona
Travel time: Approx. 1 hour, 20 minutes
Trains to Montserrat from Barcelona leave from the Plaça d’Espanya rail station. Look out for Line R5 headed towards Manresa. Trains run from half-hourly to hourly, and you can buy tickets at the station. Alternatively, you could take an organized full-day tour from Barcelona. Tours will usually include bus transportation and a guided tour of Montserrat Monastery.
Explore Glamorous Sitges
Less than 45 minutes from Barcelona is the pretty, whitewashed town of Sitges, an old fishing village that’s been transformed into a seaside resort. With its pristine sandy beaches, Sitges resembles many other Spanish beachside towns, but this exclusive area is the top spot for wealthy Barcelonians’ holiday homes.
If sun-worshiping is your thing, you should head straight for the beach. Sitges has over a dozen that you can choose from, most of which have amenities including restrooms, showers, chair and umbrella rentals, and snack bars.
Swimmers will appreciate the Blue Flag-awarded water for its safety and cleanliness. In peak season, most central beaches get quite crowded, but since there are several to choose from, you should be able to find a good spot. Refuel after a swim in a nearby seafood restaurant serving fresh fish with incredible coastal views.
Sitges has plenty more to offer in addition to its beautiful beaches. The old center’s streets are lined with elegant buildings, many of which house museums ideal for visiting when you need to escape the midday sun.
A couple of noteworthy churches — the Iglesia de Sant Bartomeu and the Iglesia de Santa Tecla — are wonderful to stroll around. Other important buildings include the Casa de la Vila, a 19th-century Neo-Gothic mansion, and Palau Maricel, a medieval palace with mixed Renaissance and Baroque architectural elements.
The town also has great nightlife and a vibrant LGBTQI+ scene. The Carnaval celebrations held here are among the best in Spain, and if you happen to be in Sitges in October, check out the glitz and glamor when the International Film Festival comes to town.
Sitges is as renowned for its gastronomy as its beaches and nightlife. There is a wonderful array of gourmet restaurants serving local Catalan dishes such as pa amb tomà quet (toast topped with garlic and olive oil seasoned tomatoes), xató (salad of endive served in a spicy sauce), and fideuà (a seafood dish made with noodles).
Getting to Sitges from Barcelona
Travel time: Approx. 45 minutes
You can drive to Sitges from Barcelona in under an hour: hop on the C-32 southbound, and the journey is straightforward from there. Trains are even quicker and frequently run from Passeig de Grà cia and Sants between 5 am and 10 pm, look out for the R2S line. Buses also run between Barcelona and Sitges and take around 45 mins.
Hit the Beach in Tossa de Mar
The stunning seaside town of Tossa de Mar, with its charming network of cobbled streets, is an enchanting place to discover by foot. At the top of the hill is Vila Vella, a medieval old town complete with a castle.
This is a great place to grab some tapas in the Mediterranean sunshine. And if you’re tired after the walk up, there is a tourist train for the way back down.
The pièce de résistance in Tossa de Mar has to be the vast sandy beach known as Platja Gran. There are plenty of services on offer here, including small boat rentals and cruises along the coast, plus showers, toilets, deckchairs, sunshades, and pedalos. Platja Gran also has access ramps and amphibious chairs for disabled visitors.
Getting to Tossa de Mar from Barcelona
Travel time: Approx. 1.5 – 2 hours
The driving route to Tossa de Mar is fairly straightforward — just follow the coast from Barcelona! This route can get busy during peak times, so you might want to take the longer (but faster) E15 road.
There are no trains all the way into Tossa de Mar, so if you need to take public transport, the best option is the bus, which takes around two hours.
Soak up the History in Girona
For a slice of history, look no further than Girona. This stunning city might already seem familiar because several scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed here.
The medieval streets were used in scenes of ‘the City of Braavos’ and ‘King’s Landing.’ The Cathedral of Santa Maria’s 90-step Baroque staircase also featured as the dramatic setting for ‘the Great Sept of Baelor.’
There’s no better place to start exploring Girona than the rustic and enchanting old town center, where the medieval city walls contain grand churches and sloped cobbled streets. One of the old town highlights is the Jewish Quarter, which was home to a huge Jewish community until their virtual expulsion in 1492. This area has been lovingly preserved, and the 15th-century synagogue is now the Museum of Jewish History.
Girona has a mixed Roman, Moorish, Catholic, and Jewish past, all of which are enmeshed together throughout the city. For an affordable glimpse into the city’s past, head to the 12th-century Banys Àrabs (Arab Baths), which you can visit for just €3.
If you are in town In May, the week-long annual flower festival takes place, and incredible displays of floral art are installed all over the city.
Getting to Girona from Barcelona
Travel time: Approx. 1 hour, 15 minutes
Getting from Barcelona to Girona is pretty easy, and plenty of transport options exist. If you are driving, take the A7 from Barcelona, and you should arrive in around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Trains are quicker and run frequently; they will get you to Girona in around 40 minutes. Buses are also available but less frequent than trains and will take longer, so they aren’t recommended.
GaudÃ’s Colònia Güell
The Church of Colònia Güell is an unfinished work by Antoni GaudÃ, located just 15 miles south of Barcelona. The Colònia Güell was built for industrialist Eusebi Güell, who moved his textile mill to Santa Coloma de Cervelló following social unrest in 1890.
He created an industrial village with amenities and commissioned Gaudà to design the church. Today, you can still see the abandoned factory workers’ houses and castle ruins.
Unfortunately, Gaudà only got as far as completing the church crypt before the plans came undone. However, this still serves as a working church and provides great insight into GaudÃ’s plans for his masterpiece, La Sagrada FamÃlia. The crypt became a UNESCO site in 2005.
Getting to Colònia Güell from Barcelona
Travel time: Approx. 30 minutes
Driving to Colònia Güell takes half an hour from Barcelona. The train takes a similar amount of time: take line S33, S8, or S4 and get off at Colonia Güell station.
Explore the Roman Ruins of Tarragona
Tarragona, founded around 218 BC, is a port city around an hour from Barcelona and is most famous for its ancient Roman ruins.
The Museu d’Història de Tarragona comprises the main Roman sites, including the Amfiteatre Romà , an oval amphitheater carved directly out of the underlying rock in the 2nd century, once the scene of fights between gladiators. Also worth a visit is the Museu Nacional Arqueològic de Tarragona, where you can learn more about Tarragona’s Roman past. Head here early to avoid the crowds.
The old city, with its labyrinth of alleyways, is located in the upper part of town. Cathedral Square is at the heart of the medieval quarter, and from here, you can head down the Calle MercerÃa, one of the most characteristic streets of the old town, with beautiful medieval architecture.
If all that sightseeing has bothered you, head to Cala Fonda to cool down. This stunning white sand oasis is situated between lush green bushes and burnt orange cliffs.
Cala Fonda is a little remote, so it’s quieter than some other beaches along the Costa Brava. There are also no facilities here, making it even more charming, but make sure you bring water and food if you plan on staying a while!
Getting to Tarragona from Barcelona
Travel time: Approx. 1 hour
Trains to Tarragona run every 10 to 30 minutes and will get you into the city in as little as half an hour, making this, by far, the best travel option. The train station in Tarragona is near the beach, just a 10-minute walk away from the old town. Traveling by car or bus is possible but can take up to three times as long, depending on traffic.
Spanish Authenticity in Begur
With its surrounding beaches, Begur is one of the most beautiful spots on the Costa Brava. Begur itself is a pretty medieval village located below the ruins of a stone castle, with picture-perfect cobbled streets and whitewashed houses.
The castle dates back to the 11th century and is no longer at its best, with just the foundations remaining. However, it’s still a lovely spot for a walk, and its elevated position offers some of the best views in the region.
The beaches around Begur are stunning and should be visited if you have time to do so. The turquoise water of Aiguablava is shallow and calm, making it a great spot for young families to splash around in. The hidden oasis of Sa Tuna is also near Begur — the area has retained its authentic village feeling and is a lovely place to visit in all seasons.
Getting to Begur from Barcelona
Travel time: Approx. 1 hour, 30 minutes
The easiest way to get to Begur from Barcelona is to drive. Take the A7 towards Girona, then merge onto the C35 towards Begur. The drive takes about an hour and a half, depending on traffic. Buses cost around €20 and will take about an hour longer than driving.
Celebrate Dalà in Figueres
Figueres is the birthplace of Spanish surrealist painter Salvador DalÃ, so it is no surprise that the Dalà Theatre Museum is located here. Everything was created by DalÃ, including the building itself, complete with giant rooftop egg sculptures.
The museum celebrates surrealism and displays some of DalÃ’s greatest masterpieces, including Galatea of the Spheres, and the famed Mae West Room. Dalà himself is even buried here — his body lays in a crypt below the stage floor below the theatre.
Other museums in Figueres include the Museu del Joguet de Catalunya (toy museum), a guaranteed hit with the kids. Also, the Museu de la Tecnica de l’Emporda (technology museum) and the Emporda Museum (cultural museum) are well worth a visit, too.
Once you’re museumed out, follow in DalÃ’s footsteps by heading to nearby Cadaqués, a town near the Cap de Creus Natural Park. This appealing Mediterranean port town was once DalÃ’s home and has an idyllic historic quarter of whitewashed houses and beautiful beaches in coves along the rocky shore.
Tourists can combine visits to Cadaqués and the Dalà Theatre-Museum on the Cadaques Small Group Tour from Barcelona. Tours cost around €100 and usually include transportation from Barcelona, food and drink, and a local guide.
Getting to Figueres from Barcelona
Travel time: Approx. 2 hours
You can drive or take the train to visit Figueres as a day trip from Barcelona. Both take around two hours, but driving will include tolls and parking, so it may end up costing you more. Trains go every 30 minutes or so. The Figueres train station is only half a mile from the city center.
Explore Catalan Culture in Vic
Historic Vic, with its attractive center and fine restaurants, is a charming medieval town located on the Mèder River. Vic is beautifully positioned among lush green hills and surrounded by mountains, making it one of the most picturesque areas to visit from Barcelona.
The central square is known as Plaça Major and is lined with medieval, Baroque, and Modernista mansions. Regular markets are still held here. The Episcopal Museum in Vic is home to a superb collection of religious art and masterpieces of Romanesque and Gothic painting and sculpture.
Getting to Vic from Barcelona
Travel time: Approx. 1 hour, 30 minutes
The best way to get to Vic is to jump on a train from Barcelona. Regular trains run on line R3.
Embark on Adventures in Andorra
The tiny principality of Andorra, on the border with France in the lush mountainous landscape of the Pyrenees, is a great day trip from Barcelona.
Andorra is known for its Romanesque chapels, including the 11th-century Sant Joan de Caselles with its stunning frescoes, near the village of Canillo. The capital, Andorra la Vella, is the highest capital in Europe at an altitude of 1,029 meters, so it is naturally home to endless vistas that shouldn’t be missed.
For adventurers, Andorra is a top skiing destination in winter and for hiking, mountain biking, and fishing in the summer. The UNESCO-listed Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley is a stunning place for nature walks and mountain hikes, featuring trails through meadows, forests, and valleys.
Getting to Andorra from Barcelona
Travel time: Approx. 2 hours, 30 minutes
The best way to get to Andorra from Barcelona is by car. It takes around two and a half hours, so you’ll probably want to get up early to make the most of this beautiful area. Private tours from Barcelona are also available.
Discover Monumental Heritage in Sant Cugat del Vallès
Sant Cugat del Vallès lies in a verdant valley, around 20 miles from Barcelona. Archaeological artifacts dating as far back as 2000 BC have been found in this area, and the remains of the ancient Roman Castrum Octavianum fortress are here.
Sant Cugat became an important religious center from the 12th century onwards after the Benedictine monastery of Sant Cugat was built. Today, this monastery has a beautiful church with some of the best-preserved Romanesque cloisters in Europe. For history lovers, this makes a great day out from Barcelona.
Getting to Sant Cugat del Valles from Barcelona
Travel time: Approx. 20-30 minutes
Getting to Sant Cugat del Valles takes only 20 minutes by train from Barcelona. You can also drive there in around 30 minutes if you’ve hired a car for your time in Barcelona.
Medieval Marvels in Besalú
Besalú is located in the foothills of the Pyrenees and is one of Catalonia’s most stunning medieval sites. Until the late 14th and early 15th centuries, Jewish and Christian communities lived side by side in Besalú. As such, medieval Jewish baths and synagogues can be found alongside churches in the old Sephardic quarter.
One of the highlights of Besalú is undoubtedly the large Romanesque bridge, which guards the entrance to the old town. This fine example of medieval architecture is well-preserved and supported by seven arcs and two towers.
Once you have crossed the bridge into the old town, a maze of stone walls and cobbled streets awaits. The Plaça de la Llibertat’s main square is home to several restaurants and artisan shops. Restaurants here get very busy, so you might want to book in advance.
Getting to Besalú from Barcelona
Travel time: Approx. 1 hour, 30 minutes
One of the best ways to see Besalú is on an organized tour from Barcelona, which will stop here and at other medieval villages, including Rupit and Tavertet.
The travel guides are excellent at explaining the local history, so you’re guaranteed to learn a lot about the region. A full-day tour costs around €100. Alternatively, driving to Besalu will take around an hour and a half.
Enjoy Wine Tasting in Catalonia’s Wine Region
The diverse and fertile soils of the Catalonia wine region provide the perfect conditions for wine-making, and wine has been made in this area since the Phoenicians, an ancient civilization that arrived here long before the Romans. Over 70,000 hectares are given over to wineries and vineyards in Catalonia, and many wine-tasting tours are available.
Freixenet Winery
Freixenet is one of Spain’s most famous Cava producers, and its beautiful Modernista winery is within walking distance of the Sant Sadurni d’Anoia train station.
Their tour starts with a short film about Cava and Freixenet, offering great insight into the production process. This is followed by a visit to the oldest part of the winery. There is even a miniature train ride through the cellars, which is great if you’re traveling with kids. Entry is €16.50 per person.
Codorniu Winery
The historic Codorniu Winery in Esplugues de Llobregat has cavernous wine cellars, expansive vineyards, and beautiful gardens.
This is the spiritual home of Cava, and a couple of premium glasses will be included with the price of your entry ticket. To get here, head to Sant Sadurni d’Anoia, around 50 minutes by train from Barcelona Sants Station, then grab a taxi from the station. Entry is €20 per person.
Day Trips the Barcelona Way
As you can see, there are day trips from Barcelona to suit every taste and budget. If you have more than a few days in Barcelona, it’s well worth heading out of the city to explore. Public transport is plentiful and well-priced, and there is no shortage of fun; just a short journey away.
Featured Image Credit: TTstudio
