Barcelona is unquestionably one of the most exciting cities in the world. With so much happening, it is the perfect city to unravel and explore. Something just as perfect, however, is its location. Have your very own Catalan adventure by renting your own car, or take excursions from the comfort of the Catalan capital itself.
There is so much to experience in this region that borders France. Take the opportunity to see for yourself how different this part of Spain is. A region that has its own culture, food, and even its own language.
Planning some day trips around Barcelona will ensure you get to immerse yourself in the Catalonia experience. It’s an itinerary you’ll be glad you traveled. Peruse our guide to personalize your stay.
The Mountains and Monastery of Montserrat
If Barcelona is the heart of Catalonia, then Montserrat is the lungs. Leave the buzz of the city behind and within an hour you can be chilling in the mountains, breathing in nature at its best. The Montserrat range is so-called because of its unusual serrated appearance. It’s a great place to go for a hike at your own pace or with the many organized hikes arranged throughout the mountain range.
The peak of Sant Jeroni offers some fantastic views of the valley below. The trails vary in difficulty and if energy levels aren’t the best then a simple stroll, enjoying your surroundings could be just what you need.
Throughout Montserrat is a funicular railway network which means you don’t even have to walk to enjoy the astounding landscape. Accompanied by a leisurely picnic, it is an idyllic way to spend a day away from busy Barcelona and lose yourself in the extraordinary views this area provides. Be sure to check out the view from the viewing point of La Creu de Saint Miquel – you won’t be disappointed!
Day trips from Barcelona to Montserrat aren’t just for nature-lovers. There’s culture to be had in the mountains too. An 11th-century Benedictine monastery was built in amongst its towering peaks and here you will learn about the history of this fascinating building and the statue ‘La Moreneta’, the ‘Black Madonna’. The monastery can be reached by an unforgettable cable car journey or by a funicular railway. Once there, you can explore the surrounding area, complete with eateries, shops, a couple of museums, and an ancient library.
Montserrat can be reached by car from Barcelona in around 40 minutes. Buses also leave regularly from the city but if you are looking for a day trip from Barcelona by train then this would be the one not to miss. It’s an easy, gloriously scenic way to travel to Montserrat that drops you around the corner from the cable car up the mountain. Simple!
Girona
The cultural heritage of Girona includes reminders of its Roman, Moorish, Catholic, and Jewish past, often superimposed on one another. Ancient Roman walls (La Força Vella) enclose its medieval quarters, where a maze of narrow, winding cobblestone streets lead to hidden courtyards; a Romanesque cathedral; and the 15th-century synagogue (now the Museum of Jewish History).
Visitors can walk on a path on top of the ramparts, the Passeig de la Muralla, to take in amazing panoramic views of the city and the surrounding landscape. The outlooks include the Pyrenees Mountains in the distance.
Girona has one of the best-preserved medieval Jewish quarters in Spain; its Arab baths are now part of a Capuchin convent; and the Catedral de Santa María de Girona (built in the 11th century and completed in the 18th century) boasts a rare masterpiece of Romanesque textile art.
More recently, Girona has become familiar as a filming location for the Game of Thrones drama series. Girona’s medieval streets are pictured in scenes of “the city of Braavos” and “King’s Landing” on the show, while the Cathedral of Santa Maria’s 90-step Baroque staircase serves as a dramatic set for the “Great Sept of Baelor.”
Fans of the Game of Thrones can follow in the footsteps of the show’s main characters on the “Game of Thrones” Tour in Girona. On this organized day trip from Barcelona, you will wander through Girona’s cobblestone alleyways, see the city’s ancient Roman walls, enjoy lunch at a small family-run Mediterranean restaurant, and visit six filming locations.
Tarragona
Tarragona is a beautiful and historical coastal town. It’s an easy day trip from Barcelona by train, heading south it takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Over 30 trains run each day so it’s super easy to plan.
The town is speckled with roman ruins dating back from its time when it was a Roman colony, known as Tarraco. The ramparts can be walked and it is a great place to take in the view of the city. Tarragona has its very own La Rambla or more accurately known as La Rambla Nova. It’s an enjoyable way to take in the city with a tree-lined boulevard with beautiful buildings and plenty of shops and cafes to chill and people watch.
The Roman amphitheater built in the 2nd-century, with a capacity of 15,000 is another focal point, not just for how well-preserved it is, but for its location so close to the sea. This brings us to another reason why Tarragona is a great day trip outside of Barcelona – the beaches. The Costa Daurada is famous for its calm, shallow waters and fine, golden sands. The name means ‘Gold Coast’ and is home to some of the finest beaches in the area. Tarragona is the perfect day trip from Barcelona to combine history, beaches, and Catalonian culture.
Begur
Begur is a popular tourist destination that makes for an unusual day trip from Barcelona. The town lies on a beautiful coastline of coves and crystal-clear waters. Begur itself is an intriguing place. It has links to Cuba! So no surprise that you will find mojitos and salsa dancing within its streets.
Locals tell of a time when families emigrated from Begur to Cuba to seek their fortune. Over the years, many returned once they had made their riches. With them, they brought back touches of Cuban architecture which can be seen in the style of the houses they built on their return. They also brought a taste of Cuban food and culture and to this day, Begur has a unique vibrant West Indian vibe.
Every year there is a festival where the locals’ West Indian ancestry is celebrated in style. A unique place to visit any time of the year, but particularly popular when the festival is held in September.
It’s a 1-hour 45-minute journey by car from Barcelona and if you’re looking for a day trip from Barcelona by train, get tickets to Flaçá and then take a bus or taxi the rest of the way. Not too far to go to get a taste of Cuba!
Sitges
Sitges is a popular place to visit near Barcelona. It’s a favored beachside town for the wealthy to buy holiday homes which has given it a cosmopolitan feel. Celebrities and footballers have been known to frequent the town. As you can imagine, the town is geared towards entertainment and is gaining a reputation for the many fiestas it holds. These include an annual film festival, a vintage car rally that runs from Barcelona to Sitges, a gay pride festival, and many more.
It’s within easy access to the Catalan capital and if you haven’t got a car, no worries. Sitges can be reached within 30 minutes by train from Barcelona. Once you arrive, you can enjoy a day on the beach and meander along the promenade. The pretty avenues of the town are also well worth strolling through.
For a little more culture, explore the Museums, Cau Ferrat, and Museu Maricel, where pieces from world-renowned artists are displayed. There’s also the Maricel Palace with a beautiful interior and an even more striking setting on the edge of the sea. Sitges is a short day trip from Barcelona that will leave you feeling you are a million miles away from the Gaudi-inspired city.