Top 10 Spectacular Day Trips from Barcelona: Unforgettable Sights and Stunning Beaches

One could spend weeks in Barcelona without exhausting the city’s diverse neighborhoods to explore, activities, culinary delights, and vibrant bars.

However, for an authentic Catalan experience beyond the urban core – or simply for a shift in atmosphere – consider a day trip from Barcelona to enjoy the nearby mountains, beaches, and picturesque towns that are easily accessible. Below are the 10 premier short excursions from Barcelona.

1. Savor divinely beautiful views in Montserrat

Travel time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

The mountain of Montserrat hosts Catalonia’s most sacred site, the monastery of the same name. The vistas are breathtaking – comfortable walking shoes are recommended – and, depending on the season, one might witness a choir performance within the basilica. Subsequently, take the funicular or embark on a walk to the Santa Cova, the location where La Moreneta – a revered statue of the Virgin – was discovered, or ascend to Sant Jeroni peak for a magnificent view of the surrounding valley.

How to get to Montserrat from Barcelona: The R5 line trains operated by FGC run frequently to and from Barcelona’s Plaça d’Espanya station. Next, utilize the AERI cable car from the Montserrat Aeri stop. Alternatively, take the R5 to the subsequent stop (Monistrol de Montserrat), where cremallera trains operate to the monastery approximately every 20 to 40 minutes.

2. Escape the city to the forests of Collserola

Travel time: 15 minutes

Residents of Barcelona often retreat to the expansive Parc de Collserola in the hills for a respite from urban life. The park is interspersed with walking and cycling trails, alongside farmhouse-style restaurants. Acquire a route map from the information center located on Carretera de l’Església 92, near the Baixador de Vallvidrera FGC train station. Energetic visitors can traverse the hills to Sant Cugat and return to Barcelona by train.

How to get to Collserola from Barcelona: Take the FGC suburban train from Plaça de Catalunya, Carrer de Provença, or Gràcia to Baixador de Vallvidrera.

3. Sunbathe and party in Sitges

Travel time: 40 minutes

The charming town of Sitges is ideal for leisurely seaside strolls and sunbathing; therefore, during warmer months, the central beaches tend to be quite populated. Fortunately, numerous options exist, enabling you to select a spot for a pleasant morning of relaxation (or even skinny dipping at the nudist beach) before enjoying a meal at a nearby seafood restaurant.

Moreover, Sitges offers more than just its beaches. For those interested in contemporary art and the Modernisme movement, the old town boasts an array of elegant buildings, many hosting museums. The town also has vibrant nightlife and a dynamic LGBTIQ+ community. Notably, Sitges hosts one of Spain’s premier Carnaval celebrations (dates vary annually), and in October, the Sitges International Film Festival is held.

How to get to Sitges from Barcelona: From 5 am to 10 pm, frequent trains operate from Barcelona Passeig de Gràcia and Sants. Monbus offers service every 15 to 50 minutes.

4. Walk through a rainbow in Girona

Travel time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Girona’s historic quarter is a densely packed array of ancient arcaded buildings, impressive churches, and steep cobbled streets, with the magnificent cathedral standing sentinel. Prior to the expulsion of the Jewish population in 1492, Girona was home to a substantial Jewish community, and the Museu d’Història dels Jueus recounts their tale.

For a contrasting historical experience, visit the 12th-century Banys Àrabs (Arab Baths), known for its appearance in Game of Thrones, along with the charming Romanesque Monestir de Sant Pere de Galligants. Enjoy a stroll along the Onyar River, where colorful houses line the banks, or venture into the newer town section, which boasts excellent tapas bars.

If your budget allows, Girona is home to one of the world’s finest dining experiences: El Celler de Can Roca.

How to get to Girona from Barcelona: Trains from Barcelona run approximately every 30 minutes.

5. Relax in friendly and welcoming Vilanova i la Geltrú

Travel time: 45 minutes

Situated down the coast beyond Sitges (accessible via a pleasant hour-long cliff pathway), Vilanova i la Geltrú presents a larger and more authentic atmosphere focused on fishing and industry rather than tourism, resulting in a distinctly modest ambiance.

For those wishing to spend the day by the sea, Vilanova i la Geltrú offers ample opportunities. It features expansive beaches (head south for a charming cove) along with an intriguing railway museum, the Museu del Ferrocarril.

How to get to Vilanova i la Geltrú from Barcelona: Regular train services operate from 5 am to 10 pm.

6. Revel in Roman ruins in Tarragona

Travel time: 1 hour

Comparable in size to Girona, Tarragona is renowned for its Roman heritage. Given that the Museu d’Història de Tarragona, encompassing the main Roman sites, is typically busiest from late morning onward, it is advisable to begin your visit at the Amfiteatre Romà and the Fòrum Provincial, or the remarkable Museu Nacional Arqueològic de Tarragona, which provides valuable insights into the city’s storied Roman history.

Following this, visit the grand cathedral, and consider dining at one of the numerous restaurants either nearby or in the El Serrallo fishing district, where excellent seafood establishments are located.

How to get to Tarragona from Barcelona: The train station is a 10-minute walk south of the historic center, conveniently located near the beach, with trains operating every 10 to 30 minutes.

7. Get surreal in Figueres

Travel time: 2 hours

Figueres features stunning Modernista architecture, a grand 18th-century castle, and an enchanting toy museum known as the Museu del Joguet, but it is most famous for the Teatre-Museu Dalí.

This former theater has been transformed by Dalí himself into a surreal palace, characterized by towering red walls adorned with oversized eggs, Oscar-like sculptures, and whimsical croissant motifs. Inside, visitors can marvel at paintings, an exquisite jewelry collection curated by Dalí, and numerous captivating trompe l’oeil installations. A ticket to the Teatre-Museu Dalí grants complimentary access to the Museu de l’Empordà, which is acclaimed as one of the region’s finest art and archaeology museums.

How to get to Figueres from Barcelona: Trains operate every half hour from Figueres train station, located 800m (0.5 miles) southeast of the center.

8. Step back in time in medieval Montblanc

Travel time: 2 hours

Montblanc is a sizeable medieval town encircled by impressive walls and offering a selection of dining and lodging options. It is certainly worth a visit independently; however, it is recommended to have a vehicle to fully explore the Cistercian Route, which features a trio of remarkable monasteries easily accessible from one another at Poblet, Vallbona de les Monges, and Santes Creus. To see all three, an early departure is advisable.

How to get to Montblanc from Barcelona: Five direct trains per day operate from Barcelona Passeig de Gràcia and Sants, with the first departure around 7 am.

9. Shop the local markets in Vic

Travel time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Vic, featuring its appealing historic center and a selection of fine dining establishments, dominates the flatlands of La Plana de Vic south of the Pyrenees and is easily reachable by train from Barcelona. The Plaça Major, the largest square in Catalonia, is framed by medieval, Baroque, and Modernista mansions, and regularly hosts local markets, which is why it’s often referred to as Plaça del Mercadal.

How to get to Vic from Barcelona: Rodalies trains (line R3) operate regularly to and from Barcelona.

10. Find a buried treasure in Colònia Güell

Travel time: 40 minutes

Aside from La Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s final significant undertaking was the creation of a utopian complex for textile workers commissioned by his patron Eusebi Güell, located outside of Barcelona at Santa Coloma de Cervelló. Gaudí’s primary task involved the design of the colony’s church, Colònia Güell, which remains incomplete, with only the crypt accessible for visitors. Its predominantly brick columns support ribbed vaults and are inclined at various angles, resembling the natural leaning of trees, providing key insights into the architectural principles behind his magnum opus, the Sagrada Família.

How to get to Colònia Güell from Barcelona: Utilize FGC lines S4, S8, or S33 to reach Colònia Güell.

This article was first published on Jun 21, 2019, and last updated on Dec 6, 2023.