There’s so much to do in Barcelona, it’s easy to wonder why you’d ever want to leave. But with so many fantastic day trips from Barcelona — think charming towns, mountain monasteries, and seaside escapes—it’s worth exploring beyond the city. Still, where else can you spend your day shopping in chic boutiques, hiking up a little mountain for the best views, and ending with a sunset on the beach and a glass of tinto de verano? Sounds perfect.
Barcelona is amazing because it has the city, the beach, and the mountains all in one place. But sometimes, it’s nice to get away from all the crowds on Las Ramblas and those sneaky pickpockets watching for tourists flashing their stuff.
What is the best way to take a break from the busy city? Just head out to one of the beautiful towns or beaches around Catalonia. The best part? Most of them are easy to get to by train or bus from Barcelona, and you can do them all in a day!
Maybe you’re a massive Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon fan and want to see Girona, where they filmed some scenes. Or perhaps you want to take your “it’s five o’clock somewhere” wine obsession up a notch by visiting the Penedès wine region.
Whatever you want to do, there are tons of incredible day trips from Barcelona you can try next time you visit!
Barcelona is amazing, but trust me—some real magic starts when you hop on a train or bus and explore what’s just beyond the city!
Imagine a town that feels like a mix between Greece and Brazil. Weird, right? But that’s kind of what Sitges are like!
Sitges is a small beach town near Barcelona—you can get there by train easily. The streets look like they’re from a Greek island, with white buildings and bright, colorful decorations. But here’s the twist: it’s also super famous for its big, fun parties, especially the huge carnival that resembles a Brazilian party. How crazy is that?
It gets hectic and loud during carnival time, but other months are calmer. I love walking around the old town without worrying about someone stealing my sunglasses! There are also 17 sandy beaches where you can chill. Some are even nudist beaches—only for the brave ones, though.
If I lived nearby, I’d spend my afternoons there, dreaming about how to ask my boss if I could move to sunny Spain!
You can take a train from Barcelona’s Sants Station or Passeig de Gràcia. Trains arrive every 15 minutes and take about 40 minutes to arrive. It’s super easy!
So, what do you think if I say “Catalonia’s sacred mountain”? Sounds mysterious, right? I was curious too—how does a mountain become “sacred,” and who decides that?
Well, the answers are all at Montserrat. Montserrat is a super fabulous day trip from Barcelona that many people from all over the world visit. Most see the huge Benedictine Abbey and the famous Black Madonna statue inside. But some people like to hike up to St. Jerome’s peak and stare at the fantastic views of the mountains all around. I’d probably do both!
It’s a special place for many people—one of Spain’s most important pilgrimage spots. But even if you’re not into churches, Montserrat is still worth checking out because it’s so beautiful.
Oh, and guess what? You don’t have to hike up if you don’t want to. A mountain train takes you from the bottom right up to the monastery at the top. Sounds incredible, right?
The easiest and coolest way is to catch a train from Plaça Espanya in Barcelona every hour. Then, you switch to the Montserrat Rack Railway, which takes you up the mountain.
If you already have nine cool photos from Barcelona for your Instagram, Girona is the perfect place to get that last excellent shot—and yep, wearing a silver Targaryen wig is a must if you want to fit in!
Girona became super popular after Game of Thrones, and people realized it was so beautiful that they had to film it there. So, if you’re a GoT fan (or like me, obsessed with Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon), here’s what you should do:
First, check the stairs where Jaime Lannister had that big showdown with the High Sparrow. Then, wander around Girona’s old Jewish neighborhood—cool and well-preserved. Don’t miss the ancient Arab baths; find where Arya fights The Waif. After all that exploring, grab a drink by the colorful houses along the River Onyar—they look amazing in photos!
And before you leave, follow Cersei’s famous “walk of shame” from the Grand Sept of Baelor, and maybe don’t yell “Winter is Coming” too loud, or the locals might get confused!
Trains leave a lot from Sants Station in Barcelona, and if you catch the fast one, you can be in Girona in just 40 minutes.
If you’re looking for one of the quietest beaches near the city, Badalona is an excellent pick for easy day trips from Barcelona. Take the L4 metro to the last stop, far from the busy Barceloneta beach. Badalona’s beaches are a favorite with locals who want a relaxed day in the sun without the tourist crowds. It’s like enjoying the best of Barcelona—but way more peaceful.
The Rambla in Badalona is super lively, with cafés, local shops, and restaurants. Locals and visitors hang out here to find some of the yummiest food.
And if you like incredible views, you must visit the Pont del Petrol—that’s Badalona’s pier and public walkway. The sea and Catalan coastline look amazing from there. And guess what? No one will bother you trying to sell you a mojito!
You can take the L2 metro line from Barcelona. It goes to Badalona and stops at different spots in the city.
If you’re looking for a day trip from Barcelona with many Roman ruins, stop here—Tarragona is your place!
This city is perfect if you like history and culture more than just hanging out on the beach. But don’t worry, there are plenty of other beaches near Barcelona if you want sun and sand later.
In Tarragona, you can check out an incredible Roman amphitheatre that’s been around for almost 2,000 years! Old Roman walls and cool porticoes will make you sound super bright when you tell your friends, “Yeah, my time in Barcelona was pretty educational.”
After exploring the Roman ruins, stroll through Tarragona’s beautiful Old Town and check out its stunning Gothic cathedral. Barcelona has some impressive cathedrals, but this one feels slightly different and less crowded. It’s one of the best cultural day trips from Barcelona if you’re into history and architecture.
Trains often leave from Barcelona’s Sants Station, and it takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to get to Tarragona. Easy!
Barcelona has many bars and beaches where you can get a cheap glass of wine. But if you want to taste wine right where it’s made, you’ve gotta check out the Penedès wine region.
They have vineyards, cool cellar tours, wine tastings, and yummy food. If you love wine (or bubbly cava, which Penedès is famous for), this day trip could be your favorite part!
Most people go on a full-day tour with a company, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you can visit the wineries and become your wine expert. Sounds pretty cool, right?
Take a train from Sants Station in Barcelona to Vilafranca del Penedès, the region’s capital. Trains leave twice every hour, so getting there is super easy.
If you love art and pretty little towns, Cadaqués is the place to go. This beautiful fishing village on the Costa Brava has white walls and terracotta roofs.
This town inspired many famous artists, such as Picasso, André Breton, and Joan Miró. But the most remarkable thing? Salvador Dalí lived here for over 30 years!
For artsy day trips from Barcelona, head to the coast to stroll along beautiful beaches and bays and visit the ancient Church of Santa María from the 1500s. If you’re a big Dalí fan like me, don’t miss his former home, now a museum packed with his wild, surreal creations.
Unfortunately, you can’t take a train straight from Barcelona to Cadaqués. But you can rent a car or take a bus from Estacion du Nord. The buses only run a few times daily, so you must plan.
If you’re still on the Salvador Dalí train (like me), Figueres is the next stop! It’s a small town near the border with France where Dalí was born and grew up, and you can feel his presence everywhere.
It’s not as dreamy or picturesque as Cadaqués (which I’d still pick if you don’t care much about art), but Figueres is home to something truly wild: the Salvador Dalí Theatre-Museum. This place isn’t just a regular museum—it’s a surreal wonderland straight from Dalí’s imagination.
Bright red walls with giant eggs on the roof? Yep. A ceiling that looks like a portal to another universe? You got it. It has the biggest collection of surrealist art in the world, and trust me, even if you don’t “get” art, you’ll still have fun figuring out what’s going on in each room.
Figueres is part of the “Dalí triangle,” which includes his house in Cadaqués and a castle in Púbol that he gave to his wife, Gala. So if you’re a real fan, visiting all three is like completing a surrealist treasure hunt.
And, no worries if you’re only tagging along because your artsy friend wants to impress a cute art student. You can always explore Figueres’ fabulous pentagonal castle, Castell de Sant Ferran.
It’s massive and has fantastic views. Then, when you’re done with all the culture stuff, kick back at a local café and sip some Spanish or French wine—after all, you’re super close to the border! I’d do that while my friend takes 500 pictures of melting clocks and artsy shadows.
Trains often leave from Sants Station, Passeig de Gràcia, and Clot-Aragó, so getting there is straightforward.
Depending on your time, Tossa de Mar can be a quick day trip from Barcelona or an extended weekend getaway.
It’s famous for its old fortified town, Vila Vella—the only medieval fortress in Catalonia! Most people check out the cool turrets and lighthouse, then spend the rest of the day soaking up the sun on the beach. Who doesn’t want to chill and get a nice tan?
Tossa’s not the only beach near Barcelona, but there’s something special about tanning like a rotisserie chicken under those old fortress walls. It’s like being a warrior who gets a glow-up in the middle of battle—mojito in hand.
You can catch a bus from Estación du Nord in Barcelona. About 12 buses leave daily, and the ride takes a little over 1.5 hours.
Technically, Tibidabo is still part of Barcelona. Still, if you hike up through the beautiful Collserola Natural Park to get there, you can make a whole day out of it. It feels like escaping into a green secret world next to the city.
Collserola is one of Barcelona’s best hidden green spots. I’d be surprised if you saw more than fifty people on the trails—it’s that peaceful. Whether walking, biking, or just stopping to admire the birds and butterflies, it’s the perfect place to take a deep breath and enjoy nature.
If you want to get away from the noise and do a bit of light hiking, I recommend heading up to Tibidabo—the highest point in the park. When you finally reach the top, you’ll get amazing views of the whole city, the Mediterranean Sea, and the surrounding mountains.
At the summit, you’ll find the super cool neo-Gothic church, Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor, which looks like a castle from a fantasy movie. And right next to it? A colorful amusement park that feels like it’s floating above the clouds. It’s one of the oldest in Europe and has a charming, old-school vibe with some pretty fun rides.
And hey—if you’re too tired to hike back down, don’t worry! You can take the funicular down halfway, then hop on a train back to the city center. Way more fun (and relaxing), if you ask me!
Take a train from Plaça Catalunya toward Terrassa or Sabadell Parc del Nord and get off at Baixador de Vallvidrera, right by the park entrance.
Besalú doesn’t usually make the typical list of day trips from Barcelona, but it’s such a cool little town to visit—especially if you’re craving a break from the busy city crowds. With only 2,400 residents and located near the French border, it feels like stepping into another world.
The striking Romanesque bridge over the Fluviá River is Besalú’s standout landmark, a clear reminder of the town’s importance during the Middle Ages.
But the town’s narrow medieval streets are fun to explore too. Plus, it has some hidden remains of an old Jewish synagogue, and even one of the few medieval Jewish bathhouses left in Europe!
Oh, and here’s a fun fact—Besalú has a Circus Museum with the world’s most extensive collection of circus stuff! It tells the story of 250 years of circus history. How cool is that?
There are about four buses a day from Barcelona to Besalú. The bus leaves from Av. Gran Vía, 658 is just a regular bus stop—not a big station like Sants.
Barcelona is amazing, but sometimes you want to explore beyond the city. Whether you’re into history, beaches, or extraordinary adventures, here are my top picks for day trips from Barcelona:
Barcelona is an incredible city, but sometimes the best adventures happen outside its busy streets. Whether you love exploring ancient history, soaking up the sun on beautiful beaches, diving into art and culture, or just relaxing with some delicious local wine, the day trips from Barcelona have covered you.
These nearby towns and natural spots offer a perfect break from the city buzz and a chance to see a different side of Catalonia. So next time you visit Barcelona, take a day or two to explore these amazing places — I promise they’ll make your trip even more unforgettable!
If you’re looking for a fun day trip from Barcelona? Girona is a charming medieval city with history and a quick train ride away. For mountain views and a famous monastery, head to Montserrat—you can even take a scenic train up. Prefer the coast? Tarragona offers ancient Roman ruins and a laid-back beach vibe. All three are easy and fantastic getaways!
Did you know you can visit three countries in one day from Barcelona? Yep—it’s true! You can see Spain, France, and Andorra in just one trip. Most people do it on a guided tour, so someone else plans and drives for you. It’s a terrific way to see different places, try new foods, and see how each country looks a little different—all in just one day!
Spain has super-fast trains called high-speed trains, run mainly by Renfe. If you’re in Barcelona, hop on one of these speedy trains to get to big cities like Madrid or Málaga faster than a car or bus. Other fast trains, like Alvia and Euromed, also take you to cool places along the east coast and other parts of Spain. It’s a fun and quick way to travel!
There are a bunch of cool cities you can visit from Barcelona by train! Sitges, Tarragona, and Girona are popular and only a short ride away. By train, you can also get to other excellent spots like Figueres, Vic, and even Andorra. It’s an easy and fun way to explore more places without needing a car!
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