It would be impossible to spend an eternity in Barcelona and get bored of the city’s allure. However, after spending an hour or two wandering the Gothic Quarter, taking in Antoni Gaudi’s eccentric architecture, and taking long strolls around the city’s palm tree-decked plazas, it’s time to move on to other parts of Catalunya’s coastline.
Barcelona is an excellent jumping-off point for various trips to the surrounding area, including visits to beaches, wineries, and monasteries. Get inspired by our list of recommended day trips from Barcelona.
7 Best Day Trips From Barcelona:
Dali Theatre And Museum:
The museum dedicated to Salvador Dali, located for a long time in the town of Figueres, was built on the site of the town’s theatre, which had been destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. The museum’s eccentric layout was inspired by Dali’s signature aesthetic and featured several items from his private collection.
It seems like something Dali would do for laughs; he’s buried in a tomb in the theater’s basement, where he’ll stay forever. El Greco and Marcel Duchamp are also represented in the museum’s collection. The AVE train connects Barcelona and Figueres in under an hour, making travel between the two cities a breeze.
Montserrat Mountain:
Santa Maria de Montserrat, a Benedictine monastery, may be found atop the “serrated mountain,” or Montserrat. In addition to being home to a press that has been going strong since 1499, this area is where you’ll find the “black virgin” shrine.
The abbey’s boys’ choir, which sings Gregorian chants, is among the oldest such ensembles in all of Europe. Experience breathtaking views of Catalonia by taking the Funicular to the top of Sant Jeroni on Montserrat. Although cable cars might be intimidating, many people like hiking the peaks.
Sitges:
About 20 miles south of Barcelona, this tourist town has 17 sandy beaches, 11 inside the city limits. Even throughout the Franco period, Sitges maintained its reputation as a progressive, countercultural hotspot. Since the 1970s, Sitges has been a popular vacation spot.
It has a large number of hotels, half of which are four-star, and a wide variety of nightlife options, making it appear tailor-made for a raucous good time. Sitges has a brand of sweet wine liquor called Malvasia, produced from grapes grown in the city’s vineyards. The city’s restaurants are known for being among the best in Spain.
Early in October, the annual Film Festival is well renowned for showcasing horror and fantasy films. Suppose you’re planning a trip to Sitges around the time of Lent. In that case, the city’s enormous Carnival celebration could be something you’d be interested in as well.
About 35% of the 26,000 permanent inhabitants are not just Dutch, English, French, or Scandinavian but are also from other countries.
Tarragona:
About 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Barcelona, this bustling port city on the Mediterranean coast is a treasure trove of Roman antiquities, including a theater built in the second century. Houses around the city are marked with inscriptions in Latin and Phoenician.
The city’s historic walls are still surviving, as are the Forum, the Tower of the Scipios, and the renamed House of Pilate, formerly Augustus’ mansion. There is no evidence suggesting that the tower is not a tomb. In that case, the city’s enormous Carnival celebration could be something you’d be interested in as well.
The seafood meals served locally are delicious and should not be missed. Tarragona’s central station is conveniently located on the significant railway route between Barcelona and Alicante, making it accessible through the ‘Euromed’ and ‘Alaris trains.
Andorra la Vella:
Andorra la Vella, often referred to as “Andorra,” is located in a stunning valley in the Pyrenees between France and Spain. While it wasn’t formally named Andorra’s capital until 1287, the city has been inhabited since far before the birth of Christ. Catalans make up the biggest ethnic group in the country, with over 33% of the population.
Many companies and institutions use the euro due to the city’s status as a tax shelter. About 14 million shoppers come here every year for sales. Because of the city’s steep topography, visitors must take a shuttle bus from Barcelona to get there.
Girona:
Visitors may do about everything of interest in these over one hundred thousand vital metropolises. From here, you can see the Pyrenees, and only 32 kilometers (20 miles) away, to the east, are the beautiful beaches of the Costa Brava. Visitors to these places will not be let down by the high quality of preservation work that has gone into them.
Initially constructed in the first century BC and the Roman wall was reconstructed in the mid-1300s. The historic towers are still accessible to the public. The old Jewish Quarter, El Call, which was abandoned after the Spanish deportation of the Jews a few centuries ago, is also a historical site of importance.
Because of its location at a crossroads of four rivers, Girona has made the Smart decision to allow development along a considerable portion of the riverside. One common photographic theme is the landscape around the Onyar River. Most tourists wind up in Independence Square, a 19th-century commercial hub surrounded by shops and a few cafés.
Couples have left padlocks on the Pont de la Princesa pedestrian bridge to symbolize their love for one another. South of the Rambla’s numerous “touristy” eateries and street cafés, you’ll find a river where you may pick up some helpful tourist advice.
Girona is about an hour north of Barcelona by rail, making it a convenient day trip destination for those in Catalonia’s bustling metropolis.
Vall De Nuria & The Pyrenees:
Some people may walk or take the Rack Railway from the south to reach this Pyrenean valley. Such a magnificent valley is home to a ski resort, refuge, and reservoir in one convenient location. There are ten ski lines ranging from easy green to terrifying black, and 73 snow cannons at this ski area.
You can reach the youth hostel through the gondola, two platter lifts service the beginner’s place, and the highest elevation, at 2252 meters, may be achieved with a quad chair. In the summertime, you may go rowing, hiking, horseback riding, or standing in awe.
Conclusion:
Because of its status as Catalonia’s capital and biggest city, Barcelona is a major tourist attraction in Spain. It has all the interests of a European metropolis. Its beaches are perfect for lounging in the sun during the city’s lengthy spells of pleasant warmth.
One may, however, take day trips from Barcelona to explore more of this region of Spain. Every one of these destinations is accessible by train and tour. You could find that following these tips enhances an already fantastic vacation.
