Barcelona is famously filled with wonderful locations to go to. Why drag your self away from the historic middle of the Catalan capital? You possibly can tour the Gaudi works or take a night paella class – Barcelona turns into much more alive at night time. However whereas Barcelona’s metropolis middle could also be filled with unimaginable cultural actions, whether or not it’s your first journey or fiftieth, you must nonetheless spend money on one of many many day journeys from Barcelona. Catalan tradition is fascinating, and the encircling panorama is gorgeous to discover by public transport or rental automobile. You possibly can go to Montserrat, gothic church buildings in medieval villages, or go wine tasting in rolling vineyards.
Prime Barcelona Day Journeys
On this information, we’ll cowl the very best day journeys from Barcelona. You possibly can pencil in a soothing day journey to Arab baths or deal with a few of the greatest climbing trails within the area – the depth of your day journey is as much as you. One factor is bound, although; Barcelona has many day journey choices. And the truth that Barcelona has many prepare traces and low-cost prepare tickets is superb, particularly in case you are visiting Barcelona on a price range. Let’s take a look at the very best day journeys Barcelona has out there. You’ll love these prime 19 contenders.
Planning Your Journey To Barcelona Proper Now?
Under are a few of the prime day journey excursions from Barcelona. Don’t neglect to plan forward when visiting Spain!
Prime Day Journeys and Excursions from Barcelona:
1. Costa Brava
The Costa Brava is a large area in Catalonia. It calls for way over a day to see in its entirety. Costa Brava stretches from simply northeast of Barcelona metropolis middle to the French border, masking a few of the prettiest coastal villages and locations. It’s one in all Barcelona’s hottest day journeys – both as a self-guided expertise or a guided tour like this full-day one. You possibly can enterprise out to villages with Roman and historic Greek villages. Or you’ll be able to take boat journeys to spots just like the Medes archipelago.
If you would like an impartial journey, Costa Brava is greatest day-tripped by rental automobile on a highway journey from Barcelona. You possibly can drive to the sting of Costa Brava (the resort city of Blanes) in beneath an hour, then proceed alongside the shoreline, hopping from village to city. Street-tripping the Costa Brava as a day journey from Barcelona is vastly rewarding, and you’re at all times near a scrumptious dish or a good looking seashore.
We had so as to add it as a day journey due to how liberating highway journeys are and the way well-suited the Costa Brava is to day trippers, with city after city of coastal locations to take pleasure in. We’ll cowl numerous sights alongside the Costa Brava shoreline as day journeys in their very own proper. Nonetheless, in case you battle to squeeze a day journey in, road-tripping Costa Brava is a unbelievable, extra common day journey choice.
- Distance from Barcelona: 50-minute drive to Blanes, Barcelona’s closest level of the Costa Brava.
2. Tossa de Mar
Tossa de Mar is one in all Barcelona’s most drop-dead attractive day tour choices. The little cliffside village has an Outdated City declared a Nationwide Historic-Creative Monument, and its ruins are proper into the Mediterranean Sea. On today journey, you’ll be able to stroll the village and absorb its historic sights earlier than heading to Gran Seashore – which has previous wall ruins spilling onto the sands.
It’s undoubtedly a day journey of two halves. You’ll spend the morning with tradition and historical past and the afternoon within the water or on the seashore. Tossa de Mar has numerous scuba diving and paddle boarding alternatives in case you fancy one thing somewhat extra adventurous than a day of sunbathing or swimming.
Tossa de Mar is an hour and 15-minute drive from Barcelona. Sadly, it isn’t accessible by public transport simply. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to at all times e-book a shuttle service or guided tour in case you don’t drive. It is among the most well-known Barcelona day journeys, so you must be capable of discover guided excursions simply.
- Distance from Barcelona: 1-hour 15-minute drive from Barcelona
3. Wine Tasting
Going wine tasting is a vastly pleasant day journey. Barcelona is surrounded by the outskirts with rolling vineyards and greater than only a boutique vineyard. Priorat, Montsant, and Penedès are all notably well-known areas for Catalonian wine. And from Barcelona, we’d extremely suggest a small group tour to Penedès wine nation. Penedès is hailed for its Cava – a glowing white wine – however you’ll discover all types of sorts in case you tour the area. You possibly can merely e-book a wine-tasting tour that features transport from Barcelona metropolis middle. There are numerous choices; some, like this one, even embrace conventional meals like tapas.
Wine-tasting excursions are good if you would like minimal touring however love tasting new wines. It combines a little bit of countryside sightseeing, too, as you’ll be venturing to some significantly picturesque wineries. The excursions are sometimes half a day lengthy, however they differ relying in your tour.
- Distance from Barcelona: 45-minute drive to Penedès from Barcelona
4. Castellfollit de la Roca
Castellfollit de la Roca is beautiful. The tiny village teeters on the slender ridge of a basalt clifftop overlooking the confluence of two rivers under – surrounded by forest and wildlife. Solely round 1,000 residents reside in Castellfollit de la Roca. Nonetheless, it’s simply probably the most photographed locations in Catalonia and one of many prime day journeys from Barcelona if you would like a wow issue.
Guests can stroll the Outdated City and take a look at some actually area of interest little sights, together with a 150-year-old charcuterie enterprise that’s now a museum preserving Catalonia’s charcuterie historical past. Whereas, for a extra distinctive vantage level over Castellfollit de la Roca’s beautiful structure, you’ll be able to splurge on a sizzling air balloon experience.
Castellfollit de la Roca is a 1.5-hour drive from Barcelona and is in any other case not accessible by public transport. It’s, nonetheless, an extremely scenic drive and bypasses or cuts by quite a few pure parks. It even passes by Vic (a medieval city that may function later in our information) because the midway level. If you’re debating driving to Castellfollit de la Roca, know that renting a automobile is unquestionably nicely price it.
- Distance from Barcelona: 1.5 hour drive from Barcelona
5. Montserrat
When you go to Barcelona, it’s a must to go to Montserrat. Montserrat is a striking-looking mountain city most recognized for its Benedictine monastery, Saint Maria de Montserrat. The monastery has a statue of the Virgin Mary and youngster rumored to have been carved by St.Luke, and this statue offers the city its nickname ‘Sacred Mountain.’ When you e-book a Montserrat tour from Barcelona, you’ll undoubtedly have the monastery in your itinerary. However the entire city is gorgeous, and it appears to be like as if the previous stone buildings have erupted up from the rocks of the mountains themselves. Montserrat is like one thing out of a movie set.
You possibly can e-book a Montserrat tour with lodge pick-up – making it one of many best day journeys from Barcelona. Nonetheless, to go eco-friendly, simply catch the prepare from Barcelona-Sants Station. It takes simply over an hour by prepare, and there’s no have to e-book prepare tickets upfront. Montserrat is among the most basic day journey experiences; don’t miss this one if you would like dramatic surroundings and a pilgrim expertise.
- Distance from Barcelona: Lower than 1.5 hours from Barcelona by public transport
6. Pyrenees Mountains
The Pyrenees Mountains make a wonderful day journey from Barcelona. The mountain vary is gorgeous and filled with ski slopes in winter and climbing trails in summer time. For both a climbing day journey or a ski day journey, the Pyrenees Mountains are your greatest shout from these day journeys from Barcelona.
A phrase of warning; the Pyrenees Mountains are the tallest mountain vary in Europe – so anticipate steep slopes and difficult hikes. The mountains cowl an unlimited 270-mile stretch, with the best of all of the peaks being the three,404-meter-tall Pico de Aneto. The Pyrenees Mountains are an absolute beast of an space to discover.
As we mentioned, the Pyrenees Mountains are unbelievable for skiers and hikers. You possibly can simply take a day journey to ski resorts like Arinsal Ski Resort and Grandvalira, benefit from the snow, after which head again for a night in Barcelona. Whereas climbing trails just like the Ayous Lakes Circuit or Carros de Foc are additionally unimaginable in spring and summer time. For out of doors fanatics, we simply had so as to add it to this information.
- Distance from Barcelona: The Pyrenees Mountains are roughly a 3 hour 40-minute drive from Barcelona relying on the place you go to.
7. Gala Dalí Fortress Museum-Home
Gala Dalí Fortress Museum-Home is a rags-to-riches story. The now-turned-Dali Museum was as soon as a forgotten citadel stumbled throughout by the Dali couple. Salvador Dali purchased the Eleventh-century Pubol Fortress in 1969, rescuing it from a whole state of despair.
The ceilings had fallen by, and there have been cracks within the partitions – primarily a spoil of what was beforehand medieval grandeur. Salvador constructed the rooms across the ‘new’ structure that the collapsed constructions created. Dali Fortress was remodeled right into a romantic, baroque-style architectural masterpiece. And, most romantically, Salvador devoted the whole venture to his spouse, Gala.
Now you’ll be able to go to this citadel on a day tour from Barcelona. The citadel is now a museum devoted to preserving the Dali historical past and story, in addition to showcasing the citadel’s architectural magnificence. Admiring the furnishings and decor, you’ll be able to independently stroll by the citadel at leisure. Alternatively, e-book one guided tour and discover with an skilled information.
- Distance from Barcelona: 2 hours by public transport and 1.5 hours by automobile
8. Girona
Girona is an unlimited medieval metropolis. Put aside the River Onyar, it’s overflowing with medieval structure and historic Roman fortifications. Girona’s community of manicured gardens and slender streets date again to the center ages, and its Jewish Quarter is stuffed with attribute arches. Even simply from taking a look at footage of the town, it’s simple to see why it was chosen as a filming location for Recreation of Thrones.
It is among the prime day journeys from Barcelona in the case of structure and chasing day journeys that go away ‘huge impressions.’ You possibly can take a guided strolling tour of the town or go to independently. Girona has many sights in addition to its beauty, together with Europe’s smallest sq., previous volcanoes on its outskirts, and cultural venues like cinemas.
Girona is simply 40 minutes from Barcelona by prepare. It’s unimaginable that you’ve a unique metropolis expertise lower than one hour away. Girona is a unbelievable candidate for day journeys from Barcelona in case you don’t drive. Recreation of Thrones followers, particularly, think about including Girona to your Barca itinerary.
- Distance from Barcelona: 40 minutes by prepare
9. Mallorca
Prepared for probably the most formidable day journeys from Barcelona you possibly can ever take? One choice is to get the ferry to Mallorca in a single day, take pleasure in a morning on the Balearic Islands, after which catch a ferry again for the night in Barcelona. That is superb for these wanting to maximise their time in Spain. And it requires minimal effort by way of transportation – you’ll be able to take pleasure in an evening on the water, scrumptious delicacies, and entry leisure like movie screenings. Whereas for a very good night time’s sleep, there are non-public cabins to e-book. On the return ferry, you’ll be able to hold your eyes out for dolphins, whales, and seabirds. And also you’ll catch the sundown at sea not less than as soon as on this journey.
Ferries from Barcelona go away within the night and arrive early within the morning in Mallorca – typically round 5:30 am. You port in Palma or Alcudia, providing you with time to discover these little port cities earlier than catching the ferry again. This present day journey is greatest for early birds. However these daring sufficient to strive it is going to be rewarded by a wholly completely different ambiance in Mallorca. Palma has an enormous round citadel that dates again to the 14th century, an historic Arab bathhouse, and an actual huddle of aesthetic museums in numerous plazas. Alcudia has medieval partitions and interesting Roman ruins websites. Traditionally, Mallorca has hundreds to supply, and atmosphere-wise, it’s way more laidback than hectic Barcelona. It’s an expedition-style journey from Barcelona and is ideal for anybody wanting an journey.
- Distance from Barcelona: 6-7 hours by ferry
10. Calella de Palafrugell
Calella de Palafrugell is a candy coastal city within the municipality of Palafrugell. The city is fairly, with whitewashed, conventional buildings and loads of sandy seashores. It’s a seashore day journey with the oomph to make wandering across the city worthwhile when visiting. For seashore lovers trying to enterprise right into a little bit of sightseeing, go to Calella de Palafrugell. You possibly can take a look at the Cami de Ronda Calella-Golfet commentary deck, Torre de Calella, and hike the Cami de Ronda de Calella a Llafranc. Or simply choose a restaurant and check out some native delicacies earlier than kicking it on the seashore.
Calella de Palafrugell is good as a result of it has sights to entertain you in case you get bored sunbathing and the potential for a soothing seashore day. It’s superb for these planning day journeys from Barcelona with a bunch of various touring types. Versatile and fairly, Calella de Palafrugell is a prime suggestion.
- Distance from Barcelona: 3 hours by public transport or 1.5 hours by automobile
11. Sitges
Sitges is a enjoyable seaside city and probably the most LGBTQ+-friendly day journeys from Barcelona. The city is famend for its LGBTQ neighborhood and has an outgoing nightlife and get together scene. And even higher, it’s simply accessible by prepare, simply 35 minutes from Barcelona’s metropolis middle. Because the final prepare is simply earlier than 11pm, you’ll be able to benefit from the seashore after which take pleasure in some nightlife earlier than returning to Barcelona – making Sitges a full-day journey to contemplate.
Sitges is way over simply the seashore and partying, although. You possibly can take pleasure in modernist artwork on the Museu Cau Ferrat, admire white and blue fishermen’s homes within the Outdated City, and go to deserted villages within the close by Garraf Pure Park. It’s lower than one hour from Barcelona but gives a unique vibe. Small however mighty Sitges is a artistic hub of tradition and neighborhood price visiting. And the frequent trains simply make this much more tempting.
- Distance from Barcelona: 35 minutes by prepare
12. Tarragona
It might be a daring assertion, however that is the highest day journey for historical past lovers. Tarragona is an historic Roman metropolis with ruins scattered all through its streets – making it one in all Barcelona’s most attention-grabbing archeological day journeys. As soon as known as Tarraco, in case you love Roman historical past, this metropolis is taken into account the most effective locations to be taught in regards to the Romans in Spain. Its most well-known (and arguably spectacular) ruins are the big stays of the traditional Roman amphitheater. However there’s the Roman Circus, discussion board, and Praetorium Tower too.
The port metropolis is only one hour from Barcelona by a scenic prepare experience. You head southwest, hugging the shoreline with stunning advert hoc views of the Mediterranean Sea and its prettiest coastal cities. For us, Roman historical past instantly caught our eye. Nonetheless, from a sensible stage, it is among the greatest Barcelona day journey choices.
- Distance from Barcelona: 1 hour by prepare
13. Vic
Heading inland shouldn’t be ignored when planning day journeys from Barcelona. Vic is a major metropolis set one hour inland from Barcelona by automobile. Whereas it might not look ‘main’ in measurement, it’s the capital of the comarca of Osona and an actual cultural hotspot. We vote that you just add it to your checklist instantly. It has a formidable neoclassical cathedral, a December medieval honest on cobbled streets, and area of interest sights just like the Episcopal Museum of Vic.
Of all these day journeys from Barcelona, a Vic day journey is a culture-satisfying assure. Its structure alone is fascinating; the Queralt Bridge, an Eleventh-century Romanesque bridge (reconstructed many instances), and 2nd century Roman Temple of Vic are metropolis highlights.
Vic is well reached by automobile in lower than an hour, however you possibly can additionally take a bus in 1 hour and 20 minutes if driving isn’t an choice. It’s a pretty scenic route, reducing by agricultural landscapes and countryside that drastically contrasts the scenes in busy Barcelona. Additionally it is only a quick quantity of journey time – excellent for maximizing your time in Vic or squeezing the day journey into half a day if needed.
- Distance from Barcelona: 1 hour by automobile
14. Cadaques
Cadaques is essentially the most inaccessible place on the Costa Brava – or not less than that’s what individuals say. Tucked up by the border, it is among the final coastal cities earlier than Catalonia flows into France, and solely the actually enthusiastic vacationers push themselves to enterprise to this point northeast. Cadaques is someplace we’d recommend renting a automobile to go to, however belief us, it is going to be price it. You’ll drive up in direction of the French border, move Girona (a superb midway relaxation level), and end on the shoreline.
It’s superb for combining a go to to Girona with a go to to a quieter, less-visited coastal city – probably the most distinctive day journeys from Barcelona. The fishermen’s city sits on a rocky shoreline with beautiful seashores, enveloped by the Cap de Creus Pure Park. You possibly can take a look at the handful of museums; in any other case, simply chill out on a seashore day. It’s a glimpse into a very completely different life-style in Catalonia.
For us, the out-of-the-way component is what offers Cadaques its attract. And the truth that it combines so nicely with Girona is one other enormous bonus, that means that regardless of its ‘inaccessibility,’ it really makes sensible sense. Cadaques is nicely price the additional effort in case you really feel assured with a barely longer drive.
- Distance from Barcelona: 2 hours by automobile and three.5 by public transport
15. Cardona
Cardona is among the most stunning medieval villages in Catalonia. This present day journey would be the most memorable in case you like atmospheric, movie-set-style locations. Tiny in comparison with the bigger Vic, Cardona is somewhat village consisting primarily of a medieval walled fortress and medieval citadel. The buildings in Cardona date again to the eighth century and embrace Romanesque and Gothic constructions. Whereas Cardona itself is ready historically on a hill subsequent to the Cardoner River – a conventional tactical location.
In Cardona, enable time to go to the Museu de la Sal de Cardona, its church, and (in fact) the Castell de Cardona, which is especially stunning and dawn and sundown. It’s also possible to enterprise out to the close by salt mines to tour the underground stays of a once-thriving business.
Sustainability lovers be aware that Cardona was formally acknowledged for its sustainability efforts as a part of the European Fee’s EDEN program, the European Locations of Excellence. It’s a outstanding village that takes satisfaction in its historical past and heritage. Cardona has been splendidly taken care of, and strolling by its slender streets and alongside its fortress partitions looks like stepping again in time resulting from these preservation efforts.
- Distance from Barcelona: 1 hour quarter-hour by automobile and a pair of hours quarter-hour by public transport
16. Andorra
Fancy including one other nation to your checklist whereas visiting Barcelona? Andorra is among the prime day journeys from Barcelona. Regardless of being positioned smack bang between France and Spain, Andorra is a tiny impartial nation surrounded by the Pyrenees mountains. It’s a unbelievable day journey. Andorra is all ski slopes and pure parks – plus, it has a considerably incongruous duty-free purchasing scene. In ski season, we’d suggest it for hitting the slopes. On the similar time, in late spring and summer time, Andorra is a prime climbing vacation spot and nice for purchasing.
You possibly can attain Andorra from Barcelona in 3 hours and quarter-hour by direct bus. Alternatively, you’ll be able to lease a automobile and drive there in 2.5 hours. Driving to Andorra has its personal advantages, with the choice of driving by way of Vic and straight by Parc Pure del Cadi-Moixero. By automobile, it isn’t even one of many longest day journeys from Barcelona.
- Distance from Barcelona: 2.5 hours by automobile and three hours quarter-hour by bus
17. Castelldefels
Castelldefels is a good looking spot on the Mediterranean Sea – heavenly-looking and ideal for a fast day journey from Barcelona. The city has a shocking shoreline with a protracted sandy seashore. Nevertheless it isn’t only a seashore getaway; Castelldefels has historical past and tradition with its Castell de Fels and Gava Mines. Decide a few its prime sights and hop across the metropolis middle within the morning, heading to the seashore after for a relaxed afternoon. You received’t have any points squeezing a full-day tour of Castelldefels in, as it’s only a 25-minute prepare experience away.
Castelldefels caught our eye for its beauty as a seashore vacation spot. Nonetheless, its proximity to Barcelona is one other enormous plus. Castelldefels is tremendous handy. You possibly can shortly leap on the prepare from Barcelona Sants Station in case you fancy a fast seashore journey. Whereas if you would like one thing extra substantial, Castelldefels is an equally good choice, with loads of historical past because of its citadel and archaeological mines.
- Distance from Barcelona: 25 minutes by automobile or prepare
18. Premia de Mar
Premia de Mar is so small that calling it a seaside city is probably going an overstatement. Nonetheless, its small measurement makes it probably the most stress-free seashore day journeys from Barcelona. There are few sightseeing alternatives, however in case you crave high quality seashore time, you’ll be able to’t go fallacious with Premia de Mar’s sandy seashores. You possibly can swim, sunbathe, after which seize meals from a neighborhood cafe or restaurant. Premia de Mar is the place to go to maintain issues easy and have a healthful day on the sands. It isn’t intense like a full-day tour of historic monuments or UNESCO websites. It’s simply someplace to chill out and escape Barcelona’s crowds.
One other enormous bonus of visiting Premia de Mar is that it’s accessible by prepare and automobile. You possibly can hop on a prepare straight from central Barcelona and be on the seashore in lower than an hour. Or you’ll be able to drive if you have already got a rental automobile. Not everybody looks like venturing as much as Costa Brava seeking quiet sandy seashores, and Premia de Mar is a a lot nearer compromise.
- Distance from Barcelona: 40 minutes by prepare and 20 minutes by automobile
19. Colonia Guell
Overlook heaving Park Guell; Colonia Guell is a Gaudi-built neighborhood with virtually an identical tales, minus all of the crowds. It is among the lesser-chosen day journeys from Barcelona as a result of it’s so just like the a lot nearer Park Guell. However for these wanting a quieter expertise, it’s a no-brainer. Add it to your itinerary and journey the straightforward 45 minutes by public transport or seize a 20-minute Uber.
Gaudi constructed Colonia Guell within the city of Santa Coloma de Cervello. As many individuals know, Gaudi’s authentic thought was to create unique neighborhoods the place Barcelona locals might buy properties and reside in a modernist-designed neighborhood. Colonia Guell, specifically, was for use by industrial employees.
Gaudi was commissioned by Eusebi Guell so as to add homes, a college, outlets, and even a church to the neighborhood. Gaudi’s church crypt has even been awarded UNESCO World Heritage standing. It’s a beautiful place to wander round. And it’s extensively whispered about as Gaudi’s best-kept secret, so we had so as to add it as one of many off-the-beaten-track day journeys from Barcelona.
- Distance from Barcelona: 45 minutes by public transport or 20-minute drive
To Conclude
Barcelona’s ‘day journey radius’ has cultural and pure sights. Any of those day journeys from Barcelona are price attractive your self away from the town middle for a single day. Barcelona day journeys are a should addition to any itinerary, and we’d recommend scheduling not less than a pair.
Be aware that in case you are flying into the (extra budget-friendly) Girona Worldwide Airport, you must mix this with a go to to the Recreation of Thrones filming location and medieval metropolis, Girona. Including Girona as a day journey from the airport is a superb method to maximize your Barcelona day journeys.
On the lookout for extra inspiration about visiting Barcelona? We recommend contemplating the place to remain within the metropolis. Every neighborhood has a particular feel- trendy El Born or the historic middle of the Gothic Quarter. Take your time selecting an space.
