After visiting this amazing city you might wonder what the best day trips from Barcelona are. We’re here to help!
Catalonia is a veritable cornucopia of impressive places to visit and things to do. From seaside towns, to medieval villages, to lush vineyards, to breathtaking nature the options seem endless. Best of all many of these locations can be explored on a day trip.
Since most people start their Catalonia experience in Barcelona, the city has its fair share of issues regarding tourism. With nearly 30 million (yikes!) visitors a year Barcelona is overwhelmed. After a few days, you might start to yearn for less crowded and more quiet destinations. This is especially true if you visit Barcelona in peak season, which runs from May to October.
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The Absolute Best Day Trips from Barcelona
Well, good news. We’ve got 12 incredible day trips for you to take listed below.
We’ve consulted several fellow travel experts and asked them what their favorite day trips from Barcelona are. Below is a list of some pretty awesome options by people who have explored the region numerous times. There is literally something for everyone here.
So, have a look and start planning your Catalonia adventure!
Please note – Some of our selections contain affiliate links. These allow us to earn a small percentage every time you make a booking. Using our links enables us to provide all the information found on this site free of charge.
Canaletes
The Anoia region is best known for the monastery of Montserrat. However, there are many other hidden gems to explore.
There are lots of hiking trails through the green hills and lush forests and along the banks of the Anoia River. One particular spot is the tiny village of Canaletes. This village has a population of 40 people and there’s no public transport going there. It’s surrounded by vineyards and fields of olive trees.
Next to Canaletes, you can find a secret waterfall and a cave. The waterfall is surrounded by moss and hanging vegetation, like a scene from a fairytale. The cave is just as beautiful and worth a visit. Its entrance is hidden by the vines, and its floor is covered in cave pearls (small spherical rocks).
To find this spot you can follow the hiking trails starting at Vallbona d’Anoia. Vallbona itself is also worth a visit. This small traditional town with medieval architecture is lovely.
All of this is yours to discover on a day trip from Barcelona. And it’s all only 40 minutes by train!
Begur
Day Trips From Barcelona Tip by: Polina Kocheva at Femtravelers
Begur is a pretty little historic town about two hours north of Barcelona. Many Barcelona residents have their weekend homes in Begur.
The town has great restaurants and boutiques as well as narrow winding lanes full of beautiful old houses. The town’s charm has not been spoiled by visitors. In our opinion, the highlight of the town are its eight separate coves each with its own beach. They not only have their own character but the makeup of the beaches vary from pebbles to rock to sand.
A perfect day trip from Barcelona for anyone looking for a bit of peace along the shore.
Besalú
Day Trips From Barcelona Tip by: Shobha George at Just Go Places
Besalú is one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, a typical Catalan medieval village situated in Girona Province, 130 km North from Barcelona. The best way to get there from Barcelona is by car, although you can also get on a bus run by Teisa Bus, which takes you there in a bit less than 2 hours.
When you arrive in Besalú, the first thing you will see is a fascinating stone bridge (called the Old Bridge) from the 12th century. The view of the bridge, the river and the medieval village provides a picture-perfect view. This bridge will lead you to the other side of the Fluvià River, and there you will feel yourself in another era, while you visit Besalú.
You will enjoy a very pleasant walk on the cobbled streets, while you can check out the small details that make this village so charming. The most important sights are the Collegiate of Santa María and the church hospital of Sant Julià. We recommend you to sit down in a terrace on the riverside to enjoy the tranquility and the beautiful view.
Tour Option: Barcelona: Full-Day Medieval Guided Tour with Lunch
Blanes
Day Trips From Barcelona Tip by: Gábor Kovács at Surfing the Planet
I’ll be the first to admit, I’d never heard of Blanes before I was researching places to go on the Costa Brava. It’s safe to say I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived there and found it to be an interesting place.
The coastline at Blanes is long, but one thing stands out as soon as you reach the beach. Sa Palomera rock sticks out like a sore thumb, as you make your way down the beach! Climbing the rock offers some great views of the coastline and Blanes itself. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from if you get peckish, most of which have fantastic views of the Mediterranean Sea!
Getting to Blanes is straightforward. You need to take the R1 and then Blanes is the last stop! It takes about an hour to reach there, but it’s well worth it, as Blanes is a great place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of Barcelona!
Tour Option: Discover the Costa Brava Full-Day Tour from Barcelona
Cami dels Bons Homes
Day Trips From Barcelona Tip by: Us! Randi & Michael, Just a Pack
The Cami dels Bons Homes (Path of the Good Men) is an almost completely undiscovered, 200-kilometer hiking trail that winds its way through the Pyrenees Mountains in France and Catalonia.
The trail affords beautiful views, idyllic meadows, stunning valleys, and near complete solitude to anyone making the trek. A few years ago we spent five days on the Cami dels Bons Homes and came across only a handful of other hikers along the way.
Although hiking the entire trail takes weeks, if you’re looking for a quick escape to nature on a day trip from Barcelona, a one day hike on the Cami dels Bons Homes is possible. We recommend the final portion of the trail that starts in Peguera and ends in Berga.
Both towns are within a few hours reach by train from Barcelona, and this particular section of the trail is only 12 kilometers and takes most people about three to four hours to complete.
All of that adds up to a great day trip from Barcelona for anyone looking to explore the great outdoors of Catalonia.
Girona
Day Trips From Barcelona Tip by: Sher at Sher She Goes
Girona makes a fabulous day trip from Barcelona. This small ancient town has colorful, narrow streets and sidewalk cafes perfect for people watching and is demarcated by the Riu Onyar, creating a commercial, modern town center and historic medieval city.
Make sure to stroll along the river for a postcard-perfect shot of Modernista mansions on the waterfront. Day trippers will want to check out Girona’s Gothic cathedrals, the extensive Jewish quarter, and many museums and art galleries. Don’t forget to end the trip with a scoop of ice cream at Rocambolesc!
When it comes to day trips from Barcelona we just can’t recommend Girona enough!
Tour Option: Girona and Costa Brava Tour with Hotel Pickup in Barcelona
Lloret de Mar
Day Trips From Barcelona Tip by: Chris & Heather Boothman at A Brit and A Southerner
If you are looking for the perfect day trip from Barcelona, look no further than Lloret de Mar along the Costa Brava coastline. Located just over an hour from the hustle and bustle of city life in Barcelona, Lloret de Mar offers visitors the opportunity to relax amidst the spectacular Mediterranean beaches that this part of Spain is famous for.
Don’t think that visiting Lloret de Mar is just about experiencing these gorgeous beaches. This area is well worth exploring if you have an avid interest in history, with the medieval Castle of Sant Joan located in this part of Costa Brava and in the heart of Lloret de Mar, the gorgeous Iglesia de Sant Romà church. For those visitors interested in Catalan Gothic architecture, this church is the epitome of this style and offers a unique perspective on this historic town.
A visit to Lloret de Mar wouldn’t be the same without experiencing one of the many hiking trails that take you along the rugged coastline and into the beautiful Spanish wilderness! This is the perfect part of Spain to capture gorgeous sunrise shots while you never quite know what piece of historic architecture you will stumble across…the Fisherman’s Wife statue is the perfect example.
Tour Option: Costa Brava Half-Day Tour from Barcelona
Montserrat
Day Trips From Barcelona Tip by: Sianna Marinova at EoStories
Montserrat is one of the most popular options for a day trip from Barcelona, however, many people having a short visit to the city don’t realize how close the mountain is giving a perfect opportunity to go into nature, hike or explore the Spanish countryside.
Montserrat is easily accessible not only because there are numerous tours dedicated to this destination, but also because you can organize your own itinerary with a car or train that departs from Placa d’Espanya station every hour. There is a scenic cable car and a funicular that will take you even higher into the mountain.
Montserrat means ‘serrated’ in Catalan and owes its name to the jagged rock formations that accompanied by nature make for an amazing view. Just imagine watching the sunset from there! Apart from the gorgeous landscape, the mountain is famous for the still-functioning monastery Santa Maria del Montserrat Abbey dating back to 10th century and currently housing more than 150 monks.
Tour Option: Private Full Day Guided Tour To Montserrat & Organic Winery
Sitges
Day Trips From Barcelona Tip by: Edwina Dendler at Traveling German
Sitges is a picturesque town about 35 kilometers South of Barcelona on the Costa Dorada, and is easily reachable by train from Passeig de Gracia train station. It boasts no less than 26 beaches, some of them directly in town.
Because of its beautiful location, Sitges is hugely popular with expats. And it’s a popular destination for a day trip from Barcelona.
The train from BCN drops you off in the center of town. You can stroll through Sitges’ old town for a bit of shopping. Afterwards, stop off for a coffee in one of the many corner cafés.
For lunch, try the local Xató salad with its unique dressing. Then grab an ice cream to go at one of the many gelaterias and walk down to the beach for a relaxing afternoon.
Sitges also has a lot of festivals going on throughout the year, the highlights are Carnival in February/March, Sitges Gay Pride in June and the Festa Major (town festival) in August – there’s something for everyone, and if you’re in Barcelona, it’s worth checking out the Sitges event calendar for the week!
Tour Option: Tarragona & Sitges Full Day Tour from Barcelona with Pickup
Vineyard Alta Alella in Alella
Day Trips From Barcelona Tip by: Maria Belfort Henriques at One Tiny Leap
If you’re looking for a different type of day trip from Barcelona, we highly recommend Vineyard Alta Alella. You’ll find this family-owned organic vineyard 25 minutes from Barcelona, deep in the Catalonian hills and only 2 km from the Mediterranean Sea.
Here you can enjoy a wine tasting paired with Catalonian delicacies, learn about the wine-making process, and finish off the day at the beach!
Tour Option: Vineyards and Barcelona Beaches Tour by E-Bike
Zaragoza (Saragossa)
Day Trips From Barcelona Tip by: Rhonda Albom at Albom Adventures
A long day trip, or as a stop on the way to Madrid, Saragossa is a masterpiece. It’s a city of religious importance, a culinary adventure, and it is the capital of Spain’s Aragon region. Saragossa (spelled Zaragoza in Spanish) is located inland about 300 km west of Barcelona.
Like many visitors, we were drawn here by El Pilar. According to legend, in 40 AD an apparition of the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint James the Apostle. Instructing him to build a chapel, she gave him a 39 cm tall statue of herself and a jasper pillar. It is the first church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and has undergone many upgrades over time. The current Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar (or El Pilar) was designed in 1681. And its towers were completed in the early 20th century.
The basilica is in the Plaza del Pilar along with a variety of statues, fountains, the Underground Roman Museum, and La Seo Cathedral. The street leading off the plaza features modern shops and tempting restaurants.
Tour Option: Private Tour with a Local Guide
Andorra
Day Trips From Barcelona Tip by: Lance & Laura, TravelAddicts
Andorra isn’t a place most people can find on a map. It’s a tiny country wedged between Spain and France and located high in the Pyrenees Mountains. At just under 3 hours from Barcelona, it makes a nice day trip or weekend getaway.
Historically, most people have come for skiing in the winter or to take advantage of the country’s unique tax (i.e., duty-free) status. However, there’s a lot more to do here than just shopping.
The country has kilometers of trails for trekking, an emerging wine industry with some great mountainside vineyards, and, of course, there is Europe’s largest spa: the massive INUU/Caldea complex.
Given the close proximity of everything to each other, you could go shopping in the morning, visit the spa for lunch, visit a winery on the way back, and still be back in Barcelona for tapas. Andorra makes a great day trip from Barcelona!
Tour Option: Barcelona: 3 Countries in 1 Day Small-Group Tour
And there you have it folks, a whole load of incredible day trips from Barcelona which you should consider taking! We hope we’ve given you a lot to think about for your upcoming exploration of Spain. As always, happy travels, and we’ll see you guys on the road!
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Ohh I had no idea there were such cute little towns near Barca 🙂 thanks for sharing.
x
The information you shared in this blog is the most efficiently reliable one. We hope to read more number of reliable blogs…….
This article supports what I always knew. There is never enough time in Spain to see it all. Great collection of day trips, many I have done, and a few are calling me back. Thanks for including me.
Hi,
do you have some more information about the hiking trail from vallbona d’anoia to the waterfall? How long is it? Don’t find anything
Hey Lisl, I’m the author of the Anoia bit! The hike took me about 2 hours (each way). I followed a Wikiloc trail, however I can’t find it right now. Here is a link to another trail, starting from Canaletes:
https://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=3573925
Let me know if you have other questions about it 🙂
Hi
Do i need a visa or anyother required documents to enter Andora, worth to mention that i have my schengen..
My partner and I visited Sitges and Monserrat this week, and both were beautiful! Sitges is a very nice town, and Monserrat has amazing views. We weren’t able to go up north to Andorra, but we loved the region and will probably come back! In Sitges, we were lucky and joined a tour in front of the church. The tour was free, so we tipped the guide, and he recommended a local restaurant. We had some delicious local ‘paella’!
So helpful! Thank u