Barcelona is famously stuffed with superb locations to go to. Why drag your self away from the historic heart of the Catalan capital? You may tour the Gaudi works or take a night paella class – Barcelona turns into much more alive at evening. However whereas Barcelona’s metropolis heart could also be stuffed with unimaginable cultural actions, whether or not it’s your first journey or fiftieth, you need to nonetheless spend money on one of many many day journeys from Barcelona. Catalan tradition is fascinating, and the encompassing panorama is gorgeous to discover by public transport or rental automobile. You could possibly 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 most effective day journeys from Barcelona. You could possibly pencil in a soothing day journey to Arab baths or deal with among 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 practice strains and low-cost practice tickets is great, particularly if you’re visiting Barcelona on a price range. Let’s take a look at the most effective day journeys Barcelona has obtainable. You’ll love these prime 19 contenders.
Planning Your Journey To Barcelona Proper Now?
Beneath are among the prime day journey excursions from Barcelona. Don’t overlook 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 excess of a day to see in its entirety. Costa Brava stretches from simply northeast of Barcelona metropolis heart to the French border, masking among the prettiest coastal villages and locations. It’s one among Barcelona’s hottest day journeys – both as a self-guided expertise or a guided tour like this full-day one. You may enterprise out to villages with Roman and historical Greek villages. Or you’ll be able to take boat journeys to spots just like the Medes archipelago.
In order for you an impartial journey, Costa Brava is greatest day-tripped by rental automobile on a street journey from Barcelona. You may drive to the sting of Costa Brava (the resort city of Blanes) in underneath an hour, then proceed alongside the shoreline, hopping from village to city. Highway-tripping the Costa Brava as a day journey from Barcelona is vastly rewarding, and you’re all the time near a scrumptious dish or a ravishing seaside.
We had so as to add it as a day journey due to how liberating street journeys are and the way well-suited the Costa Brava is to day trippers, with city after city of coastal locations to get pleasure from. We’ll cowl a number of points of interest alongside the Costa Brava shoreline as day journeys in their very own proper. Nevertheless, in case you battle to squeeze a day journey in, road-tripping Costa Brava is a incredible, extra normal 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 among Barcelona’s most drop-dead beautiful 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 at the present time journey, you’ll be able to stroll the village and soak up 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 seaside. Tossa de Mar has a number of scuba diving and paddle boarding alternatives in case you fancy one thing a little bit 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 all the time 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 need to have the ability to discover guided excursions simply.
Distance from Barcelona: 1-hour 15-minute drive from Barcelona
3. Wine Tasting
Going wine tasting is a vastly gratifying 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 kinds of sorts in case you tour the area. You may merely e-book a wine-tasting tour that features transport from Barcelona metropolis heart. There are a lot of choices; some, like this one, even embody conventional meals like tapas.
Wine-tasting excursions are sensible 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 usually 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 slim 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. Nevertheless, it’s simply one of the crucial 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 points of interest, 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 scorching air balloon journey.
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, nevertheless, 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. In case you are debating driving to Castellfollit de la Roca, know that renting a automobile is certainly properly price it.
Distance from Barcelona: 1.5 hour drive from Barcelona
5. Montserrat
For those who 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 little one rumored to have been carved by St.Luke, and this statue offers the city its nickname ‘Sacred Mountain.’ For those who e-book a Montserrat tour from Barcelona, you’ll undoubtedly have the monastery in your itinerary. However the entire city is gorgeous, and it seems 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 may e-book a Montserrat tour with resort pick-up – making it one of many best day journeys from Barcelona. Nevertheless, to go eco-friendly, simply catch the practice from Barcelona-Sants Station. It takes simply over an hour by practice, and there’s no must e-book practice tickets prematurely. 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 superb day journey from Barcelona. The mountain vary is gorgeous and stuffed 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 count on 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 stated, the Pyrenees Mountains are incredible for skiers and hikers. You may 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 fans, 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 fortress stumbled throughout by the Dali couple. Salvador Dali purchased the Eleventh-century Pubol Fortress in 1969, rescuing it from an entire state of despair.
The ceilings had fallen by, and there have been cracks within the partitions – basically a wreck of what was beforehand medieval grandeur. Salvador constructed the rooms across the ‘new’ structure that the collapsed buildings created. Dali Fortress was remodeled right into a romantic, baroque-style architectural masterpiece. And, most romantically, Salvador devoted the complete undertaking to his spouse, Gala.
Now you’ll be able to go to this fortress on a day tour from Barcelona. The fortress is now a museum devoted to preserving the Dali historical past and story, in addition to showcasing the fortress’s architectural magnificence. Admiring the furnishings and decor, you’ll be able to independently stroll by the fortress 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 historical Roman fortifications. Girona’s community of manicured gardens and slim streets date again to the center ages, and its Jewish Quarter is filled with attribute arches. Even simply from photos of town, it’s simple to see why it was chosen as a filming location for Sport of Thrones.
It is among the prime day journeys from Barcelona with regards to structure and chasing day journeys that go away ‘large impressions.’ You may take a guided strolling tour of town or go to independently. Girona has many points of interest in addition to its attractiveness, together with Europe’s smallest sq., previous volcanoes on its outskirts, and cultural venues like cinemas.
Girona is simply 40 minutes from Barcelona by practice. It’s unimaginable that you’ve a unique metropolis expertise lower than one hour away. Girona is a incredible candidate for day journeys from Barcelona in case you don’t drive. Sport of Thrones followers, particularly, contemplate including Girona to your Barca itinerary.
Distance from Barcelona: 40 minutes by practice
9. Mallorca
Prepared for one of the crucial formidable day journeys from Barcelona you may ever take? One choice is to get the ferry to Mallorca in a single day, get pleasure from a morning on the Balearic Islands, after which catch a ferry again for the night in Barcelona. That is splendid for these wanting to maximise their time in Spain. And it requires minimal effort when it comes to transportation – you’ll be able to get pleasure from an evening on the water, scrumptious delicacies, and entry leisure like movie screenings. Whereas for evening’s sleep, there are non-public cabins to e-book. On the return ferry, you’ll be able to preserve 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 – usually 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 will likely be rewarded by a completely totally different environment in Mallorca. Palma has an enormous round fortress that dates again to the 14th century, an historical Arab bathhouse, and an actual huddle of aesthetic museums in several 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 seaside day journey with the oomph to make wandering across the city worthwhile when visiting. For seaside lovers trying to enterprise right into a little bit of sightseeing, go to Calella de Palafrugell. You may 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 decide a restaurant and take a look at some native delicacies earlier than kicking it on the seaside.
Calella de Palafrugell is good as a result of it has points of interest to entertain you in case you get bored sunbathing and the potential for a soothing seaside day. It’s splendid for these planning day journeys from Barcelona with a bunch of various touring kinds. Versatile and fairly, Calella de Palafrugell is a prime advice.
Distance from Barcelona: 3 hours by public transport or 1.5 hours by automobile
11. Sitges
Sitges is a enjoyable seaside city and one of the crucial 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 practice, simply 35 minutes from Barcelona’s metropolis heart. Because the final practice is simply earlier than 11pm, you’ll be able to benefit from the seaside after which take pleasure in some nightlife earlier than returning to Barcelona – making Sitges a full-day journey to contemplate.
Sitges is excess of simply the seaside and partying, although. You may get pleasure from 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 provides a unique vibe. Small however mighty Sitges is a inventive hub of tradition and neighborhood price visiting. And the frequent trains simply make this much more tempting.
Distance from Barcelona: 35 minutes by practice
12. Tarragona
It might be a daring assertion, however that is the highest day journey for historical past lovers. Tarragona is an historical Roman metropolis with ruins scattered all through its streets – making it one among Barcelona’s most fascinating archeological day journeys. As soon as referred to as Tarraco, in case you love Roman historical past, this metropolis is taken into account probably the greatest locations to study 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 practice journey. You head southwest, hugging the shoreline with lovely 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 practice
13. Vic
Heading inland shouldn’t be missed when planning day journeys from Barcelona. Vic is a big 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 points of interest 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 occasions), and 2nd century Roman Temple of Vic are metropolis highlights.
Vic is well reached by automobile in lower than an hour, however you may additionally take a bus in 1 hour and 20 minutes if driving isn’t an choice. It’s a pretty scenic route, slicing by agricultural landscapes and countryside that drastically contrasts the scenes in busy Barcelona. It is usually only a brief quantity of journey time – excellent for maximizing your time in Vic or squeezing the day journey into half a day if obligatory.
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 folks 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 will likely be price it. You’ll drive up in the direction of the French border, cross Girona (an excellent midway relaxation level), and end on the shoreline.
It’s splendid for combining a go to to Girona with a go to to a quieter, less-visited coastal city – one of the crucial 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 may take a look at the handful of museums; in any other case, simply chill out on a seaside day. It’s a glimpse into a completely totally different life-style in Catalonia.
For us, the out-of-the-way aspect is what offers Cadaques its attract. And the truth that it combines so properly with Girona is one other enormous bonus, that means that regardless of its ‘inaccessibility,’ it truly makes sensible sense. Cadaques is properly 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 lovely 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 a little bit village consisting primarily of a medieval walled fortress and medieval fortress. The buildings in Cardona date again to the eighth century and embody Romanesque and Gothic buildings. Whereas Cardona itself is about 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 (after all) the Castell de Cardona, which is especially lovely and dawn and sundown. You can even enterprise out to the close by salt mines to tour the underground stays of a once-thriving trade.
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 pleasure in its historical past and heritage. Cardona has been splendidly taken care of, and strolling by its slim streets and alongside its fortress partitions seems like stepping again in time resulting from these preservation efforts.
Distance from Barcelona: 1 hour quarter-hour by automobile and a couple 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 incredible 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 identical time, in late spring and summer time, Andorra is a prime climbing vacation spot and nice for purchasing.
You may attain Andorra from Barcelona in 3 hours and quarter-hour by direct bus. Alternatively, you’ll be able to hire 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 immediately 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 ravishing spot on the Mediterranean Sea – heavenly-looking and excellent for a fast day journey from Barcelona. The city has a shocking shoreline with an extended sandy seaside. However it isn’t only a seaside getaway; Castelldefels has historical past and tradition with its Castell de Fels and Gava Mines. Decide a few its prime points of interest and hop across the metropolis heart within the morning, heading to the seaside after for a relaxed afternoon. You gained’t have any points squeezing a full-day tour of Castelldefels in, as it’s only a 25-minute practice journey away.
Castelldefels caught our eye for its attractiveness as a seaside vacation spot. Nevertheless, its proximity to Barcelona is one other enormous plus. Castelldefels is tremendous handy. You may rapidly bounce on the practice from Barcelona Sants Station in case you fancy a fast seaside journey. Whereas if you would like one thing extra substantial, Castelldefels is an equally good choice, with loads of historical past due to its fortress and archaeological mines.
Distance from Barcelona: 25 minutes by automobile or practice
18. Premia de Mar
Premia de Mar is so small that calling it a seaside city is probably going an overstatement. Nevertheless, its small measurement makes it one of the crucial stress-free seaside day journeys from Barcelona. There are few sightseeing alternatives, however in case you crave high quality seaside time, you’ll be able to’t go incorrect with Premia de Mar’s sandy seashores. You may swim, sunbathe, after which seize meals from an area 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 practice and automobile. You may hop on a practice straight from central Barcelona and be on the seaside in lower than an hour. Or you’ll be able to drive if you have already got a rental automobile. Not everybody seems like venturing as much as Costa Brava searching for quiet sandy seashores, and Premia de Mar is a a lot nearer compromise.
Distance from Barcelona: 40 minutes by practice and 20 minutes by automobile
19. Colonia Guell
Overlook heaving Park Guell; Colonia Guell is a Gaudi-built neighborhood with nearly equivalent 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 concept was to create unique neighborhoods the place Barcelona locals may buy properties and reside in a modernist-designed neighborhood. Colonia Guell, specifically, was for use by industrial staff.
Gaudi was commissioned by Eusebi Guell so as to add homes, a faculty, retailers, 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 broadly 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 points of interest. Any of those day journeys from Barcelona are price engaging your self away from town heart for a single day. Barcelona day journeys are a should addition to any itinerary, and we’d recommend scheduling not less than a pair.
Notice that if you’re flying into the (extra budget-friendly) Girona Worldwide Airport, you need to mix this with a go to to the Sport of Thrones filming location and medieval metropolis, Girona. Including Girona as a day journey from the airport is an excellent approach to maximize your Barcelona day journeys.
Searching 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 heart of the Gothic Quarter. Take your time selecting an space.