19 Finest Day Journeys From Barcelona in 2023

Barcelona is famously filled with superb locations to go to. Why drag your self away from the historic heart of the Catalan capital? You’ll be able to 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 filled with unimaginable cultural actions, whether or not it’s your first journey or fiftieth, you must nonetheless put money into 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.

High Barcelona Day Journeys

On this information, we’ll cowl the perfect day journeys from Barcelona. You possibly can pencil in a soothing day journey to Arab baths or deal with among the greatest mountain 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 superb, particularly in case you are visiting Barcelona on a price range. Let’s take a look at the perfect day journeys Barcelona has obtainable. You’ll love these high 19 contenders.

1. Costa Brava

The Costa Brava is an enormous area in Catalonia. It calls for way over a day to see in its entirety. Costa Brava stretches from simply northeast of Barcelona metropolis heart to the French border, overlaying among the prettiest coastal villages and locations. It’s considered one of Barcelona’s hottest day journeys – both as a self-guided expertise or a guided tour like this full-day one. You’ll be able to 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.

In order for you an impartial journey, Costa Brava is greatest day-tripped by rental automobile on a street journey from Barcelona. You’ll be able to 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. Highway-tripping the Costa Brava as a day journey from Barcelona is vastly rewarding, and you might be all the time near a scrumptious dish or a wonderful 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 plenty of points of interest alongside the Costa Brava shoreline as day journeys in their very own proper. Nonetheless, for those who battle to squeeze a day journey in, road-tripping Costa Brava is a improbable, 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 considered one of 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 absorb its historic sights earlier than heading to Gran Seashore – which has previous wall ruins spilling onto the sands.

It’s positively 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 plenty of scuba diving and paddle boarding alternatives for those who fancy one thing a bit of 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 guide a shuttle service or guided tour for those who don’t drive. It is without doubt one of the most well-known Barcelona day journeys, so you must be capable to discover guided excursions simply.

• Distance from Barcelona: 1-hour 15-minute drive from Barcelona

3. Wine Tasting

Going wine tasting is a vastly pleasurable 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 types for those who tour the area. You’ll be able to merely guide a wine-tasting tour that features transport from Barcelona metropolis heart. There are numerous choices; some, like this one, even embrace conventional meals like tapas.

Wine-tasting excursions are good in order for you minimal touring however love tasting new wines. It combines a little bit of countryside sightseeing, too, as you’ll be venturing to some severely picturesque wineries. The excursions are usually half a day lengthy, however they range 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 beneath – surrounded by forest and wildlife. Solely round 1,000 residents stay in Castellfollit de la Roca. Nonetheless, it’s simply one of the vital photographed locations in Catalonia and one of many high day journeys from Barcelona in order for you 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 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 can 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 unquestionably properly value it.

• Distance from Barcelona: 1.5 hour drive from Barcelona

5. Montserrat

For those who go to Barcelona, you must 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.’ For those who guide a Montserrat tour from Barcelona, you’ll positively 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’ll be able to guide 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 practice from Barcelona-Sants Station. It takes simply over an hour by practice, and there’s no have to guide practice tickets prematurely. Montserrat is without doubt one of the most traditional day journey experiences; don’t miss this one in order for you 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 mountain climbing trails in summer time. For both a mountain 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 enormous 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 improbable for skiers and hikers. You’ll be able to 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 mountain climbing trails just like the Ayous Lakes Circuit or Carros de Foc are additionally unimaginable in spring and summer time. For outside 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 Fort Museum-Home

Gala Dalí Fort 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 Fort in 1969, rescuing it from a whole state of despair.

The ceilings had fallen by, and there have been cracks within the partitions – basically a smash of what was beforehand medieval grandeur. Salvador constructed the rooms across the ‘new’ structure that the collapsed buildings created. Dali Fort 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 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, guide 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 enormous 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 filled with attribute arches. Even simply from taking a look at footage of town, it’s simple to see why it was chosen as a filming location for Recreation of Thrones.

It is without doubt one of the high day journeys from Barcelona in the case of structure and chasing day journeys that depart ‘huge impressions.’ You’ll be able to take a guided strolling tour of town or go to independently. Girona has many points of interest moreover 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 special metropolis expertise lower than one hour away. Girona is a improbable candidate for day journeys from Barcelona for those who don’t drive. Recreation 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 vital 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 superb 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 a very good evening’s sleep, there are personal cabins to guide. 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 no less than as soon as on this journey.

Ferries from Barcelona depart within the night and arrive early within the morning in Mallorca – typically round 5:30 am. You port in Palma or Alcudia, supplying 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 attempt will probably be rewarded by a completely completely different environment 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 several plazas. Alcudia has medieval partitions and engaging Roman ruins websites. Traditionally, Mallorca has masses to supply, and atmosphere-wise, it’s far 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 seeking to enterprise right into a little bit of sightseeing, go to Calella de Palafrugell. You’ll be able to take a look at the Cami de Ronda Calella-Golfet remark deck, Torre de Calella, and hike the Cami de Ronda de Calella a Llafranc. Or simply choose a restaurant and take a look at some native delicacies earlier than kicking it on the seaside.

Calella de Palafrugell is sweet as a result of it has points of interest to entertain you for those who get bored sunbathing and the potential for a soothing seaside day. It’s superb for these planning day journeys from Barcelona with a gaggle of various touring kinds. Versatile and fairly, Calella de Palafrugell is a high suggestion.

• 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 vital LGBTQ+-friendly day journeys from Barcelona. The city is famend for its LGBTQ group and has an outgoing nightlife and occasion 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 bask in some nightlife earlier than returning to Barcelona – making Sitges a full-day journey to contemplate.

Sitges is way over simply the seaside and partying, although. You’ll be able to 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 gives a special vibe. Small however mighty Sitges is a artistic hub of tradition and group value visiting. And the frequent trains simply make this much more tempting.

• Distance from Barcelona: 35 minutes by practice

12. Tarragona

It could 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 considered one of Barcelona’s most fascinating archeological day journeys. As soon as known as Tarraco, for those who 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 large 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 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 without doubt one of 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 could 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 record instantly. It has a powerful neoclassical cathedral, a December medieval truthful 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 instances), and 2nd century Roman Temple of Vic are metropolis highlights.

Vic is definitely 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, reducing by agricultural landscapes and countryside that drastically contrasts the scenes in busy Barcelona. It is usually only a quick 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 no less than that’s what folks say. Tucked up by the border, it is without doubt one of the final coastal cities earlier than Catalonia flows into France, and solely the actually enthusiastic vacationers push themselves to enterprise to date northeast. Cadaques is someplace we’d counsel renting a automobile to go to, however belief us, will probably be value it. You’ll drive up in the direction of the French border, go Girona (an excellent 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 – one of the vital 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’ll be able to 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 completely different way of life in Catalonia.

For us, the out-of-the-way ingredient is what offers Cadaques its attract. And the truth that it combines so properly with Girona is one other big bonus, that means that regardless of its ‘inaccessibility,’ it really makes sensible sense. Cadaques is properly value the additional effort for those who 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 without doubt one of the most stunning medieval villages in Catalonia. This present day journey would be the most memorable for those who like atmospheric, movie-set-style locations. Tiny in comparison with the bigger Vic, Cardona is a bit of 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 buildings. Whereas Cardona itself is ready historically on a hill subsequent to the Cardoner River – a standard tactical location.

In Cardona, permit time to go to the Museu de la Sal de Cardona, its church, and (after all) the Castell de Cardona, which is especially stunning and dawn and sundown. You can too enterprise out to the close by salt mines to tour the underground stays of a once-thriving trade.

Sustainability lovers word 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 sorted, and strolling by its slender streets and alongside its fortress partitions appears like stepping again in time as a result of 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 record whereas visiting Barcelona? Andorra is without doubt one of the high 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 improbable day journey. Andorra is all ski slopes and pure parks – plus, it has a considerably incongruous duty-free procuring 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 high mountain climbing vacation spot and nice for procuring.

You’ll be able to 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 wonderful spot on the Mediterranean Sea – heavenly-looking and ideal for a fast day journey from Barcelona. The city has a shocking shoreline with an extended sandy seaside. But it surely 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 received’t have any points squeezing a full-day tour of Castelldefels in, as it’s only a 25-minute practice experience away.

Castelldefels caught our eye for its attractiveness as a seaside vacation spot. Nonetheless, its proximity to Barcelona is one other big plus. Castelldefels is tremendous handy. You’ll be able to rapidly soar on the practice from Barcelona Sants Station for those who fancy a fast seaside journey. Whereas in order for you one thing extra substantial, Castelldefels is an equally good choice, with loads of historical past due to its citadel 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. Nonetheless, its small measurement makes it one of the vital stress-free seaside day journeys from Barcelona. There are few sightseeing alternatives, however for those who crave high quality seaside time, you’ll be able to’t go unsuitable with Premia de Mar’s sandy seashores. You’ll be able to 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 big bonus of visiting Premia de Mar is that it’s accessible by practice and automobile. You’ll be able to 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 appears like venturing as much as Costa Brava in quest of 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 an identical tales, minus all of the crowds. It is without doubt one of the lesser-chosen day journeys from Barcelona as a result of it’s so much 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 stay in a modernist-designed group. Colonia Guell, specifically, was for use by industrial employees.

Gaudi was commissioned by Eusebi Guell so as to add homes, a college, 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 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 points of interest. Any of those day journeys from Barcelona are value attractive your self away from town heart for a single day. Barcelona day journeys are a should addition to any itinerary, and we’d counsel scheduling no less than a pair.

Word 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 an excellent option to maximize your Barcelona day journeys.

On the lookout for extra inspiration about visiting Barcelona? We advise 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.