Europe

Best Day Trips From Barcelona

27 February, 2022

Barcelona is an amazing city, one of the best to visit in Europe, not only for its beauty but for the ability to visit other nearby cities that are amazing as well. That is why this list features the best day trips that you can take from Barcelona, Spain!

Montserrat

You can escape the city of Barcelona and travel for 1.5 hours to arrive in the uniquely shaped mountains of Montserrat.

Montserrat translates to the jagged teeth of a handsaw, which you will understand once you see the mountains. They tower high above the landscape and it takes a train and cable car to get there.

If you’re not that much into hiking or climbing, you can visit the Montserrat Monastery. This is an important religious site for the Catalan people.

Sitges

Sitges is a small beach town about 40 minutes southwest of Barcelona. There are 17 beaches to choose from in this little town. Stick to the ones closest to the main strip if you want to maximize your time in town and enjoy beach bars, facilities, and rentals.

If you prefer quieter beaches, venture farther out to those that are more secluded. The architecture and buildings are amazing. Walk past the big church on Fonollar Street to see the popular old white buildings along the water.

Sant Cugat del Vallès

Just 17 km from Barcelona, Sant Cugat del Vallès is a peaceful city. The city is popular due to its monastery, as well as the church that belongs to it, are located right in the heart of the city. You will find many signs throughout the town pointing you in the right direction.

The most beautiful part and the true highlight of the monastery is the cloister with its open patio in which you can walk around and take pictures, in addition to that inside the monastery is a museum.

Girona

Located between Barcelona and the French border, Girona is a beautiful town. Girona has an authentic old town, one of the five best-preserved in all of Spain. Independence Square (Placa de la Independencia) is the heart of the city, where you can meet the locals and have a glass of wine or sangria.

It is worth taking a walk through the narrow streets winding among houses, looking into shared rooms, staircases, and courtyards in the Jewish Quarter. The stroll can be extended by entering the city walls and admiring the panorama of the city and the magnificent landscapes surrounding Girona, including the Pyrenees.

Figueres

Figueres is located 150 km (93 miles) north of Barcelona. It is a major tourist attraction mainly due to one thing – the Dali Museum.

Salvador Dali was a painter and artist that helped sculpt the face of Spanish art and surrealism. His museum is an ode to his work, the relationship between function and open space, and other surrealist artists of today and the past.

Andorra

The Principality of Andorra is one of the smallest countries in Europe, squeezed between Spain and France in the Pyrenees. This tiny but sovereign state is a perfect day trip from Barcelona.

Andorra is an all-year-round destination. During summer you can explore nature, centuries-old mansions, and churches, Andorra la Vella, where you’ll find handicraft shops, and during the winter it is a popular skiing spot.