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Best day trips from Barcelona: Local picks and travel tips
From the walk of shame of Cersei in Girona to tasting a traditional wine in the Penedès region, find out which are the best day trips from Barcelona.
If you’re planning to take some day trips from Barcelona, Montserrat, Girona, Tarragona, and the Costa Brava are easily reachable by train in two hours max.
With one of the best train networks in all of Europe, Barcelona is easily connected with nearby cities, so once you’re done exploring all of Gaudí’s masterpieces and enjoying a day in Tibidabo, you have plans for the rest of your trip.
This guide covers the best day trips from Barcelona and how to explore these destinations while using a Holafly eSIM for Spain, with insights from Isaac Carpio, our local Holaflyer.
Peace of mind before you fly
Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.
1. Montserrat
One of the closest day trips from Barcelona is Montserrat, accessible via cable car from Plaça Espanya and taking around 1 to 1:30 hours to reach.
The main attraction is the 11th-century Benedictine monastery and the famous Black Madonna, built in the Romanesque style.
While going up, the Aeri de Montserrat cable car offers 360-degree views of the city, or, if the weather is good enough, you can hike to the Sant Jeroni peak.
If you’re looking for an alternative to the Aeri de Montserrat cable car, take the Cremallera rack railway.
For Isaac, here’s what he tells us about Montserrat: “Montserrat: A spectacular, multi-peaked jagged mountain range featuring a Benedictine monastery perched right on the cliffs.”
2. Girona
After a 40-minute trip by high-speed train, you get to visit Girona: “a gorgeous river city packed with Roman and medieval history, a maze-like Jewish Quarter, and a world-class culinary scene,” according to Isaac.
Home to one of the most remarkably preserved Jewish quarters, El Call, as well as Carrer de la Força and the Museu d’Història dels Jueus, and it’s surrounded by the popular medieval walls.
Plus, if you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you’ll recognize the Cathedral of Saint Mary — its grand staircase stood in for the Great Sept of Baelor in Season 6, the setting for Margaery Tyrell’s walk of atonement and Jaime Lannister’s dramatic ride up the steps.
Since everything is pretty close, you can also check out the Arab baths, the Place de Sant Feliu, and the Plaça de la Independencia to explore all of Girona’s most iconic landmarks.
Also, the River Onyar will be part of your visit, so take your time to enjoy the city views as you watch the river flow calmly.
Travel tip: Visiting Girona usually takes less than half a day; think about combining your visit with Figueres for a full-day experience.
3. Sitges
If you’re looking for a city with plenty of nightlife, beaches, and LGBTQ+-friendly spots, Sitges should be your next stop from Barcelona.
Sitges is located 40 minutes from Barcelona by train, with nearly 70 trains departing daily, so it’s a great option to get away from the bustling streets of Barcelona.
While in Sitges, take your time to explore the old town, where charming boutiques and cafes create a vivid scenery, before heading to any of the 17 beaches located in this coastal paradise.
If you can’t find a spot on the beach, you can walk around the Passeig Maritime instead, which runs the coastal Sitges line.
Not up for beaches? Then walk around the city to check out the modernist mansions that blend with modern scenery and visit a local bar before heading back to Barcelona.
What about some local insights? Here’s what Isaac tells us about Sitges: “Our favorite coastal getaway. It has beautiful sandy beaches, a stunning 17th-century seaside church, and a vibrant, progressive nightlife.“
Travel tip: Sitges is usually busy in summer, so it’s better to visit during weekdays.
4. Tarragona
Located 1 hour away from Barcelona, Tarragona is the perfect getaway for history buffs who want to see Roman ruins without the Rome hustle and bustle.
With a UNESCO-listed Roman amphitheater overlooking the sea, which also offers some of the best views of the city, this should be your first stop in Tarragona before heading over to the city’s cathedral.
The Devil’s Bridge aqueduct is also worth a visit, as this ancient Roman landmark remains one of the most important historical sites in the city, even though it’s located a little over 4 km north of Tarragona.
Once you’re done, make sure you walk around the historic old town and head over to the Balcó de Mediterrani to get a breath of fresh air before enjoying some local food.
5. Figueres
Home to the famous surrealist artist Salvador Dalí and a key city during the Spanish Civil War, Figueres rapidly became one of the best day trips from Barcelona.
It takes about 2 hours to get to Figueres from Barcelona, and when visiting the city, it’s best to book all activities in advance, as it’s usually packed with tourists, especially at the Dalí Theatre-Museum.
Other major attractions to visit are the Sant Ferran Castle, with a perimeter of over 5.6 km, the breathtaking Gothic St. Peter’s Church, and the Technical Museum of the Empordà, home to one of the largest collections of antique typewriters.
6. Penedès Wine Region
For Isaac, the Penedès region is Catalonia’s premier wine country, located just 50 minutes south of Barcelona, in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia.
Some additional insights from Isaac are: “You can easily walk or rent a bike from the train station to visit historic, family-run estates like Recaredo or Gramona to taste biodynamic, long-aged sparkling wines directly in the cool underground cellars.”
Plus, as this is the birthplace of Cava, it’s the perfect place to pick up a souvenir from Barcelona, since this denominación de origen wine makes a great gift for many people.
6. Costa Brava: Tossa de Mar and Cadaqués
If you want to slow down the pace of your trip, Tossa de Mar and Cadaqués are two of the most scenic towns to visit in the Costa Brava region.
First, Tossa del Mar, which Isaac introduces us to in the following way: “Located on the Costa Brava, it is the only remaining fortified medieval town on the Catalan coast.”
With main attractions including a 13th-century castle overlooking hidden coves and the Villa Vella, the city’s old town. The Platja Gran and the Roman Villa of Ametllers are also worth visiting before heading to Cadaqués.
Cadaqués, on the other hand, is a picturesque, isolated fishing town that’s famous for the whitewashed Mediterranean-style houses and beaches with crystalline waters. It’s also popular, as Salvador Dalí lived there, being its creative refuge for many years.
Both cities are less than three hours away from Barcelona, so it’s perfect to combine them on a single day trip.
Bonus quick mentions
Going for a second or third time to Barcelona and still have some free time on your schedule?
Maybe the traditional day trips from Barcelona aren’t enough, so here are some bonus mentions to consider:
- Andorra: Looking for shopping and enjoying the Pyrenees scenery? Then a bus to Andorra. It takes around three hours to get there, and it’s even one of the top destinations for an overnight stay.
- Garrotxa Volcanic Zone: 2 hours from Girona, an area with 40 dormant volcanoes and lush forests awaits hikers and cyclists who want a top day trip from Barcelona that’s different from the rest.
- Besalú: One of the best day trips from Barcelona by car is Besalú, which is near Girona, and it’s a great addition to explore a fortified Romanesque village if you’re not relying on Barcelona public transport only.
- Snat Pol de Mar: Quieter and less touristy than Sitges, it’s a perfect 30-minute getaway from Barcelona to enjoy crystal-clear water and golden-sand beaches without the crowds.
Tips for planning your Barcelona day trips
If you’re ready to hit other destinations close to Barcelona, here are some tips to help you travel like a local:
- The train is the best option for most day trips from Barcelona. Renfe and the high-speed AVE trains cover most of Spain, so buy your tickets in advance.
- Cadaqués and Garrotxa are easier to reach by bus or car than by train, so keep this in mind when planning how many days to spend in Barcelona.
- When visiting Figueres, book all activities in advance, especially those related to Dalí, as they are usually sold out.
- Spring and early autumn are the best months to enjoy beach weather before intense summer crowds arrive.
- Mobile data is essential for booking trains, navigating with Google Maps, or requesting an Uber or Bolt ride. Consider using an eSIM to stay connected wherever you go.
Stay connected on your Barcelona day trips with Holafly
When planning day trips from Barcelona, you can’t forget about staying connected during the whole process.
Whether it is to check at what time your train departs from Sants, check Google Maps while doing the walk of shame in Girona, or find a last-minute hotel close to the sea in the Costa Brava, internet will help you out.
That’s where an eSIM for Spain comes in very handy, with unlimited data plans, 5G data speeds, and coverage in all of Spain, even in those little cities close to Barcelona.
Plus, you get the Always On perk, which gives you 1 GB of backup data, so even if you go shopping in Andorra, you stay connected to move around like a local.
Peace of mind before you fly
Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.
FAQs
Girona, Sitges, Tarragona, and Penedès are great options for a day trip by train from Barcelona.
Cities in Costa Brava, such as Tossa del Mar and Cadaqués, are great for those looking for less-crowded beaches; Penedès is great for wine lovers; and Girona and Sitges are great for walking around.
Montserrat is pretty close to Barcelona, taking less than an hour to get there with the different public transport options
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I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
