15 Perfect Day Trips from Barcelona by Train and Car
Written by Nadia Podrabinek
Hello, my name is Nadia. I usually write about traveling (there are so many places to fit all the lifestyles), relocation, and living in a foreign country (adapting to a different culture). My travels stretch beyond Spain, with journeys to the US, Italy, Norway, Portugal, and France. Relocating to Spain in 2018, I lived in cities from Barcelona to Madrid, currently calling Valencia home. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn! ... show more
Barcelona is the second most populous Spanish city east-south from Madrid in Costa Brava coastal region.
It is an excellent starting point for numerous day trips as the country’s most touristic city with all its hustle and bustle. There are many well-connected cities around Barcelona, with beaches, mountains, cathedrals, aqueducts, castles, medieval walls, and other scenic sights.
So, get on the train or bus, and explore the beauty of Catalonia.
What people say on Reddit
Montserrat: Pretty cool mountaintop monestary. Very picturesque with nice walking paths. An easy car drive up and free parking or a tram ride up through the surrounding countryside (you can actually grab the tram right in Pl Esanya)
Zaragoza: You can take the local trains there, very pretty, worth walking around at LEAST for a day, and the train trips are fairly reasonable, again, if you have a group of 4-5, it is cheap enough to go to a rental agency like Sixt and rent a car for the day to get out there and back.
Penguin00
What are you looking for??
If you want to do “city tourism” Girona is a must go. It’s easy the most beatiful city of Catalonia.
If you want to do more like a towns and/or medieval-stoney village kind of tourism I recomennd Rupit i Pruït, where you can also visit the city of Vic which is beatiful, and the mountains of Collsacabra in a 20 min route from Rupit to Salt de Sallent and Sant Joan de Fabregas church. Also there is Morro de l’abella and Tavertet in the area, very photogenic.
You also can go to Besalú and Santa Pau, two medieval villages in inner Girona, or to Pals, Peratallada or Monells, near the coast. In that area you also have stunning beaches in Begur, Tamariu and Calella de Palafrugell so you can combine both things
RogCrim44
We just finished a ten (incredible) day trip to BCN; we went to Sitges for one night and loved it so much we extended our hotel another night. We also took the Renfe to Girona and we there from 10 to 1700 and we felt it was just the right amount of time. We also did a guided tour of the Montserrat Abbey which included a bus shuttle which was nice. The views there are incredible and pictures don’t do it justice, you have to witness it in person.
No-Diamond330
Figueras is close by train. It can be a very good day trip.
Colonia Guell is also nice to visit.
La Roca if you like shopping.
Tarragona.
Actually, any place in Catalunya that is connected by train is a good place to visit, like Girona, but for that, staying over a night would be good. Outside Catalunya and close by, Zaragoza is awesome, the best lamb ever.
erebostnyx
Best Day Trips from Barcelona
- Montserrat
- Sitges
- Segovia
- Girona
- Tarragona
- Tossa de Mar
- Colonia Güell
- Vall de Núria
- Sant Sadurní d’Anoia
- Figueres
- Port Aventura
Montserrat
The mountain and the monastery of Montserrat are one of the top day trips for anyone visiting Barcelona. The mountain is truly impressive with its unending amount of peaks and jagged rocks that decorate the mountain. It is a real must-see when going to Barcelona. On top of its breathtaking views, Montserrat has symbolic importance for Catalans.
Read also: The tallest mountains in Spain
Montserrat travel tips
Montserrat (“serrated mountain”) is just an hour outside Barcelona. Its proximity and all it offers make it one of the best day trips from Barcelona.
The first thing to understand about Montserrat is how you will get there. The fastest way is to go in a car or take a private vehicle if you have that option. Don’t worry, there is a train to Montserrat, and then you take a cogwheel train or a cable car to get on the mountain. The only downside of traveling on a train is that you have fewer chances to skip the big rush.
Tip You really do want to get to Montserrat before 10 am, which is achievable in a car. You can also get there from Plaça d’Espanya by train, which arrives a bit later, so the sightseeing may be more crowded.
You can also get some travel information on the official website.
What to do in Montserrat
If you dedicate an entire day to Montserrat, you will have plenty of time to get to know the area.
If you’re into hiking, Montserrat offers all sorts of different trails with amazing views. No wonder over 2 million people make the trip to Montserrat every year.
Montserrat is also a place for pilgrimage and deep religious meaning. Many people visit the mountain for a thousand-year-old Monastery’s Basilica to see the Virgin of Montserrat.
Tip If you plan to see the Virgin, make sure you beat the rush and arrive around 9 am.
Apart from the cultural visit, Montserrat offers incredible views and picture opportunities. You can also move further to the top of the mountain with Sant Joan Funicular and save some time for your walks. It will cost around €14 round trip.
Tip Check the sculpture of a stairway to heaven.
How to get to Montserrat from Barcelona:
Train (operated by FGC)
- Departs: Plaça d’Espanya in Barcelona
- Arrives: Monistrol de Montserrat
+ cogwheel train or cable car to Montserrat - Shortest travel time: 90 minutes
Bus (operated by Autocares Julia)
- Departs: Barcelona Sants station
- Arrives: Monistrol de Montserrat
- Shortest travel time: 1 hour
Sitges
Sitges is a picturesque seaside city just 40 minutes south of Barcelona.
Surprisingly, there is a lot to see in Sitges. You can explore its historical center with many side streets to walk through.
There are lovely little squares, the town hall, the famous Sitges’ church, and many beautiful modernist buildings. I would also recommend visiting the Cau Ferrat Museum.
Walk down to the beach and take these iconic photos of the city’s coastline.
There are some specific things about Sitges, like gay and nudist beaches (3 out of 17). I would say Sitges is a gay-friendly city.
Tip Make sure you head to Sitges on a sunny day so you can spend a glorious day on the beach.
I mentioned Sitges as one of the best Spanish cities to live by the sea.
Train (operated by Renfe)
- Departs: Sants station in Barcelona
- Arrives: Sitges train station
- Shortest travel time: 30 minutes
Bus (operated by Monbus)
- Departs: several addresses in Barcelona
- Arrives: Sitges bus station
- Shortest travel time: 40 minutes
Girona
People come to see Girona because of its beautiful and well-preserved historic center. The Jewish heritage in the old town of Girona is fascinating. Actually, it is one of my favorite Spanish cities that I’ve ever visited.
The best and the fastest way to get to Girona is by high-speed train, it will take you there for around 40 minutes, and another 10-15 minutes walk to the city center.
See the small red Eiffel bridge, which crosses the Onyar river in a colorful historic district. Check out the old town, Cathedral, Roman walls, Jewish quarter El Call, Arab baths, numerous alleyways, and other hidden gems.
Set aside an entire day for Girona.
Train (operated by Renfe)
- Departs: Sants station in Barcelona
- Arrives: Girona train station
- Shortest travel time: 40 minutes
- Tickets: from €16
Bus (operated by Alsa)
- Departs: Estación del Nord in Barcelona
- Arrives: Girona bus station
- Shortest travel time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Tarragona
Tarragona is one of the best day trips you can take outside of the city of Barcelona. It’s one of the 15 cities in all of Spain that Patrimony of Humanity by Unesco. You definitely have to check it out!
5 things to do in Tarragona on a day trip
See Tarraco, an old Roman city of Tarragona. It is the real gem of the city and was one of the most important establishments in the Roman Empire. The ancient remnants of the Roman era are scattered all over the city, granting Tarragona its World Heritage site status.
If you’re coming to the Cathedral, it’s worth it to go inside (the fee is €5), and for an extra €10-15, you will have the guided tour, and they’ll take you to the bell tower. The bell tower offers the best views of Tarragona.
Another spot you must come over to is La Rambla Nova, the new Rambla, much like Barcelona. It’s a big walkway with a bunch of different shops, ending at the Mediterranean sea with a balcony. On this balcony, you will have some other beautiful city views out to each side.
The other thing you have to see is the circus with praetorium. This is one of the city’s four most important Roman parts that you need to see on this day trip. Get inside and explore many hidden tunnels underneath the praetorium.
Tip Buy a €7,40 ticket which includes the visit to all four Roman sites of the city you need to see.
Subsequently, see the beautiful Roman amphitheater right next to the praetorium. If you’ve seen “Gladiator,” it will also bring you back to those memories of that movie.
Next, walk along the Roman walls. You will see a lot of reminiscences of Roman history and learn how big the city was.
Make sure you dedicate an entire day to Tarragona. There is plenty to go for in this ancient city!
Train (operated by Renfe)
- Departs: Sants station in Barcelona
- Arrives: Tarragona train station
- Shortest travel time: 52 minutes
Bus (operated by Alsa)
- Departs: Estación del Nord in Barcelona
- Arrives: Tarragona bus station
- Shortest travel time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Tossa de Mar
Tossa de Mar is a small and cozy seaside resort with a walled medieval center and a seaside tower. It’s one of Costa Brava’s remarkable locations, easiest to reach from Barcelona on a day trip. Set aside at least half a day for your Tossa de Mar itinerary.
Bus (operated by Sarfa)
- Departs: Estación del Nord in Barcelona
- Arrives: Tossa de Mar bus station
- Shortest travel time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Colonia Güell
Colonia Güell was a purpose-built mill village, dating back to the end of the 19th century. Its church, designed by Antonio Gaudi, is documented on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
Set aside at least half a day for your Colonia Güell day trip.
Train (operated by FGC)
- Departs: Plaça d’Espanya in Barcelona
- Arrives: Colonia Güell train station
- Shortest travel time: 22 minutes
Vall de Núria
Vall de Núria is a beautiful mountain destination in the Pyrenees mountains. It’s lovely during the summer, but many people also flock to Vall de Núria during the winter. Assuming the traveling distance, you will need an entire day to make the most of Vall de Núria.
Train (operated by Renfe)
- Departs: several stations in Barcelona
- Arrives: Ribes de Freser + Rack railway to Vall de Núria
- Shortest travel time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Sant Sadurní d’Anoia
Sant Sadurní d’Anoia is a small town in the very center of the cava (Spanish sparkling wine) production region in Catalonia. You will find the headquarters of famous cava producers such as Corodrníu and Freixenet.
You will spend half a day at Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, visiting the old little town and a couple of cellars.
Train (operated by Renfe)
- Departs: Sants station in Barcelona
- Arrives: Sant Sadurní train station
- Shortest travel time: 42 minutes
Bus (operated by Hillsa)
- Departs: Calle Urgell in Barcelona
- Arrives: Sant Sadurní bus station
- Shortest travel time: 45 minutes
Figueres (Dalí Museum)
The Dalí Museum in the city of Figueres is the largest collection of art created by Dalí. The museum provides an incredible trip into the artist’s mind. You will need at least half a day for the museum.
Train (operated by Renfe)
- Departs: Sants station in Barcelona
- Arrives: Figueres-Vilafant train station
- Shortest travel time: 55 minutes
Bus
The bus travel time to Figueres is 2 hours and 30 minutes, making the bus inconvenient for a day trip.
Port Aventura
Port Aventura is the largest amusement park in Spain. It’s so big that can be seen from many nearby towns. Actually, it is a complex formed by three separate parks, including Ferrari Land and a water park.
You will need a full day to make the most of this amusement park.
Train (operated by Renfe)
- Departs: Sants station in Barcelona
- Arrives: Port Aventura train station
- Shortest travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Tickets: from €10
What is the main train station in Barcelona?
The largest train station in Barcelona is Sants station, in the Sants-Montjuïc district. From this station, you can travel both nationally and internationally.
Each year, around 30 million passengers pass through this station in Barcelona, surpassed only by Madrid-Atocha station. You will find long or medium-distance routes and high-speed trains, such as AVE, Avant, or Alvia. All trains stop at Sants, making it the best-connected train station in Barcelona.
What is the main bus station in Barcelona?
The main bus station in Barcelona is the Estación del Nord, and you will find it a few steps from the Arc de Triomphe. Buses leave to almost all Catalan and Spanish cities and to the most important capitals of Europe.
It has 47 platforms, air-conditioned waiting rooms, a shopping arcade, bars and restaurants, luggage storage, parking, tourist information, and delivery service. Among the 25 companies that operate in this station, the most important and with the most frequencies are Alsa, Eurolines, Flixbus, and Sarfa. You can take the urban bus line 54 or the L1 metro to the Arc de Triomf station to get to Estación del Nord.
Close cities and sights for a day trip from Barcelona
Here is a short comparison table for some noticeable spots if you’re going by train or bus/car.
Distance, km | By Train | By Bus | |
Colonia Güell | 15 | 22m | – |
Sant Cugat del Vallès | 25 | 50m | 25m |
Garraf | 32 | 33m | 40m |
Sitges | 40 | 30m | 40m |
Sant Sadurní d’Anoia | 44 | 42m | 45m |
Maresme | 45 | – | 1h (in a car) |
Montserrat | 57 | 1h30m | 1h |
Girona | 104 | 40m | 1h35m |
Tossa de Mar | 105 | – | 1h20m |
Tarragona | 107 | 52m | 1h10m |
Port Aventura | 118 | 1h15m | – |
Besalú | 131 | – | 1h25m (in a car) |
Figueres | 141 | 55m | >2h30m |
Cadaqués | 170 | 2h | |
Vall de Núria | 178 | 2h30m | – |
Final thoughts
So, that was my selection of the perfect day trips from Barcelona. You may ask, what would you do if you only had time for a couple of these day trips?
The choice is yours, but I suggest including the Montserrat mountain. It is not only a beautiful destination but also it is a sacred location for Catalans. Girona and Tarragona will be solid choices if you are into the historic cities.
If you want to have fun in the snow, go for Vall de Nuria or straight to Andorra. Remember, both of them are as beautiful in the winter as in the summer (you can go hiking instead of winter sports).
If you’re looking for a shorter day trip including the beach, head to Tossa de Mar or Sitges.
If you have any questions or suggestions, leave your comment below!