Best Day-trips from Barcelona

If you have a good amount of time in Barcelona and want to get out of the city for a day or two, I've compiled a list of day-trips from the city that I really enjoyed. These are places relatively easy to get to and you'll be back in Barcelona by dinner time ! (At least Spanish dinner time, which is usually around 9 or 10pm). 1. Sitges

Beach in Sitges

If you want a new beach to go to, go to Sitges, you have 17 options to choose from ! It is only 40km south of Barcelona, about 45 minutes on the bus. Before you go to the beach, explore some of the town's history. Visit the church of Saint Bartomeu, a church from the Middle Ages built before 1236. The church you see today was built in the 17th and finished in the 18th century after the original church collapsed.

In the old town of Sitges

Go for a walk on the Maritime Passage and enjoy the view of the sea and the smell of salt water. 2. Montserrat

Funicular up to the monastery at Montserrat

Another place that is great to explore, this time inland and away from the beaches, in the mountains. Montserrat is easy to get to by bus. If you want to take the bus to the funicular (I recommend doing this) make sure to check the opening times of the funicular. I didn't and I got there too early and had to wait. Luckily I always have a book with me. If I don't want to carry a book around all day, bring your headphones so you can listen to a podcast (if you don't have an international phone plan, make sure to download podcasts while you're connected to wifi !). The stone from this mountain are used in the construction of Sagrada Familia. Montserrat is home to a monastery. There is usually a long line to go into the monastery to kiss the virgin, this was before Covid, so I am not sure of any new regulations.

Monastery at Monserrat

I did an easy hike when I went (I wore a dress and sandals and was able to hike). The views are spectacular.

Hiking in a dress and sandals (not flip flops, good sandals)

Views on my small hike

Click here for a tour of Montserrat from Barcelona, including transportation !

3. Figueres

the Dali Museum in Figueres

If you're a fan of Salvador Dali, make sure to go to Figueres and check out the Dali museum, designed by Dali himself. The town is also where Dali was born. Figueres is about an hour and a half away from Barcelona, but to go here I went with a tour group I found on GetYourGuide, link below.

I didn't explore the town, I really just went to go to the Dali museum. We also stopped in Calella de Palafrugell, Llafranc, and Pals.

Take a guided day trip from Barcelona.

4. Tossa de Mar

Beautiful house with flowers in Tossa de Mar

I don't know about you, but I usually have a mental block on really beautiful places. And what I mean is I see places, like Tossa de Mar, on the internet and think I'll never make it there. This is one of those places. It is so incredibly beautiful and you can take a bus from Barcelona to get there, it takes about an hour and a half. If I could do it as a solo traveller, so can you !

Walking through the town along the old city walls leads to this magnificent view

Walk the old city walls and discover the town. This is the only remaining example of a fortified town on the Catalan coast.

You enter through this door and take a staircase down to the beach

Visit Costa Brave, which includes Tossa de Mar, link here. 5. Pals

View of Pals from the bell tower

Pals is a small, medieval town that is very picturesque. You can go up the tower that was built somewhere between the 11th and 13th centuries. Enjoy the cobblestone streets and if you have time, visit the archaeology museum (I am an archaeologist, so of course I'm going to always suggest the archaeology museums !).

Another great option for things like the Dali Museum and includes Pals can be found here.

*This post contains affiliate links that gives me a little money at no extra cost to you.