When visiting Spain, Barcelona is one of the most popular destinations. Plus, it’s also a great starting point for several day trip destinations in the region! I’ve collaborated with a few other travel bloggers to present nine of the best Barcelona day trip itineraries.
Barcelona Day Trip #1: Wine Tasting.
Contributor: Stephanie, Wandering Why Traveler
Few things are more magical than noshing on cheese, charcuterie, and tomate con pana, while sipping cava on the property of an out of this world winery. When it comes to wineries in the Catalonia region, there’s no shortage. From luxuriating in the coolness of a castle’s basement to running your fingers over the bullet holes left behind during the Spanish Civil War at a family-run winery, there are plenty of options for unique ambiance and history. Some places might offer breakfast and sparkling wine tasting while others offer lessons on how to taste wine and how each one is made. Prepare to be full, drunk, and to make a lot of new friends!
Barcelona Day Trip #2: Montserrat.
Contributor: Maureen, So Many Places! So Little Time!
Undoubtedly, one of the very best Barcelona day trip options is to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city and head northwest to the peace and serenity of Montserrat. The Benedictine Monk retreat is located at the top of a very unique rocky outcrop and monks still live there. The Montserrat Monastery dates back to the 10th century and has very special religious significance in Spain.
There is plenty to see in and around the basilica including the church, the museum, and the chapel. With some luck, you might get to hear the renowned Escolania de Montserrat, which is one of the oldest choirs in the country and entirely composed of 14-year-olds. Spanish pilgrims also come to visit the Black Madonna wooden statue in the basilica which is said to have healing powers.
There are plenty of other options for places to go and things to do. Montserrat Mountain was established as a national park in 1987 and if you love hiking there are plenty of mountain tracks and rock climbing opportunities to suit all levels of fitness. It’s also great for those who enjoy wildlife photography.
The quickest and most scenic way to get there is to take the R5 line from Placa Espanya station to either Aeri de Montserrat, where you will take the cable car up the mountain, or to Monistrol, where you will take the funicular or cogwheel train. There are stunning mountain views from both options. We suggest you go up the mountain one way and come down the mountain the other way. The trip will take one to two hours each way.
Barcelona Day Trip #3: Tossa Del Mar.
Contributor: Vicki, Vicki Viaja
Check Out the City AND the Beach Here.
Barcelona Day Trip #4: Costa Brava.
Contributor: Karen, Outdoor Adventure Sampler
Costa Brava is a stunning coastal area that starts about 60 km from Barcelona and runs to the French border. It is a destination of picturesque villages, rocky coastline, and gorgeous beaches and bays. The mild Mediterranean climate makes it a pleasant year-round getaway. The area stretches inland to include charming historic villages. These medieval fortresses offer a rich history of this part of Catalonia.
The best way to get there is by car. I rented one in Barcelona to visit the coastal hiking areas near Begur. It took me about 2 hours to get to the area. It was December so I knew the beaches usually crawling with visitors would be quiet. I could walk the beautiful paths and have the rocky inlets and beaches to myself.
The Camins de Ronda is a hiking path that traces the shoreline of Costa Brava. It runs from Blanes to Portbou, a distance of 220 km. I hiked the section from Sa Tuna to Llafranc.
It was a gorgeous December day with sun warming the air to a comfortable hiking temperature. The sun transformed the sea to magical shades of blue and green. Ancient stair steps climbed over rocky headwalls right next to the sea. Fisherman’s boats ready for their next foray into the water lined the coast. Steep cliffs plunged into the Mediterranean Sea. At one point the trail passed through a tunnel with an opening that perfectly framed the aqua blue water, reddish cliffs, and green and yellow foliage.
Following the red and white blazes of the Camins de Ronda hiking trail brought me to beautiful, deserted beaches and rocky coves. At times the path travelled through the backyards of houses, and I imagined how the historic trail was the age-old connection of villagers to their neighbors.
Don’t Forget to Check Out The History Here.
After my hiking adventure in Costa Brava I decided to explore one of the medieval cities in the area. I drove to Pals and parked the rental car to walk the narrow streets of the village. I was enchanted by the medieval architecture that appeared at every turn of the cobblestone passageways. Arches, towers, and stone balconies dating from the 4th century were carefully built to withstand the ages. Pals is a fortress built high on a hill so the views over the plains around it are stunning.
With so much to do in Costa Brava on a day trip from Barcelona, it’s understandable why this area is a popular destination.
Barcelona Day Trip #5: Girona.
Contributor: Stephanie, Wandering Why Traveler
Visit Girona to feel as though you’ve completely stepped back in time to some kind of medieval, Romeo-and-Juliet scene from history. Meander down the winding narrow corridors of the Jewish Quarter and learn about the Jewish people who lived in Girona. Stand outside of a real Juliet balcony and run your fingers along walls built by the Romans. Walk down the steps of the Girona Cathedral, and see more than a few Game of Thrones filming sites as you wander around the city.
Barcelona Day Trip #6: Tarragona.
Contributor: Becky, It’s Just Becks
Don’t Forget the Beaches!
Barcelona Day Trip #7: Madrid.
Contributor: Dymphe, Dymabroad
One of the best Barcelona day trips is to the capital city of Madrid. From Barcelona it takes about 2.5 hours to reach the city. Madrid offers many different attractions.
One of the best things to do in Madrid is going to the Prado Museum. This is an amazing museum that has a great collection of European art that ranges from the 12th till the 20th century. Some notable artists whose work is on display at the Prado Museum include Goya, Rubens, Titian, and many others.
Plaza Mayor is a large public square that offers stunning architecture.
Also, El Retiro Park is definitely worth visiting when doing a day trip to Madrid. This is one of the city’s largest parks and you find here a lot of great nature and interesting structures. This place is perfect for a relaxing walk. Another highlight of the city is the Royal Palace of Madrid. This is a very large palace that is incredible to see, and it’s still in use.
Consider also shopping at the famous Calle Gran Via. If you’re hungry, try out some Spanish food at the Mercado de San Miguel. This is an incredible covered market with stalls selling all sorts of items.
Another point of interest in Madrid is Puerta del Sol, which hosts many interesting events. If you visit Madrid in winter you’ll find all kinds of festivities here as well!
Barcelona Day Trip #8: Lloret de Mar.
Contributor: Kerry, VeggTravel
What To Do Here:
Barcelona Day Trip #9: The Dali Museum.
Contributor: Dzangir Kolar, Dr Jam Travels
If you are into art and would like to get out of Barcelona a bit, then visiting Dali’s Theater-Museum in Figueres is an excellent option. Figueres is located north of Barcelona towards France, around 150 kilometers away. You can arrive there by car or train in less than 2 hours. You can combine your visit with stops to Girona in Spain or Perpignan in France.
The museum is easy to find in the city center at Plaça Gala i Salvador Dalí, 5. It is open from 10:30 until 15:00. The entrance fee is 14 €. This place is visited by up to 1.5 million visitors per year. The artist Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech, 1st Marquess of Dalí de Púbol (born 1904, died 1989) was man of many talents. He excelled in many fields.
He produced many paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, written works, films, and jewelry pieces. But he is most renewed for his surrealist work. This museum has the biggest collection of his works. He is strongly connected to this place. Dali was born in the town, his first exhibition was here, and he’s buried here. He got this theater after it was burned down in the Spanish Civil War.
The mayor gave it to Dali in 1968. After renovation, the museum was opened in 1974. When you arrive at the museum, the red facade with big eggs on top will greet you. Many of his works are set in a dream-like environment full of symbols like melting watches, angels, elephants, crutches, ants, eggs, and so forth…
What To See There:
Among the more interesting pieces and installations are the post-impressionism painting Port Alguer (1923), surrealist painting The Spectre of Sex Appeal (1932), Soft Self-Portrait with Grilled Bacon (1941), Courtyard with figurines and Cadilac (with Mannequin Rotting in), Abe Lincoln picture, Mae West room (furniture forms face at a special angle), the Painted ceiling in Palace of the Wind room, collection of jewelry, extension dedicated to optical illusions, etc. So one can wander around the rooms of this museum for at least 2 hours.
Costa Brava is fantastic. I have been to Barcelona only once. Did not have enough time in the city. Tarragona looks amazing. Thank you so much. Must go back to Barcelona.
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