There’s a ton going on in Barcelona. You could tour around and eat at different restaurants all day everyday and still not see it all. But sometimes you want to escape the city and experience a different terrain and scene.
I’ve been living in big cities ever since graduating college (NYC, SF now Barcelona), yet I think I’m a small town girl at heart. Maybe I just like to think that and after a week in a small town I’d be over it, but who knows (maybe one day I’ll find out!). Either way, when I’m living the big city life, there’s nothing better than getting away from the frenetic city energy and experiencing a slowed down pace and beautiful scenery.
I love everything this city has to offer, but I love it even more when I can get some time away, experience smaller towns and nature, and then come back to the bustling city. If you’ve got some extra time in Barcelona, take a day trip and get out of town. Here are some great options for day trips at or under 2 hours from Barcelona.
Best Day Trips Worth Taking from Barcelona
Montserrat
Head to Montserrat for stunning views just an hour from the city. You can depend solely on public transportation for this trip, making it a simple one. Montserrat is a mountain top monastery built into a rock mountain. After taking the train, you can take a cable car ride, take the funicular, hike around, or simply stand there and take in the scenery. It’s so beautiful, can be done in half a day, and is totally worth it. I found this site to be extremely helpful in figuring out transportation.
Girona
Girona is another beautiful city to visit for a day. By car it’s just over an hour and by the AVE train it’s even shorter. In Girona you can walk across the bridges for scenic city views, stroll along the walls, visit the Jewish Quarter and also see some places where Game of Thrones was filmed! I don’t watch GOT but if you’re obsessed, you’ll think that’s cool. It’s a nice spot to spend a few hours, grab lunch and walk around.
Sitges
Barcelona’s got a pretty awesome beach, but check out another one in Sitges. This quant coastal beach town is calmer than Barcelona and is under an hour on the train. No need for a car once you get there, it’s very compact and walkable. Walk along the water, grab lunch at one of the many restaurants (I recommend Pic nic, good food and amazing waterfront views) and just enjoy.
Cadaques
This one would be a longer day trip, but if you’re okay with a bit more driving (about 2 hours each way), head north up the coast to Cadaques. This coastal town is where many Barcelona families spend weekends in the summer. Make a visit to the Salvador Dali House Museum while you’re up there. I’m going here in a couple of weeks and will update this with more info when I’m back.
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Even if you’re a big city person through and through, it’s nice to get out of the hustle and bustle every once in a while. If you’re in Barcelona for longer than a couple of days, I highly recommend making a visit out to one of these spots. Happy exploring!
