9 of the Best Day Trips From Barcelona

The impressive monastery-topped mountain of Montserrat is a towering rock formation that offers stunning views of the Pyrenees Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. The Benedictine monastery perched on the top is also a famous pilgrimage spot. Take a tour of the monastery, visit the basilica, and see the famous statue of the Virgin of Montserrat, also known as the Black Madonna (La Morenita). You can easily reach the site by driving or taking a train, or you can book a guided tour that includes a hike and a ride on the Montserrat cable car.

The coastal town of Sitges is a laid-back beach town that welcomes everyone. While notable for its beautiful beaches, this friendly spot is also famous for its lively LGBTQ+ nightlife. Visit the small but vibrant Old Town, and spend some time enjoying lovely museums like the Cau Ferrat Museum (Museu del Cau Ferrat, which is the former home of artist Santiago Rusiñol and contains some of his work as well as art by his contemporaries, including Picasso and El Greco.

Insider tip: While you can easily visit Sitges on a day trip, you might want to spend a night in this quaint town, especially if you want to enjoy the seaside promenade when the sun sets.

Art enthusiasts from across the globe head to Figueres, the birthplace of the artist Salvador Dalí. The town’s main attraction is the Dalí Theatre-Museum (Teatro-Museo Dalí), which was designed by the artist himself. The whimsical, quirky attraction houses hundreds of works, including paintings, drawings, and sculptures by Dalí—as well as a more general collection with works by other artists and some historical artifacts. The museum is also home to Dalí’s remains. After spending some time enjoying the collection, you can also visit the artist’s childhood home and the nearby Sant Ferran Castle (Castell De Sant Ferran).

This gorgeous, whitewashed village on the Costa Brava makes a perfect day trip for those looking for idyllic photo ops and seaside strolls. But it’s not all sun and sand in this Mediterranean town. Cadaqués is also ideal for nature lovers because it offers several hiking opportunities: You can walk to the Far de Cala Nans —a lighthouse reached by a steep, narrow trail—or take the 1.5-hour trek between the nearby village of Port Lligat and the lighthouse in Cap de Creus. While in the area, you should also visit Salvador Dalí’s house, a surrealist structure the artist resided in for more than 30 years.

Set on the banks of the Meder River, the Catalonian village of Vic is home to a traditional main square (the Plaça Major) that is surrounded by beautiful buildings dating back to the 14th century. A short walk from the square, you’ll find the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle (Sant Pere Cathedral), a unique building founded in the 11th century that boasts a combination of Romanesque, Gothic, baroque, and neoclassical architectural elements that have been added to the building as it was augmented and renovated over the years.

Inside tip: While there’s plenty in Vic to keep you occupied for a day, you can also opt to see the town on a guided tour that stops at other Catalonian towns along the way.

Penedès is Catalonia’s most famous wine region. It’s separated into three different subregions—the low Penedès (Baix Penedès), high Penedès (Alt Penedès), and the coastal mountain Penedès (known as the Garraf)—but all of these areas primarily produce white wines made from the Xarel-lo grape, which is best known as one of the primary varietals in sparkling cava. While you can visit wineries on your own, the most convenient way to see the region is to join a small group food and wine tour that includes transportation from Barcelona (as well as wine pairings and lunch) so that you can sip Penedès’ wines without worrying about getting behind the wheel.

Related: 7 of the Top Wine Regions in Spain (and What To Try There)

The city of Girona, built on the banks of the Onyar River, is bright and colorful. And if you think that visiting another city (when you’re already in Barcelona) might seem pointless, think again. Girona feels more like a cozy town than a busy city, and it boasts lots of striking riverfront architecture and historic walls. Soak in the vibrant atmosphere with a walk around the city, making sure to explore the maze-like streets of the Jewish Quarter (El Call), then visit the Girona Cathedral (Catedral de Girona), a unique building that mixes many different architectural styles.

You don’t have to visit Rome to see ancient Roman ruins—if you’re in Catalonia, you can just head to Tarragona. The city boasts a number of Roman ruins, including the Tarragona Amphitheatre (Amfiteatre de Tarragona) and a Roman circus and praetorium. Once you’ve explored the city center, take a short drive to the impressive Les Ferreres Aqueduct (Pont del Diable), then picnic in the surrounding woodlands.

Insider tip: Tarragona is an easy train ride away from Barcelona, but once you arrive, it’s worth taking a private tour of the city to learn more about the history of its Roman ruins.

This stunning Medieval village is a bit farther from Barcelona than other popular day-trip spots, but Pals’ ancient attractions and charming historic center make it worth the 1.5-hour drive. Wander through the village, taking in all the quaint buildings, then pay a visit to the Tower of the Hours (Torre de les Hores), the only element left from a 12th-century castle destroyed hundreds of years ago. Lastly, make sure to stop at the Ca La Pruna Museum House (Casa de Cultura Ca la Pruna), a 16th-century stone house and interactive museum dedicated to Mediterranean and Catalonian geography, history, and culture.