Barcelona is a perfect base for exploring Catalonia. Within an hour or two, you can visit a mountain monastery, a medieval city, Roman ruins, a stylish beach town, or the surreal world of Salvador Dalí. Here are the best day trips from Barcelona, with travel times and tips.
Day Trips From Barcelona at a Glance
- Montserrat: About 1 hour 30 minutes by train and rack railway or cable car.
- Sitges: About 35 to 45 minutes by train.
- Girona: About 40 minutes by high-speed train.
- Tarragona: About 35 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes by train.
- Figueres: About 55 minutes by high-speed train.
1. Montserrat
How to get there: Take the R5 train from Plaça d'Espanya, then the rack railway from Monistrol de Montserrat or the cable car from Aeri de Montserrat.
Set among strange, saw-toothed mountains, the Benedictine monastery of Montserrat is one of Catalonia's most important pilgrimage sites. See the Black Madonna, La Moreneta, listen to the famous boys' choir, the Escolania, when it performs, and ride the funiculars to hiking trails with spectacular views. Combined train and funicular tickets are available.
2. Sitges
How to get there: Trains from Barcelona-Sants or Passeig de Gràcia take 35 to 45 minutes.
This stylish seaside town has more than a dozen beaches, a pretty whitewashed old town, and a lively, LGBTQ+-friendly nightlife scene. Visit the Cau Ferrat Museum and enjoy seafood on the promenade. It's also famous for its Carnival and its fantasy film festival in October.
3. Girona
How to get there: High-speed trains from Barcelona-Sants take about 40 minutes.
Girona's colorful houses line the banks of the Onyar River. Climb the grand staircase to the cathedral, walk the medieval city walls, and explore one of Europe's best-preserved Jewish quarters, the Call. Game of Thrones fans will recognize several filming locations.
4. Tarragona
How to get there: Trains from Barcelona-Sants take 35 minutes on high-speed services to Camp de Tarragona, or about 1 hour 15 minutes on regional trains to central Tarragona.
Once a major Roman city, Tarraco, Tarragona is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See its Roman amphitheater overlooking the Mediterranean, the circus, and the walls, then explore the medieval old town and its cathedral, and relax on the city's beaches.
5. Figueres
How to get there: High-speed trains from Barcelona-Sants to Figueres Vilafant take about 55 minutes.
The birthplace of Salvador Dalí is home to the Dalí Theatre-Museum, the artist's own surreal creation, topped with giant eggs and filled with his works. He is buried in a crypt beneath the museum. Book tickets in advance. With a car, combine it with Dalí's house in Portlligat or the castle at Púbol.
Tips for Day Trips From Barcelona
- Check your departure station. Most trains leave from Barcelona-Sants.
- Buy combined tickets for Montserrat to save money.
- Book the Dalí Museum ahead in high season.
- Stay connected. An egoViet Spain eSIM keeps your train tickets and maps on hand. See our Spain eSIM guide. See also the best train trips in Europe.
Make the most of the city with the best things to do in Barcelona and our Spain travel guide.
FAQs: Day Trips From Barcelona
What is the best day trip from Barcelona?
Montserrat is the most popular, for its monastery and mountain views. Girona and Sitges are also favorites.
How do you get to Montserrat from Barcelona?
Take the R5 train from Plaça d'Espanya, then the rack railway or cable car up the mountain.
Can you visit Girona and Figueres in one day?
Yes. They're on the same high-speed line, about 15 minutes apart.
What is the best beach day trip from Barcelona?
Sitges, about 40 minutes away by train, has beautiful beaches and a charming old town.