Fun Day Trips from Barcelona

 Barcelona has it all. It’s got history, unique architecture, and a wealth of great museums. It has about 4 km (2.5 miles) of sandy beaches and some of the best food in Spain.

With all that it has going for it, it’s no surprise that Barcelona is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. No matter what time of the year you go, you’ll almost always find the city teeming with people.

As lovely as Barcelona is, the crowds can get a bit overwhelming at times. There’s much to see and do in Barcelona but if you’ve already experienced its top tourist attractions, then it’s time to escape the city and go on a day trip.

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BEST DAY TRIPS FROM BARCELONA

It’s easy to go on day trips from Barcelona thanks to Spain’s efficient and convenient railway system. But if you’d like the most freedom, then perhaps you’d be interested in renting a car. Trains and buses are great but driving is the best way to experience Spain and Europe.

   Best Eats On Will Fly For Food

We rented a car to go from San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela and it turned out to be one of the most fun legs of our trip. It allowed us to travel on our own schedule and stop wherever we wanted, whenever we wanted.

1. Serra de Collserola

If you’d like to go hiking but don’t want to stray too far from the city, then Serra de Collserola is the perfect place for a day trip. It’s a mountain range and protected park located just outside Barcelona.

Collserola is one of the biggest metropolitan parks in the world. It spans an area of 8,000 hectares which is about 22 times the size of Central Park in New York! It’s home to numerous hiking trails and an abundance of flora and fauna, making it a convenient destination for people wanting to go hiking or bike riding from Barcelona.

There are several hiking trails to enjoy in Collserola, one of the most popular being Carretera de les Aigues – a 9 km (5.6 miles) path offering spectacular views of the city.

You can go hiking at Collserola on your own or join a tour. Get Your Guide offers hiking tours (Option 1 | Option 2) and a wine tour.

How to Get There: Based on my research, there are many ways to get to Collserola depending on which part of the park you’d like to visit. If you’re going to Carretera de les Aigues, then you can take a train from Barcelona to Peu del Funicular station. Ride the funicular one stop to Carretera de les Aigues station. It’s listed as a request stop so you’ll probably need to inform the driver that you’d like to get off.
Average Travel Time: About 30 mins

2. Sitges

Sitges is a coastal town about 35 km (22 miles) southwest of Barcelona. It’s famous for its beaches, festivals, pulsating nightlife, and LGBTQ-friendly atmosphere.

Sitges is known for its excellent microclimate which sees around 300 days of sunshine per year. Its mild weather and many beaches along a 2.5 km (1.6 miles) promenade make it a favorite destination for beachgoers.

Depending on what time of the year you go, you can attend one of its many events and festivals like Gay Pride, the Sitges Carnival, and the Sitges International Film Festival. The Sitges carnaval attracts over 250,000 revelers each year while the film festival is recognized as one of the world’s leading fantasy and horror film festivals.

Sitges has its share of cultural attractions as well like the Church of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla, but clearly, its beaches and festive atmosphere are its main draws. If you like to party, then Sitges should definitely be on your itinerary.

It’s easy to visit Sitges on your own, but if you’d like to go on a guided tour, then you can book one through Get Your Guide (Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3). These tours combine Sitges with other destinations recommended in this guide.

How to Get There: Take the train from Barcelona-Sants station to Sitges station.
Average Travel Time: About 40 mins

3. Montserrat

Montserrat refers to both the multi-peaked mountain range and the large Benedictine abbey (Santa Maria de Montserrat) perched near its summit.

Measuring 1,236 meters (4,055 ft) at its peak, it’s the highest point of the Catalan lowlands. The name Monsterrat literally means “serrated mountain” and is in reference to the mountain range’s many jagged peaks.

The site of reported visions, Monsterrat is considered the holiest site in Catalonia. It receives over two million visitors annually, many from pilgrims coming to see the famed Black Madonna statue.

If you arrive at Santa Maria de Montserrat before 1PM, then you can catch a performance by the Escolania, one of the oldest boys choirs in Europe.

Montserrat is equally popular with hikers and rock climbers looking to enjoy its many hiking trails and rock formations. You can trek to the peak of Sant Jeroni for some of the most spectacular views of Catalonia.