The 15 Best Day Trips From Barcelona in 2023

Are you planning a European vacation and decided to visit Barcelona, Spain? If you love the idea of seeing everything Spain has to offer, take a few of the best day trips from Barcelona. Check out the 15 best day trips from Barcelona below!

The 15 Best Day Trips From Barcelona in 2023

Barcelona is an incredible place to visit, with gorgeous architecture and fun guided tours. However, you can’t miss out on the fantastic locales outside Barcelona.

Not far from the city, you’ll find tons of seaside villages, stunning beaches, historic towns, and more. The amount of things to do in this part of Spain seems infinite. You’ll want to add a few day trips when visiting Barcelona to see the rest of the region.

Make sure to add the closest areas to the same trip and explore all day long. You can try public transportation or rent a car for a faster travel time. You’re sure to have an amazing time!

1. Montserrat Mountain

• Travel time: One hour by car

Montserrat Mountain is an imposing and tall mountain, reaching a peak of 1,236 meters. The natural scenery looks impressive, with gorgeous formations formed by wind and water over centuries.

Here, you can go hiking all day long. Montserrat Mountain is popular for hikers and has many trails. Further, beginners, moderate hikers, and experts can all find the perfect trail for a mountain hike.

The mountain is also known as a sacred place for the Virgin Mary of Montserrat, also known as the Black Madonna.

2. Ruins of Empuries

• Travel time: 90 minutes by car or 3 hours by bus

You can find the impressive Greek and Roman Ruins of Empuries at the beachside village of L’Escala. The ancient Greeks first founded the town during the 6th century BC. Later, the Romans took over the area.

The Romans abandoned it by the 3rd century AD. Since then, it has led to the Ruins of Empuries. Today, excavation continues, and scientists seek to see what the town looked like centuries ago.

You will love walking around the ruins and seeing the ancient columns and walls. You’ll feel transported back in time to the ancient Greek and Roman period.

3. Girona

• Travel time: 80 minutes by car

Girona is a wonderful town with colorful houses lining the streets and the Onyar River running past the homes. The town center is historic and has a rustic feel. One of the most preserved areas here includes the Jewish Quarter.

Take a walk near the medieval city walls and spend a day at the Arab baths. The best time to visit Girona is in May. The city is adorned with flowers that month due to the Temps de Flors annual flower festival.

4. Tossa de Mar

• Travel time: Two hours by bus or 80 minutes by car

You will adore the cobblestone streets and charming village of Tossa de Mar. As you stroll through town, you’ll come upon the exquisite Platja Gran sandy beach. Here, you can enjoy swimming or snorkeling across the waters.

It’s also the perfect beach to relax and get a tan. Best of all, you can view La Vila Vella Castle right on the beach. You can also walk up around the town walls and see a breathtaking view from a hilltop.

5. Premià de Mar

• Travel time: 35 minutes by train

One of the quickest day trips you can take from Barcelona is to the beachside town of Premià de Mar. The town has an old-timey feel, and you can take a quick train ride straight to the beach here.

Enjoy the white sands and the warm waters to swim in. For lunch, you can try one of their beach bars or the Offu Sushi Bar. You can spend the day in any of the cafes and bars while listening to the music playing in the square.

6. Colònia Güell

• Travel time: 30 minutes by train

A quick drive or a train ride away, Colònia Güell is the perfect day trip to take from Barcelona. Eusebi Güell founded the industrial city in 1980, which features a textile mill. Antoni Gaudí built the church in the city.

Nearby, you can visit the castle ruins and walk around the impressive city. It will take you only half an hour to make your way here. Take train lines S8, S4, and S33 to get to the Colonia Güell train station.

7. Sitges

• Travel time: 45 minutes by bus

Sitges is the top spot for wealthy Spaniards looking for a beachside vacation. The town has a cosmopolitan feel and finds itself overpopulated by visitors every summer.

The International Film Festival in the fall provides plenty of fun for movie lovers, especially those who enjoy horror or fantasy genres. The area has a traditional charm along with a relaxed, bohemian vibe. You can drive here in less than one hour or take a 45-minute bus ride.

8. Tarragona

• Travel time: 30 minutes by train or 90 minutes by bus

Tarragona was first founded in 218 BC, and the town is famous for its Roman ruins. Along with its impressive history, Tarragona showcases a waterfront amphitheater and a labyrinth of alleyways.

You will enjoy visiting the National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona and being transformed back in time.

You can also walk across the sandy beaches and visit the Parc de l’amphithéatre. Take a train ride to get to this beautiful seaside town. It takes only half an hour to get there.

9. Platja Fonda Beach

• Travel time: 101 minutes by car

A beach that locals love and try to keep a secret, the Platja Fonda Beach sits right between several rocky cliffs. It provides a tranquil, quiet location even during the busiest and most crowded tourist months.

The sand here is a bit rockier and darker, but it won’t get stuck to people’s clothing.

The ocean water has a beautiful aquamarine color. It takes about 100 steps to get to the water from the beach. Yet, all the walking may not make this a perfect place for families with small children.

10. Sa Tuna Beach Resort

• Travel time: 108 minutes by car

The Sa Tuna Beach Resort sits right near the town of Begur. The small village nearby provides a more wholesome feel when you visit the resort. Further, the beach sits on a steep hill, so too many other building developments cannot occur.

The colorful homes and the picturesque town provide a perfect place to go on a seaside walk. The dark blue waters with the blue sky are sure to bring a smile to your face.

11. Cala Fonda Beach

• Travel time: 68 minutes by car

You’ll love looking over a white-sand beach with green bushes and large reddish cliffs. Yet, it might not have the most straightforward path to get here. Still, you’ll have a great time at Cala Fonda Beach, where you can enjoy the quiet nature and go for a long swim.

The beach sits along the Costa Brava region and provides a very remote place compared to other beaches. The area has no facilities, so bring food, water, and everything you’ll need.

12. Tamariu Beach

• Travel time: 106 minutes by car

If you’re looking for a family-friendly beach, you can’t go wrong with Tamariu Beach on the Costa Brava. While popular, you won’t find it too crowded, even during tourist season.

The area was a fishing village in years past, and you can find boats on the coastline. Here, you can dine at the beachfront restaurant and cafes any time of the year. The dining areas are open even on the coldest winter days.

13. Figueres

• Travel time: 96 minutes by car

Do you love visiting museums? If so, take a trip to the town of Figueres. Here, you can have a cultural experience besides the coasts and beaches.

Most of all, you can’t pass up visiting the Dalí Theater and Museum. Salvador Dali was born in Figueres, so the town celebrates the artist with a theater and museum dedicated to him.

Further, you can even visit the burial site of Dali right by the museum where he was buried in 1989. You can also take your kids to the toy museum or the cultural Emporda Museum.

14. PortAventura Park

• Travel time: 90 minutes by car or train

One of the best places for families to visit in the greater Barcelona area is known as PortAventura Park. You can get here in only 90 minutes by train when visiting Barcelona. Here, you can take fun amusement park rides and see exciting shows.

The entertainment will last all day. The park has different country themes where you can visit China, Mexico, or Polynesia. The water park here also provides a great way to cool off on a hot summer day.  

15. Begur

• Travel time: 90 minutes by car or 2.5 hours by bus

Begur is a unique town with ties to Cuba. The Begurencs built many of the colonial homes found here. The vacation homes provide an exciting holiday for wealthy tourists.

Further, as you walk to the top of Begur, you can visit the ancient Begur Castle, which was first built in the 11th century. You will also love walking through the town and seeing the beautiful beaches below.

Things to Consider

If you are traveling to Europe and traveling to Barcelona, Spain, you will need to keep in mind several important factors.

These factors include:

• Research the area and book accommodations in advance.
• To save time, order skip-the-line tickets when visiting the most famous landmarks in Barcelona.
• Save money by going to free museums like the Picasso Museum or the Barcelona Cathedral.
• Don’t travel here during the busy tourist season, school breaks, or major holidays.
• Pick accommodations and lodging in the city center to make the visit simpler for travel.

Lastly, you shouldn’t leave Barcelona before exploring the Gothic Quarter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below, we answer several key questions about the top day trips from Barcelona, Spain:

So, What’s the Best Day Trip From Barcelona?

The best day trip from Barcelona greatly depends on your interests. If you like seeing historical sites, take a trip to the Ruins of Empuries. If you want to spend the day hiking and seeing nature, consider visiting Montserrat Mountain.

However, if you like coastal towns, spend the day at the beach and visit the Sa Tuna Beach Resort. Whatever you choose, you will surely have an amazing time visiting Spain!