Day trips from Barcelona might just be one of the best ways to explore Spain.

Barcelona is not just one of Spain’s most iconic cities but also Europe’s. The city sits at an advantage when it comes to day trips. Resting on Spain’s northeastern coast, the landscapes surrounding the city are extremely diverse.

Go north and you’ll be greeted with picture-book fishing villages. To the west, you have great peaks like Montserrat. You’ll also find classic wine country settings.

It can be a perfect anchor city for a Spain itinerary of 10 days. Sprinkle in some overnight adventures in Madrid or Seville, and you can extend the trip to 2 weeks, with both the exploration of Barna and other Spain’s delights!

Explore the best day trip from Barcelona. Credit: Gesztesi Nóra

>>> Read this first before going on any day trip: The Ultimate Short Trip Packing List: What to Pack for a Weekend Getaway

Trains Or Cars For Day Trips From Barcelona

You’ll find this answer for not just day trips from Barcelona but also across Europe as well - trains are unbeatable.

The best transportation for day trips from Barcelona is by train. It’s easy, reliable, cheap, and more convenient than, say, a rental car. You can reach the top day trips from Barcelona destinations like Girona, Tarragona, or Sitges in an hour. Within Barcelona, you can hop on and off the Rodalies landmarks like the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell for €5.

That’s why, if you plan to visit Spain just for 10 days or less, it’s easy to pencil in one or two of these destinations.

Buses come close in terms of budget. It’s good for when you want to drop by a small, hidden village which is not accessible by the metro. 

For some day trips, the car drive is part of the experience. For example, you’re heading for Montserrat or Andorra. However, parking at attractions and historical places is more expensive than regular parking.

Day Trips From Barcelona By Train

Day getaways from Barcelona are easily accessible because of Spain’s railway network. 

High-speed AVE and the Rodalies connect Barcelona to different regions of Spain, from mountain towns to beaches.

1. Montserrat

Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey was founded in 1025. Photo by waku on Adobe Stock.

60 km, about 1+ hour from Barcelona

Montserrat is not a typical day trip from Barcelona because to fully explore the mountain, you might need more than a few days. However, it’s too beautiful and too significant to miss, even if you just have a day or two to spend outside of Barcelona. That’s why many say it’s one of the best day trips from Barcelona.

Up there, you’ll find Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey nestling underneath the jagged, finger-like side of the mountain. The Benedictine monastery is home to the Black Madonna statue - one of the most iconic of its kind.  

Weekends are crowded, so climb Montserrat on weekdays. You’ll get to see Escolania de Montserrat - the boys’ choir performing, and you can hike to San Jeroni for a panoramic view of the region.

2. Girona

The colourful Girona sits on the River Onyar. Photo by Flaviu Boerescu on Adobe Stock.

100 km, about 40 minutes on the high-speed train

Girona is one of Catalonia’s most picturesque spots. Some people know Girona as a filming location for the series Games of Thrones, but there’s so much more to the city than that.

Besides the well-preserved medieval walls and Roman churches, it’s where you can find Europe’s most significant Jewish Quarters, called El Call. 

In Girona, the best way to explore the city’s attractions is on foot. The Arab bath is next to the Cathedral of Santa Maria, where a 90-step staircase will grant you the view of the city and the rocky Pyrenees mountains.

Girona is also a popular getaway to Costa Brava, which makes for a perfect weekend trip from Barcelona to Girona and to Costa Brava.

3. Sitges

The ever lively Sitges with its unique beaches. Photo by ggfoto on Adobe Stock.

40 km, about 40 minutes by train

Visiting Barcelona in May, June or September? It’s also a great time to take a train ride down to Sitges for a beach day trip.

Sitges is a seaside town just south of Barcelona. It’s known for being vibrant and artistic, with festivals year-round. It’s also the country’s most LGBTQ+ friendly area.

This might come as a surprise, but apart from that, its beaches are pretty chill and quaint. Coves of white sands and calm waters are perfect for families.

There is also the hidden nudist and gay beach - Playa del Muerto - just 45 minutes from the city centre, but you have to use quite a bit of navigation to find it.

4. Tarragona 

Tarragona Amphitheatre, or The Roman Amphitheatre of Tarraco, is the highlight of all Tarragona trips. Photo by VEOy.com on Adobe Stock.

100 km, about 1 hour+ by train

Tarragona is amongst the best day trips from Barcelona for the Roman history buffs, but without the crowd. 

Start your day by visiting the Amphitheatre, which is just 15 minutes from the train station. The Roman Circus and Praetorium Tower are nearby. They all belong to the UNESCO archaeological complex and are what draw people to Tarragona.

It’s quite hilly in Tarragona, so prepare a good pair of walking shoes and a lightweight backpack. Many Roman sites also close earlier in the low season, so it’s best if you depart from Barcelona in the morning.

5. Vic

Take your time to explore all the historic sites. Photo by Javier - stock.adobe.com

70 km, about 1 hour by train

At first glance, Vic shares a similar vibe to Girona. If you love Girona, you will love Vic. The difference is that while Girona is larger and is more touristy, Vic has a slower pace and feels more homely.

Vic sits on the Plana de Vic, and the landscape you’ll see on a clear sunny day is gentle mountains and lush valleys. Because of this, Vic is not only perfect for a sightseeing trip but also for some outdoor adventures like hiking.  

Visit on Tuesday or Saturday if you can to visit the market and have a taste of embutidos (cured meat) and pa amb tomàquet (bread with tomatoes).

6. Penedès Wine Region

A tour to a winery is a must. Photo by CarloSanchezPereyra - stock.adobe.com

50 km, about 1 hour by train

Like we mention, day trips from Barcelona can range from mountainous excursion to seaside stroll to wine tasting in the vineyard. 

Penedès Wine Region, southwest of Barcelona, is not only the most famous wine region in Catalonia, but also the home to Cava - Spain’s sparkling wine.

Some of the best ways to explore Penedes is going on a wine tour. Some tours even accommodate you all the way from Barcelona. Big wineries like Codorníu and Freixenet do cater to English-speaking tourists.

You can also bike in Penedès. For example, the Penedès 360 is a slow cycling trail, which is perfect for observing the vineyards, off-the-beaten-path wineries, and old villages.

7. Zaragoza

You’ll have your fill of stunning architectures. Photo by Leonid Andronov - stock.adobe.com

300 km, about 1 hour 30 minutes by train

Zaragoza is home to some of the most impressive Mudéjar works you’ll see. Mudéjar architecture dates back to the Middle Ages, and it’s a unique blend between Islamic arts with that of traditional Gothic. That being said, Zaragoza is for art lovers.

Head down to Aljafería Palace, the heart of Zaragoza, to see just how stunning Mudéjar architecture is in person!

Zaragoza is chill, and it’s perfectly located between Madrid and Barcelona. You can also add logroño as another day trip to your Barcelona-Zaragoza trip. It’s a small town known for its “tapas trail” (bar hopping and at each bar, you order a house specialty).

8. Cadaques

The dreamy beauty of Cadaques made world-famous artists fall in love. Photo by josemiguelsangar on Adobe Stock.

170 km, about 3 hours by train and bus

Along the rugged coastline of Costa Brava full of modern beaches, Cadaques stand out as a fishing village which is medieval, romantic, and laid-back. Of course, it’s stunning. That is why Salvador Dali called it his home, and Picasso and Miro were also once its long-term guests.

The best thing to do in Cadaques is to visit Dali’s home and museum - the Casa-Museu Dalí. After that, enjoy souquet de peix (fish stew) in a seaside restaurant and then boat out to Cap de Creus Natural Park for the views.

To access Cadaques, first take a train from Barcelona Sants or Passeig de Gràcia to Figueres. From Figueres, take the bus to Cadaques.

Driving is only recommended if you know how to navigate the mountain roads.

9. Santa Coloma de Cervelló

Intricate mosaic works and dramatic curves make Gaudí’s art recognisable anywhere. Photo by gertbunt on Adobe Stock.

20 km, about 25 minutes by train

It’s more like a half-day trip from Barcelona because it sits very close to the city.

However, the Llobregat River plain, pine woods, and small hills give the town a rural feeling. Like you’re on an actual day trip to escape the city scene.

Everyone comes here for Colònia Güell - an industrial village where you can find the Gaudí Crypt. Does the name ring a bell? Yes, that’s the man whose work you’ve seen in Park Güell and around Barcelona.

Since it’s explorable in half a day, some pair the town with other day trips from Barcelona like Montserrat and Penedès.

Day Trips from Barcelona by Other Means

These day trips from Barcelona are just a tad too far to travel by train in a day (or have no train at all), but they are too amazing to miss.

If you have some extra few hours to spend, hop on the first flight out, take the bus, or drive to these destinations from Barcelona.

10. Ibiza

Ibiza is the city with the most number of missed flights because people just don’t want to leave. Photo by lorabarra on Adobe Stock.

280 km, about 50 minutes by aeroplane 

Come for the parties, but stay for the quiet coves, the old town Dalt Vila, and the spiritual Phoenician and Roman heritage. 

Even as a short day trip, you can feel the town’s bizarre yet interesting mix of spiritual beliefs and sleepless party scene. 

Start your day with a stroll in Dalt Vila. Then, after breakfast, head to the sacred rock of Es Vedrà viewpoint for the view and healing energy. Afterwards, it’s time to dive into one of the best party experiences not just in Spain but also in the world.

Note: Ibiza is crowded, and arriving by plane means you need to plan ahead, factor in a few hours spent at the airport, and pack well. 

Get to Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat airport 3 hours in advance. Keep your luggage light and smart to save money on checked bags with a CabinZero’s cabin bag. 

11. Cardona

A very remote and quiet area to visit. Photo by tanaonte - stock.adobe.com

90 km, about 1 hour 30 minutes by car or bus

Cardona is famous for its salt mines and glittery rock formations in Salt Mountain park. The stunning castle of Cardona, which overlooks Salt Mountain, is also one of the most important wonders in Catalonian history. 

The best way to explore Cardona is by guided tours. Since these attractions are being actively preserved, not all parts of them are open for the public to enter freely, unless you’re on a guided tour. 

The highlight is that most of Cardona’s most famous attractions are suitable for people of all ages. This makes it a perfect day trip spot for families. 

12. Besalú

Besalú is like the setting of a fantasy movie. Photo by Pabklov on Adobe Stock.

135 km, about 2 hours by bus

We’re definitely saving the best for last with Besalú. It’s one of those towns where every snapshot can be a postcard, which makes you fantasise about settling down. Yet, the crowd is breathable. 

Besalú dates back to the 9th century. Now, most corners of the town still carry this history in their architecture. It’s like stepping into a giant Roman museum.

In Besalú, walk across the Besalú bridge. Then explore the Jewish Quarter and the Jewish bath. Drop by Sant Pere monastery at the end of the day.

It’s a simple day trip with simple things to do, but its charms stay with you for a long time. 

Day trips from Barcelona with CabinZero

The best day trips from Barcelona are doable by train, plane, and bus.

There are plenty more marvellous spots like these, from big cities to hidden gems, from Barcelon,a because that’s how amazing the Catalonia region really is.

With CabinZero’s guide, we hope you have your picks of where to go next after visiting Barcelona. For more destination guides and travel tips, don’t forget to check out our Blog. 

Khanh Nguyen