Best Barcelona Day Trips: 8 Easy Getaways from the City
After living in Barcelona, I've explored a few day trips from the city. While some were worthwhile, others felt hurried or overpriced. Here are the ones I genuinely recommend, including those I've visited myself and those I've planned for later this year.
I have personally explored Sitges, Girona, and Narbonne, and I am planning an upcoming trip to Vall de Núria. The recommendations are based on my own experiences with day trips from Barcelona. Additionally, I've included a few destinations I'm considering for future visits, now that I've been living here for a while.
Sitges: Barcelona's Better Beach
I've been to Sitges twice, once in October 2024 to meet visiting friends, and again during the 2025 Sitges Film Festival. Both were day trips, and the beaches genuinely delivered. The sand is white, the water is clear, and it feels spacious even during tourist season. If you've been underwhelmed by Barcelona's city beaches, this is what you're looking for.
Quick Facts:
- 🚂 How to get there: Rodalies de Catalunya train (R2 Sud) from Barcelona-Passeig de Gràcia or Barcelona-Sants
- ⏱️ Travel time: Around 35 to 45 minutes
- 💰 Cost: Buy tickets at the station kiosk (€5-10 each way)
- ⭐ Best for: Beach lovers, day-trippers who want an easy escape
Sitges is small enough that you can explore everything in a day without feeling rushed, which makes it perfect for a relaxed beach day when you want something better than Barceloneta but don't want complicated logistics. The old town has charming narrow streets to wander, though there's not much happening unless you're there for a festival or specific event.
The trade-off is that restaurants cost more because of the coastal location. It's still a tourist destination, so expect higher prices during peak season.
Getting there is straightforward. Buy train tickets at the station kiosk (around €5-10 each way) for a 35-minute ride. If you're driving, pay the toll to avoid the zigzag coastal road. My husband and I don't usually get car sick, but that route was genuinely rough.
Worth it if you want better beaches without the logistics of going far. Skip if you're looking for activities beyond beach time.
Girona: Medieval Streets Worth the Train Ride
Girona is one of my favorite day trips. It's a 40-minute train ride from Barcelona, and the city feels like stepping into a different era. Medieval streets, colorful houses along the river, and a peaceful vibe that's a relief after Barcelona's intensity.
Quick Facts:
- 🚂 How to get there: Renfe (AVE, AVANT) or Cercanías (commuter) trains from Barcelona Sants (main station) or Passeig de Gracia
- ⏱️ Travel time: 40–50 minutes
- 💰 Cost: €15-20 round trip (book early for better prices)
- ⭐ Best for: History lovers, couples, anyone wanting a calmer city experience
We explored the main tourist areas: the Jewish Quarter, the city walls, and that famous red bridge built by Gustave Eiffel (same person who designed the Eiffel Tower). The bridge overlooking those colorful riverside buildings is the best photo spot.
If you're a Game of Thrones fan, you'll recognize filming locations throughout the old town.
For food, we ended up at Restaurant Normal, which turned out to be one of the Roca Brothers' spots (they run El Celler de Can Roca, the Michelin restaurant). We didn't plan this or even know beforehand, but it was surprisingly affordable. We also went to Federal Cafe, which gets recommended constantly and lived up to it.
When we visited on a Friday in late October 2025, it wasn't crowded, even with an event happening. The whole experience felt relaxed and manageable.
One practical tip: some train schedules only appear at the station kiosk, not online. Check Renfe directly instead of Trainline because some faster routes only show up on their site.
Worth it if you want medieval architecture, walkable streets, and a break from Barcelona's pace. Skip if you're short on time and prioritizing beaches or mountains over history.
Narbonne, France: Worth Crossing the Border
Narbonne was a long day, but worth it. We went specifically to eat at Les Grandes Buffet, allegedly one of Europe's best buffets, and that alone justified the 2.5-3 hour journey.
Quick Facts:
- 🚂 How to get there: Flixbus or train from Barcelona
- ⏱️ Travel time: 2.5-3 hours each way
- 💰 Cost: €20-40 round trip, depending on transport
- ⭐ Best for: Food lovers, people who don't mind long travel days
We took Flixbus there (direct, budget-friendly) and the train back (quieter and more comfortable). If you get motion sick or like more space, I’d pick the train both ways.
The buffet was the main reason for going, though we did wander around the city. The Gothic architecture is beautiful, and there's interesting Roman history (Narbonne is known as the “eldest daughter of Rome”). The Canal de la Robine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site worth seeing if you have time.
There's more to see and do in Narbonne if you have time. The covered market looked beautiful, and the Roman history is interesting. We focused on the buffet and didn't regret it.
Worth it if you're a foodie or curious about crossing into France without massive planning. Skip if 5–6 hours of travel feels like too much for a day trip, or if the buffet doesn't appeal to you. There are closer options for sightseeing.
Vall de Núria: Snow Day in the Pyrenees
I'm going to Vall de Núria next month, and it's at the top of my winter list. It's a high-mountain valley at around 2,000 meters in the Pyrenees, only accessible by a scenic rack railway. The rack railway journey itself is a big part of the appeal, and everything I've learned suggests it's the perfect option if you want to experience snow without going too far from Barcelona.
Quick Facts:
- 🚂 How to get there: Train to Ribes de Freser, then rack railway (cremallera) to valley
- ⏱️ Travel time: 2 hours to Ribes + 45 min on rack railway = around 3 hours one way
- 💰 Cost: Combinado Trenatura ticket around €40 (includes train, cremallera, cable car, valley access)
- ⭐ Best for: Winter activities, scenic mountain experience, mixed groups (skiers and non-skiers)
The logistics are similar to the Narbonne trip. Long but doable. You're looking at 6–7 hours in transit total, with 4–6 hours actually in the valley. Total day: 10–12 hours.
For non-skiers (or anyone who just wants to experience snow and mountain scenery), there's plenty to do. Walk around the (often frozen) lake, take the free cable car to Pic de l'Àliga viewpoint, visit the sanctuary, or hang out in cafés with mountain views. The Fun Park offers activities like giant snow tubbies, sledding, zip line, and rope courses (all supervised and accessible).
The ski area is small, so this isn't the best choice if skiing is your main goal. It's more about the complete experience: the scenic railway, the mountain setting, and the novelty of a snow day from Barcelona.
Food up there is standard mountain-resort pricing (€10-25 per person) with average quality. Best strategy: bring sandwiches from Barcelona, buy hot chocolate at the valley (around €3-5).
Good option if you want to experience snow and enjoy a scenic mountain railway without complicated planning. Skip if 6+ hours of travel feels like too much, or if you're looking for serious skiing terrain.
Montserrat: Mountain Monastery
This mountain monastery sits about an hour from Barcelona, and those jagged peaks make it one of Catalonia's unique sights. The rack railway journey up adds to the experience.
Quick Facts:
- 🚂 How to get there: Train + rack railway or cable car
- ⏱️ Travel time: around 1 hour
- 💰 Cost: You can get combined passes like:
- Trans Montserrat for transport and entry, around €47
- Tot Montserrat for transport, entry, museum, and lunch around €70
- ⭐ Best for: Unique mountain landscapes, religious sites, hiking
The Black Madonna statue in the basilica draws many visitors, and the hiking trails offer panoramic views over Catalonia. It's a popular half-day trip. Most people spend 3–4 hours exploring the monastery complex and shorter trails.
The combination of dramatic mountain scenery and the historic monastery makes it different from other day trips. If mountains and religious history interest you, this delivers both. If neither appeals, the beach nor city options might suit you better.
Tarragona: Roman Ruins by the Sea
About an hour south by train, Tarragona combines well-preserved Roman history with Mediterranean beaches. The Roman amphitheater sits right above the Mediterranean, which makes it one of the most scenic ancient sites in Catalonia. You can literally see waves from the ruins.
Quick Facts:
- 🚂 How to get there: Trains from Barcelona via Renfe, OUIGO, or iryo
- ⏱️ Travel time: around 1 hour
- 💰 Cost: €15-20 round trip
- ⭐ Best for: History enthusiasts, people wanting culture and coast
Most of the main sights are walkable from the train station in 15–20 minutes, and the old town has plenty of cafés and restaurants within easy reach of the archaeological sites. It feels noticeably calmer than Barcelona, but still has enough going on for a relaxed day trip.
When I was choosing between Girona and Tarragona, I ended up picking Girona for the medieval architecture and that iconic bridge view. Tarragona would have been my choice if Roman history and immediate beach access were bigger priorities. Both are strong choices. It just depends on whether you’re more excited about medieval streets or ancient ruins above the sea.
Penedès Wine Region: Cava Country
The Penedès region, less than an hour from Barcelona, produces most of Catalonia's cava (Spanish sparkling wine). It’s an easy countryside break if you want vineyards, slower pace, and wine tasting without renting a car.
Quick Facts:
- 🚂 How to get there: Regional trains from Barcelona to Sant Sadurní d’Anoia or Vilafranca del Penedès, or organized tours
- ⏱️ Travel time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
- 💰 Cost: Around €20–40 for winery tours and tastings (transport extra if you go independently)
- ⭐ Best for: Wine lovers, couples, countryside seekers
Most visitors use Sant Sadurní d’Anoia or Vilafranca del Penedès as a base, since both are easy to reach by train from Barcelona and surrounded by wineries. From there, you can either walk to nearby producers or take short taxi rides if you’re visiting multiple spots. Some wineries also offer pick-up from the station if you book a tour directly with them.
My friend and I have been planning to go here, and she keeps mentioning how it’s one of the best options for “real” wine tasting that’s still close to Barcelona. The landscape is gentle and rural, a complete contrast to the city. If you’re curious about cava production and want vineyards plus tastings without a long travel day, this is a very accessible choice—whether you book an organized tour or DIY it by train.
Tossa de Mar: Costa Brava Beaches
Tossa de Mar delivers classic Costa Brava scenery: dramatic cliffs, clear water, and a medieval castle perched right on the beach. The old town (Vila Vella) has narrow streets worth exploring after beach time.
Quick Facts:
- 🚂 How to get there: Bus from Barcelona
- ⏱️ Travel time: around 1.5 hours
- 💰 Cost: €15-20 round trip
- ⭐ Best for: Beach lovers wanting dramatic coastal scenery
This is definitely on my list because of the beaches. They're supposed to be even better than Sitges, though it's not as accessible. It's about 1.5 hours north and offers a more relaxed beach experience than the busier resorts nearby. The combination of castle, cliffs, and swimming makes it more than just another beach town.
FAQ
All these Barcelona day trips work independently, using public transportation or a rental car. Pick based on what you're after:
- Best beaches: Sitges (easy) or Tossa de Mar (more dramatic)
- Best history: Girona (medieval) or Tarragona (Roman)
- Best food experience: Narbonne (if you don't mind the journey)
- Best mountains: Montserrat (quick) or Vall de Núria (full winter experience)
- Best wine: Penedès
Sitges and Girona offer the best value for your effort. Narbonne and Vall de Núria are worthwhile if their particular attractions—such as a buffet or snow—are important to you. The remaining destinations are good options, but not essential unless they match your specific interests.
