Day trips from Barcelona
Barcelona has a good menu of day trips by train: Montserrat and Colònia Güell on the FGC from Plaça d'Espanya, and Sitges, Tarragona, Girona, Figueres and the cava town of Sant Sadurní on Rodalies and Renfe trains from Sants. Tossa de Mar on the Costa Brava is reached by bus. With a car, the monasteries of Poblet and Santes Creus, the Garrotxa volcanoes, Cardona and the Pyrenean foothills are one to two hours away.
Checked: 22 October 2026. Prices and hours can change; check the official site before you go.
Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia
8 places for a day out by train or bus, with the journey time, the fare and the last train back, and 7 outings by car for a weekend.
- Montserrat
- Sitges
- Girona
- Tarragona
- Figueres (Dalí Theatre-Museum)
- Colònia Güell
- Sant Sadurní d'Anoia (cava)
- Tossa de Mar
- Poblet and Santes Creus monasteries
- Besalú and the Garrotxa volcanoes
- Cardona salt mountain
- Montseny
- Rupit
- Siurana and the Priorat wineries
- Cadaqués and Cap de Creus
⚡ At a glance
| Destination | By | One way | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montserrat | 🚆 Train | 90 min | rack railway €15 return |
| Sitges | 🚆 Train | – | – |
| Girona | 🚆 Train | – | – |
| Tarragona | 🚆 Train | – | – |
| Figueres (Dalí Theatre-Museum) | 🚆 Train | – | – |
| Colònia Güell | 🚆 Train | 25 min | – |
| Sant Sadurní d'Anoia (cava) | 🚆 Train | – | – |
| Tossa de Mar | 🚌 Bus | 80 min | – |
| Poblet and Santes Creus monasteries | 🚗 Car | 95 min · 122 km | – |
| Besalú and the Garrotxa volcanoes | 🚗 Car | 99 min · 131 km | – |
| Cardona salt mountain | 🚗 Car | 77 min · 89 km | – |
| Montseny | 🚗 Car | 88 min · 75 km | – |
| Rupit | 🚗 Car | 117 min · 108 km | – |
| Siurana and the Priorat wineries | 🚗 Car | 121 min · 141 km | – |
| Cadaqués and Cap de Creus | 🚗 Car | 132 min · 170 km | – |
By train and bus
No car needed: go in the morning and be back for dinner.
🚆 90 minPhoto: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia
Montserrat
A jagged mountain with a Benedictine abbey on its flank, the Black Madonna and walking trails, reached by rack railway from the R5 line. The best mix of nature and culture from Barcelona.
- 🚆 Getting there: Train · Barcelona Plaça d'Espanya (FGC line R5) · 90 min · R5 trains to Monistrol-Vila, then the rack railway, which runs all year
- 🎟️ Fare: rack railway €15 return; train plus rack railway combined from €20.80 return, depending on zones
- 🚶 On arrival: rack railway from Monistrol-Vila up to the monastery (T-Mobilitat is not valid on it)
- Map
What to see
- Basilica and the Black Madonna: The basilica and the 12th-century statue the monastery is known for; expect a queue for the Madonna.
🕗 basilica daily 07:00–20:00 · 🎟️ free Website - Museum of Montserrat: Art museum with works by Picasso, Dalí, Monet and Caravaggio.
🕗 daily 10:00–17:45 · 🎟️ €12 Website - Sant Joan funicular: Ride up, or walk, for views over the whole massif and the Catalan plain.
🎟️ €17.50 return Website - Escolania boys' choir: One of Europe's oldest boys' choirs sings in the basilica.
🕗 usually 13:00 and 19:00 (check the choir's calendar) Website
- 📅 When to go: Weekdays are calmer; weekends and holidays are crowded. The Santa Cova funicular is out of service until further notice.
- 💡 Tip: Take one of the first R5 trains (around 08:30–09:00) to see the basilica before the coach groups arrive.
- 🎫 Combined ticket: Rack railway plus museum €22 return, sold at Monistrol-Vila station only.
🚆 TrainPhoto: G.M. Kowalewska · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia
Sitges
A white seaside town with long beaches, a baroque church above the sea and museums of Modernisme. The easiest beach day from Barcelona by train.
- 🚆 Getting there: Train · Barcelona Sants or Passeig de Gràcia (Rodalies R2 Sud) · a train every 15 to 30 minutes on weekdays
- 🚶 On arrival: about 10 minutes on foot from the station to the centre and the beach
- Map
What to see
- Cau Ferrat and Maricel museums: The artist Santiago Rusiñol's house-museum and the palace on the sea front.
🕗 Tue–Sun 10:00–19:00, closed Mon · 🎟️ €12 for both (free on the first Wednesday of the month) Website - Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla church and the promenade: The church on the headland above the sea is the postcard view; walk the Passeig de la Ribera.
🎟️ free outside Website - Town beaches: Sand beaches next to the old town, such as Platja de Sant Sebastià.
🎟️ free Website
- 📅 When to go: Best from May to October for the beach. The museums are closed on Mondays.
- 🎫 Combined ticket: Cau Ferrat, Maricel and the Fundació Stämpfli together cost €17.
🚆 TrainPhoto: Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia
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Girona
A walled medieval city with one of Europe's best-preserved Jewish quarters, a cathedral above a broad staircase and colourful houses on the Onyar river. A fast train makes it an easy day.
- 🚆 Getting there: Train · Barcelona Sants (Avant/AVE), or Sants, Passeig de Gràcia and Clot-Aragó (Rodalies R11) · Avant/AVE and R11 regional trains run many times a day
- 🪑 Seat reservation needed
- 🚶 On arrival: about 10 minutes on foot from the station to the old town
- Map
What to see
- Cathedral and Sant Feliu basilica: The cathedral above its great staircase and the church of Sant Feliu, on one ticket with an audio guide.
🎟️ €7.50 Website - Museum of Jewish History (the Call): The medieval lanes of the Jewish quarter and the museum in its middle.
🕗 Tue–Sat 10:00–18:00 (to 19:00 in July and August), Sun and Mon 10:00–14:00 · 🎟️ €6 (free on the first Sunday of the month) Website - Arab Baths: A 12th-century Romanesque bathhouse.
🎟️ €3 Website - City walls: Walk the old walls for views over the old town. Website
- 📅 When to go: Open all year; busiest in May during the flower festival (Temps de Flors).
🚆 TrainPhoto: Travel dreamer · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia
Tarragona
A Roman provincial capital by the sea: an amphitheatre above the beach, a circus under the old town and a Roman wall. Roman ruins and a city beach in one day.
- 🚆 Getting there: Train · Barcelona Sants · frequent regional and Avant trains
- 🚶 On arrival: about 10–15 minutes on foot from the station to the old town
- Map
What to see
- Roman Amphitheatre: The arena next to the sea.
🕗 closed Mondays; Sundays only until about 14:30 · 🎟️ €5 per monument (€2.50 reduced) Website - Roman Circus and Praetorium: The vaults of the Roman circus under the old town; the entrance is on Rambla Vella.
🎟️ €5 (€2.50 reduced) Website - Cathedral and the Balcó del Mediterrani: The cathedral on the hill and the promenade with the sea view. Website
- 📅 When to go: Most monuments are closed on Mondays, and the hours change in winter and summer.
- 🎫 Combined ticket: A combined pass for several Roman sites costs €15.
🚆 TrainPhoto: Sharon Hahn Darlin · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia
Figueres (Dalí Theatre-Museum)
The Dalí Theatre-Museum, designed by the artist himself, is the most visited museum in Catalonia outside Barcelona. A strong art day, easy to combine with Girona on the same line.
- 🚆 Getting there: Train · Barcelona Sants · Avant trains several times a day, R11 regional trains more often
- 🪑 Seat reservation needed
- Map
What to see
- Dalí Theatre-Museum: A surreal museum in a former theatre, with the artist's tomb in the crypt. Book online.
🕗 Tue–Sun, opening 09:30 or 10:30 depending on the month, closing 18:00; daily 09:00–20:00 in July and August · 🎟️ from €18.50, or €26.50 with a guided tour Website - Toy Museum of Catalonia and the Rambla: A small museum and the town's main promenade.
- 📅 When to go: The Dalí museum is closed on Mondays outside July and August.
🚆 25 minPhoto: Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia
Colònia Güell
A short FGC ride to a workers' colony with Gaudí's unfinished crypt, the test bed for the Sagrada Família. An easy half day.
- 🚆 Getting there: Train · Barcelona Plaça d'Espanya (FGC lines S3, S4, S8, S9) · 25 min · several FGC lines stop at Colònia Güell
- 🚶 On arrival: a short walk from the station to the crypt
- Map
What to see
- Gaudí's crypt: The unfinished church with Gaudí's catenary model.
🕗 Mon–Fri 10:00–17:00; Sat, Sun and holidays 10:00–15:00 · 🎟️ €10 with audio guide; guided tour €13 Website
- 📅 When to go: Closed on 1 and 6 January, Palm Sunday, Good Friday and 25 and 26 December.
- 🎫 Combined ticket: The Combinat Güell (train, crypt, audio guide and train back) costs €15.80.
🚆 TrainPhoto: Angela Llop from Spain · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia
Sant Sadurní d'Anoia (cava)
The capital of cava, with the Codorníu cellars in a Modernist complex by Puig i Cadafalch, a short train ride from Barcelona.
- 🚆 Getting there: Train · Barcelona Sants (Rodalies R4) · frequent Rodalies R4 trains
- Map
What to see
- Codorníu cellars: Heritage Tour and Iconic Tour: A tour of the cellars and the Modernist complex, with a train ride, ending with a cava tasting.
🎟️ Heritage Tour (75 min) €25; Iconic Tour (105 min) €30 Website
- 📅 When to go: Book your tour ahead: tour days and start times are shown on the booking page.
🚌 80 minPhoto: Moahim · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia
Tossa de Mar
A Costa Brava town with a walled medieval old town (Vila Vella) on a headland above a sandy beach.
- 🚌 Getting there: Bus · Barcelona Estació del Nord bus station (Moventis Sarfa) · 80 min · several buses a day, fewer in winter
- 🌙 Last train back: last bus back 18:55 in the 2025–26 winter timetable; check the current one
- 🚶 On arrival: 5–10 minutes on foot from the bus station to the beach and the Vila Vella
- Map
What to see
- Vila Vella: The walled medieval old town with a lighthouse. Website
- Platja Gran: The town beach below the walls.
🎟️ free Website
- 📅 When to go: Best from May to September; the bus timetable is thinner in winter.
By car: a weekend out
For people who live in Barcelona, or anyone with a car: nature, castles and family days that are much easier to reach by road.
🚗 122 km · about 95 minPhoto: Malopez 21 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia
Poblet and Santes Creus monasteries
Two Cistercian monasteries on the Cistercian Route; with a car you can link them in a loop through the wine villages.
- 🚗 Drive: 122 km · about 95 min
- 🛣️ Tolls: none (the AP-7 has been toll-free in Catalonia since September 2021)
- 🌿 Low-emission zone: Leaving Barcelona: the ZBE Rondes low-emission zone is in force Mon–Fri 07:00–20:00. Cars need a DGT environmental label or a paid day permit, and foreign-plated cars must register first.
- Map
What to see
- Poblet Monastery: A Cistercian UNESCO monastery, visited on your own with the free official app; headphones are compulsory.
🕗 Mon–Sat 10:00–12:30 and 15:00–18:00, Sun and holidays from 10:30; to 18:30 in summer (15 June–14 September) · 🎟️ €10.50 Website - Santes Creus Monastery: A Cistercian monastery with a cloister and royal tombs.
🕗 Tue–Sat 10:00–17:30 (to 19:00 from May to September), Sun and holidays 10:00–15:00; closed on non-holiday Mondays · 🎟️ €7 (free on the last Tuesday of the month) Website
- 📅 When to go: Poblet closes from 12:30 to 15:00, and Santes Creus is closed on Mondays and closes at 15:00 on Sundays.
- 💡 Tip: Do Poblet in the morning and Santes Creus in the afternoon, on a Tuesday to Saturday.
- 🎫 Combined ticket: A combined Cistercian Route ticket (Poblet, Santes Creus, Vallbona) costs €18.
🚗 131 km · about 99 minPhoto: Palauenc05 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia
Besalú and the Garrotxa volcanoes
A medieval bridge town and a volcanic natural park nearby; a good outing for autumn colours.
- 🚗 Drive: 131 km · about 99 min
- 🛣️ Tolls: none
- 🅿️ Parking: free car park at the entrance to Besalú; in the Garrotxa park the Can Serra car park is paid
- 🌿 Low-emission zone: Leaving Barcelona: the ZBE Rondes low-emission zone is in force Mon–Fri 07:00–20:00. Cars need a DGT environmental label or a paid day permit, and foreign-plated cars must register first.
- Map
What to see
- Besalú old town and bridge: A medieval town known for its Jewish heritage, including the mikvé (ritual bath), which can only be seen on a guided visit booked at the tourist office.
🕗 tourist office Mon–Fri 09:00–14:00 Website - Fageda d'en Jordà beech forest: A beech forest in the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, at its best in autumn.
🎟️ free to walk; paid parking at Can Serra Website - Santa Margarida volcano: A volcano in the park, reached by the GI-524 road from Olot towards Santa Pau.
🎟️ free (the car park is €4 on busy days) Website
- 📅 When to go: The beech forest peaks in late October and November; the park car parks fill early at weekends.
- 💡 Tip: Go in the morning, or take the Volcano bus, which stops in Olot, at the Fageda car park and at Santa Margarida.
🚗 89 km · about 77 minPhoto: Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia
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Cardona salt mountain
A guided visit underground in a salt mine, below a medieval castle on the hill.
- 🚗 Drive: 89 km · about 77 min
- 🛣️ Tolls: the C-16 route has tolls: Vallvidrera tunnels €4.70 (€5.28 at peak times) plus barrier tolls of €1.43 to €3.19; a toll-free route was not checked
- 🅿️ Parking: large outdoor car park at the Salt Mountain
- 🌿 Low-emission zone: Leaving Barcelona: the ZBE Rondes low-emission zone is in force Mon–Fri 07:00–20:00. Cars need a DGT environmental label or a paid day permit, and foreign-plated cars must register first.
- Map
What to see
- Salt Mountain: A guided visit of about an hour in a gallery 86 m underground, at a constant 18 °C; photos only in one room, no prams or dogs.
🕗 timed tours, booked online Website
- 💡 Tip: Buy your ticket online to get a time slot; the mine is cold and damp and drips, so leave leather bags behind.
🚗 75 km · about 88 minPhoto: Pere López Brosa · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia
Montseny
A biosphere reserve with beech and holm-oak forests and marked walks, best in autumn.
- 🚗 Drive: 75 km · about 88 min
- 🅿️ Parking: free car park at the Fogars de Montclús reception point
- 🌿 Low-emission zone: Leaving Barcelona: the ZBE Rondes low-emission zone is in force Mon–Fri 07:00–20:00. Cars need a DGT environmental label or a paid day permit, and foreign-plated cars must register first.
- Map
What to see
- Fogars de Montclús reception point and Bus Parc: In autumn you leave the car here and take the park bus up to Santa Fe and Fontmartina.
🎟️ free parking Website - Santa Fe del Montseny beech wood: Marked trails through the beech wood.
🎟️ free Website
- 📅 When to go: Access is regulated on autumn weekends and holidays: check this year's dates on the park's website.
- 💡 Tip: On autumn weekends and holidays leave the car at the Fogars reception point and use the Bus Parc.
🚗 108 km · about 117 minPhoto: sito.rm · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia
Rupit
A stone village in the Collsacabra known for its hanging bridge.
- 🚗 Drive: 108 km · about 117 min
- 🅿️ Parking: municipal car park: free for 45 minutes, then €2.50 up to 2 hours, €3.50 up to 3 hours, €4.50 up to 4 hours and €6 up to 24 hours
- 🌿 Low-emission zone: Leaving Barcelona: the ZBE Rondes low-emission zone is in force Mon–Fri 07:00–20:00. Cars need a DGT environmental label or a paid day permit, and foreign-plated cars must register first.
- Map
What to see
- Rupit village and the hanging bridge: A stone village with a wooden suspension bridge over the stream.
🎟️ free Website - Salt del Sallent waterfall walk: A signposted walk from the village to the waterfall.
🎟️ free Website
- 💡 Tip: Bring a picnic: there is a picnic area between the car park and the stream.
🚗 141 km · about 121 minPhoto: Lohen11 - Josep Renalias · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia
Siurana and the Priorat wineries
A cliff-top village above a reservoir and the Priorat wine country.
- 🚗 Drive: 141 km · about 121 min
- 🛣️ Tolls: none (the AP-7 has been toll-free in Catalonia since September 2021)
- 🅿️ Parking: paid car park at Siurana, €3 a day
- 🌿 Low-emission zone: Leaving Barcelona: the ZBE Rondes low-emission zone is in force Mon–Fri 07:00–20:00. Cars need a DGT environmental label or a paid day permit, and foreign-plated cars must register first.
- Map
What to see
- Siurana village and La Trona viewpoint: A cliff-top village above the reservoir; the rock called La Trona has the best views, and the climbing routes are world-famous.
🎟️ free Website
- 💡 Tip: Winery visits are by appointment; agree who drives before you book a tasting.
🚗 170 km · about 132 minPhoto: Nicolas Vigier · CC0 · Wikimedia
Cadaqués and Cap de Creus
A white fishing village with a Dalí connection and the wild Cap de Creus park. The drive is long and the road winding, so leave early or make a weekend of it.
- 🚗 Drive: 170 km · about 132 min
- 🛣️ Tolls: none (the AP-7 has been toll-free in Catalonia since September 2021)
- 🅿️ Parking: free car park at Corral d'en Morell in Cadaqués
- 🌿 Low-emission zone: Leaving Barcelona: the ZBE Rondes low-emission zone is in force Mon–Fri 07:00–20:00. Cars need a DGT environmental label or a paid day permit, and foreign-plated cars must register first.
- Map
What to see
- Cadaqués old town and bay: The church of Santa Maria above the harbour and the promenade are the core of a walk.
🎟️ free Website - Salvador Dalí House-Museum, Portlligat: Dalí's only permanent home and studio; groups of visitors enter every 10 minutes.
🕗 daily 10:30–18:00 until 31 October, then Tue–Sun 10:30–18:00; closed for about five weeks from early January · 🎟️ €15.50 online (€17 at the ticket office); advance booking always required Website - Cap de Creus: The wild eastern tip of the Pyrenees in the Cap de Creus natural park, reached by a narrow road to the lighthouse. Website
- 📅 When to go: On regulated days (weekends in October 2026) the road to the lighthouse is closed to cars from 09:30 to 19:00: park at Corral d'en Morell and take the shuttle.
- 💡 Tip: Book the Dalí House slot first and plan the rest of the day around it.
Plan your trip → Put these places in a day plan with walking times.
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