Barcelona is a city that dazzles with architecture, culture, and culinary delights, but beyond its bustling streets lies a wealth of day trip destinations that offer a refreshing change of pace. Whether you’re craving coastal beauty, historical intrigue, or natural wonder, there’s a perfect getaway for everyone.
We’ve gathered some of the best day trips from Barcelona, including seaside escapes like Blanes and the Costa Brava, cultural gems like Girona and Tarragona, and even a cross-border adventure to the colorful French town of Collioure. These are seven unforgettable one-day trips from Barcelona that are worth adding to your itinerary.
Many of these destinations can be reached by train, so you can check out how to get from Barcelona Airport to Sants Train Station and find the most convenient transportation based on your needs and budget.
Best day trips from Barcelona
Barcelona day trips: Blanes
Blanes is a charming seaside town just north of Barcelona. It’s famous for the stunning Marimurtra Botanical Garden, peaceful coves, and a long palm-lined promenade that’s perfect for a relaxing day by the Mediterranean. Blanes offers a quieter, more local vibe than the busier beach towns, making it ideal for a laid-back escape.
How to get there
By train: Take a Rodalies R1 train from Barcelona Sants or Plaça de Catalunya toward Blanes. The journey takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Trains run frequently, especially during the summer. Once at Blanes station, it’s a short bus ride or a 20-minute walk to the beach and town center.
Book a tour: Enjoy a personalized Half-Day Tour to Blanes that allows you to plan your own itinerary and explore Blanes at your own pace.
Barcelona day trips: Montserrat
Day trips to Montserrat from Barcelona are a popular choice among nature lovers and history buffs. Montserrat is a dramatic mountain range and spiritual retreat, home to the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey and the famous Black Madonna. With its jagged peaks, hiking trails, and panoramic views, it’s a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural significance. Make sure to visit the Museum of Montserrat and climb to the St Miquel’s Cross lookout point that offers a spectacular view of the Pyrenees.
How to get there
By train: Take the R5 train from Barcelona Plaça Espanya to either Montserrat-Aeri (for the cable car) or Monistrol de Montserrat (for the rack railway). Travel time is about 1 hour. The cable car (Aeri de Montserrat) or Cremallera rack railway will then take you up the mountain. Combo tickets (Train + Cable Car or Rack Railway) are available for convenience.
Book a tour: Enjoy a personalized Day Trip to Montserrat that includes transportation and allows you to customize your trip by choosing your stops.
Barcelona day trips: Tarragona
A seaside city rich in Roman history, Tarragona boasts ancient ruins, a Mediterranean amphitheater overlooking the sea, and charming old-town alleys. It offers the perfect blend of cultural sightseeing and beach relaxation, with fewer crowds than Barcelona. If you’re not up for a swim, visit the Tarragona Cathedral or stroll around the lively market of La Rambla Nova.
How to get there
By train: From Barcelona Sants, take a Regional Express or Media Distancia train to Tarragona. The journey takes about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes. High-speed AVE trains also run to Camp de Tarragona, but that station is outside the city center and requires a short taxi or bus ride.
Book a tour: Plan a Half-day Trip to Tarragona tailored to your interests that includes a pickup from your accommodation.
Barcelona day trips: Girona
Girona is a medieval gem with cobbled streets, colorful riverside houses, and one of Europe’s best-preserved Jewish Quarters. The city also gained fame as a filming location for Game of Thrones, and its walkable Old Town makes it a great cultural and scenic day trip. Make sure to stop at the Girona Cathedral and walk alongside the Onyar River.
How to get there
By train: Frequent Renfe regional trains and AVE high-speed trains run from Barcelona Sants or Passeig de Gràcia to Girona. The high-speed AVE takes just 40 minutes, while regional trains take about 1.5 hours. The station is within walking distance of the Old Town.
Book a tour: Plan a personalized Day Trip From Barcelona to Girona and have a driver pick you up from your hotel or apartment.
Barcelona day trips: Figueres
Best known as the birthplace of Salvador Dalí, Figueres is home to the surreal and iconic Dalí Theatre-Museum, a must-see for art lovers. The town itself also has a relaxed charm with cafes, plazas, and other cultural sights beyond the Dalí experience.
How to get there
By train: From Barcelona Sants, take the AVE high-speed train to Figueres-Vilafant (about 55 minutes) or a slower regional train to Figueres station (about 2 hours). The Dalí Museum is a short walk from the Figueres town station, but if you arrive at Vilafant, take a local bus or taxi into town.
Book a tour: A Day trip from Barcelona to Figueres is a must for all art lovers, and having private transportation from and to your accommodation makes it much easier.
Barcelona day trips: Costa Brava
The Costa Brava stretches north from Barcelona and is famed for its rugged coastline, turquoise waters, and charming seaside towns like Tossa de Mar, Calella de Palafrugell, and Llafranc. Ideal for nature walks, kayaking, or just soaking up the sun, this region is perfect for an adventurous or relaxing day trip.
How to get there
By train: Costa Brava towns are not directly served by train, but you can take a train to Blanes (R1 line) and then continue by bus to Tossa de Mar. For Calella de Palafrugell, take a train to Girona and then a Sarfa bus to the coast. Travel time varies (approx. 2–2.5 hours total), so it’s best to plan connections in advance.
Book a tour: Enjoy direct transportation from your hotel or apartment to any town or beach you want with a private Costa Brava Day Trip from Barcelona.
Barcelona day trips: Collioure (France)
Day trips from Barcelona to France are a great way to combine two countries on the same trip. Just across the French border, the picturesque town of Collioure offers colorful harbor scenes, cobblestone streets, and a rich artistic heritage that inspired painters like Matisse and Derain. Take a break from Catalonia for a day, and enjoy Collioure’s French flair and coastal charm.
How to get there by train
Take a RENFE-SNCF high-speed train or regional trains from Barcelona Sants to Perpignan (about 1.5 hours), then transfer to a local TER train to Collioure (about 30 minutes). Total travel time is around 2–2.5 hours. Trains run regularly, but check the return schedule in advance, especially outside summer months.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best day tour from Barcelona? 
If you’re done exploring the city, day trips while in Barcelona are a great way to see more of Spain. Depending on your interests, the best day tour from Barcelona could be either Montserrat, with its dramatic mountain range, or Girona, a medieval gem with cobbled streets.
What is the most beautiful town near Barcelona?
For many, Montserrat, with its dramatic mountain range, is one of the most beautiful towns near Barcelona. Another beautiful city is Girona, a medieval gem with cobbled streets.
Where else can you go from Barcelona?
Organizing day trips from Barcelona Spain is a great idea if you’re traveling for more than a couple of days. Popular nearby destinations, ideal for day trips out of Barcelona, are Blanes, Montserrat, Tarragona, Girona, and Figueres.
Which cities are close to Barcelona by train?
You can organize some of the day trips from Barcelona by train. Cities like Blanes, Montserrat, Tarragona, and Girona are easily accessible by train, and a great way to see more of Spain.
Is Girona worth a day trip from Barcelona?
If you’ve ticked all the major sites in the city, day trips around Barcelona are a great way to explore other beautiful cities, and Girona is definitely a must-see. Its medieval architecture, well-preserved Jewish Quarter, and beautiful riverside scenery are worth a day trip from Barcelona for some change of pace.
