Day trips from Barcelona

Are you travelling to Barcelona? The Catalan capital is the perfect base for discovering countless beautiful places across Catalonia. In this post, you’ll find day trips from Barcelona to suit every taste: charming villages, historic cities, natural landscapes and routes that can be enjoyed either by train or by car.

Why choose Barcelona as your “home base”?

Barcelona is the perfect starting point for exploring Catalonia thanks to its excellent public transport connections. Its extensive transport network makes it easy to reach numerous destinations, while the main motorways make travelling by car a convenient option for day trips.

Staying in Barcelona allows you to organise different day trips, explore new destinations and enjoy your journey in greater comfort, without having to change accommodation.

At MH Apartments Barcelona, we have 8 apartments located in the heart of Barcelona, perfect for enjoying your stay at your own pace and in well-connected locations.

Best day trips from Barcelona by train

Barcelona’s railway network has more than 15 suburban and commuter lines, making it easy to travel around Catalonia and reach numerous destinations from the city. Here are 3 destinations you’ll love visiting by train:
 

• Montserrat: One of the most impressive landscapes in Catalonia and one of the most popular day trips from Barcelona. Getting there by public transport is easy: from Plaça Espanya, you can take the R5 line operated by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) towards Manresa. The journey to Montserrat takes approximately 1 hour. To reach the monastery, you have two options: the rack railway or the cable car. If you choose the rack railway, get off at Monistrol de Montserrat and continue your journey aboard the Montserrat Rack Railway. The journey takes around 15 minutes and offers beautiful views of the mountain as you ascend. If you prefer the cable car, get off one stop earlier, at Montserrat-Aeri, and take the cable car. The journey takes around 5 minutes and climbs almost vertically, offering spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
   

• Sitges: Just half an hour from Barcelona by train, Sitges is one of the most popular getaways for enjoying the Mediterranean. This former fishing village, famous for its Carnival and International Fantastic Film Festival, has retained all its charm, with a beautiful old town, beaches and a unique atmosphere. To visit Sitges, you can take the train from Estació de França, Passeig de Gràcia or Sants Station. The R2 Sud line connects Barcelona with Sitges, and the journey takes approximately 40 minutes. Keep in mind that on departure boards, the destination may appear as “Vilanova i la Geltrú” or “Sant Vicenç de Calders”, so you may not always see “Sitges” listed as the final destination.
• Girona: A city full of history and charming corners. Among its must-see attractions are the Arab Baths, a Romanesque building constructed following Roman, Muslim and Jewish architectural influences. The colourful Houses of the Onyar River form one of the city’s most iconic sights. You should also visit Girona Cathedral, one of the city’s most impressive landmarks, famous for its enormous staircase, which featured in Game of Thrones. The best way to travel from Barcelona to Girona is by train. From Sants Station, high-speed AVE and Avant trains connect the two cities in just 40 minutes.
   

Essential road trips from Barcelona

If you prefer travelling by car, you’ll also have plenty of destinations within easy reach that are perfect for a day trip.
 

• Costa Brava: Less than two hours from Barcelona lies one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in Catalonia. Exploring the Costa Brava by car gives you greater freedom and flexibility, allowing you to adapt your route to your own pace and stop as often as you like. One of its gems is the village of Cadaqués, with its whitewashed houses and strong connection to Salvador Dalí. If you’re looking for a journey back in time, Pals awaits with its cobbled streets and medieval buildings. You should also visit the village of Tossa de Mar, where the streets and landscapes seem straight out of a fairytale.
• Penedès: If you love nature, wine and cava, visit Penedès, an idyllic region just a short distance from Barcelona. Its capital, Vilafranca del Penedès, is around 50 km from Barcelona city centre, approximately a 45-minute drive, and is the perfect starting point for discovering vineyards, wineries and unique landscapes.

Choosing Barcelona as your base for exploring Catalonia allows you to combine everything the city has to offer with day trips to some of the region’s most special destinations. Stay at MH Apartments and make the city the perfect starting point for discovering Catalonia. Book now and enjoy exclusive benefits.