Excursions Near Barcelona

If strolling down Las Ramblas, visiting the Sagrada Familia, and Park Güell are hyper-traditional activities in Barcelona, it’s equally true that just a short distance from the city, you’ll find unforgettable landscapes and medieval towns that might even make you forget about the city.

Discover the best excursions near Barcelona.

Montserrat, the Best Excursion Near Barcelona

The Mountain and Monastery of Montserrat

 

If you’re wondering what to visit near Barcelona, Montserrat will almost always be the top choice. The mountain, the monastery, the mysticism surrounding it, and the beautiful landscape of the surroundings will make for an extraordinary experience. In fact, at Montserrat, you can enjoy some of the best views of Barcelona.

To visit the Montserrat Massif, you need to take the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat (FGC) from Barcelona towards Manresa.

Once there, you can hike the mountain, or if you prefer, there is a rack train that will comfortably take you from the Monistrol de Montserrat Station to the Monastery. Another way to visit this impressive place with transportation is through our excursion to Montserrat from Barcelona.

 

Girona, Where the Dragons of Game of Thrones Fly

The Colorful Houses of Girona Along the Onyar River

 

The charm of the sites to visit in Girona lies in its Roman walls, the blend of Gothic and Romanesque styles that shape its cathedral, and undoubtedly the El Call neighborhood (one of the best-preserved ancient Jewish quarters in all of Europe).

You might love its Arab baths, the Basilica of Sant Feliu, or the houses along the Onyar that you’ll find in El Areny. Or you might simply be a fan of the Game of Thrones series and want to see firsthand where the scenes that bring the towns of Braavos and King’s Landing to life were filmed.

For all these reasons and more, Girona is considered one of the most beautiful towns near Barcelona. And if you want a guide to tell you all the stories, you can sign up for an excursion to Girona from Barcelona.

Sitges, a Charming Town Near Barcelona

 

Surrounded by the Garraf Natural Park, you’ll find the town of Sitges, one of the places to visit near Barcelona. A refuge for the LGBT community since the mid-20th century, Sitges is famous for its historic center, the charm of its streets, its extensive Mediterranean beaches, and its nightlife.

Its cuisine is also famous in the region, alongside a rich cultural offering. Sitges also attracts visitors with its fantastic film festival, which has already surpassed more than 50 editions. If you’re interested, find out here about the combined tour to Sitges and Montserrat.

Figueres, the Birthplace of Salvador Dalí

A Room in the Eccentric Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres

 

Between the eastern end of the Pyrenean mountain range and the Costa Brava lies Figueres, a town with several tourist attractions, including being the birthplace of Salvador Dalí.

There you can visit the Salvador Dalí Theatre-Museum, the historic center where an ancient medieval wall can be found, the town hall square, and the surroundings of Carrer Magre, where the old Jewish quarter was located, or the Rambla of Figueres, which is one of the most frequented and beautiful walks the city has to offer.

If you wish to visit some of the towns near Barcelona, like Girona and Figueres, sign up for our tour to Girona and Figueres, which includes admission to the Salvador Dalí Theatre-Museum.

The Costa Brava, the Region with the Most Beautiful Towns Near Barcelona

Calella de Palafrugell, one of the Most Beautiful Towns on the Costa Brava

 

The Costa Brava encompasses an area of Catalonia that starts in Blanes and ends in Portbou. Along the Costa Brava, you’ll find fishing villages like Calella de Palafrugell, Roses, L’Escala, Pals, Begur, and Tossa de Mar. The calas and beaches of the Costa Brava dazzle with their warmth and Mediterranean colors.

There are also three natural parks in the Costa Brava: Cap de Creus, Els Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, and Montgrí, the Medes Islands, and Baix Ter.

Among all its attractions, the village of Cadaqués stands out the most. Beautiful from every angle, and we haven’t even told you that the Casa-Museum of Salvador Dalí is located there—a must-visit.

The Vall de Núria, for Winter Sports

 

The Vall de Núria is located in the eastern Pyrenees at about 2,000 meters altitude, surrounded by majestic mountains that together form a dreamlike landscape.

The main attraction of the area is its ski resort, making Vall de Núria an important place for winter sports, though it is also a destination with many hiking options and outdoor activities to enjoy in the summer.

The best way to visit the area is to reach the village of Ribes de Freser and take the rack train that climbs a vertical drop of one thousand meters in about 40 minutes.

The Gaudí Crypt at Colonia Güell, the Unfinished Church

 

In the village of Santa Coloma de Cervelló, you’ll find one of Gaudí’s most emblematic works. The Crypt of Colonia Güell is a church that was never completed due to financial problems that affected the project.

It holds great significance as it showcases different architectural solutions that Gaudí would implement in future projects.

The entrance portico, the crypt, the staircase leading to the temple, and the bases of one of its bell towers were completed. It’s not hard to relate the twisted shapes of its bases and columns to the other Gaudí buildings in Barcelona.

 

If you want to know the main attractions of Barcelona (such as the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell), as well as the top attractions near Barcelona, check our page where we provide you with the best tours in Barcelona in Spanish.