Best Day Trips from Barcelona Spain – the ones locals actually take

The best day trips from Barcelona? Hidden beaches by train to Garraf and Sitges, dramatic mountain views at Montserrat, cava tastings in the Penedès wine region, and coastal hikes along the Mediterranean — all within 30 to 60 minutes from the city. I live in Barcelona and these are the day trips from Barcelona that I actually take when I need to escape city life. Barcelona is surrounded by mountains, coastline and wine country, and the best part is that most of these day trips from Barcelona by train are easy to do without a car.

Whether you want a slow beach day, a challenging hike, or an afternoon sipping cava with vineyard views, there is a day trip for every kind of traveller.

There’s a day trip for everyone and in this article I’m sharing my favorite ones. The day trips that the locals from Barcelona actually choose when they want to get out of the city for a day. Whether that be discovering hidden beaches just outside of Barcelona, hiking in the mountains or spending a slow afternoon at a winery.

Here are my favorite and must-do day trips from Barcelona.

On The Move: Must do day trips from Barcelona

Are you contemplating whether you should go on a day trip when in Barcelona? If you have already visited the city before, I definitely recommend a day trip to explore beyond Barcelona. It shows a different side of Catalonia; quieter, greener and probably more breathtaking than the city itself (no hate against Barcelona of course!). But going on a day trip gives your city trip more depth and makes it feel less rushed as a city trip might have that effect on you.

In this article I’m sharing the day trips that the locals from Barcelona actually take. Of course, there are also organized group tours that are worth it and make going on a day trip more effortless. I have added some tours that I would take myself at the end of this article.

Here are my seven best day trips from Barcelona to include into your itinerary.

1. Coastal escapes & hidden beaches outside of Barcelona

True locals prefer the beaches outside Barcelona. These coastal spots offer a more Catalan experience with fewer tourist crowds, clearer water and beautiful natural surroundings. The train runs both north and south along the coastline, making it easy to reach a variety of stunning beaches close to Barcelona. On sunny days the train can get busy, it remains very doable but be prepared as it can get a bit crowded.

Beach day trips from Barcelona by train

Best beaches near Barcelona by train

Some of my favorite beaches close to Barcelona that are easily reachable by train are :

• Montgat – this beach is only a 30 minute train ride from Barcelona
• Ocata – make a lunch reservation at El Mas Vell
• Canet de Mar – hidden paradise and also a cute little town to wander through
• Sitges – popular coastal town, combine beach and Sitges sightseeing in one day

These are some of the easiest day trips from Barcelona by train- no car needed, just hop on and go.

Best hidden beaches near Barcelona by car

Another great option is to rent a car for a day. This opens up even more possibilities, especially secluded gems that are only accessible by car. These quieter, hidden beaches are only just a short drive from Barcelona but feels like you’re worlds away.

• One of my favorites finds from this year is Platja de Treumal; its azul blue water, rocky coastline and an intimate hidden beach gives you the feeling of being on a tropical island. Have lunch at Cala Treamal, the beach’s only chiringuito. Just make sure to reserve a table as soon as you arrive, otherwise you might end up on a long waiting list.
• Another beautiful spot is Gavà Mar. It has a different vibe, feels far less crowded than the other beaches and has cute paths that run alongside the beach. Combine it with brunch or an early dinner at Catalina Gavà Mar – a dreamy restaurant with the most stunning garden.
• Two other beautiful beaches that are only reachable by car from Barcelona are Cala Morisca and Cala Giverola.

2. Spend a day in Garraf, beautiful beach near Barcelona

Platja del Garraf is a small, intimate beach just south of Barcelona. The train gets you there in about 30 minutes, making Garraf one of the easiest day trips from Barcelona by train. The beach is charming and perfectly sized for a slow, relaxing day by the sea. Alongside the beach there are tiny, white little beach houses in true authentic Catalan style – making it even more picturesque.

Charming lunch with a sea view

Although Garraf is close to the city, it really feels like a mini getaway. Spend your morning lounging on the sand, enjoying the waves and sunshine. Then book a lunch at Chiringuito de Garraf, set on the rocks with panoramic sea views. My friend and I once spotted a dolphin during our lunch, a magical moment I’ll never forget. I really like their seafood and laid-back Mediterranean atmosphere. Order a chilled rosé and savor a long lunch before hopping back to Barcelona – sun-kissed and completely relaxed.

3. A day trip to Sitges

Sitges is a historic coastal town about 40 minutes from Barcelona. It’s the perfect day trip when you want to escape the city but don’t feel like spending your entire day on the beach. Along the shoreline you’ll find Sitges’ most iconic sight: the historic church Església de Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla. Climb the stairs for a beautiful view before wandering into the charming old town filled with narrow streets.

Sitges: one of the best day trips from Barcelona by train

Spend your day exploring through the local boutiques, relaxing on the beach and taking a refreshing swim. End your day at Vivero Beach Club Restaurant – the best spot for watching the sunset. But the biggest surprise of our visit was the dinner spot we ran into: L’ Avinyet. It’s a small, artsy restaurant and busy in the best possible way. Come for the food – we tried their Matrimonio de convenienca y el amante, a combination of anchoas de escalia, boquerón en vinagre and sardina ahuamda. The flavors and the texture of the dish were incredible. The atmosphere is what made this place even more special, many of the guests seemed to know each other. During our dinner, a man suddenly started playing his guitar while a friend drummed along. I experienced a feeling of true happiness here.

If you want to read more about Sitges, read the guide here

4. Montserrat: The most stunning mountain views

Montserrat is a multi-peaked mountain range and I’m always in awe that such a dramatic landscape is so close to Barcelona. There are plenty of incredible hiking routes to choose from, depending on your level and how long you want to spend hiking. Make sure to visit the Montserrat Monastery – its architecture is breathtaking as is seamlessly blends into the shapes of the surrounding mountains.

If you’re in the mood for an active day filled with adventure and stunning mountain views, a day trip to Montserrat is definitely worth it.

How to get to Montserrat?

There are multiple options for getting to Montserrat. But my recommendation is taking the R5 train from Plaça Espanya to Aeri de Montserrat or Monistrol de Montserrat. Depending on your choice of travel, you can either go by cable car or funicular (the mountain train). Both options go from the base of the Montserrat mountain to the monastery and will give you impressive panoramic views.

Montserrat is one of the most popular day trips from Barcelona by train and the journey itself is part of the experience.

5. Wineries & Cava vineyards

The Penedès wine region is just an hour away from Barcelona and is known as one of Spain’s most famous wine areas. Picture yourself wandering through picturesque vineyards, sipping cava in a medieval castle with views over the Montserrat mountains. Sounds magical, right? One of the best day trips from Barcelona is a winery tour, and there are plenty of great options.

I visited Artcava, about 40 minutes from Barcelona. The tour begins with a walk around the property before heading into the wine house, where we learned more about the history and the cava from this region. We even got to bottle and personalize our own bottle of cava. We visited at the end of December, so it was a bit chilly, but I can only imagine how scenic it must be in the warmer months when you can sit in their beautiful, spacious garden.

Another place high on my list is L’Olivera Can Calopa, located even closer to Barcelona. It’s a stunning winery with dreamy views over the vineyard landscape, all seen from their old farmhouse. You can tour the property, learn about its history, taste locally produced wines and olive oils and get a glimpse of what life on a vineyard looks like. I can’t wait to visit!

6. Hiking around Barcelona

Barcelona is surrounded by mountains and nature, perfect for travelers who love hiking and being in nature. Depending on the hike you would like to take, it can either just take a couple of hours of your day up to a full day trip.

Some of my favorite hikes are:

Tibidabo

Tibidabo is a mountain on the edge of Barcelona, and easily visible from many parts of the city. Something that always feels a bit magical to me. It’s isn’t just a tourist attraction, locals love to come here to run, hike and bike. My two favorite hikes at Tibidabo, Barcelona are:

• Carretera de les Aigües: This is a beautiful, easygoing path that runs along the mountain giving you an uninterrupted and stunning view of Barcelona its entire route. To get here, take the S1 or S2 train to Peu del Funicular, from here you take the mountain train (funicular) and get out at the end to start your hike. This hike is suitable for all levels, involves no climbing and takes about an hour to complete.
• Tibidabo hike: Instead of taking a funicular to go up to the mountain, you climb your way up. This is a bit more challenging and requires a good physical condition. There are multiple starting points to walk up the Tibidabo mountain, the easiest to find is Funicular del Tibidabo. Instead of taking the mountain train, follow the path that goes up the mountain and walk your way up to the church on top of Tibidabo. Depending on your route, hiking your way up and down Tibidabo will take around 3 to 4 hours.

La Mola

La Mola is a mountain located about 40 kilometers from Barcelona and it’s one of the best hiking spots in the area. There are several routes leading to the top, ranging from moderate to more challenging. I recommend checking platforms like Komoot to choose a trail that suits your level. At the top, you’ll find an old monastery where you can sit down for a traditional Catalan lunch.

The hike and mountain itself are stunning, expect dramatic rock formations and endless views. If you love hiking and want to escape the city for a day, La Mola is a beautiful choice.

How to get there? If you have a car, that’s by far the easiest option. Otherwise take the train to Terrassa Nacions Unides or Sabadell and grab a taxi from here. I wouldn’t recommend taking the bus, as this increases your travel time by a lot.

Coastal Hike

If you would rather hike along the sea than in the mountains, this is the hike for you: this coastal trail runs right alongside the Mediterranean sea.

Take the train to Vilanova to start your hike. From there, walk to the beach and just simply follow the coastline towards Barcelona. The hike eventually brings you to Sitges, where you can reward yourself with a drink or lunch before taking the train back to Barcelona.

This coastal hike near Barcelona takes about 1,5 to 2 hours.

El Torrent de la Cabana

A hike that’s still on top of my bucket list is El Torrent de la Cabana. It’s famous for its seven scenic waterfalls and during the warmer months you can even take a dip to cool off. It’s not a difficult hike but it’s about 10 kilometers, so it can be quite long. Make sure to bring enough water and let me know if you take this hike, I’m really curious to hear what you think!

Montjuïc

My favorite place in Barcelona is Montjuïc. While it’s not exactly a day trip, I had to include this hike. It’s just too beautiful to leave out. Montjuïc is a beautiful hill on the edge of Barcelona and perfect for long walks and picnics. It’s an easy addition to your Barcelona itinerary and it feels like a quiet escape from the city itself.

Start at the Parallel metro station and make your way up toward Montjuïc Castle at the top. The climb is gentle and scenic and once you’re there, follow the path that circles around the castle for more panoramic views. Along this path, you’ll also find La Caseta del Migdia. A relaxed Spanish barbecue spot accompanied by live music.

7. A day trip to Andorra

I wouldn’t really recommend a day trip to Andorra if your only goal is city sightseeing and strolling through town. Andorra is beautifully located in the mountains, but it’s also really small and you can see most of it within an hour. Take into account that a bus ride from Barcelona to Andorra is about 3 hours, so it’s quite the travel for such a small town.

However, Andorra is a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts and is perhaps better suited for a multi-day escape. In winter, you can easily combine a Barcelona city trip with a few days of skiing in Andorra. During spring and summer, there are many hiking trails to enjoy.

Interested in an organized trip to Andorra? Check out some of these guided day tours:

• Andorra Caldea Spa
• Guided day trip to Andorra, France & Spain

Guided day trip tours from Barcelona

Besides these day trips you can either take by car or public transport, you also have the option to book guided tours and day trips from Barcelona. I have added the guided tours that I would actually take myself here:

Day trips from Barcelona: Montserrat Monastery, Easy Hike, Cable Car

I already included a Montserrat visit into this must do day trips from Barcelona. I would opt for a guided tour to learn more from a qualified guide which would be so interesting to learn more about Montserrat. Also this trip is for a small group, it’s a nice way to connect with fellow travellers and includes a short, easy hike as well.

• Duration: 6 hours and included transport from and to Barcelona
• Price: €85 per person
• Book your trip here

Day trips from Barcelona: Tossa de Mar Day Tour with Beach Time

Tossa de Mar is one of my favorite coastal towns near Barcelona, so this is a guided day trip I would definitely take. You can read more about Tossa de Mar in my Costa Brava Guide to find out why you want to go to this medieval coastal town.

This guided day trip takes you to Tossa de Mar, includes a guided walking tour of the old town, a delicious lunch and has enough free time to explore the beaches. To me, it sounds like a really fun day trip to explore one of the most beautiful coastal towns in the Costa Brava.

• Duration: 9 hours and includes bus transportation
• Price: €46 per person
• Book your trip here:

Day trips from Barcelona: Costa Brava Kayak, Snorkel & Cliff Jump & Lunch

An adventurous day trip from Barcelona: discover some of the best hidden coves and caves by kayak, swim and snorkel and if you want, cliff jumps!

• Duration: 8 hours and includes transportation by private bus
• Price: €100 per person
• Book your trip here:

Day trips from Barcelona: Penedés Vineyards Tour by 4WD w/ Wine & Cava

The Penedès wine region and its wineries are just an hour away from Barcelona and is known as one of Spain’s most famous wine areas. This day trip from Barcelona lets you explore the vineyards of two wineries where you tastes delicious wines paired with local cheese and charcuterie and learn more about the art of winemaking. On top of that, you’ll embark on an exclusive 4×4 adventure through the vineyards.

• Duration: 6 hours and includes transportation by minibus
• Price: €142 per person
• Book your trip here:

Your next day trip from Barcelona

Writing about these day trips has made me so excited again and I’m already planning my next mini getaway from Barcelona. What about you? Would you add any of these to your next trip to Barcelona?

Read more about Spain:

• Barcelona what to do: the complete’s local guide
• Barcelona neighborhoods guide
• Costa Brava guide
• Where to stay in Barcelona
• Top 16 best restaurants in Barcelona