Greater Catalonia: 6 Definitive Day Trips from Barcelona

If you’re looking for some interesting getaways and day trips from Barcelona, the first thing you need to do is get to Barcelona. That’s the easy part, because the city is serviced by an international airport with oodles of cheap flights, a major hub of a train station, and ferries landing from Mallorca, Morocco and across the Mediterranean. Discount airline Ryan Air also serves Barcelona with a small airport in nearby Girona (see item number 2).

The harder part will be leaving Barcelona once you get there, because there are enough parks, plazas, museums and tapas bars to keep you sated and elated for a lifetime or longer. But if we could get bored in California, I suppose anything is possible. So when you get tired of the Gothic, the Gaudis, the pedestrian zones and the paella, please consider the following excursions.

1) Montserrat
Less than an hour from the city, this mountainous monastery is a must-see. Even by the highest standards of Spanish Cathedrals, this massive cloister is just about as impressive as they come. Perched on a high mountain cliff, the setting is unsurpassed. There’s also a Black Madonna, precious symbol of Spanish piety, and a boys choir singing sacred hymns twice a day in the cathedral.

But maybe you’ve seen enough churches in Barcelona and Seville, and you’ve heard all the boys choirs of Vienna, and you just want some fresh country air. Montserrat is also home to a spectacular natural park with miles of hiking trails through dramatic mountains and forests. An epic spot to reconnect with nature.

2) Girona
If you enjoy Spanish city life, head up to Girona, probably the second most important city in Catalonia, just 40 minutes northeast of Barcelona. As with any Spanish city, there are a variety of impressive churches, as well as a wealth of architectural points of interest, ranging from early Roman to Art Nouveau. Even some of the churches display some surprisingly modern design elements, namely the church of Sant Feliu.

Girona also abounds with Jewish heritage sites, probably more than any other Spanish city, as most artifacts of Judiaca were destroyed after the Jewish expulsion in 1492. But if you’re in the mood for something more casual, take a leisurely walk along the river front. And of course, you can also find a salubrious selection of very good and very affordable restaurants and tapas bars throughout the city.

3) Sitges
The three best things about Sitges: location, location, location. A city of never ending beaches, just 35 km south of Barcelona, Sitges has earned a reputation as the Saint-Tropez of Spain. Once you’ve had your fill of sand and surf, take a short siesta and steel yourself for a night on the town like no other. The nightlife will rock your world. And save room for a plate of Xató, a saucy seafood dish that will set your taste buds celebrating. Speaking of celebrations, if you can possibly make it to Sitges in February or March for Carnival (the seven days leading up to Ash Wednesday), it’s one fiesta you will never forget.

4) La Cerdanya
Our base of operations for a couple wonderful months in northern Catalonia, the valley of Cerdanya is an amazing mountain respite, far removed from the crowded beaches and bustling city life. Head north toward the Pyrenees, and you’ll find this secluded plateau, surrounded by snow-capped alpine peaks, where the sun always shines. Here you’ll discover endless diversions, from hiking and horseback riding to sky diving and hot air balloon rides, as well as easy access to numerous ski resorts.

Still not on the major tourist radar, but well-known to Barcelona locals, La Cerdanya might be the best kept secret in the Pyrenees. Take the 13 euro train from the city, and plan an overnight stay in Puigcerda (directly on the French border) or one of the nearby villages. If you’ve got a car and you’re looking to strike another country off your globetrotting checklist, then head up the mountain to the micro-nation of Andorra for cheap liquor and cigarettes, and one-of-a-kind mountain vistas.

5) Figueras
A charming small town about an hour north of Barcelona, Figueras is best known as the birthplace of Salvador Dalí, and the home of one his most important museums, the Teatre-Museu Gala Slavador Dalí, which he designed himself. If you thought his paintings were off the wall, just wait till you see his idea of architecture and design. Imagine Dr. Seuss meets Frank Lloyd Wright, with a twist of Marquis de Sade.

This eye-popping monument to surrealism is itself worth the one hour train ride, but Figueras also has an 18th century castle, an 11th century monastery and a gothic church. If your appetite for culture still isn’t satisfied, make your way to the one-of-a-kind museum of toys, or the Museo de l’Empordà, a four-story museum of local history and culture and one of the most impressive collections of typewriters you’ll ever see.

6) Tossa de Mar
One of many breathtaking beach towns of the Costa Brava, Tossa de Mar has a little bit of everything.
Roman ruins, a medieval fortified city, historic churches, and of course, the world class beaches. In fact, the bay consists of three different beaches, set off by a 12th century castle. The charming cobblestone alleys of the old town are not to be missed, but if you’ve got the time, take a walk out to the Far de Tossa lighthouse for a real treat.

From Barcelona, it’s only about an hour and half to Tossa de Mar by bus. From there, you can turn around and head back to the city, or continue northward to discover more gems of the Costa Brava, as the coastline grows more and more spectacular. Or just take it slow, and meander about the city for a day, sampling red wine, tapas and seafood paella.

Of course, the possible day trips from Barcelona are virtually unlimited, so if you have a favorite that didn’t make this short list, please share it with us in the comments section.

For more great travel tips from the esoteric tourist, check out the following articles.

• 7 Essential outings in Cerdanya
• The best of Thuringia
• 4 Cryptic myths in Barcelona
• 7 ways to survive the European rest stops