The Best Day Trips From Barcelona by Train

One of the best things about Barcelona is how much of Catalonia you can reach by train in about an hour. Here are five easy day trips, with no car needed.

Montserrat

The jagged mountain and its Benedictine monastery are the classic day trip. Take the R5 train from Plaça d’Espanya, then ride the rack railway from Monistrol de Montserrat or the cable car from its own stop. Combined tickets cover the train and the climb. Go early, as it gets busy by late morning, and bring a layer: it’s cooler up top.

Sitges

A seaside town with a pretty old quarter and a string of beaches, about 40 minutes south on the R2 Sud line. It’s ideal when you want a beach day away from the city crowds, and it stays lively into the evening.

Girona

High-speed trains reach Girona in under 40 minutes. Walk the medieval walls, wander the old Jewish quarter and climb the cathedral steps, then look back at the colourful houses along the river Onyar. Book high-speed tickets ahead, as the cheaper fares sell out.

Tarragona

Spain’s Roman past is everywhere in Tarragona, from the amphitheatre by the sea to the old city walls. Regional trains take a little over an hour to the central station, a short walk from the sights. High-speed trains are quicker but stop at Camp de Tarragona, outside the city.

Figueres

Home of the Dalí Theatre-Museum, Figueres is under an hour away by high-speed train. Book museum tickets in advance, and you can stop in Girona on the way back.

Tips for a smooth day

Start early to beat the crowds, check the last train back before you set off, and wear comfortable shoes for cobbled old towns. Weekends are busiest everywhere, so save at least one trip for a quieter weekday.

Planning a longer trip? Use our book-ahead checklist for sell-out sights and our Spain travel basics checklist.