Places to visit near Barcelona: our top 10 for your next trip

Up first is one of the classic day trips outside Barcelona. An hour or so inland from the Catalan capital, the “serrated mountain” range rises majestically from the surrounding plains. Its singular jagged rock formations are both dramatic and mystical, and it’s not hard to see why Montserrat has long held deep spiritual significance for locals. With its Benedictine monastery perched amid the crags and towers, it’s one of Catalonia’s most important pilgrimage sites.

Today Montserrat forms part of a nature park, offering spectacular hiking trails, stunning views and even some challenging climbing routes. The Museum of Montserrat adds an extra cultural dimension, showcasing the monastery’s archaeological and artistic heritage, including works by Picasso and Dalí.

Just a 30-minute dash down the coast, Sitges oozes Mediterranean charm and is one of the most accessible things to do near Barcelona. This chic resort boasts numerous beaches, three marinas and has long been a magnet for sunseekers.

But Sitges is much more than somewhere to lay out your towel. A haven for artists since the 19th century, even out of season its relaxed elegance and cultural vibrancy make it a perfect spot to wander and admire the many expressions of Modernisme, the Catalan take on art nouveau.

Most of these architectural gems are testaments to the wealth of the Americanos, returning locals who made their fortunes in the then Spanish colonies and longed to leave a mark on their birthplace. Two of Sitges’ most famous sons, Facundo Bacardí and Andrés Brugal, crossed the Atlantic to forge eponymous rum empires, and the former is celebrated here with the Barcadí Museum.

A short train ride southwest of Barcelona is one of the finest collections of Roman ruins in Spain. The main event in Tarragona is the Roman Amphitheatre, built in the early 2nd century on a prime spot overlooking the Mediterranean. But it doesn’t stop there.

Explore the Praetorium Tower and remains of the Roman circus. Or walk the ancient city wall and take in the late Roman necropolis before heading to the aqueduct just outside the city. To get a deeper understanding of Tarragona’s link to antiquity, visit the National Archaeological Museum. 

Throw in the colourful fishing quarter, an atmospheric old town and golden beaches and you’ve got one of the most culturally rewarding, laid-back places to visit near Barcelona by train.

Few travellers realise that taking in a premier wine region is one of the things to do around Barcelona. Welcome to Penedès, home to the protected designation of origin of the same name and the birthplace of cava, Spain’s celebrated sparkling wine. Renowned producers like Freixenet and Codorníu offer wine tours and tastings, but even if wine’s not your thing, the sun-drenched vineyards hugging gently rolling hills are a delight to behold in themselves.

At the heart of the region is Vilafranca del Penedès. Its medieval streets are ideal for a leisurely stroll, perhaps rounded off with a cool cava on a sunny terrace or a visit to Vinseum, which celebrates Catalonia’s winemaking culture.

A clear contender for most beautiful city in Catalonia, Girona’s perfectly preserved medieval streets make it one of the best places to visit near Barcelona for history lovers. Wandering the old town feels like you’ve been transported to another era. Stone houses line narrow lanes, and the ancient city walls still encircle much of the historic centre. Fans of Game of Thrones may feel a sense of déjà vu, as several scenes from the hit TV series were filmed on location here.

Must-sees include the majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria and El Call, one of the best-preserved Jewish quarters in Spain. But history has left its mark on Girona in many other ways, too. Visit the Arab Baths, the Archaeological Museum of Catalonia or just lose yourself among the winding alleys and stone arches in one of the loveliest places to visit outside Barcelona.

If the buzz of the city has you craving nature, the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Montseny is among the best places near Barcelona to decompress. In an hour or so you can be deep within a massif that boasts three different ecosystems and an impressive array of flora and fauna. Think dense forest, rivers, waterfalls and peaks rising to 1,700 metres. The reserve is home to natural swimming pools too, ranking it among the most refreshing places to visit near Barcelona in summer.

Locals treasure Montseny as a green getaway from the hustle of city life. Stop by a visitor centre to learn more about activities, including hiking and cycling routes that range from easy and family-friendly to technical and demanding.

Barcelona is synonymous with the awe-inspiring designs of Antoni Gaudí; his unique creations are some of the city’s main draws. But what you might not know is that one of his most fascinating projects lies just outside Barcelona.

Around 40 minutes by public transport or half that time by car is Colònia Güell, once a model industrial village founded by textile magnate Eusebi Güell (who also bankrolled the Gaudí-designed Parc Güell). In the late 19th century, he commissioned Gaudí and his disciples to come up with a complex that not only included factories but also an entire community for the workers, complete with houses, schools and cultural spaces.

The star attraction here is the Gaudí-designed crypt. Originally intended to underpin a much larger church, the work was never completed. But what remains is a remarkable chapel – and one of his most innovative creations. Many of the groundbreaking architectural ideas later used in the Sagrada Familia were first tested here.

Best of all, it attracts far fewer crowds than Gaudí’s better-known marvels in town, the more peaceful surroundings putting it among the prime places to visit around Barcelona.

Next up on the list of places to visit near Barcelona is the stunning Costa Brava, a coastline renowned for turquoise coves, dramatic cliffs and picture-postcard seaside towns and villages. Running north roughly from Blanes to Portbou near the French border, the possibilities are endless.

Your best bet for Costa Brava day trips from Barcelona is to stick to just one or two destinations. Try Tossa de Mar for sunlit medieval walls, enticing crystal-clear coves and buckets of Catalan charm. For hilltop castle views, hidden pine-fringed coves and a slice of Mediterranean serenity, head to Begur and the beaches nearby.

Alternatively, consider walking a stretch of the Camí de Ronda, the Costa Brava’s coastal path connecting secluded beaches and picturesque fishing villages. You won’t be disappointed!

Roughly 90 minutes from the Catalan capital, the historic town of Cardona hosts what has to be one of the most unusual places to see near Barcelona. During the Middle Ages, Cardona owed its wealth and strategic importance to salt, then one of Europe’s most valuable commodities. To protect this precious resource the area was heavily fortified.

What remains today is imposing Cardona Castle. Built in the 9th century, it commands views that on a clear day stretch from Montserrat to the Pyrenees.

Nearby stands an extraordinary natural phenomenon: the Salt Mountain. The huge salt massif rises to 120 metres, but that’s just the tip of the “saltberg”, as it extends almost two kilometres underground. An hour-long excursion takes you to a depth of 86 metres to marvel at the shapes and textures of its galleries.

If you have an appetite for spiritual sustenance, one of the best places to visit near Barcelona is Sant Cugat del Vallès, home to a remarkable medieval monastery – among the most important in the region. The site is believed to be where the Christian saint Cucuphas (Cugat) was martyred.

The monastery hosts a beautiful 12th century Romanesque cloister, whose sculpted columns – perhaps the finest in Catalonia – provide space for tranquil contemplation, removed from the stresses of modern life. You’d barely believe you’re just 20 kilometres from the crowds.

Standing nearby is the monastery’s church, where you can admire the Gothic rose window dating from the 14th century. History comes alive within these ancient walls, and a day here is a worthy entry on the list of best things to do outside Barcelona.