Barcelona’s best City Escapes
Barcelona is a beautiful city with a lot of magical areas and uncountable many things to see. However if you live here or you are travelling to the city, you might want to see more than just the city.
Barcelona is situated in Catalunya, which is a very beautiful area of Spain. Catalunya has so much to offer, that it would be a pity to only stay and discover Barcelona.
Here you have a list of Barcelona’s Best City Escapes:
Girona
A lovely city in the heart of Catalunya. Girona is less touristic than Barcelona and you can find great restaurants for a lower price than you’d have to pay in Barcelona. The small shops on the way up to the must-seen areas of the town will surely invite you in for a moment. Read all about my experience here.
Castelldefels
This town is only about 25 min drive south from Barcelona. The city is small and there is not too much to see, however along the beach there are lovely restaurants where you can have for only 15€ a huge plate of delicious fresh seafood. The beach is huge and I would recommend you to bring an umbrella with you as the sun is hitting hard in summer periods – unless of course you want to be one of the overly red-burned persons lying at the beach 😉
Sunday afternoon there is a dj playing in a Chiringuito just in front of the Tibu-Ron Beach Club, where all the people get together for a sun-set drink before they head back in the city. A lovely atmosphere!
Sitges
Just 10 minutes drive farther south than Catselldefels (40 min from Barcelona) you can find Sitges, one of the cities with the highest population of gays. The city is build lovely, it has the main streets filled with cute bars and nice restaurants and the beach is clean and beautiful. In the afternoon it seems like everyone is leaving their homes and the city gets its vibrating flair. Everyone is on the streets, talking, laughing and having drinks. If you want to see something different, this is the place to go.
Montserrat
If you prefer the mountains over the beach I have found two great escapes for you. One of these is Montserrat. The Montserrat is a monastery in the mountains more or less one hour drive from Barcelona. You can get to the top hiking for around 1,5 hours or by taking the cable car. Read all about my adventures at Montserrat here.
Sant Miquel del Fai
The Monastery Sant Miquel del Fai is another beautiful destination and day trip in the mountains. It is more or less 1:20 hour drive from Barcelona and you will be surprised by the beautiful surrounding of the monastery. Click here and find all about it.
Lanzarote
Part of the Canary Islands, it is administered by Spain, and this island is just three hour’s flight away from Barcelona! Known for its volcanic rocks, lava fields and black beaches, Lanzarote is a popular tourist destination you can add to your list. Don’t worry about transport and getting around, because you can find airport pickups and also facilities for driving a rental car in Lanzarote!
Aiguablava (Costa Brava)
Costa Brava offers the most beautiful beached of the eastern coach of Spain. One of my favorite ones is Aiguablava. The circa 1:30 hour drive from Barcelona brings you to a small beach, that is surrounded by cliffs. The water is clean and beautifully coloured. You an park just next to it and there is a small restaurant for some breakfast or quick lunch. I’d suggest you to go there early as the parking space and beach crowds up pretty fast.
I hope you’ll enjoy at least one of these beautiful destinations and will let me know what you think about it afterwards.
Best,
Be-Sparkling.
26 comments
Barcelona is one of my favourite cities in the world. Having been there thrice, its time I visit these escapes next time I’m there. Pictures look amazing.
seems I would enjoy my photo-walk here, lots of interesting backdrops to-be 😀
Great share! I haven’t been to Barcelona yet but when I go, this is a great way to add one more day and explore something outside the city!
I have been to Barcelona many times, but only ventured outside the city limit once: we went to Costa Brava and I agree with you – it’s stunning part of Spain and the cliffs make for a great landscape. Next time I’d like to visit some of your suggestions: San Miquel and Sitges sound particularly appealing, very much the kind of places we seek out when travelling
I have been to Barcelona but never to Montserrat – that would be good for a day trip, but I would definitely be taking the cable car.
Thanks for the suggestions. I will need to add a few of these if I ever get out to Barcelona.
So I’ve been to Barcelona a couple of times, and I’ve done it all the tourists things. But, some places you’ve mentionned such as the Monastery or Sitges was quite unknown of me! Great to know more about! x
I loved visiting Barcelona. I wasn’t there long enough to even have time to “escape” the city but would definitely check out one of these next time if I do.
I’m going to Barcelona in December but sadly I don’t think I’ll have the time to do any day trips. I would love to visit Montserrat, it looks amazing! Girona looks so pretty as well 🙂
I know, there is so much to see and never enough time! However should you stay for more than 4 days you should definitely use one day to “escape” he city 🙂
My friend from Catalunya keeps talking about these places all the time. You’ve described these places very beautifully. Well written post.
Thank you Tamz 🙂
Great list of places to see near Barcelona. I have been there last year but I really like it and I’m going to visit this city once again, maybe even this summer do your tips will be very helpful for me. I want to visit Sitges and Montserrat and maybe if I will have enough time also Costa Brava. I’ve been in Callela as a little girl and I’m curious how this city changed within 15 years.
Thanks for stepping by! The city has changes a lot I believe ! You def should visit costa brava! It’s the best beaches around the city 🙂
It looks like a beautiful spot and a perfect list of things to do should I ever go to Barcelona – I also love that your photos go from colour to B&W when you scroll over them, it’s really effective! Is this something your site does (and are you through wordpress?)
Hello, thanks for stepping by 🙂 Yes it is something my template incorporates – and yes it is wordpress 🙂
All are charming places, but for me the pick of the lot is Girona and Montserrat. Would like to take a walk and absorb the charm of Girona and then revel in the mountains at Montserrat.
I love Barcelona, but I’ve never been to any of these day trips. Montserrat is the only one I really know about. I definitely would love to explore the mountains!
When I was planning a trip to Barcelona, Montserrat was a must on my list! The city is great but nature is more for me right now.
I have heard so much about Barcelona and then I chance upon this! I should take this as a cosmic cue and set off. Thank you for such a detailed post!
Thanks for your feedback ! let me know how you liked barcelona !
My parents are heading there in the spring, I will definitely need to pass this along to them; I haven’t been yet
We had been to Barcelona last year and managed a day trip to Montserrat and its beautiful.
Great information on day trips from Barcelona! It’s always nice to have a “central base” and do day trips instead of staying in one area.
I do love Barcelona! When we went it rained so hard we spent a lot of time hiding under umbrellas, so we probably missed the best city scapes 😉 I’ll have to go back and hope the weather will kinder.
Hi Jess, this is unfortunate ! I am living here since 1,5 years and I barely saw rain.. looks like you very really unlucky with the weather!
I hope you’ll get the chance to go back!
Best, Ms