Places you can reach in the morning and leave in the evening. Public transport first; the car only where it really helps.
Montserrat
Benedictine abbey and Marian sanctuary set on a jagged mountain range an hour and a half from Barcelona by train and rack railway. For anyone interested in Catalan religious history, choral music or mountain walks.
How to get there
- Train · FGC (line R5) + Cremallera de Montserrat rack railway · 1 h 30 minFrom Barcelona - Pl. Espanya (FGC)
Departures: hourly trains throughout the day
Fare: Trans Montserrat combined ticket from EUR 50.00 (metro, return train, return rack railway or cable car, funiculars, audiovisual space, Basilica access) (checked 2026-10)
Change at Monistrol de Montserrat (Monistrol Enllaç) for the rack railway; about 60 min by train plus about 20 min on the rack railway and transfer. The e-ticket is exchanged at the Montserrat reception point at Pl. Espanya station (open 8:00-14:00). FGC listed no timetable changes on the Llobregat-Anoia line on 2026-10-12.
- Train · FGC (line R5) + Aeri de Montserrat cable carFrom Barcelona - Pl. Espanya (FGC)
Departures: cable car every 15 minutes
Fare: Aeri only: EUR 10.00 one way, EUR 15.00 return (2026 fares; checked 2026-10); FGC train fare not verified 2026
Alternative to the rack railway: leave the R5 at the Aeri de Montserrat stop; the cable car ride takes 5 minutes. Total journey time not verified 2026.
- Bus · Autocars JuliàFrom Carrer de Viriat, next to Barcelona Sants station
Departures: one departure a day at 9:15; return from Montserrat 17:00 (Oct-May) or 18:00 (Jun-Sep)
Fare: EUR 6.25 one way as listed on the sanctuary's official site; not verified 2026 on the operator's site
Times taken from the Montserrat sanctuary's official site; the operator's site (autocaresjulia.es) could not be reached.
What to see
- Basilica and the Throne of the Virgin (La Moreneta). The Romanesque Virgin of Montserrat is reached by a stair behind the altar; Throne open 8:00-10:30 and 12:00-18:25. About 45 min.
- Escolania boys' choir. One of Europe's oldest boys' choirs, with roots in the 13th century; sings the Salve and Virolai at 13:00 (15 min). Reservation required Mon-Fri.
- Museum of Montserrat. About 1,300 pieces, including Modernista paintings, plus temporary exhibitions. Mon-Fri 10:00-17:45, weekends 10:00-18:45. About 60-90 min.
- Sant Joan funicular and viewpoint. Funicular to the upper station at nearly 1,000 m, with a Geopark interpretation centre and the start of marked trails. About 60 min with a short walk.
- Walk towards Sant Jeroni. Highest peak of the range (1,236 m); hiking routes start at the Sant Joan upper funicular station. Allow several hours.
Closed days
Basilica open daily 7:00-20:00; Museum of Montserrat open daily (Mon-Fri 10:00-17:45, weekends and holidays 10:00-18:45).
Best time to go
all year
By car
Public transport is the better way to go here. Two options: drive to Monistrol Vila station (free car park for rack railway users) and ride up, or drive to the sanctuary, where the attended car park charges rates set yearly by the Catalan Parliament and capacity is limited. The Aeri lower station is on the C-55 Abrera-Manresa road with free parking.
Good to know
- Non-residents need a tourist ticket for the Atrium, Basilica and Throne of the Virgin; it is included in the Trans Montserrat and Tot Montserrat combined tickets (capacity-limited, no queue priority). The combined tickets do not include the Escolania singing.
- To hear the Escolania on a weekday, book the 13:00 Salve and Virolai in advance; the Sunday 11:00 Mass also needs a reservation.
- The Santa Cova funicular is out of service after a breakdown (FGC notice, no reopening date); the Holy Cave can still be reached on foot.
- In high fire-risk periods the Catalan Alfa Plan can close the Natural Park to all activities (FGC notice, summer 2026); check fgc.cat before planning a hike.
Girona
Medieval city on the Onyar river with a Gothic cathedral, one of Europe's best preserved Jewish quarters and walkable city walls. For history and architecture lovers who want a compact old town without Barcelona's crowds.
How to get there
- Train · Renfe Rodalies de Catalunya, regional line R11 · 1 h 19 minFrom Barcelona-Sants
Departures: 23 trains on weekdays (05:56-21:46 from Sants), about hourly; 15 on Saturdays. Last train back from Girona 21:19 on weekdays, 21:23 on Saturdays
Fare: Single EUR 8.95 (Regional) or EUR 12.00 (Media Distancia train); return is double the single (checked 2026-10)
Journey 79-101 min depending on the train. Rodalies reported full service on R11 on 2026-10-12.
What to see
- Girona Cathedral. Approached by ninety steps; its Gothic nave has the second widest pointed vault in the world (22.98 m). About 60 min.
- The Call (Jewish quarter) and Museum of Jewish History. Narrow medieval lanes; the museum is in the Bonastruc ça Porta centre on Carrer de la Força, on the site of a 15th-century synagogue. About 60 min.
- Arab Baths (Banys Arabs). Romanesque bathhouse in the old town. EUR 3; Mon-Sat 10:00-18:00, Sun and holidays 10:00-14:00. About 20 min.
- City walls walk. Walk along the old city walls on the edge of the old town. About 45 min.
- Cases de l'Onyar and the river bridges. Coloured houses lining the Onyar; the Peixateries Velles bridge was designed by Gustave Eiffel. About 20 min.
- Basilica of Sant Feliu and Sant Pere de Galligants. Gothic basilica and Romanesque monastery at the north end of the old town. About 45 min for both.
Closed days
Arab Baths open daily (closed 1 and 6 Jan, 24-26 Dec). Cathedral hours not verified 2026 (official site blocked).
Best time to go
all year
By car
Public transport is the better way to go here.
Good to know
- Barcelona commuter and ATM integrated tickets are not valid on Regional Exprés or Media Distancia trains; buy a regional ticket at the station or on renfe.com and travel within two hours of validation.
- Saturday trains are fewer (15 out, 17 back) and there is a gap from Barcelona between 12:46 and 14:16.
- The Arab Baths close at 14:00 on Sundays and holidays.
Sitges
Seaside town between the Garraf massif and the Mediterranean, known for its beaches, Modernista art museums and its film festival and carnival. An easy half or full day for beach-goers and art lovers.
How to get there
- Train · Renfe Rodalies de Catalunya, line R2 Sud · 37 minFrom Barcelona-Sants
Departures: 4 trains an hour in the daytime (71 trains on a weekday); last train back from Sitges 22:22, then a night train at 01:30
Fare: Rodalies single ticket EUR 5.50 (Rodalies zone 4; ATM integrated zone 3) (checked 2026-10)
Journey 31-41 min. Rodalies reported full service on R2 Sud on 2026-10-12.
What to see
- Cau Ferrat Museum. Santiago Rusiñol's home-studio from 1893, with his collections of wrought iron, ceramics and glass and works by Rusiñol, Casas and Picasso. About 60 min.
- Maricel Museum. Next to Cau Ferrat on the seafront; one ticket covers both (EUR 12). About 45 min.
- Palau de Maricel. Seafront palace visited by guided tour only (Sundays Sep-Jun, Tue and Wed in Jul-Aug, with an English tour at 10:00). About 60 min.
- Houses of the Americanos. Route through the houses of the 'Americanos', featured by the town's official tourism board. About 45 min.
- Beaches. Town beaches along the seafront promenade. Allow 1-3 hours in summer.
Closed days
Cau Ferrat and Maricel museums: Tue-Sun 10:00-19:00 (Apr-Oct), closed Mondays. Romantic Museum closed for renovation.
Best time to go
all year; beaches May-Sep
By car
Public transport is the better way to go here.
Good to know
- Cau Ferrat and Maricel are closed on Mondays.
- The Romantic Museum (Can Llopis) is temporarily closed for renovation.
- Palau de Maricel can only be seen on a guided tour; book ahead, capacity is limited.
Figueres (Dalí Theatre-Museum)
Salvador Dalí's home town, where he designed his own theatre-museum on the ruins of the old municipal theatre. A long but direct train day for Dalí and Surrealism fans, with an 18th-century fortress as a second stop.
How to get there
- Train · Renfe Rodalies de Catalunya, regional line R11 · 1 h 54 minFrom Barcelona-Sants
Departures: 21 trains on weekdays (05:56-20:46 from Sants), mostly hourly; 14 on Saturdays. Last train back from Figueres 20:46 on weekdays, 20:49 on Saturdays
Fare: Single EUR 12.80 (Regional) or EUR 17.10 (Media Distancia train); return is double the single (checked 2026-10)
Journey 110-138 min, to Figueres station.
What to see
- Dalí Theatre-Museum. The largest collection of Dalí's work, from early pieces and Surrealism to his last years, in a building he designed. EUR 18.50 (reduced EUR 15). About 2 hours.
- Sant Ferran Castle. 18th-century fortress (1753-1808) covering 32 hectares, the largest of its era in Europe; its underground cisterns can be visited. About 90 min.
- Toy Museum of Catalonia. Toys from around the world from the last two centuries. About 45 min.
Closed days
Dalí Theatre-Museum: Tue-Sun outside July-August (open daily 1 Jul-31 Aug), closed Mondays except listed exceptional openings; closed 1 Jan and 25 Dec.
Best time to go
all year (museum open daily only in July-August)
By car
Public transport is the better way to go here.
Good to know
- The museum is closed on Mondays except in July-August and on listed exceptional days (in 2026 including 12 Oct, 9 Nov and 7 Dec); it also closes 1 Jan and 25 Dec.
- Book museum tickets in advance: the ticket desk sells only while capacity lasts.
- Last entry is 45 minutes before closing (18:00 closing from October to December).
- Plan the return: the last regional train to Barcelona leaves Figueres at about 20:46.
Tossa de Mar
Costa Brava town whose walled medieval Vila Vella sits directly above the main beach, surrounded by coves and pine-covered cliffs. For a beach day with a historic core; it has no train station, so the trip is by bus.
How to get there
- Train · Renfe Rodalies de Catalunya line R1 + Moventis bus from BlanesFrom Barcelona-Plaça de Catalunya (R1)
Departures: R1 to Blanes: 35 trains on weekdays (06:00-23:00 from Pl. Catalunya, 82 min); last train back from Blanes 21:53. Bus Blanes-Tossa frequency not verified 2026
Fare: R1 train alone: Rodalies single EUR 8.25 (zone 6) (checked 2026-10). Combined Tren + Bus ticket to Tossa: price not verified 2026
Rodalies sells a combined Tren + Bus ticket (all year) at all Rodalies Barcelona stations, covering the train to Blanes and the bus to Tossa de Mar.
- Bus · Moventis SarfaFrom Barcelona Estació del Nord
Departures: not verified 2026
Fare: not verified 2026
Direct coach to Tossa. The operator's timetable site (moventis.es) could not be read; check times there before travelling, especially the last return.
What to see
- Vila Vella (walled old town). Medieval town walled in the 12th century; the walls almost reach the water. About 60 min.
- Lighthouse on Mount Guardi. Lighthouse still in operation on the highest point of Mount Guardi, where the castle once stood. Short uphill walk from the old town.
- Beaches and coves. Beaches by the town and small coves among the pines and cliffs. 1-3 hours.
- GR 92 coastal path. The long-distance coastal path passes Tossa; stage 11 runs 14.4 km south to Lloret de Mar. Walk a short section for views.
Best time to go
May-Oct (beaches); the old town all year
By car
Public transport is the better way to go here.
Good to know
- Check the last bus back to Barcelona before you go; bus times could not be verified for this guide.
- Tossa has no train station; the Rodalies combined ticket uses Blanes on the R1.