Barcelona Day Trips
We explore the best of Catalonia’s many treasures…
By Duncan Rhodes 
Sandy beaches, jagged mountains, medieval towns and rolling vineyards… the region of Catalonia has so much to offer! I reveal my favourite day trip destinations from Barcelona, as well as the best organised tours that take you there in each case.
This article was first published at the dawn of time, and last updated in May 2024. Any questions, pop them in the comments…
So you’ve already spent an afternoon or two pootling around Barcelona’s old town, admiring the Roman ruins, Gothic churches and palm-tree-decked plazas. You’ve photographed all of Gaudi’s many magnificent Modernista buildings, checked out the Olympic Stadium and manifold museums on Montjuic mountain and relaxed in the hazy atmosphere of the city’s gorgeous parks.
Naturally, you’ve also consulted your favourite travel guide’s fantastic list of cool things to do in the city – but you’re still bored!
Just outside this bustling metropolis lie sacred mountains and monasteries, golden beaches , Arcadian vineyards, spectacular national parks, sleepy Catalan villages and much much more.
And so, weary of urban life, you’re finally ready to renounce the charms of the ‘The Great Enchantress’ and leave the smells, sounds and circus of the city behind to see what else Catalonia and the Costa Brava have to offer… in which case, without further ado, let me introduce our handy guide to day trips and excursions outside of the city.
Yes, just outside this bustling metropolis lie sacred mountains and monasteries, golden beaches (which are all way cleaner than Barceloneta), Arcadian vineyards, spectacular national parks, sleepy Catalan villages… and much, much more!
All of the above are easily accessible from Barcelona by train, bus or car, and whether you’re interested in the culture or scenery or outdoor activities like skiing in the Pyrenees, rock climbing, sport fishing, hiking, kitesurfing or sea kayaking there’s plenty worth travelling for.
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The 9 Best Day Trips From Barcelona
Here are my favourite destinations outside the city… (nearly) all of which you can reach easily by public transport.
As a 10-year veteran of the region, I know Catalonia better than Rick Steves and Paul Theroux put together (probably!); but rather than list every possible pueblo in reach of the city, I’ve concentrated on just the very top places of interest, to ensure that wherever you choose to go your trip will be sensational!
For first time travellers to the region, I’ve also listed some of the best value-for-money tours to each of these destinations, leaving from Barcelona city centre… but, if money is no object, you might prefer to consult these recommended private tours instead. You can also stick any questions in the comments section, and I’ll be glad to help.
1. Montserrat Mountain
Catalonia’s sacred mountain range rears up just 38km away from Barcelona and such is its fame, beauty and religious significance that many come to this region to visit Montserrat first and Barcelona second! Most visitors tend to congregate around the impressive Benedictine Abbey, which houses the Black Madonna, a small wooden statue that was allegedly carved by Saint Luke in Jerusalem and later found by Catalan shepherds. The abbey sits underneath the majestic St. Jerome’s peak and the views from here, looking out over the whole of Catalonia are scintillating. Meanwhile, Montserrat mountain range itself is stunning to behold, thanks to its serrated peaks and magical limestone rock formations that glow pink in the setting sun.
Keep reading to find out how to get there by public transport, as well as a selection of top-rated tours that leave from central Barcelona.
Getting There By Train
You can reach Montserrat via a special train service that leaves from Plaça Espanya Train Station every hour (journey time just over one hour) and takes you to the Monistrol de Montserrat station, at the foot of the mountain.
From Monistrol station you can choose either the Cog Railway (aka Cremallera, aka Rack Railway) or Cable Car to ascend up the mountain to the monastery complex. If you want to do that, it’s best to buy the official ‘Trans Montserrat‘ ticket that includes metro tickets (to reach Plaça Espanya), train tickets to Monistrol de Montserrat and then your choice of Rack Railway or Cablecar (just select your preference when buying the ticket.
The Trans Montserrat also includes use of the separate Sant Joan Funicular (which takes you from the abbey to the very summit) and admission to the Audiovisual Gallery, plus tickets to the basilica where the Black Madonna is displayed (the basilica used to be free to enter, but now tickets are required. The Trans Montserrat has you covered though).
Otherwise the ‘Tot Montserrat‘ ticket includes all of that, plus entry to the excellent Montserrat Museum and a complimentary Catalan lunch (…’Tot’ is the Catalan word for ‘all’!).
Both packages are run by the official Barcelona tourism board… just follow the links to book.
Montserrat Day Tours
Given that train tickets are already quite pricey, it’s worth considering paying a little extra for the convenience of taking an organised tour, especially if you don’t fancy navigating your own way there or you like to have a guide take you around the abbey grounds. Here are a couple we could recommend.
I. Montserrat + Cog Wheel Train
This tour offers an affordable, no hassle, option for getting to Montserrat, which also includes a ride on the Cog Wheel Train (fun!). However, since the abbey recently started charging for entry, you will need to select the upgraded tour option (€74 per person) if you want to see the Black Madonna and hear L’Escolania Choir (otherwise the basic ticket is €56 pp). Book via Get Your Guide.
II. Montserrat + Wine Tasting
This Montserrat tour includes coach transport and guided tour of the abbey as standard (5 hours, €69.95), but can be upgraded to include either a tapas lunch with wine tasting (7 hours, €94.95) or full Catalan lunch and wine tasting (9 hours, €109.95). I’ve done this tour myself and the wine tasting takes place at a beautiful boutique vineyard in the region and puts the seal on a great day out! Just select the date first, and then the option you prefer, when you book via Get Your Guide.
III. Montserrat Abbey + Guided Hike
After first exploring the abbey (before the crowds get there), you will hike with your local guide to the highest peak in the natural park for amazing views over Catalonia. After a small picnic, you descend again, in time to catch the L’Escolania Choir singing in the abbey. Great value at €79, and rated 4.9/5 on Get Your Guide. This is the best choice for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the region.
More Options
For a full range of guided tours check Get Your Guide’s Montserrat page. I would personally look for a tour that includes transport to and from Barcelona and tickets to the abbey’s basilica, where the Black Madonna is displayed. After that museum entry tickets are nice, the chance to see the L’Escolania Boys Choir is special, and enough free time to take the funicular up to Sant Jerome’s peak, or at least take a short hike, is also attractive.
2. Penedes Wine Region
Lying just south of Barcelona is the scenic countryside of the Penedes region of Catalonia, one of Spain’s foremost wine producing regions along with Rioja and Priorat. The wine it’s famous for is Cava, the Catalan take on French Champagne, but – as well as the sparkling stuff – there are plenty of vineyards producing reds and whites of great renown. No wonder that enotourism has really taken off here recently, and a day excursion to one of the many wineries in the Penedes, for a spot of sampling, is a day well spent. Many companies offer tours that include a vineyard and cellar tour, wine tasting, food and possibly even a spot of culture, or you could take the train and visit some wineries independently. More info on both below…
Getting There By Train
You can reach the region’s capital, Vilafranca del Penedes, easily by train from Barcelona, journey time 50 minutes from Sants Station with trains leaving twice an hour. Check Renfe Rodalies for a timetable, or check the R4 route here for other destinations in the Penedes. You could also get off at Sant Sadurni D’Anoia and visit the famous Freixenet winery, or even better at Laverns-Subirat to take part in the Create Your Own Cava workshop at a boutique winery (see Tours section below).
Penedes Day Tours
It’s perfectly possible to visit one or two wineries independently, however there are some tours that we’d recommend, which guarantee a great experience, with guided tours (in English!) of the cellars and vineyards, plus tastings. For our full article on Barcelona wine activities keep reading.
I. Create Your Own Cava
This fun and affordable experience takes place in the millennia-old farmhouse of a boutique winery. You get a tour of the cellars and winery, taste three different Cavas and then ‘disgorge’ and brand your own bottle of bubbly. More info and bookings here.
II. Private Penedes Wine Tour
No thinking required for this private tour. You’ll be picked up from your hotel by your sommelier and guide for the day, who will take you to two (or three if you prefer) top quality wineries for extended tastings, followed by a hearty Catalan lunch. Limited availability so book in advance.
III. 4×4 Penedes Wine Tour (Small Group)
With transport from Barcelona city centre, visits to two wineries (7 tastings in total!), cheese and jamon, and a ride in 4×4 vehicle through the vineyards, this tour ticks all the right boxes. Best of all it’s small group only, and amazing value at only €109.99. Available to book on Get Your Guide.
3. Sitges
Just down the road from BCN is one of Costa Brava’s most scenic beach towns – the resort of Sitges. By day you can wander around sleepy white-washed streets, decorated with colourful kitsch ceramics and balconies full of potted plants; by night the cafes, restaurants and bars throw open their doors and Sitges becomes one of Spain’s most happening party places. This is where the first ever Pacha nightclub opened (in 1967!), whilst the gay scene is one of the strongest in the country. With 17 sandy beaches (some nudist), a beautiful Old Town and a triumvirate of good museums, Sitges makes for a fantastic day trip – or even longer – and has both a family-friendly and gay-friendly vibe.
Getting There By Train
To get to Sitges simply hop on the train from Sants Station, or Passeig de Gracia. They usually run every 15 minutes and take about 35-45 mins from Barcelona. Tickets are around 5 or 6 euros each way. For train timetables for check the Rodalies (suburban train) section of the city transport website.
Sitges Day Tours
If you’re only interested in visiting Sitges, then I wouldn’t necessarily take a tour. You can travel by train, which is cheap and easy, or even book a private transport. This way you can potter around at your own pace, visiting the Cau Ferrat Museum, beaches and cafes. However, if you have a limited timeframe in which to explore the region, and want to maximise your travels, there are one or two fantastic combined tours on offer that also take you to other highlights of Catalonia. Here is one I’d recommend…
I. Sitges & Tarragona Tour
This full day excursion combines a guided visit to Sitges with a trip Tarragona and its millennia-old Roman ruins, two essential highlights of the Costa Daurada. There’s enough free time in both locations to soak up the atmosphere, while the price of €98.50 per person is very competitive. Find out more on Get Your Guide.
4. Tarragona
If Roman ruins are your thing, then a day trip to Tarragona is unmissable. A simply fantastic amphitheatre still stands from nearly two millennia ago, overlooking the Mediterranean sea, whilst Roman walls and porticoes can also be admired – as can a magnificent aqueduct, if you’re prepared to take a 4km jaunt out of town. It’s not just relics from the time of Caesar and chums though, and Tarragona has a wonderful Gothic cathedral and a picturesque Old Town as well, worth enjoying at a gentle pace. The one minus point is that, in a catastrophic bit of town planning, Tarragona’s rail tracks cut off the city beach, meaning you have to hot foot it around the station to get some sand. In other words go for the history/culture, not the sunbathing.
Getting There By Train
Again train is the best way to go, and regional connections can get you there from Barcelona Sants Station in 1 or 1.5 hours for 10-15 euros one way. If you check Renfe.es you might also find some high speed AVE connections, which can get you there in 30 mins!
Tarragona Day Tours
Similar to Sitges, you can easily pop down to Tarragona by train, but given the unique Roman history of the town (Tarraco, as it was known, was more important than Barcelona back in the day!), a tour can help you make the most of a visit, as well as stop off at the stunning “Devil’s Bridge” aqueduct, which is slightly out of town.
I. Tarragona & Sitges
Taking in the aqueduct, the forum, the amphitheatre and the circus, this full day tour covers all of Tarragona’s Roman sites, before offering you a guided walk of Sitges. Leaving every day, in a comfy minivan (max. 8 people), the tour is very reasonable at €98.50 per person. Book via Get Your Guide.
II. Tarragona & Sitges Private Tour
The same itinerary as above, but laid on especially for you. This excursion can be booked on demand and includes hotel pick up. The price varies from €140 to €230 per person, depending on group size. Overall a good option for families and larger groups. Book via Get Your Guide.
5. Figueres
Figueres is a nice little town… but it’s fair to say you probably wouldn’t bother visiting it if it wasn’t for its U.S.P. (i.e. Unique Selling Point). By which, of course, we mean the Salvador Dali Museum. Opened by the artist himself in 1974, the museum occupies the whole of what was once the municipal theatre (Salvador 1, Shakespeare 0), and is reckoned to be the largest collect of surrealist art in the world. Legions of fans make the pilgrimage each year, so book your tickets ahead if you plan on visiting in peak season. If you have time, it’s worth visiting Figueres’ pentagonal castle as well.
Getting There By Train
You can travel by train from Sants (which also calls in on Passeig de Gracia and Clot-Arago stations), journey time around 2 hours. Trains leave every 30 mins and tickets cost around 12-15 euros one way, depending if its the slightly faster or slower train. If you travel independently, you can book advance tickets to the museum on Tiqets.com. Alternatively a lot of local-based companies offer private tours, including museum ticket, guide and transport from Barcelona. Keep reading for some concrete suggestions…
Figueres Day Tours
Tour options to Figueres tend to include stops in either Girona, which is directly en route, and well worth seeing, or to Cadaques, a beautiful fishing village, where Dali spent his later years.
I. Girona, Figueres & Dali Museum Day Tour
You take an air-conditioned bus to Girona, where you enjoy a guided walk of the old town and the Jewish quarter, before heading on to Figueres home of the Dali Museum. The price of just €87 p.p. includes tickets and tour of the museum. Book via Get Your Guide.
II. Salvador Dali Tour (Figueres + Cadaques)
Probably the best tour for Dali lovers, this best-selling day trip not only visits the artist’s museum, but also his house museum in Port Lligat, just outside stunning Cadaques (also on the itinerary). You can book via Get Your Guide, just check the “know before you go” section as the house museum is not open in July and August (during these months the tour visits Pubol Castle instead!). Price is €99 per person.
6. Girona
This beautiful, slow-paced medieval city got a major PR boost in recent years when it became a Game of Thrones filming location. Look carefully at the steps leading up to Girona’s towering Gothic cathedral and you will recognise them as the stairs where Jaime Lannister confronts the High Sparrow, and Cersei begins her walk of shame from the Grand Sept of Baelor. Others parts of the city form parts of Braavos, such as the Arab baths, where Arya fights The Waif. You don’t have to be a GoT nerd to enjoy Girona though, the picturesque cobbled streets, preserved Jewish district and the coloured tenement houses reflected on the River Onyar make it a splendid place to while away a few hours. If you choose to stay the night, you might want to reserve a table at El Cellar de Can Roca, considered one of the world’s best restaurants.
Getting There By Train
Getting to Girona from Barcelona is very easy. There are frequent trains from Sants Station and normally cost around €16 for a one way fast train (just 40 minutes).
Girona Day Tours
Choose between a half day tour, or a multi-destination excursion that combines Girona with one of Catalonia’s other gems.
I. Medieval Girona Half Day Tour
For sheer convenience and affordability, it’s hard to beat this tour that whisks you up to Girona at 8:30am, and has you back in BCN by mid afternoon. The tour includes a guided walk around the city’s historic centre, including the Jewish Quarter, Arab Baths and Game of Thrones locations and leaves you with plenty of free time to explore. Only €49 per person. Book via Get Your Guide.
II. Girona & Costa Brava Full Day Tour
This small-group tour combines a visit to Girona with a couple of jaw-droppingly beautiful stop offs on the Costa Brava, such as Pals beach and the quaint fishing village of Calella de Palafugell. There’s even time for a dip in the emerald waters of the Mediterranean sea. Tickets are just €98.50 per person, and available via Get Your Guide. This is a really great itinerary IMHO!
7. Cadaques
The prettiest pueblo on the Costa Brava, Cadaques is a stunning white-brick-with-terracotta-tiles fishing village, situated on a calm bay, backed with verdant hills. No wonder Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali liked it so much. The main joy of any visit is to wonder around the little bays and beaches of the Cap de Creus headland, whilst the Salvador Dali House Museum is one town over at Port Lligat (advance reservations essential). The kicker is that this delightful jewel is a massive pain in the elbow to get to (see transport box below).
Getting There By Bus
You can’t reach Cadaques directly by train from Barcelona, however a company called Moventis / Sarfa runs a couple of buses a day that take 2 hours and 45 mins to get there from Estacion du Nord. Check the timetable, because at last glance these buses don’t necessarily work for a day trip, however they should function if you are planning to stay a bit longer. Otherwise you could hire a car, or join a tour…
Cadaques Day Tours
A fair way up the Costa Brava, your best bet to see Cadaques, if you don’t have a car, would be to join one of these excursions…
I. Cadaques & Figueres Dali Tour
I mentioned this tour in our Figueres section. For Dali lovers it’s a no brainer, whilst the addition of Cadaques on the itinerary makes this one of the most booked activities leaving from Barcelona. Reserve via Get Your Guide for €99.
8. Tossa de Mar
The name might evoke some mirth from native English speakers, however as a day tour or even a weekend away, Tossa is a destination to be taken seriously. The cynosure of this coastal resort is its fortified Vila Vella (Old Town), the only such medieval fortress extant anywhere in Catalonia. It only takes a couple of hours maximum to walk around its turrets and lighthouse, so be sure to pack your sun cream and prepare to spend the rest of the day on the lovely beach that unfurls under the battlements. If you’re a sturdy walker ask directions at the tourist office for Cala Pola, a beautiful secluded beach that is a couple of hours walk away over craggy forest paths.
Getting There By Bus
Around 12 buses a day leave from Estacion du Nord (or you can catch them at Barcelona’s airport if you prefer), taking 1.5 hours to reach Tossa. Tickets cost between 10 and 15 euros one way, and you can find a timetable here. In terms of getaways on the Costa Brava, this is probably your best bet in terms of convenient public transportation.
Tossa de Mar Day Tours
Here are a couple of great options for anyone looking to jump on an excursion heading for Tossa:
I. Costa Brava Day Tour (Tossa, Blanes & Swimming!)
This tour includes a visit to the clifftop botanical gardens of Blanes, a swim in a secluded cove (a must on the Costa Brava!) and exploring magnificent Tossa de Mar itself. Tickets are €105 p.p. and available on Get Your Guide.
II. Costa Brava Coastal Hike
This excursion takes full advantage of the magnificent coastline around Tossa, and you’ll get amazing views of craggy coves with emerald waters, before enjoying a delicious lunch back in town (lunch not included in the price). Price is €125 p.p. and you can book via Get Your Guide.
9. Medieval Villages
Catalonia boasts at least a dozen beautifully preserved medieval villages, a handful of which are within reasonable driving distance from Barcelona. One of the most spectacular is undoubtedly Besalú, as you enter town by crossing its 12th Century Romanesque bridge spanning the river Fluvia. Ancient fortifications, a restored Jewish bath and a medieval synagogue make for other points of interest. Another gorgeous location is the village of Rupit, which is built upon the cliffs of the Osona region, 822 meters above sea level. The village dates back to the 10th century and is unspoiled by modern developments, with a Romanesque church, hanging bridge and nearby waterfalls. In the same region as Besalú and Rupit is the larger town of Vic, famous for its cured sausage and Medieval Fair, while both Tavertet and Castellfolit de la Roca are like a smaller versions of Rupit, both dramatically perched upon cliff edges.
Getting There By Public Transport
Of the villages I mentioned, only Vic is accessible by train. For the rest you’ll have to hire a car to realistically reach them from Barcelona, and that’s a theme for most of the medieval towns, as typically they aren’t on train lines and are too remote to reach by bus. Thankfully, a few enterprising tour companies have started taking travellers to these sights in recent years… keep reading for more info!
Medieval Villages Tours
Here are a couple of options for those looking to enjoy some of these hard-to-reach medieval gems:
I. Besalu, Rupit & Tavertet
This tour sure packs a lot in with guided walks around Besalu, Rupit and Tavertet, as well as photo opportunity of Castellfolit de la Roca. Fantastic reviews and a snip at €95 per person. You can reserve via Get Your Guide.
II. Besalu, Vic, Santa Pau, Castellfolit de la Roca
This tour explores a similar region of Catalonia, but also goes to Vic (with its Roman temple) and Santa Pau and includes hotel pick up. It also has rave reviews and costs a very affordable €98.50 per person. Available to book on Get Your Guide.
5 More Incredible Day Tours
Believe it or not, there are actually several more unforgettable experiences that you can do in a single day from Barcelona. Check out the below…
1. Ebike, Winery & Sailing Tour
You don’t have to go all the way to the Penedes region to enjoy a wine tasting tour near Barcelona. Just 15km away north of the city is the scenic town of Alella, home to several boutique wineries. On this tour you can choose to either sail, drive or ride an ebike up the coast to Alella. Once at the vineyards you get a short introduction to viticulture before settling down on the winery’s shady terrace for tapas and ecological wine tasting – all the while enjoying sea views. You can choose to return via car or ebike, but by far the best way to return to Barcelona is via sailing yacht. You’ve earned a snooze on the front deck! I did this tour myself quite recently and couldn’t recommend it highly enough. Simply reserve via Get Your Guide
2. Three Countries in One Day
If you’re short on time, then check out this epic excursion that takes in three separate countries in a single day! Starting in Barcelona, you’ll visit the medieval Catalan village of Baga, in the rocky peaks of Cadi-Moixero National Park, before crossing over into France to visit the natural healing springs of famous spa town Ax-Les-Thermes. After lunch at one the French village’s local restaurants, you’ll take a spectacular drive through the Pyrenees mountains to Andorra, where you can shop for tax-free bargains (like wine!) at Andorra la Valla. On the way back, the tour visits the Romanesque church of St. Climent with its gorgeous views over the surrounding valley. Check out the photos on Get Your Guide, where you can also reserve your places.
3. Hot Air Balloon
Set your alarms early for this one… because the departure time for this breathtaking adventure is 6am from Plaça Catalunya (just be sure to select the option with transport from Barcelona, which is €200 per person)! After that you’ll be driven to the nearby Montseny natural park, one of Catalonia’s most spectacular areas for a 1 hour balloon ride. You’ll sail over forests, fields, mountains and medieval villages, savouring views usually reserved for the region’s majestic eagles. The experience finishes with a delicious local-style breakfast, and transport back to Barcelona. You can book via Get Your Guide. The same company offer a private hot air balloon trip, which is decently priced at €770 for 2 people, with hotel pick up.
4. Sea Kayaking on the Costa Brava
For more of an action trip, this water sports activity involves experiencing the amazing scenery of “The Wild Coast” from the vantage point of the sea. You’ll paddle in your kayak along the craggy coastline to stunning coves and visit sea caves, where you can go snorkelling in safety and check out the local marine life. Available from May to October, there are a few different options here, so check our detailed page about kayaking, or use the widget below to book the 8 hour trip (our top choice!).
5. Port Aventura Theme Park
Strap in for a wild ride to Spain’s biggest theme park! Admit it, you’re bored of culture by now… and anyway, the kids will much prefer this to the Dali Museum! With a total of 40 attractions to try out, such as the white knuckle Dragon Khan roller coaster or the free falling Hurakan Condor (along with gentler rides!) you won’t get bored, and Julia Travel Gray Line Company offers several ticket packages with transfers from Barcelona, whether you want to go to just Port Aventura, or also to Ferrari Land, or perhaps the Caribe Water Park instead. You could also buy tickets directly from Port Aventura and organise private transfers.
Day Trip Destinations Map
Get a feeling for where you’ll be going, with this handy map…
More Day Trip Destinations
The above selection should be more than enough for any first time visitor to wrestle with, and indeed you’ve probably got some tough decisions on what to see just from these nine suggestions. If you’re based in Barcelona, however, or a frequent visitor, then stay tuned for more inspiration. We’ll be updating this page with some other of the region’s gems soon, such as Castelldefels, Calafell, Garraf, Altafulla, Montblanc, Begur, Pals and many more delights of the Costa Brava and the rest of Catalonia and North Spain soon.
Weekend Trips
What about overnight trips from Barcelona? Well some of the aforementioned destinations might actually work out better for a weekend… particularly Cadaques, which is pretty far away and hard to reach by public transport, and Tossa de Mar, where a two day stay would allow you to unwind and enjoy some quality beach time. For those of us who live in Barcelona, Girona or Vilafranca del Penedes offer a nice change of pace from the Catalan capital.
Otherwise here are some suggestions for weekend breaks away from BCN, starting with that notorious party island…
Ibiza (Balearic Islands)
A ‘day trip’ might be stretching it, but it’s certainly possible to plan a wild weekend in Ibiza using Barcelona as your base. Overnight ferries cruise across the Mediterranean on a nightly basis to the ‘White Isle’, whilst a number of airlines fly from Barcelona’s El Prat airport and if you book far enough in advance can be surprisingly cheap. Why go? Well the island’s nightlife is nothing short of legendary, whilst its beautiful Old Town and great beaches have made it one of Spain’s top holiday destinations ever since the 1950s. Yes, Wham’s Club Tropicana video was filmed here! Check out our feature length travel guide to Ibiza, which also has details on summer party trips leaving from BCN.
About the Author
Duncan established Barcelona Life in 2009, whilst freelancing for the likes of Conde Nast, The Guardian, Easyjet Magazine, CNN Traveller and many more. From interviews with Ferran Adria to revealing the secrets of the city’s poetry brothels, he knows the city inside out… and shares all his best tips right here.
Julie Mushkin
Hi! We are going to Barcelona for a few days the first week of May with our young adult children (ages 18 and 20). We’d like to take day trip and considered going on the high speed train to Madrid, but we are open to other ideas. The only thing is that my kids aren’t big fans of museums and cathedrals-they like bigger areas with shopping and more activities. Can you give some suggestions? I’d really appreciate it.
Duncan
Hi Julie, Barcelona has plenty of shopping opportunities so I wouldn’t bother going all the way to Madrid for that reason… Madrid is famous for its art museums and nightlife, so if that doesn’t appeal I would recommend taking a trip to the Costa Brava instead. The beaches and scenery are stunning, and you could elect for a sea kayaking trip, or a trip with a short hike or outdoor sightseeing.
Katherine Wenglikowski
Hi Duncan,
Conceiving of my first trip to Spain in the early spring. I’d like to hire a driver for two days to take us up to Tossa where we can get over jet lag and use the car to get around. Or maybe just a one way trip to Tossa and we’ll find our way back by train once we make it to Girona. Not sure yet, but a reliable driver would be a recommendation. Many thanks, Katherine
Duncan
Hi Katherine, I’m not sure if such a service exists beyond simply hiring a taxi – which I’d imagine is your best bet. Maybe contact one of the Barcelona airport transfer firms (who might offer more flexibility than the black and yellow city cabs that charge by the meter) and negotiate a price with them.