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7 Best Day Trips from Barcelona by Train
Are you looking for the best day trips from Barcelona by train? I’ve got you covered!
It can easily take a few days to explore everything Barcelona offers. If you’re lucky enough to have even more time on your hands, there are some amazing day trips you can do from Barcelona. And the best part you can do the best day trips from Barcelona by train or by bus.
I spent 5 weeks in Barcelona and during that time I had the chance to do some day trips. My favourite day trip was to Girona because this beautiful medieval town had so many positive surprises.
7 best day trips from Barcelona by train
1. Sitges – Scenic coastal town and stunning coast
Just 35 kilometers southwest of Barcelona, Sitges makes for an easy day trip from Barcelona.
This charming coastal town offers a fusion of rich cultural heritage, a vibrant art scene, and golden sandy beaches, making it ideal for a break from the bustling city life.
One of my favorite things to do in Sitges was to walk the coastal walk to Vilanova i la Geltrú.
You get to see the amazing coastline and you’ll find some beautiful and quiet beaches along the way. So even though the walk isn’t that long you should allow yourself enough time before you head back to Barcelona from Vilanova.
Barcelona-Sitges: 40 min train ride one-way from multiple train stations in Barcelona
2. Figueres – Experience the most unique museum
Figueres is known primarily for one thing, being the home of the famous artist Salvador Dalí. So the highlight of the day trip to Figueres will be the Salvador Dalí Museum.
Maybe it’s because I haven’t been to many surrealist museums but the Dalí museum in Figueres was one of the most unique museums I’ve ever been to.
Even though I did a Dalí-inspired guided tour from Barcelona to Figueres and Cadaqués it’s very easy to catch the train to Figueres from Barcelona.
Barcelona-Figueres: 1.5 hour train ride with one change in Girona
3. Girona – Explore the Game of Thrones filming location
The historic town of Girona is a short 40 minutes away from Barcelona by train. And to be honest I wasn’t sure at all if I should go to this historic town but Girona turned out to be the best day trip from Barcelona by train I did during my time in Barcelona.
Girona is known to be one of the filming locations of Game of Thrones. You can find numerous filming locations easily in the old town of Girona.
But even if you’re not a Game of Thrones fan the historic town has a lot to offer. You can walk on top of well-preserved city walls and marvel at the colorful houses next to the river while you cross on one of the many pedestrian bridges.
Barcelona-Girona: 40 minutes by high-speed train; 1.5 hours by regional train
🤩 Visit the best places in Girona with this walking tour!
4. Montserrat – Hike next to a mountain monastery
Montserrat is one of the most popular day trips from Barcelona. Many people also take a tour there instead of taking public transportation. But I would highly recommend getting to Montserrat by train because the journey there is already very spectacular.
The monastery of Montserrat is pretty impressive with its location in the middle of the mountains but my favourite part of this day trip from Barcelona was going hiking at Montserrat.
You can go on some easy hiking routes and enjoy the amazing views and the natural beauty of the mountain range. The best part you don’t have to do very big hikes to get an amazing view since you already start pretty high up in the mountains.
Barcelona-Montserrat: 1 hour and 15 min to the cable car station
🤩 On a guided tour you can combine a trip to Montserrat with a wine tasting 🍷
5. Zaragoza – Authentic Atmosphere
If you love exploring new cities and you want to experience a traditional Spanish city Zaragoza is the perfect day trip from Barcelona by train for you. This major Spanish city is still a hidden gem that boasts an array of stunning historical sites and beautiful architecture.
One of the highlights of a visit to Zaragoza is exploring the Aljafería Palace which dates back to the 11th century. The intricate details and rich history behind this palace make it worth a visit.
The Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar is another must-visit site in Zaragoza. This breathtaking church has an impressive mix of Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture.
There are many reasons to visit Zaragoza but to be honest, there are also some cons. Read this Zaragoza’s pros and cons list to figure out if it’s the right day trip for you.
Zaragoza has quite a bit to offer
Barcelona-Zaragoza: 1.5 hours by train
🤩 Explore Zaragoza with a local on an epic walking tour!
6. Tarragona – Roman ruins and beautiful beaches
Tarragona is a charming town next to the ocean. This ancient port city boasts a rich history, with some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in Spain.
One of the top sites to visit in Tarragona is the Amphitheatre, which was used for gladiatorial games during the time of Ancient Rome. Other must-see sites include the Tarragona Cathedral and the Roman Circus.
Aside from its historical value, Tarragona also has some beautiful beaches to explore. Spend some time relaxing on the golden sands or take a dip in the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
I wasn’t sure if I should even take this day trip but then I ended up loving Tarragona, it’s such a great city!
Barcelona-Tarragona: 1 hour 30 minutes by train
The high-speed train only takes about 30 minutes but the train station is so far outside the city that I recommend the regional train for a Tarragona day trip from Barcelona.
🤩 The best way to explore Tarragona is with this amazing walking tour!
7. Andorra – Day trip to a tiny country
A visit to Andorra is definitely the most time-consuming of all the best day trips from Barcelona by train but it might also be the most unusual. How often can you do a day trip to the sixth smallest country in Europe after all?
I have to admit, I took a guided tour to Andorra because I wanted to see some stops along the way. On the tour we even crossed the French border and visited a small town in France as well, so 3 countries in 1 day!
But it’s doable by public transport as well, without the stop in France. Unfortunately, there are no direct trains but there is a direct bus from the Catalan capital to Andorra’s capital.
And even though I preferred the other day trips from Barcelona, this one might be one of the best Barcelona day trips by train if you want to visit as many countries as possible.
In winter Andorra is one of the best weekend trips from Barcelona, as you can stay in a ski resort and you can go skiing in the Pyrenees Mountains.
Barcelona-Andorra la Vella: 3 hours by bus
🤩 This is the day tour I took to see three countries in one day!
Tips for Traveling by Train
- Spain has both regional trains and high-speed trains. Regional trains are slower and cheaper, while high-speed trains are faster but more expensive. Depending on the route, you may have the option to select between them, or only one type may be available.
- You can buy your train tickets at the train station or online beforehand. But you might want to buy train tickets in advance to avoid long queues at the station.
- The best place to buy train tickets for the high-speed AVE trains is the official Spanish Railway Webpage. However, they don’t sell regional train tickets.
- If you travel by high-speed train you have to go through a security check beforehand.
- Make sure to arrive at the train station early enough since the stations in Barcelona are quite big.
- Bring a map or download one offline, as some of these smaller towns may not have reliable cell reception.
- Check the return train schedule beforehand and plan your day trip accordingly. Some trains may only run at certain times of the day.
- Wear comfortable shoes as there may be a lot of walking involved, especially in the cities.
- Bring a reusable water bottle with you as some trains might not have drinks available for purchase. And you’ll need some water on your day trip anyway.
Final Thoughts: Places to Visit near Barcelona by Train
As you can see, there are plenty of amazing day trips from Barcelona by train that offer unique experiences and stunning sights.
Whether you’re interested in history, outdoor adventures, or simply exploring new cities, there’s something for everyone just a short train ride away from Barcelona.
So next time you visit this vibrant city, make sure to take some time to explore the surrounding areas and get a taste of the diverse beauty that Spain has to offer.
Simply include a day trip to your Barcelona itinerary or to your bigger Spain road trip itinerary. You won’t regret it!
Read more about Barcelona:
- 10 Absolute Best Free Things to Do in Barcelona
- Barcelona 3 Day Itinerary For an Epic Weekend Getaway
- 10 Must-See Gaudí Buildings In Barcelona (With Map)
- Best Gaudi Tours in Barcelona
- La Sagrada Família: The Most Famous Church in Barcelona
- Is Barcelona Overrated? Why I Don’t Think It Is
- Barcelona Viewpoints to Get the Best View of Barcelona
- The 13 Best Vegan Restaurants in Barcelona
- Best Vegan Breakfast in Barcelona in All-Vegan Restaurants
- Vegan in Barcelona: A Perfect Day with Sightseeing and Food
- Best Day Trips from Barcelona by Train
- Girona Day Trip from Barcelona by Train
- Dali Inspired Day Trip From Barcelona To Cadaqués
- A Day Trip to Andorra from Barcelona
- Epic Day Trip from Barcelona to Sitges by Train
- Best Day Trip from Barcelona to Zaragoza by Train