11 Best Day Trips from Barcelona by Train + Tips & FAQs
Looking for the best Barcelona day trips by train?
I’ve got you covered.
In the last six years, I’ve taken the train to many destinations in Catalonia. Some, I’ve visited more than once, and I’ve picked my favorites, based on what they offer and how easy they are to reach.
From coastal towns and medieval cities to hidden modernist gems and scenic mountain escapes, these places give you a different side of Catalonia.
Here’s my honest guide to the 11 best day trips from Barcelona by train, including local tips, travel times, and who each place is best for.
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Short on time? Here are my top recommendations:
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11 Best Day Trips from Barcelona by Train
💡 Insider Tip: If you want to experience Barcelona without the hassle of planning, consider my custom travel itinerary service. Together, we can craft a personalized travel plan that caters to your interests. Let’s make your next Barcelona adventure magical!
My favorite day trips from Barcelona by train are all easy to reach. On top of that, they offer a mix of nature, history, beaches, and local charm. Each destination gives you a different taste of Catalonia, without needing a car. Here’s where to go when you want a quick escape from the city.
1. Montserrat
⭐ Best for: Nature lovers, hikers, and anyone craving mountain views with a touch of culture, history, and spirituality.
Montserrat is one of the most popular day trips from Barcelona by train.
The jagged mountain is home to a famous monastery, scenic viewpoints, and plenty of hiking trails with breathtaking views. It’s a peaceful place where you can escape the city and experience a completely different side of Catalonia.
At the top, you’ll find the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, where people come to see the Black Madonna, a revered statue housed inside the basilica.
The funiculars take you even higher into the mountains for short hikes or longer walks with fewer crowds.
💡Tip: Visit on a weekday if you can. It’s much quieter and easier to find space on the trains, cable cars, and trails.
If you’re planning to visit Montserrat by train, check out my comprehensive guides:
⌛ Travel time from Barcelona: About 1.5 hours (train + rack railway or cable car).
2. Girona
⭐ Best for: History lovers, Game of Thrones fans, and anyone who enjoys wandering medieval streets.
Girona is a small city packed with charm and character. Its medieval old town is one of the best-preserved in Spain, with narrow stone alleys, Roman walls, and colorful houses lining the Onyar River.
You can walk along the old city walls, cross its iconic bridges, and visit the Cathedral of Girona. It boasts the widest Gothic nave in the world.
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you’ll recognize several filming locations around the city. But even if you’re not, Girona’s mix of history, architecture, and quiet corners makes it a great place to spend the day.
💡Tip: Don’t miss the Jewish Quarter. It’s one of the oldest in Europe and easy to explore on foot.
Want to dig deeper? Here’s everything you need to know about Girona:
⌛ Travel time from Barcelona: Around 40 minutes by high-speed train. About 1.5 hours by regional train.
3. Costa Brava
⭐ Best for: Coastal views, beach time, and exploring charming seaside towns.
Costa Brava isn’t one single destination but a whole region.
It’s a stretch of coastline known for rugged cliffs, turquoise water, and small towns that feel a world away from the Catalan capital. While some parts are easier to reach by car, a few spots along the southern coast are doable as day trips from Barcelona by train.
Towns like Blanes and Figueres are the best starting points.
From there, you can either hop on a bus or join a tour. If you prefer the hassle-free tour option, this is my recommended Costa Brava day trip from Barcelona.
💡Tip: If you’re short on time, stick to Blanes. It’s the most train-accessible place in the Costa Brava, and still offers dramatic scenery.
⌛ Travel time from Barcelona: Around 1.5 hours by train to Blanes.
4. Figueres
⭐ Best for: Art lovers, surrealism fans, and history buffs.
Figueres is best known as the birthplace of Salvador Dalí.
The city fully embraces its most famous resident. The main draw is the Dalí Theatre-Museum, one of the strangest and most memorable museums in Spain. Dalí himself designed it, and it’s packed with mind-bending art, giant sculptures, optical illusions, and even the artist’s final resting place.
The town itself is small, with a few pedestrian streets and local cafés, so most people come just for the museum.
However, don’t miss Sant Ferran Castle. It’s one of the biggest military fortresses in Europe. And if you need even more things to do in Figueres, check out my guide.
💡Tip: Book tickets to the Dalí Museum in advance. Entry is timed, and it often sells out, especially in summer.
⌛ Travel time from Barcelona: Around 55 minutes by high-speed train or 2 hours by regional train.
5. Sitges
⭐ Best for: Beach time, easygoing vibes, and local festivals.
Sitges is one of the easiest day trips from Barcelona by train, and a fun one.
The small coastal town has a relaxed feel, a walkable old town, and a wide promenade that runs along the beach. It’s perfect if you want sun, sea, and a change of pace without spending hours on a train.
Besides the beach, you’ll find art galleries, local boutiques, and the charming Cau Ferrat Museum, once the home of artist Santiago Rusiñol.
Sitges is also known for its festivals, including Carnival and the Sitges Film Festival, two of the biggest in Catalonia.
💡Tip: Trains run often, but Sitges gets crowded on weekends. Go early if you want a quiet beach or a seat at a seafront café. Or plan your day trip on a weekday, it’s up to you.
⌛ Travel time from Barcelona: Around 35 minutes by regional train.
6. Tarragona
⭐ Best for: Roman history, sea views, and a laid-back old town.
If you’re into ancient ruins, Tarragona is a must.
The gorgeous coastal city was once the Roman capital of Hispania, and you can still see traces of its past all over town. The highlight is the Roman amphitheatre, set right by the sea. Other great things to do in Tarragona include a Roman circus, city walls, and a museum with artifacts from the area.
But Tarragona isn’t just about ruins. The medieval old town is full of narrow streets, plazas, and local restaurants. You can walk everywhere, and there are plenty of sea views along the way.
💡Tip: If you’re short on time, join my recommended combo tour to Sitges and Tarragona.
⌛ Travel time from Barcelona: about 1 hour by regional train or 35 minutes by high-speed train.
7. Penedès Wine Region
⭐ Best for: Wine lovers, countryside views, and a relaxed day outside the city.
Penedès is the heart of cava country.
It’s packed with family-run wineries like Familia Torres Winery, and famous names like Freixenet and Codorníu. Most are just a short train ride from Barcelona. It’s the easiest wine region to visit without a car.
You can take a guided tour with tastings, walk through vineyards, or pair cava with tapas.
Sant Sadurní d’Anoia is the “Cava Capital” and the best town for winery tours. However, Vilafranca del Penedès is the region’s main town and a great stop if you’re into wine culture and local food. It also has a slower pace and fewer tourists.
💡Tip: Book your tour in advance. Some wineries only offer visits at set times, especially in English.
⌛ Travel time from Barcelona: Around 50 minutes to Sant Sadurní d’Anoia by commuter train R4.
8. Vic
⭐ Best for: Food markets, local life, and medieval architecture.
Vic is a small inland city that feels very Catalan and authentic.
The main square, Plaça Major, is one of the most striking in Catalonia. It’s completely surrounded by arcades and hosts a lively market twice a week (Tuesdays and Saturdays).
You’ll find everything from seasonal produce to cured meats, including the town’s famous fuet (Catalan sausage).
Beyond the market, Vic has a well-preserved old town with a mix of Romanesque, Gothic, and modernist buildings. Don’t miss the Roman Temple, the Cathedral of Vic, or a visit to one of the traditional cafés nearby.
💡Tip: Come on a Saturday if you want the full market experience. It’s much bigger and spills into the side streets.
⌛ Travel time from Barcelona: Around 1 hour and 30 minutes by regional train.
9. Colònia Güell
⭐ Best for: Gaudí fans, quiet streets, and modernist history.
Colònia Güell is one of the easiest day trips from Barcelona for Gaudí fans, and the least crowded.
The small former textile village was built as a workers’ colony in the late 1800s. The main reason to visit it is the Gaudí Crypt, a UNESCO-listed church designed by Antoni Gaudí before he focused full-time on Sagrada Família.
The crypt is unlike anything else he designed.
It’s full of curved lines, stone columns, and colorful mosaics. Yet, it feels grounded and peaceful.
After your visit, walk around the village to admire more gorgeous buildings by other modernist architects.
⌛ Travel time from Barcelona: About 25 minutes by FGC suburban train from Plaça Espanya.
10. Reus
⭐ Best for: Modernist architecture, quiet streets, and vermouth tastings.
Reus is often overlooked, but it’s full of surprises.
This was the birthplace of Antoni Gaudí, and while there are no Gaudí buildings here, the town has one of the best collections of modernist architecture in Catalonia.
The Modernist walking route around town takes you past 20+ beautiful façades, many designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner (aka “The Father of Catalan Modernism”) and his students.
The other big draw is vermut. Reus claims to be the original home of the drink. You can try it at local bars or take a tour of the Vermouth Museum.
💡Tip: Stop by the Gaudí Centre for a quick and interactive look at Gaudí’s early life. It’s a good intro before visiting the most famous Gaudí buildings in Barcelona.
⌛ Travel time from Barcelona: Around 1 hour and 30 minutes by regional train.
11. Vilanova i la Geltrú
⭐ Best for: Quiet beaches, fresh seafood, and a local feel without the crowds.
Just past Sitges, Vilanova i la Geltrú is a less touristy coastal town with wide sandy beaches and a laid-back vibe.
The long promenade is perfect for a stroll, and the beaches are ideal if you want space to spread out. They don’t get too overcrowded even at the peak of summer.
The town itself has a large central square, local markets, and a handful of museums, including the Railway Museum, one of the best of its kind in Spain. You’ll also find fresh seafood at local restaurants, often at better prices than in Barcelona or Sitges.
💡Tip: Hungry after the beach? My favorite chiringuito (beach bar) is in the middle of the beach, and it’s called Ibiza. Everything on the menu is top-notch, but my favorite is the grilled sea bass.
⌛ Travel time from Barcelona: About 45 minutes by regional train.
Tips About the Best Day Trips from Barcelona by Train
💡 Buy train tickets in advance for high-speed routes. For places like Girona or Figueres, AVE and AVANT trains sell out on busy days. Compare prices and book ahead here to get the best times and prices.
💡 Use regional trains for flexibility and lower fares. Trains to Sitges, Tarragona, Villanova, Vic, and Reus don’t require advance booking. Just show up at the station and go.
💡 Double-check departure stations. Barcelona has several major stations. The most convenient ones are Sants, Passeig de Gràcia, Plaça Catalunya, and Estació de França. Make sure you go to the right one or you’ll miss your train.
💡 Avoid peak hours to skip crowds. Trains between 7–9 AM and 5–7 PM can get packed with commuters. Aim for mid-morning or early afternoon departures for a smoother ride.
💡 Bring water and snacks for longer trips. Only high-speed trains have onboard services. Grab something at the station, especially if you’re heading to places like Montserrat or the Penedès region.
💡 Use your metro card for nearby zones. For short trips like Colònia Güell, you can use your metro ticket as it is in Zone 1. Use my Barcelona Transport Fare Calculator to find out everything you need to know about different fare zones and which ticket to buy.
💡 Check for local festivals or events before you go. Many towns have markets, fairs, or celebrations that make your visit more special but also more crowded. For example, Vic’s Medieval Fair and Sitges Film Festival are very popular events that attract tons of people. A quick search can help you plan better.
FAQs About the Best Day Trips by Train from Barcelona
Where can you go by train from Barcelona?
You can reach dozens of places by train from Barcelona. You can explore beach towns, wine regions, and small historic cities without needing a car. Some of the most popular day trips include Montserrat, Girona, Sitges, Tarragona, and Vic.
What is the most scenic train ride from Barcelona?
The train ride to Montserrat offers beautiful views as you leave the city and head toward the mountains. For coastline scenery, the route to Tarragona past Sitges and Vilanova i la Geltrú runs right along the sea, and is especially pretty on sunny days.
Where does the high-speed train from Barcelona go?
Barcelona’s high-speed trains (AVE and AVANT) connect you to major cities like Girona, Figueres, Zaragoza, Madrid, and even France. For day trips, Girona and Figueres are easy options with fast travel times, under 1 hour.
Which cities are close to Barcelona by train?
Girona, Tarragona, Sitges, Reus, and Vic are all under two hours away. These cities make great day trips from Barcelona by train if you want a mix of culture, history, and local food without traveling too far.
Should I book tickets in advance for day trips from Barcelona by train?
For regional and commuter trains, you can buy tickets on the day at the station without problems. However, if you’re traveling on high-speed or long-distance trains, booking ahead is better to get a seat and (sometimes) a lower price. Especially for popular routes or weekends, advance booking is a smart move.
Now You Know What Places to Visit near Barcelona by Train
And there you have it – the best places to visit near Barcelona by train.
From seaside towns and mountain views to medieval cities and modernist treasures, these Barcelona day trips by train offer a refreshing change of pace without the stress of driving.
Whether you’re in the mood for history, food, nature, or just a quiet escape, there’s a perfect spot waiting just a short train ride away.
💡 Insider Tip: If you want to experience Barcelona without the hassle of planning, consider my custom travel itinerary service. Together, we can craft a personalized travel plan that caters to your interests. Let’s make your next Barcelona adventure magical!
