Here is a selection of day trips from Barcelona to make the most of your holidays. Pick one and start your journey! 1. Sitges and Costa del Garraf, Mediterranean essence just a few kilometres away from the city Its privileged location, half an hour from Barcelona, makes Sitges, an old fishing village, an ideal place to spend a day at sea and beach without moving too far. Discover its seafaring tradition, which you can see through the cobbled streets and white buildings, and is embodied in its rich gastronomy. Sitges is also a town that loves culture. You will find outstanding buildings such as the Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla parish church or the Maricel and Cau Ferrat museums. Sitges is a town of hidden corners that invite you to stroll and relax by the sea. 2. Montserrat, mountain and spirituality Montserrat is a true icon of Catalonia. The peculiar shapes of this massif located a short distance from Barcelona and its history make it a unique and different place. From its Benedictine monastery, dating from the 11th century, you will have spectacular views of the entire environment and surround yourself with the calm and spiritual atmosphere of the congregation living here. The Montserrat Natural Park has 61 paths to discover this magnificent mountain's corners, from its hermitages to the top of Sant Jeroni. The journey to arrive in Montserrat is already quite an experience: you can take the air or cogwheel train or, for the more athletic, you can go up on foot while enjoying the landscape. 3. Girona, a tour through a movie set Girona mixes its cosmopolitan and urban atmosphere with the imprint of an intense heritage and cultural legacy. You will find traces from different eras that will allow you to relive the city's history and have served as the setting for television series such as Game of Thrones. You can't leave without strolling along the banks of the Onyar River with its colourful houses, visiting the cathedral and its famous stairs, or walking around the Jewish quarter. Give yourself a moment of respite in Parc de la Devesa and take the opportunity to discover the avant-garde gastronomy made in Girona. Some of the most prestigious restaurants in Catalonia are in this city. 4. Lleida and its surroundings, medieval past and rural essence If you want to escape the city and discover the most authentic rural Catalan essence, Lleida is your destination. A dynamic city with intense cultural activity, its streets take us back to the Middle Ages. From the Seu Vella, you will have beautiful views of the whole city and, among its most interesting buildings, you cannot miss the Muslim Suda or the Palau de la Paeria. On the way to Lleida, you can add two interesting stops: Montfalcó Murallat, a medieval walled town from the 11th century, and Penelles, a village known in recent years for its street murals and urban art. 5. Tarragona, Roman legacy next to the beach The Roman monumental complex in Tarragona has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Stroll around the streets of the old quarters, where you can see traces of Roman Tarraco. The amphitheatre, the circus, the walls, etc., are some sights to see and spend time with. Explore the sea atmosphere in the Serrallo neighbourhood, where you can taste the most renowned seafood cuisine. And you can't leave without swimming a little bit in the Mediterranean. Choose among the many sandy beaches from the Costa Daurada, places like Salou, Cambrils, Altafulla, or Torredembarra. 6. A day exploring the beaches and coves on the Costa Brava The blue of the sea and the green of the forests mix in the landscape in the Costa Brava. Exuberant in nature, full of cliffs, beaches, and small coves, it is an ideal place to take a route on foot or bike along the paths or in a private vehicle from village to village. Here, you will find many things to do, from exploring villages such as Tossa de Mar or Calella de Palafrugell, which have kept their maritime essence intact, to enjoying a more festive and bustling environment on the seafronts of Lloret or Blanes. Costa Brava also stands out for its sports offer. You can go sailing, surfing, kayaking, or diving, among many others. 7. Cardona and Bages, the heart of Catalonia Between gentle hills and cultivated fields, you will find Manresa, a lively town and a must-see to discover its heritage. Manresa is in the heart of Catalonia, bathed by the Llobregat and the Cardener rivers, and has an important religious legacy. The Seu, or Sanctuary of Sant Ignasi de Loyola, invites you to discover its secrets. You can enjoy a beautiful view of the city from the Old Bridge. You can complete your day trip going north to Cardona, where a spectacular medieval castle crowns the town. Close by, the salt mines will be a fascinating visit. 8. Besalú, a great majestic past The small village of Besalú in La Garrotxa, is one of those hard-to-leave places. Capital of an old Middle Ages County, some of its most relevant fortifications have survived to this day, the most iconic being the Old Bridge over the Fluvià River. We also recommend strolling around the streets of its old town and visiting places such as the churches of Sant Vicenç and Santa Maria, the monastery of Sant Pere, or the mikvé or house of ritual baths. 9. Rupit and Pruit, a hidden secret We present one of Catalonia's best-hidden secrets, the municipality of Rupit i Pruit. In Rupit, you'll find a medieval town with charming streets and great views of its natural surroundings of Collsacabra and the Guilleries. Stroll through its streets and enjoy the landscape and its heritage. The farmhouses and village houses in Pruit portray the rural essence of the area. The natural attractions invite you to walk around its routes and visit places such as the Sallent waterfall or the Agullola natural monument. 10. Vall de Núria, enjoy it all year round Vall de Núria is one of the most spectacular places in the Pyrenees, hidden among mountains of almost 3,000 meters. Its sanctuary can only be reached on foot by mountain paths or rack railway, which departs from Ribes de Freser. The journey to get there is quite an adventure, but once you arrive, you can enjoy the Pyrenean landscape and practice many outdoor activities like climbing one of the most emblematic peaks of Catalonia: the Puigmal. In winter, the ski resort has all you need to enjoy a great day in the snow.