It was once a secret that a rich, varied region surrounded Barcelona. Only locals and residents knew this. It was never exactly a secret, yet few visitors once ventured beyond the city’s limits for the best day trips from Barcelona—to explore the mysterious mountain range hovering on the horizon, or to discover a coastline untouched by resorts and cerveza sellers. Today, the sights of travelers are even more expansive: CataloniaRecent recognition of’s as a World Region of Gastronomy demonstrates that there’s plenty of great food to be found outside of the capital. From Girona to the Catalan Pyrenees, culinary superheroes such as the Roca brothers, the Adriàs, and the Puigdevalls have been redefining Catalan cuisine. Many have moved beyond opening award-winning restaurant to opening boutique hotels and museums, blurring lines between hospitality and the arts.
The region’s architecture is equally diverse, spanning Roman amphitheaters to cathedrals used for worship—and for making wine. It turns out that Gaudí got creative outside of Barcelona, as did his protégés, with spectacular constructions heaving on drama but scarce on queues. If you have Barcelona on your list of places to visit, you will be surprised at what you find just a few hours north or south. There, the coves and cliffs are altogether more atmospheric: Pine-fringed, painterly, and the longtime inspiration for artists such as Dalí and Picasso. So, whether you choose to self-explore or seek out curated tours, these day trips offer a richer, more rounded take on the region—to Barcelona, and well beyond.
Please read our entire article Barcelona travel guide hereThis includes:
What are the best day trips to take from Barcelona?
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