If you’re thinking of a day trip near Barcelona, a weekend getaway or simply leaving the city for a day, you’ve come to the right place. You don’t always have the time or the money, but that doesn’t mean you can’t set aside a day to completely forget about stress and routine and dedicate yourself to yourself.
At Lugaris, we know that Barcelona can sometimes be a bit overwhelming, which is why we’re going to show you the best places to go near Barcelona.
Beautiful villages near Barcelona
Barcelona is a city full of plans and cultural jewels: monuments, museums, gastronomic offer, leisure, etc. But if you want to escape the hustle and bustle and get to know the most authentic Catalonia, you don’t have to go too far. Just a few kilometres from the city, you’ll find some fairytale villages that will leave you speachless and eager to continue discovering this region in the north of the Iberian Peninsula.
Sitges
Sitges is one of the best seaside towns near Barcelona, where you can spend an unforgettable day of sun and beach. This is one of the favourite spots for locals during the summer months, but it is also perfect for a nice walk at any time of the year.
Its main beaches are Sant Sebastià, Ribera, Barra and d’Aiguadolç, very wide sandy areas where the whole family can get together. If you want to practise naturism, there is also a place for you!
Caldes de Montbui
Caldes de Montbui is a village with many thermal baths where you can relax and spend a different kind of day, away from the routine. The waters that run underneath the village are at 70 degrees, which has led to the location of many spas throughout history.
Cardona
Cardona is a town of about 5,000 inhabitants and one of the best medieval towns near Barcelona to discover. The construction was ordered by the Count of Barcelona, Guifré el Pilós, when he began to expand his dominions towards the centre of Catalonia.
There you can also see other buildings of great value, such as the main church and the 14th century Gothic cloister. You can’t miss the geological formations of the Cardona salt mines, either!
Castellet i la Gornal
Castellet i la Gornal is located on the banks of the Foix reservoir and is a small town in the Alt Penedès region that offers many attractions for its visitors. For example, walking through its streets you can visit the Romanesque church of Sant Pere de Castellet, the hermitage of Santa Maria de Montanyans (located 195 metres above sea level) and a Roman bridge near Les Masuques.
However, the two main charms of the area are the 10th century castle and the reservoir itself, from where there are many routes of varying difficulty to discover the natural surroundings of the village.
Mura
Mura is a small village located in a beautiful valley. This has made it one of the best mountain villages near Barcelona. The village is perfect to lose yourself in its streets and discover the medieval essence that will allow you to travel back in time.
As cars are not allowed inside, you will be able to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city in no time. In the old quarter, the historic houses related to the different trades of yesteryear stand out, such as the oil mills or the ironmongers’ shops.
Vic
In the middle of the Osona region and surrounded by incredible landscapes, we find Vic, a village of reference that explains the history of its 2 millennia of existence. The Roman Empire dominated these lands and left as a testimony an impressive Roman Temple. This is a very original building that was part of the castle of the Montcada family and that was not known of its existence until a work was carried out at the end of the 20th century.
We also recommend that you visit the cathedral, in neoclassical style, but with Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque elements, a true architectural marvel!
Rajadell
Rajadell is another of the charming villages near Barcelona that will allow you to enjoy a different kind of day out of the capital. It has just over 500 inhabitants and is a benchmark among the medieval villages in the province.
Its small houses and the Gothic-style castle at the top of the town are the best way to enjoy this type of rural tourism. In the village there is the Church of Sant Iscle and Santa Victòria, which will make any lover of the Middle Ages fall in love with it.
Begur
Begur is a coastal town, but it is attractive at any time of the year, as it offers many cultural, artistic and gastronomic options. It is situated on top of a set of hills known as the Begur Massif and lies at the foot of an 11th century castle.
Once you have visited the castle, we recommend that you go down to the beach to discover the typical fishermen’s huts.
Hikes near Barcelona
If you want to spend a day near Barcelona, but can’t think of any ideas to make the experience different and allow you to disconnect, read on! The best thing to do is get your hiking boots out of the wardrobe, put on some comfortable clothes, grab some food supplies from the pantry and set off to discover the best hikes near Barcelona, in the heart of nature.
Montseny
Montseny is one of the best areas to visit less than 100 kilometres from Barcelona. This is a privileged natural area for hikers, as it is a massif that has been declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
There are peaks that reach 1,700 metres, but there are also quiet trails that allow you to stroll surrounded by nature. We recommend the hike that takes you to the source of the Tordera river from Sant Celoni, an incomparable natural spectacle!
In the middle of the Osona region and surrounded by incredible landscapes, we find Vic, a village of reference that explains the history of its 2 millennia of existence. The Roman Empire dominated these lands and left as a testimony an impressive Roman Temple. This is a very original building that was part of the castle of the Montcada family and that was not known of its existence until a work was carried out at the end of the 20th century.
We also recommend that you visit the cathedral, in neoclassical style, but with Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque elements, a true architectural marvel!
Castell d’en Boix
Castell d’en Boix is one of the best places to go near Barcelona and is located in Taradell. Here you can enjoy a landscape full of giant rocks where you will find the remains of a 10th century castle, more than 1,000 years old.
In addition, during your hike, you will also come across a Romanesque hermitage in the middle of the path and some caves hidden among the rocks. The first climb is a little steep, but we assure you it’s well worth the effort.
Colonia Güell
Very close to Barcelona, in Santa Coloma de Cervelló you will find a 19th century industrial colony, which is one of the best places to visit less than 30 miles from Barcelona: the Güell crypt.
This is a marvel of twisted columns, arches, stained-glass windows and antique furniture that looks like a life-size model of the Sagrada Familia, and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site! You can get there by car and then walk along one of the recommended trails in the area.
Montserrat
Montserrat is the best place to go near Barcelona, as it was declared a Natural Park in 1987 and offers many attractions for both nature lovers and spirituality seekers.
We recommend that you go up there on the funicular railway and start your excursion from the monastery to hike to the peak of Sant Jeroni for some amazing views. And don’t leave without hearing some of the legends that are told about the area!
La Mola
Climbing La Mola is one of the classic hikes near Barcelona. From the top of this mountain you’ll have views of the whole Vallès region, the Pyrenees and Montserrat. It is a perfect plan for families, for sportsmen and women who want to go on a low-level outing, and for Sunday walkers who need to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city.
We suggest you walk up to La Mola via the Camí dels Monjos, a quiet route with good views. Once at the top, you can have a drink in the restaurant at the summit and recover your strength for the descent.
Best places to go with children near Barcelona
If you’ve already exhausted all your ideas for family outings at weekends, or you don’t know where to go during your children’s school holidays, you need new resources! The time has come to think a little beyond the borders of the capital, to get to know all the places to go with children that are near Barcelona. Here are some of them!
Pla de la Calma
Pla de la Calma is an excursion that is about 35 minutes by car from Barcelona and is perfect for the whole family. A short hike will take you to the top of the Turó del Tagamanent where breathtaking views await.
Once there, you can take a leisurely stroll to the top and have a drink in the restaurant called El Bellver, an establishment that has high chairs and a playground for children.
Visit to the castle of Montsoriu
Montsoriu Castle stands on a hill over 600 metres high, between Sant Feliu de Buixalleu and Arbúcies, at the foot of the Montseny. When you arrive, you will see that the castle is ready to offer an experience for the whole family, allowing you to go back in time more than 500 years.
All this to relive the customs of Catalonia in the Middle Ages. You can visit the castle with a guide or on your own, following the signs that will guide you through the castle.
PortAventura Park
We can’t tell you what to do with children near Barcelona without mentioning PortAventura Park. This is considered one of the biggest and most fun theme parks in Europe and is located just over an hour’s drive from the Catalan capital.
Upon arrival, you will find a gigantic complex consisting of 3 theme parks, attractions, shows, restaurants, hotels and much more. In addition, special events are held throughout the year, such as Christmas and Halloween.
Gualba Environmental Park
The Gualba Environmental Park is located in the protected area of Montseny, 60 kilometres from Barcelona. There you’ll find a picnic and barbecue area, with a river nearby and a fairytale setting.
From there, if you feel like walking a bit, there are 3 very comfortable and easy routes that you can even do in a pram. There is also a restaurant, children’s play area and, in summer, two swimming pools available for the day.
Foix Natural Park
The Foix Natural Park is an area of vineyards and mountains that is very close to the beaches of Garraf. The three main attractions of the park are the Foix river, the surrounding forests and the possibility of spotting the Bonelli’s eagle.
We suggest the route of the castles of the Parc del Foix, an excursion that requires little experience and that runs through the woods and vineyards, passing by the castles of Penyafort and Castellet.
Tibidabo
Finally, we would like to introduce you to the theme park located just outside the city of Barcelona. At the top of the Tibidabo mountain is the amusement park with the same name and is one of the best things to do with children, which will take you a full day.
There you can enjoy bumper cars, Ferris wheels, merry-go-rounds, water fountains, magic rides and much more. The opening hours depend on the season, so don’t hesitate to take a look at their official website before you go!
We hope this post has helped you get ideas for where to go near Barcelona, full of fun and disconnection from the stress of the big city. If you want to know more plans in Barcelona or find good accommodation in the area, don’t hesitate to discover Lugaris’ holiday apartments in Barcelona, where we’ll be happy to help you.
NUESTROS APARTAMENTOS EN BARCELONA
Since 2010, Lugaris Apartaments has been offering you the best holiday rental flats in Barcelona, perfect for a family holiday, with friends or as a couple, or for medium-term stays.
You can choose between apartments near the beach in Barcelona, at Lugaris Beach, with sea views, 2 swimming pools (one for adults and one for children) and capacity for up to 6 people, and the Lugaris Rambla flats, located on the Rambla de Poblenou and just 300 m from Bogatell beach, with a balcony or terrace of up to 22 m2 and ideal for couples or families and groups of up to 5 people. All our luxury flats in Barcelona are air-conditioned and equipped with all the appliances, furniture and bed linen you will need during your stay. They also have satellite TV and free high-speed Wi-Fi connection, as well as a safe and a 24-hour private security service.
What’s more, when you make your booking, you can reserve many other additional services: international press in your flat, parking space, transfer service to and from Barcelona airport, bicycle hire, supermarket shopping, museum, sports and show tickets, babysitting service and much more.
For more information, contact Lugaris Apartments without obligation.
