Things to do and see around Barcelona?

Catalonia is a magical place, with a tradition and a light of its own that permeate the walls of its villages and make its crystal-clear waters sparkle. That’s why it’s a shame to limit our trip to Barcelona. Its province has so much more to offer. Spread between the sea and the mountains, there are many incredible destinations just a few kilometres away from the city. Whether you’re a hiking and mountain lover, a sun and beach enthusiast or a true gourmet, the area around Barcelona offers an infinite number of excursions and visits to suit your tastes.

In this post, we’ve set out to help you organize your travel itinerary around Barcelona and show you around the province. We tell you about the most beautiful villages to visit, the best places to go out partying, sunbathe on the beach or relax in the countryside. We also give you some tips about transport and, of course, its gastronomy, one of the region’s greatest treasures.

What are the best places to see around Barcelona?

1. Sitges, the town of cinema

Sitges is one of the most popular destinations among tourists for its wonderful beaches and lively atmosphere. The town is famous for its film festival, but there is much more to see. Just strolling through the city centre and discovering its modernist and colonial architecture is worthwhile. Among its streets you’ll find historic buildings such as the Palau Maricel and the parish church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla, pretty squares such as the town hall square and the Plaça del Cap de la Vila, and a beautiful historic quarter.

Along its 4 km of coastline there are several beaches where you can sunbathe and relax, including Playa Balmins, Playa de Sant Sebastiá, Playa de la Ribera and Playa de la Barra.

By road, it takes 44 minutes to get to Sitges, either by car or bus, which leaves quite frequently from different points in the town centre and costs €4.5. Another quicker option is the suburban train, which costs €4.2.

2. Cardona Castle and the Salt Mines

Situated on the top of the hill in the village of Cardona, this fortification is famous for never having been defeated. The castle can be visited on a guided or dramatised tour, ideal for children. The tour lasts an hour and a half and the entrance fee is €8 for adults and €6 for children.

In the same village of Carmona there are salt mines that you can not miss. They are located inside a cave, where water and the passage of time has formed salt sculptures. The visit is guided and the entrance fee is €22, €20 for teenagers and €11 for children.

From Barcelona, you can go to Cardona by car (1h15), train or bus. The bus is direct and takes 1h 45. The train doesn’t go as far as Cardona, so you have to take a bus somewhere in between. And the journey can take up to 2h.

3. Mura, the medieval village to see in the outskirts of Barcelona

This pretty village is located at the entrance to the Natural Park of Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac and is a must-see if you’re spending some time in Catalonia. There is nothing special to see in the village. The attraction is the group of stone houses and shady streets decorated with flowers. The best thing to do is to get lost and stroll through the streets. It will only take you an hour. After (or before) you can always visit the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac Park to make the most of your trip.

Getting to Mura can be a bit of a problem if you don’t have a car, which takes just 1h15 to get there. If you want to go by public transport you’ll have to take several buses and the journey can take up to 3 hours.

4. Vic and the biggest square in Spain

Vic is a town of medieval origin that still retains its original essence. The most impressive feature of the town is its Plaza Mayor, the largest in Spain and where you can see some of the most beautiful facades of the municipality. A curious thing about the village is that it can sometimes smell of pork, as there are several factories producing fuet and salchichón, some of the most famous products in the area.

Vic is a wonderful place to spend a morning and have lunch in one of its many quality restaurants. And best of all, there’s a direct train from Barcelona.

5. Monastery of Monserrat

The Monastery of Monserrat is one of the obligatory visits around Barcelona. It is a group of buildings consisting of an abbey, a monastery and several museums located in the middle of the mountain within the Natural Park. Visiting hours vary depending on the building, but most of them are open between 10:00 and 17:00. General admission is €18.

From Barcelona the easiest way to get there is by car. It takes less than an hour and once there you can park at Monserrat and take the funicular up (€11.5 return), or park in the monastery car park for €6.5.

6. Rupit, the village surrounded by nature

Rupit is undoubtedly the most incredible village in the surroundings of Catalonia. It’s a little further than the other villages mentioned, 107 km from Barcelona, but it’s well worth the trip. It is in the same direction as Vic, so it is not a bad option to combine both on the same day. The only way to get there is by car.

This medieval village is built on a hill next to a river, so the stone houses are distributed at different heights and the whole village is full of wooden bridges. Everywhere you look you’ll see postcard-perfect nature and scenery.

7. Terrasa and its modernist buildings

Terrasa is an example of modernist architecture. The best known building is the Masia Freixa, located in the Parc de Sant Jordi and built in the 19th century. Other points of interest are the Romanesque churches and the medieval castle dating from the 17th century, which costs 3 € to enter.

Terrasa is the ideal place to spend a morning. It takes three quarters of an hour by car and three quarters of an hour by train. The good thing about the train is that it’s direct.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Where to eat around Barcelona?

Catalonia is a true gastronomic reference. There, the quality of the produce of the sea and the land, the simple but intense flavours and the tradition of gathering around the table take precedence. Throughout the region there is an incredible concentration of wonderful restaurants where you can eat deliciously, even in the smallest villages. And let’s not forget the desserts. In Catalonia there is a long tradition of confectionery and any excuse is a good one to go to the local pâtisserie for a sweet treat. Here are some of the restaurants that you can’t miss:

• Restaurant Can Jubany: is a starred restaurant where you can eat some of the best rice dishes in the region, among many other dishes. The quality of the produce is impeccable and the presentation is modern. You can eat à la carte or from the tasting menu. In any case, it is not a cheap restaurant.
• El noi d’Alcoi: is a pleasant restaurant located in Sitges. Its specialty is Mediterranean cuisine and there you can eat luxury at a good price.
• Cal Boter restaurant de calçots: Haven’t you tried calçots yet? In this restaurant you can try them in season, as well as many other dishes typical of the region. It is a simple, moderately priced restaurant.

To organize your trip we recommend using the Passporter where you can get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you most to add them to your route map.

Where to stay around Barcelona?

In most of the villages we have previously mentioned, you can find accommodation for all budgets and tastes. Charming rural houses, hotels with all the comforts, flats and hostels. Accommodation in Barcelona is quite expensive, and if you want to travel around the province, it is advisable to look for places where you can spend the night during your trip. Here are some suggestions

• Hotel Capri: is a beautiful 3-star hotel located in Sitges. It is only 100 metres from the beach and has a garden with swimming pool. The rooms are fully equipped, and the price is around €100 per night. Breakfast is included.
• Les Clarisses Boutique Hotel: This hotel is characterized by its beautiful gardens and privileged location in the centre of Vic, a few meters from the cathedral. The hotel has a bar, lounge, garden and restaurant. The price per night starts at 120€ and includes buffet breakfast.
• Can Grau Rupit: Rupit is a magical place, but with few options for accommodation. That’s why this flat for six people is a real luxury in the middle of nature. The price per night is €162.

In this post, you can find more accommodation options in Catalonia: The best hotels in Catalonia

How to get around Barcelona

Moving around Barcelona can be a challenge if you don’t have your own vehicle. From the city there is a radial system of regional trains (Rodalies) that go to the main cities and towns in the region. The problem is that there are many tourist towns where the train doesn’t go, and you’ll need to take the bus at some point.

If you’re travelling by car, you won’t have any trouble getting anywhere. There are plenty of car rental companies in the city itself.

What should I consider before travelling around Barcelona?

• The best time to travel around Barcelona is between May and July, and September and October.
• To get around the area it is recommended to hire a car as there are destinations with no public transport links.
• Catalonia is an expensive destination, try to stay away from the more touristy areas to save money.
• Be covered for medical emergencies: travel insured
• In Barcelona, as in any other big city, you have to be careful with your belongings, especially in the metro.
• Spanish and Catalan are spoken throughout Catalonia, but in smaller towns you may be spoken to in Catalan, and in the city of Barcelona even in English.
• The region is very touristy, so avoid the summer months and bear in mind that it’s always better to get up early than queue.

How to prepare what to see on your travel around Barcelona

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need to make, and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see around Barcelona.

Frequently asked questions about a trip around Barcelona