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Barcelona – Andorra
Andorra is a beautiful lilliputian principality nestled in a beautiful Pyrenees valley between France and Spain. A day trip to Andorra is simply not to be missed if you’re visiting Barcelona for a number of good reasons.
Among other things, Andorra is known as a shopping paradise, featuring some of the best perfume, fashion, and electronics brands, all lined up shoulder to shoulder in its duty-free shopping center high in the Pyrenees mountains.
To others, Andorra is synonymous with skiing, hiking, and even balneotherapy (a method of treating illness with baths) usually practiced in spas and bathhouses. Indeed, Andorra is among Europe’s top destinations for winter activities and relaxation; a truly wonderful place to reconnect with nature through its picturesque valleys, meadows, and forests.
Getting to Andorra
- Direct buses run from Barcelona’s Estación de Autobuses de Sants to Andorra la Vella, taking about 3 hours and costing around EUR 35.
- Driving from Barcelona to Andorra la Vella is a popular choice, covering 192 km in approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Barcelona – Girona – Costa Brava
Head northeast from Barcelona and you’ll arrive at the city of Girona, from where you can continue your day trip to Costa Brava. Day trips to Girona and Costa Brava are some of the most popular and serviced routes for visitors to Barcelona.
Girona
A certain highborn by the name of Arya Stark once found herself roaming the streets of Girona begging for loose change. Well, at least that’s what you will inevitably hear since Girona was one of the locations used in the filming of the popular Game of Thrones series.
But even if you’re not a fan of the show, it’s easy to fall in love with Girona due to its medieval vibes, especially notable while strolling along the small streets of the old town.
Head further east from Girona, you’ll no doubt be enticed by the historic Castell de Tossa de Mar, a coastal walled enclosure constructed to repel pirates, marauders, and other unsavory individuals. Castell de Tossa de Mar dates from the 12th century and presents a series of towers from where one may take in the spectacular views of the sea.
Getting to Girona
- Trains run regularly between Barcelona and Girona, with a journey time of around 1 hour and 15 minutes, and tickets costing between EUR 10 and EUR 15.
- Multiple bus companies also operate between the two cities, taking about 1 hour and 30 minutes, with tickets generally priced from EUR 12 to EUR 16.
- Driving from Barcelona to Girona is about 100 km and takes roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Costa Brava
Some 32 kilometers east of Girona, the Costa Brava – the “Wild Coast” – stretches for 160 kilometers. Costa Brava acquired its namesake perhaps due to the presence of rocky cliffs, pine forests, and sandy cove. Yet beyond its rough facade, brochure-worthy beaches are also present with their turquoise waters painting an authentic Mediterranean landscape.
Getting to Costa Brava
- Buses run regularly from Girona to several Costa Brava towns, including Lloret de Mar, with a journey time of about 1 hour and ticket prices around EUR 8.
- Driving from Girona to coastal towns like Lloret de Mar or Tossa de Mar takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the destination.
Barcelona – Montserrat – Sitges
Another popular Barcelona day trip you can take is the Montserrat and Sitges route. This day trip involves a visit to a solemn abbey in the mountains and beaches lined with palm trees.
Montserrat
While the Montserrat mountain range is nothing short of breathtaking, the main reason why people find visiting Montserrat exceedingly intriguing is undoubtedly the mystical Benedictine Abbey housing a statue of the Black Madonna (Black Virgin). The statue, to whom miracles have reportedly been attributed, is said to have been carved in Jerusalem by Saint Luke himself. This renders the abbey a place of religious importance with adherents regularly prioritizing a visit to Montserrat over Barcelona.
As mentioned, apart from the abbey visitors to Montserrat can also do some hiking and take the cable car to the highest point of Montserrat where breathtaking views await.
Getting to Montserrat
- Take the R5 line from Plaça Espanya to Montserrat-Aeri (1 hour), then the cable car to the monastery (5 minutes). Combined tickets: EUR 10–12.
- Alternatively, take the R5 to Monistrol de Montserrat, then the Cremallera Rack Railway to the monastery (15 minutes). Combined tickets: EUR 12–15.
- Direct buses run from Barcelona’s Estación de Autobuses de Sants to Montserrat, taking about 1 hour and 25 minutes, with ticket prices between EUR 5 and 9.
Sitges
After your monastery visit, the resort town of Sitges would serve as the perfect end for your Barcelona day trip. Originally a quaint fishing village, Sitges is now famed for being a holiday destination for groups of friends, couples and also families looking to have some fun through its fun summer carnival and lively nightlife.
For those looking for a slower pace, Sitges also has a charming old town, a mouthwatering gastronomic experience and, of course, wonderful beaches lined with palm trees.
If you’re visiting in October, you can attend the film festival featuring mostly fantasy and horror films, taking place from 9 to 19 October this year.
Getting to Sitges
- From Montserrat, take the Cremallera Rack Railway or Aeri de Montserrat cable car to the base, then the R5 train to Plaça Espanya (1 hour). Transfer to a train to Sitges (45 minutes). Combined tickets cost EUR 10–15.
- Take a bus from Montserrat to Barcelona, taking about 1.5 hours and costing EUR 5–10, then a train to Sitges, which takes approximately 45 minutes and costs EUR 4. Total cost: EUR 9–14.
