Where to go from Barcelona for 1 day โ 20 most interesting places
Experienced travelers know that true Spain is not so much Barcelona as its surroundings. After visiting the museums of the capital of Catalonia, walking along its streets and looking at the chic buildings on them, it's time to explore the nearby locations. Choose to your taste where to go from Barcelona for 1 day on your own. It can be a mountain village of witches or a soft sandy beach by the azure sea. Visit a secluded monastery or wander through the Spanish quarters, conquer peaks or wander into a sacred cave, go around museums or stretch out on the lawn in the park โฆ It is not necessary to adjust your plans based on transport schedules. Sometimes it is much more convenient to rent a car and build your own route. So, what is there, outside of Barcelona.
Girona
Girona is located 100 km to the northeast. The city is divided into two parts by a river. The modern districts of Girona are located on the left bank, the historical treasury is on the right. Game of Thrones fans will recognize the medieval streets of Girona as Braavos. The majestic building of the Cathedral stands out against the background of low buildings. It was built from the 11th to the 18th centuries and is an ensemble of architectural styles. There is a museum inside the cathedral.
Arab baths, built on the basis of ancient Roman baths, were built 900 years ago. And the picturesque pool with columns around it is still preserved. The Historical Museum of Girona owns a huge collection โ artifacts from different times are presented in 14 exhibition halls. The Museum of Jewish History will give an idea of โโthe life, customs and way of life of ethnic communities in the period from the 9th to the 15th century. The Art Museum in the Bishop's Palace keeps works of art dating back several centuries.
Book a private transfer from the airport to your hotel for 3 097 RUB
Figures
The city that glorified Salvador Dali, because it was here that he was born and found eternal peace. Figueres is 117 km away from Barcelona, โโits center can be bypassed in just 15 minutes. It borders on France and is the winemaking capital of Spain, so lovers of tasting the drink of the gods should definitely include it in their must visit list. The heart of Figueres is the theater-museum of Salvador Dali with a crypt in which the ashes of the outrageous surrealist are kept. The artist turned the theater building into a kind of installation, so it can be seen from afar.
Both adults and children will be interested in visiting the unique Toy Museum of Catalonia. Here are collected 4.5 thousand handicrafts from various materials and served to entertain children and adults at different times. Toys of famous Spaniards are also included in the museum's collection, and old photographs and postcards depict rare specimens from the past. The Church of St. Peter is a building with a thousand-year history, which is an example of Catalan Gothic. San Ferran Castle is an 18th-century building that has perfectly preserved its original appearance.
Besalu
Besalu is a tiny island of antiquity in the province of Girona, 1.5 hours from Barcelona. About 2.5 thousand people live here today. Against the backdrop of green hills, stone towers and structures rise, the appearance of the city is very memorable and original. The history of Besalu began more than a thousand years ago with the construction of a castle, the ruins of which can be visited during a tour.
The main attraction of Besalu is an old bridge with seven spans, built in the 12th century, it is through it that travelers get to the historical center of the town. The atmosphere of the Middle Ages is so strong here that sometimes you forget about what is now โฆ a century. Buildings with columns, balconies entwined with flowering plants, houses with old facades โ the spirit of European antiquity is simply in the air.
The city has a โMuseum of Microminiaturesโ, divided into three parts. The first contains exhibits that can be viewed with the naked eye, the second โ those that can be viewed with a magnifying glass, and the third โ a collection that is visible only under a microscope. St. Peter's Church, St. Julian's Hospital, an old mill, a watchtower, Carnell's house, the main square โ Besalu has something to captivate tourists.
Rupit
The mysterious ancient city of witches can only be reached by car, the distance from the capital of Catalonia is just over 100 km. In the mountains in the middle of the forests, a habitable area appeared in the 12th century, and although it was cut off from civilization by an impregnable gorge, the first settlers felt themselves protected by nature itself. Nestled on the tops of the rocks, the place is so inaccessible that even Napoleon abandoned the idea of โโconquering it.
Remoteness from cities protected the inhabitants even during the period when the plague hit Europe. According to legend, in the Middle Ages, half the population were witches, so the God-fearing natives called inquisitors to Rupit. Alleged witches fell out of favor, as did stubborn Jews who refuse to convert to Catholicism, and any townspeople suspected of heresy. Until now, walking along the cramped stone streets of the city, tourists feel some tension and heavy energy left in Rupite from those terrible times.
Modern Rupit is divided into two parts. On one side of the river is its historical part, on the other โ quite inhabited. About 400 people live in the city, and there is even a school, a kindergarten, markets, a church and a court, not to mention such a blessing of civilization as electricity. Be sure to visit the picturesque mystical town, which combines the Middle Ages and the present, reality and legends.
Castelfollit de la Roca
About two hours on the road and you are in a tiny town on a rock with the complex name of Castelfollit de la Roca. The first mention of it appears in the XII century, when the Spanish barons chose a rock tongue for the construction of family estates on it, surrounded by a fortress wall for safety. Erected on top of a rock, it began to collapse after the earthquakes of the 15th century.
By the way, this area is seismically unstable, because so far in the volcanic region of Garrocha, which includes Castelfollit da la Roca, there are about 70 active volcanoes. But this does not prevent the town from existing today: its population is about 1000 people. But due to the lack of orderly rows of tourists here, the place looks solitary and half-abandoned.
According to National Geographic, Castelfollit de da Roca is one of the top ten settlements with the most beautiful views, so it is definitely worth paying attention to. When you decide to go on a day trip from Barcelona, โโgrab a blanket and a full picnic basket: when else will you be able to relax in the fresh air overlooking the Spanish landscapes and the remains of medieval architecture.
Vic
A little more than an hour by car will take a trip to the ancient Vic, a city with a rich long history. That is why the originality of the city is interesting for its guests: here are collected and organically intertwined the features of several European cultures at once, which at different times influenced the appearance of the settlement. The streets are lined with modernist baroque houses, renaissance buildings, and all this does not look ridiculous or tasteless.
On the contrary, the architecture has a balance and its own charm, characteristic of the Spanish province. The best days to visit Vic are Tuesday and Saturday. Twice a week, stalls and tents stretch out on the main square, opening the local fair. It sells everything made by farmers, gardeners, craftsmen and needlewomen, from honey to embroidered table linen. The main attractions of Vik are the Episcopal Museum, Mayor Square, the Romanesque tower, which is 1000 years old.
If you are lucky enough to get here in December, do not miss the annual festival: a medieval market opens, costumed performances are staged, guests of the city are entertained with all kinds of numbers.
Monastery of Montserrat
Not more than an hour by car takes the road from Barcelona to the pilgrimage center of Catalonia โ the monastery of Montserrat. You can also get here by bus that goes here, but be careful, only once a day. Those who like to take a nap to the rhythmic clatter of train wheels will also be pleased: you can also get there by rail.
Montserrat Monastery is a โthree in oneโ for travelers. Firstly, this is a monastery with a thousand-year history, in which about a hundred monks still live. In addition, the monastery has an interesting cultural and historical museum, which contains 6 different collections. Moreover, these are not only icon-painting exhibits, but also a selection of ancient paintings by artists (from the 13th to the 18th centuries) and even a collection of jewelry made of gold and silver.
The Holy Cave is a place for which many believers make a pilgrimage to Catalonia. According to legend, the image of the Mother of God appeared in it at the end of the 9th century. Mount Montserrat is a familiar place for climbers. Climbers from all over Europe regularly climb this jagged giant. There are many hiking trails of varying difficulty levels in the Montserrat Nature Reserve. Walking along the natural attraction, you will be fascinated by the rich flora of the area and you can see representatives of the fauna.
Badalona
The ancient coastal town is considered by many to be the outskirts of Barcelona, โโbecause the distance between them is only 10 km. The visiting card of Badalona is a six-kilometer sandy beach, along which low houses are built on the shore. Even before our era, the ancient Romans settled in the vicinity of the town, and until now, the locals are proud of the Italian roots and relics that they carefully keep. The city museum exhibits ancient Roman baths, plumbing, an old Aboriginal dwelling and wall paintings.
Among the palm trees and various exotic plants, you can take a walk in the Turo del Caritg park, which is equally beautiful both in the daytime in sunlight and in the evening, illuminated by many lanterns. Badalona is a hospitable Spanish โhostessโ, various festivals are held here. For example, the Zorrilla Theater hosts an annual screening of short films. But the authorities of Badalona plan to further develop its cultural image, and soon the โCity of Musicโ will open, where you can listen to classical music.
Mataro
The Mediterranean town is stretched along the coast. The distance from the capital of Catalonia is 30 km, so many tourists leave the noisy city for the quiet sandy resort next to it. There are dozens of times fewer beach lovers in Mataro than in Barcelona.
The beaches are artificial, but incredibly clean and well-groomed, equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay. Except, perhaps, the locker rooms familiar to us. Historical and cultural attractions of Mataro are located away from the coastline on the mountain. The city museum occupied a building to match it: the 16th-century building contained all the exhibits and artifacts, most of which are archaeological finds.
Another architectural monument is the Basilica of St. Mary. The temple was built in the neoclassical style, and its interior is distinguished by baroque elegance. On one of the streets of Mataro, a part of the fortress wall, built in the 16th century, has been preserved. There are many architectural masterpieces in Mataro. Seeing them, you can't take your eyes off these ornate patterns on the buildings and try to decipher the author's mysterious idea. Among such buildings is the house of Koll and Regas or the house of Perera.
Sitges
On the Cote d'Azur there is a resort, which in the recent past was an ordinary fishing village. Sitges is a town where the weather is always good, because there are at least three hundred sunny days a year. The famous San Sebastian beach was named the best beach in Europe by the New York Times. Therefore, wealthy Americans and Europeans have chosen Sitges for permanent residence, which has led to a huge increase in housing prices.
As a result, young residents of Sitges were forced to leave their homeland, as the cost of square meters became sky-high. All year round, Sitges is the unchanging cradle of all kinds of parades, festivals and carnivals. Guests are entertained with all sorts of activities from gay parades to harvest festivals, and they are always bright and memorable performances. The abundance of nightclubs and bars along the coast gives the impression that Sitges never sleeps at all.
But, as they say, not only entertainmentโฆ And there are places in the city where you can taste spiritual food with a full โspoonโ. For example, walk along the quiet streets or retire on a picturesque Moroccan-style veranda. Museums, galleries, a chapel, churches, a palace โ these and other locations will pleasantly surprise tourists who considered Sitges nothing more than a frivolous resort town.
Lloret de Mar
The main Mediterranean resort of the Costa Brava welcomes many guests at any time of the year. During the hot months from May to October โ the time of youth. Discos, clubs, open-air bars, non-stop music, many DJs and entertainment at night โ this is Lloret de Mar in the high season. Calm measured pastime of older guests falls on the remaining six months โ from November to April. The mild subtropical climate of the resort makes it attractive in cold weather.
Here, inquisitive tourists will find everything from an open-air necropolis museum to a large noisy water park. Far from being a gloomy and intimidating landmark, the modernist cemetery is a curious place brimming with burial culture. Very curious in terms of national color and architectural appearance of the city. The three-storey young (2002) museum โCat's Houseโ, based on a private collection of our compatriots, will curiously tell about the historical relationship between a person and a domesticated pet.
Everything related to the โcatโ theme โ drawings, jewelry, household items, sculptures, stylized figures made of crystal, wood, clay โ is presented in six halls of the museum. In Lloret de Mar you will have a different but always interesting time, whether it is the water park, the gnomo park (a curious place), the church, the chapel, the castle or the gardens of Santa Clotilde.
Cardboard
The imposing castle and town of the same name in Catalonia was the abode of several civilizations, which one after another were mercilessly swept away by time. Today, Cardona is a settlement 80 km from Barcelona. He is known to the world for a castle in which mysterious mystical events still take place. A long time ago, a castle was built on a mountain to ensure the safety of the area and to warn in advance of impending Muslim raids.
Currently, it has been completely renovated and converted into a hotel. In which the very chilling number 712 is located. According to eyewitnesses and impressionable travelers, a ghost in monastic robes walks the corridors of the castle-hotel, objects move by themselves, and scary sounds frighten even the most skeptical guests. The mysterious room 712 is not rented in the general order, they are settled there only in case of an individual wish. Whether tourists come out of it gray-haired in the morning is unknown.
Aigwafred
A little more than 40 km and you are in a mountainous medieval village, the path to which runs through a picturesque serpentine and forest paths. This hiking route does not require special physical preparation, but if you rate your endurance in hiking trips as โthree plusโ, think about whether this walk is within your power. The old village houses that you meet at the beginning of the journey seem fabulous, modestly sheltered on the edge of a mountain range, huts from fairy tales. Another relic is an old mill, which impresses with its size.
Along the way, there are nests of high-altitude predators โ griffon vultures, they often hover right above the paths laid by local residents and tourist groups. This holiday destination is perfect for creative people who are looking for travel inspiration: the local landscapes are so colorful that even the most protracted creative crisis will come to naught. Couples or families in love, having taken the necessary for a picnic, will find peace here, will be able to communicate in an atmosphere of unity with nature. And athletes will have the opportunity to test their strength by daring to conquer the nearest peak (1100 m above sea level).
Tarragona
The port city in the south of Catalonia combines everything: beach holidays, historical buildings, architectural highlights and colorful national holidays. The huge Gothic windows of the Tarragona Cathedral are visible from afar, and no wonder: this is the largest Catholic church in Catalonia. The construction of the majestic building began in the 12th century, lasted about two hundred years and revealed to the world the main symbol of Christianity in all its glory.
Since bullfighting was banned in Catalonia, the Tarraco Plaza arena with a capacity of 17,000 spectators hosts concerts, festivals, performances, sports competitions and all possible performances of various subjects. โCherry on the cakeโ when visiting Tarragona โ climbing to the Mediterranean balcony. From there you have exceptional views of the sea and a breathtaking panorama of the coast. Local belief says that by rubbing the cast-iron railing of the balcony, travelers will forever gain good luck, which will accompany them in all their endeavors.
Don't forget to visit the Central Market of Tarragona, a monumental building that looks more like a train station or a museum: its arched facades look the same on all four sides. The outrageous monument to Kateleros represents 259 human figures in full growth, who built an acrobatic pyramid. These and other special places in Tarragona are better to see once than to hear about them a hundred times.
Vilanova-i-la-Geltru
The pearl of the Mediterranean coast is hidden 40 kilometers from the capital of Catalonia. The resort, famous for its golden sandy beaches, was founded in the 13th century, so it has something to show from its history. In addition, Vilanova has an excellently developed tourist infrastructure: an abundance of restaurants and cafes, comfortable beach areas and hotels for every taste and budget can tempt you to stay here for a couple of days.
By visiting the Railway Museum, tourists combine business with pleasure: here you can learn interesting facts about the history of railway transport and see real electric trains, wagons and steam locomotives both from the outside and from the inside. In the Museum of Romance, tourists are waiting for the atmosphere of the 17th-17th centuries: elegant curtains, decorative stucco with gilding, ornate patterns on furniture, a kitchen and a pantry of the past โ visiting this place, you can go into the past without a time machine. A walk along the central Rambla, the city beach, the medieval Blue Tower, the Art Museum โ leisure time in Vilanova can be spent in a varied and exciting way.
Manresa
The high-mountainous historical oasis in the center of Catalonia, 55 km from Barcelona, โโis famous for its monumental buildings, hills and shrines. The famous bridge, built in the 13th century across the Kardener River, is the architectural hallmark of Mansera. The majestic Basilica of Santa Maria de la Seu is another cultural highlight of Mancera. It was built in the 14th century in the Gothic style, after which it was rebuilt and restored many times. The appearance of the temple that has come down to us was given to it by architects in the 19th century. An interesting fact: the basilica in Manser is very similar to Barcelona's Santa Maria del Mar.
And all because these temples were built according to the project of the same architect. Mansera's shrine is the Santa Cova cave, where pilgrims from all over Europe flock. There is also a church and a souvenir shop attached to it, where you can buy something as a gift or for yourself as a keepsake of visiting this holy peaceful place. The city bridge also looks impressive, and the historical buildings that make up the remarkable architectural ensemble of Manser are perfectly visible from Saint-Domenech square in the city center.
Valencia
Valencia is famous for its historic buildings and impressive modern buildings, lush green parks and mild climate. Its main sights are concentrated in the historical center of the city. The futuristic building of the City of Arts and Sciences has become a symbol of Valencia today. In this cultural and entertainment complex there are: an IMAX cinema, a theater, an oceanarium, a planetarium, a botanical garden and a science museum. You can taste the Spanish flavor by visiting the Central Market of Valencia, open from Monday to Saturday.
The huge indoor building consists of two pavilions and resembles a lively oriental bazaar. Why not take a look at wild African animals in their natural habitat? The Valencian biopark is divided into 4 zones: Madagascar, dry savannah, wet savannah and the equatorial forests of Africa. The vast area of โโthe zoo is home to 116 species of animals, and there are at least 8,000 individuals themselves. It is difficult to spend just one day in Valencia, because you need to have time to see the city squares, the picturesque El Carmen district, cathedrals, the Bullring and other interesting locations.
Salou
One of the main Catalan resorts from a fishing village in a few decades has become a popular destination for beach lovers. Salou is famous for its incomparable fountain show, which captivates tourists who come to the evening promenade. Dozens of water jets of different colors soar into the night sky to the music. The famous amusement park Aventura is also located here.
Even the most serious adults here become cheerful children, because it is impossible to remain calm and restrain delight at the sight of the high loops of the roller coaster. A large-scale animation program and boat rafting on mountain rivers are organized here. In the city park, decorative bridges are spread across artificial ponds with water lilies, and paths are laid through dense thickets of lush Mediterranean vegetation.
A large park was created so that in the midst of the pristine beauty of nature, residents and guests of Salou can take a break from the city's hustle and bustle. King Jaime I Boulevard along the coastline, the Church of Santa Maria del Mar, the Catalan manor are attractions that also deserve attention.
Zaragoza
The originality of the province and the grandeur of megacities are united by Zaragoza, located between Barcelona and Madrid. The ancient city is a storehouse of sights that can win the heart of even the most sophisticated travelers. A unique place of its kind is the natural park of the monastery de Piedra. Although it is located 120 km from the city, it is worth a visit. The monastery was founded in the XII century in the middle of a beautiful natural reserve. The ancient architecture is fascinating: mossy stone vaults and arches rise mysteriously among the green landscapes.
Waterfalls around (the highest โ 50 m) create a fabulous unique atmosphere. The pedestrian street of Calle Alfonso is adorned with elegant buildings on both sides. On the famous Pilar Square, the architects erected a futuristic fountain in the stone jungle. The Hispanidad Fountain is a map of Latin America and flows into a pool shaped like South America. In Zaragoza, the Ancient Roman Theater, several stunning cathedrals, the magnificent Aljaferia Palace, museums, an early medieval stone bridge and many other notable places have been preserved.
Andorra
The distance between the tiny European state and Barcelona is 223 km. Ski lovers from all over Europe flock to the Principality of Andorra every year. Grandvalira Station is a place of pilgrimage for skiers with over 200 ski kilometers. The station has three snow parks and many slopes of different difficulty levels and is recognized as one of the best ski resorts in Europe. Surprisingly, another visiting card of Andorra is shopping.
VAT has been abolished in the state, so shopaholics tend to come here for bargains. The high-mountain principality, of course, also has a capital โ Andorra la Vella, which is very reminiscent of a classic European city, only on a small scale. Cobbled streets, low-rise colorful houses, friendly locals and many restaurants serving national cuisine similar to Spanish.