Best Things To Do Around BARCELONA

Visiting Barcelona and wondering what are the best things to do around Barcelona?

Barcelona is the capital and largest city of Catalonia, an autonomous community of Spain.

Located on the northeastern coast of the country, Barcelona boasts numerous beaches, great sea views, grandiose architecture, exhilarating nightlife and great restaurants. Barcelona is one of the most visited European cities. More than 20 million visitors and tourists pass through Barcelona each year.

Barcelona’s gothic streets, amazing architecture and fantastic vibe are the reasons why so many tourists flock to this city. Antoni Gaudi’s works are the most impressive and unique architecture in Barcelona. 

If you are coming to Barcelona, do not forget that there are a number of amazing places outside the city! You should definitely explore outside Barcelona!

Here’s a list of our best things to do around Barcelona.

Check it out for some travel inspiration.

7 Best Things To Do Around Barcelona

Visit Montserrat Mountain

Visit Montserrat Mountain

Montserrat is a multi-peaked mountain range about 50 km from Barcelona.

Being Catalonia’s sacred mountain, Montserrat is a very popular place to visit for locals and tourists alike. The mountain is known for its distinctive, jagged peaks. In fact, “Montserrat” means “serrated mountain”, and that’s what it looks like from a distance.

The mountain is famous for the Benedictine abbey, Santa Maria de Montserrat, which is located on the mountain. Founded in the 11th century, this monastery is still functioning. More than 70 monks live there. It has a large basilica, an iconic virgin sculpture (Virgin of Montserrat) and a museum with a collection of Catalan paintings.

You can reach Montserrat via train from Barcelona. It will take you to the foot of the mountain. To reach the top of the mountain and the abbey, take the cable car or funicular.

Visiting Montserrat Mountain is one of the best things to do around Barcelona.

Explore Girona

Explore Girona

Girona is a city in northern Catalonia, located some 100 km from Barcelona.

Girona boasts ancient history and a well-preserved old quarter that was used as a filming location for numerous movies, including Game of Thrones. The old quarter boasts picturesque mediaeval city walls. For the best city views, walk on these mediaeval walls. It is a must-do activity in the city. Also, walk up the steps to see the Girona Cathedral.

In Girona, you’ll see Spain’s best-preserved and most important Jewish quarter which dates back to the 12th century. It was a very important Jewish centre during the Middle Ages. It is also one of the best-preserved Jewish quarters in Europe.

Walking the streets of Girona is one of the best things to do around Barcelona.

Enjoy the Art at Dalí Theatre and Museum

Enjoy the Art at Dalí Theatre and Museum

Dalí’s Theatre-Museum in a museum in Figueres is dedicated to the artist Salvador Dalí.

Set in a castle-like building with giant eggs decorating the roof, Dalí Theatre and Museum is one of the largest surrealistic objects in the world. Inside the popular museum, you can enjoy the art of the famous surrealist artist, which is weird and impressive at the same time.

Located 140 km from Barcelona, Figueres is one of the best places to visit around Barcelona. It is Dali’s hometown.

Relax on a beach in Costa Brava

Costa Brava

Costa Brava is a coastal region of Catalonia in northeastern Spain.

Undoubtedly it is one of the most beautiful coastal regions in Spain, and going on a trip through Costa Brava is one of the best things to do in Spain.

“Costa Brava” translates as “rough coast”, and basically it is what the region is known for — its wild, rugged and dramatic coast which is a typical landscape of Costa Brava. Hence, the name.

Costa Brava has a very good summer climate, its beautiful nature and excellent beaches.

Explore Roman Ruins in Tarragona

Roman Ruins in Tarragona

Tarragona is a port city located by the Mediterranean Sea, located 100 km from Barcelona.

Tarragona is known for its Roman ruins and aqueduct. The city boasts an ancient amphitheatre overlooking the Mediterranean sea. Tarragona has a picturesque Old Town which is the highest part of Tarragona. There’s an impressive Gothic cathedral you shouldn’t miss.

There are also several urban beaches in Tarragona.

Hit the Beach in Sitges

Hit the Beach in Sitges

Sitges is a coastal town southwest of Barcelona.

Located some 40 km from Barcelona, Sitges is a popular beach destination. Backed by the mountains of Parc Natural del Garraf and boasting pretty Mediterranean beaches, Sitges is a pretty place to visit.

Sitges boasts a nice seafront promenade lined with seafront cafes and residential buildings. There’s a compact old town filled with postcard-perfect white buildings and cobbled streets.

Visit Bagà

Bagà

Bagà is a charming mediaeval mountain town.

Founded in the 9th century A.D., Bagà is made up of charming old stone houses and narrow cobbled streets. It was redesigned four centuries later, and now it is a rare example of mediaeval city planning.

The town is located at the feet of the mountains of the Cadí range (part of the Pyrenees). There are a number of hiking and biking routes starting from Baga.

Best Things To Do Around BARCELONA

Barcelona Travel Tips

  1. If you are coming to Barcelona, definitely explore outside the city. 
  2. Train by far is the best mode of transport for tourists. Buses are comfortable, too, and many tourists use them.
  3. But the best way to travel around Barcelona is by rental car. That way you’ll be able to visit not only the major tourist spots but also smaller towns and villages.
  4. Travel during the shoulder season. Accommodation is cheaper then, and there are fewer crowds.
  5. Be prepared to eat your dinner late. Restaurants even might not be open when you might expect them to be, or you might be the only one eating your dinner.
  6. Learn a little Spanish. Your knowledge will come in handy in smaller towns and outside the main tourist streets. Download an offline dictionary and learn some basic phrases.
  7. Barcelona is among the worst cities for pickpocketing. Be wary of thieves in tourist spots and keep your belongings close.
  8. Buy entrance tickets online to avoid queues.