Barcelona, the city of modernist wonders, is full of corners that fall in love with all who visit it. Stroll through its most charming and old neighborhoods such as El Born, the Gothic Quarter and Gracia, climb the mountains that surround it to enjoy a magical sunset, travel emblematic streets such as Las Ramblas or Paseo de Gracia, gaping at the constructions of Gaudí and Domènech i Montaner, bathing in the beaches of La Barceloneta or Poblenou or enjoying tapas and traditional Catalan food, are just some of the best things to do in Barcelona, which we are sure, will make you fall in love with the city.
In addition to visiting the city, if you have some extra days, it is very interesting to consider a getaway near Barcelona where you have other wonders such as Montserrat, the Costa Brava, Girona, Sitges or Cardona, which you can visit in a day by train, car or Bus from Barcelona.
And as we have to admit that we love Barcelona, a city that we have visited many times, based on our experience, we have made a list of what we think, are the 5 best tours and excursions in Barcelona.
1. Excursion to Montserrat
Montserrat, located about 30 kilometers from the city, is one of the best excursions in Barcelona what can you do. This massif that stands out for its large rocks with surprising shapes, product of erosion and for the Benedictine monastery located in the upper part, is one of the places we are sure, will surprise you.
In the beautiful monastery is the Basilica of Montserrat, where you can listen to sing during the mass, every day at 1 noon, except Saturday, and on Sundays at 12, the children of the choir, which is all an experience. Also inside the monastery you can see La Moreneta, the image of the Virgin of Montserrat, one of the emblems of Catalonia.
Another of the essential visits in Montserrat is the Santa Cova, a small chapel in which it was found La Moreneta, located half an hour walk from the monastery. Another 20-minute walk will take you to the Cross of San Miquel, a place with good views of the monastery between the mountains of Montserrat.
In addition, we must bear in mind that the Montserrat mountain is also a paradise for climbers and hiking enthusiasts, in which one of the most common routes is the one that goes up to the top of Sant Jeroni located 1236 meters high and that It is another activity that you can not miss if you like contact with nature.
If you do not have a car there are several alternatives to go from Barcelona to Montserrat by public transport. The most common is to use the R5 train line of the FGC (Railways of the Generalitat of Catalonia), which leave every hour, starting at 8:30 a.m., from Plaza España. This line connects with the cable car, Montserrat Aeri station, and the rack railway, Monistrol de Montserrat station, which will take you to the monastery. Another good option is to book a bus tour, with which you can enjoy Montserrat in the most comfortable way.
- Book excursion to Montserrat by rack railway here
- Book a bus tour to Montserrat here
- Offer: Montserrat + Sagrada Familia here
- Book full-day excursion to Montserrat here
- Book trekking through Montserrat and visit the monastery here
- Book excursion to Montserrat by rack railway here
Montserrat
2. Guided tours of Barcelona
To really know Barcelona, one of the most visited cities in the world, you need several days of walking routes through its most emblematic neighborhoods. We always recommend starting the day very early if you want to visit some of its most famous places such as La Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera or Park Güell, all the work of the famous architect Antoni Gaudí and in which long lines are formed, some even with a limited daily entry quota. On these routes you can not forget the incredible modernist buildings such as the Palau de la Música Catalana and the Hospital de Sant Pau, another architecture genius, Lluís Domènech i Montaner.
The route through Barcelona can continue through the streets of one of the most emblematic neighborhoods of Barcelona, such as La Barceloneta, Gracia, El Born, Poblenou or the beautiful Gothic Quarter, perfect neighborhoods for shopping or trying the city's delicious cuisine based on tapas and traditional Catalan cuisine.
After eating and to do the digestion, nothing better than the walks during the afternoon on the famous Ramblas and Paseo de Gracia, two of the best free things in Barcelona, which we are sure, will be unforgettable.
To end the day you can opt for a great sunset approaching one of the best viewpoints of Barcelona, located in the Montjuic Mountain or in the Turó de la Rovira.
One of the best tips for traveling to Barcelona and knowing the history of the city is to book some of these visits with a guide in Spanish:
- Book free tour of Barcelona Free! here
- Book Barcelona tourist bus here
- Book tour of the mysteries and legends of Barcelona here
- Book a night tour of Barcelona and Magic Fountain of Montjuic here
Park Guell
3. Costa Brava, one of the best excursions in Barcelona
The Costa Brava, full of beaches and coves with transparent waters, is another of the best excursions in Barcelona. This coast located in the north of Catalonia, extends from the town of Blanes, just over an hour's drive from Barcelona, to Portbou, near the border with France. Finding hidden coves between cliffs and thick vegetation, while walking along the sea along the Roads of Ronda, is another of the best things to do on the Costa Brava, which we recommend not to miss.
In addition, the beautiful towns of the Girona coast, which still retain the marine charm such as Cadaqués, Calella de Palafrugell, Tossa de Mar, among others, together with its excellent cuisine with protagonists such as fresh fish and seafood, make this area a paradise to spend a long season or stay to live forever.
To get to the Costa Brava, if you do not have a car, you can take one of the Sarfa buses that leave from the North Station and stop at several towns such as Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar, Palafrugell, Roses or Cadaqués, among others.
The suburban train takes you to Blanes, leaving from Plaça Catalunya or Sants stations, for once in Blanes, take buses to reach other villages and the best beaches of the Costa Brava.
If you only have one day, a more comfortable option is to book a bus tour through several of its most beautiful corners.
- Book excursion to the Costa Brava here
- Book a trip to Lloret and Tossa de Mar here
- Book private excursion from Barcelona here
Costa Brava, one of the best excursions in Barcelona
4. Gaudí Tour
Antoni Gaudí, one of the most important architects in history, left an indelible mark in the form of masterpieces of modernism in Barcelona. Thanks to the patronage of the Catalan industrialist Eusebi Güell, the Catalan architect was able to unleash his innovative ideas inspired by the forms of nature and create places such as Finca Güell, the Crypt of Colonia Güell, Park Güell or Palau Güell , among others.
As time went by, his reputation for architecture genius was growing, and he was assigned more projects such as the construction of Casa Batlló and Casa Milà, two of the most essential places to visit in Barcelona, although it was impossible to finish his masterpiece before his death, the Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Familia, admired throughout the world.
Other interesting works of Gaudí in Barcelona are the Bellesguard Tower, the lanterns of the Plaza Real, the Casa Vicens, the Casa Calvet and the Teresianas School. Although all these places can be visited by subway or bus, a good option to learn more about Gaudí's history is to book a tour or guided tour of his most famous works.
- Book a visit to the Sagrada Familia without queues here
- Book a visit to the Sagrada Familia with a climb to the towers here
- Book a free tour of modernist Barcelona here
- Offer: Park Güell + Sagrada Familia here
The Batlló House in Barcelona
5. Excursion to Girona
Girona, one of the most interesting cities in Catalonia with more than two thousand years of history, is another of the best excursions in Barcelona, in which our favorite place in the city are the narrow streets of the historic center, with numerous Gothic buildings such as the impressive Cathedral and the old Jewish quarter of the Call, for which it is a real pleasure to lose you.
Other places that you cannot miss in Girona are the bridges and the colorful hanging houses of the Onyar River, which separate the new part from the old one, the monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants, the Rambla de la Llibertat or the Park de la Devesa for later, end with a walk through the wall.
You can also enjoy many well-known spots in the world, since this historic city has become much more famous in recent years, for filming in different emblematic places of the city of important scenes of the series of Game of Thrones.
The best way to get to Girona from Barcelona is with the AVE and Avant trains, in 40 minutes they cover the distance that separates Sants station and Girona station. A cheaper alternative is the buses that leave from the North Station, although it takes much longer.
Another more comfortable option is a guided tour in Spanish which includes a visit to the Dalí Museum in Figueres.
- Book excursion to Girona, Figueres and Dalí Museum here
- Book excursion to the scenario of Game of Thrones of Girona here
Girona
* More tours and excursions in Barcelona here
If you feel like helping us complete the list of 5 best tours and excursions in Barcelona in Spanish, add yours in the comments.
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Barcelona guide in one day
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