Barcelona is a wonderful city with so much to see and do, but sometimes it’s nice to get out of the hustle and bustle and explore outside.
However, it’s not always that easy or convenient to do if you plan everything on your own – not to mention driving! That’s why I always recommend sorting out a pre-organized day trip from Barcelona tour.
There are plenty of options that will take you to incredible places and still have you back around dinner! I’ve carefully crafted a guide with the 5 top day trips from Barcelona available that are all worth the time and money! Let’s get started!
Be sure to see our reviews of Barcelona Tapas Tours, Food Tours and Monserrat Tours.
Best Barcelona Day Trips
| Montserrat, Girona & Costa Brava Guided Day Trip from Barcelona | Small Group Girona and Costa Brava Day Trip From Barcelona | Medieval Three Villages Small Group Day Trip from Barcelona | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
 |  |  | |
| Location: | Passatge de la Concepció, 7, L'Eixample, 08008 Barcelona | Pg. de Gràcia, 17, L'Eixample, 08007 Barcelona | C/ Palau de la Música, 1, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona |
| Start: | 8:30 AM | 8:30 AM | 8:30 AM |
| Duration: | 12 hours | 9 hours | 10.5 hours |
| Includes: | Guided visit of Montserrat, Girona and Costa Brava, Montserrat Abbey entrance., Arabs baths entrance | Professional guide, air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, breakfast | Local guide, air-conditioned vehicle |
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Day Trips from Barcelona For 2024
- Montserrat, Girona & Costa Brava Guided Day Trip from Barcelona
- Small Group Girona and Costa Brava Day Trip From Barcelona
- Medieval Three Villages Small Group Day Trip from Barcelona
- Girona, Figueres and Dali Museum Day Trip from Barcelona
- Costa Brava Day Trip from Barcelona with Boat Trip
Best Day Trips From Barcelona Reviews
1. Montserrat, Girona & Costa Brava Guided Day Trip from Barcelona
- Duration: 12 hours
- Departure: Passatge de la Concepció, 7, L’Eixample, 08008 Barcelona
- Departure Time: 8:30 AM
- Includes: Guided visit of Montserrat, Girona and Costa Brava, Montserrat Abbey entrance., Arabs baths entrance (Sundays is closed, so will be replaced by another activity)
To start things off on the right foot, I knew I had to feature the Montserrat, Girona & Costa Brava Guided Day Trip from Barcelona first.
Clocking in at 12 hours, it’s the most complete, comprehensive guide of its kind that will take you to 3 of the most beautiful places in the country in one day! If you’re limited on time in Spain or simply want to venture out of the city, this is the perfect tour for you!
The wonderful tour starts out at the meeting point, where you’ll board comfortable transportation with plenty of room to stretch your legs. It is also climate-controlled for year-round comfort, along with large windows perfect for viewing!
Our guide was so much fun, with a kind energy, and neverending knowledge that he shared about the places we passed by as we cruised. After around an hour on our bus, we arrived in the breathtaking Montserrat, where we saw the Massif rocky range and formations!
We learned about the Catalan culture and history, as well as the amazing Monastery basilica that holds the Black Madonna, as well as the atrium, closer, and main square of Montserrat.
Expand To See More
After, we then took a slightly longer ride to Girona, where we explored the enchanting Old Town, learning about the Roman and medieval times and how they tie back to the present day.
Our last stop of the day was the postcard-perfect Tossa de Mar located along the Costa Brave, complete with magnificent seaside views.
If you’re looking to learn and see a ton of legendary places in Spain, this tour is top-tier. I can’t recommend it enough to literally anyone, from solo travelers to families with younger kids!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Other Experiences You May Enjoy:
2. Small Group Girona and Costa Brava Day Trip From Barcelona
- Duration: 9 hours
- Departure: 8:30 AM
- Departure Time: Pg. de Gràcia, 17, L’Eixample, 08007 Barcelona
- Includes: Professional guide, air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, breakfast
Barcelona is an incredible place full of things to do and see, but it is nice to head out into the countryside and explore a different side of Catalonia!
The Small Group Girona and Costa Brave Day Trip from Barcelona Tour is the perfect opportunity to do so, showcasing the best in history, architecture, and food.
This relaxing tour is another all-day experience full of unique spots and beautiful views, that we honestly wouldn’t have been able to see otherwise!
Starting out at 8:30 in the morning, make sure to meet in front of the Nike Store at Passeo de Gracia 17 beforehand with some comfy clothes and walking shoes on! We then hopped onto our private, air-conditioned bus to make our first stop in Girona!
Known for its stunning Old Town and brightly colored riverfront buildings, I found it to have the perfect balance between old-world charm and sleek modernity.
One of my favorite parts was seeing the Eiffel Bridge (designed by none other than Gustave Eiffel, responsible for the world-famous Parisian tower), which was built in the 1800s!
Expand To See More
I’m a huge Game of Thrones fan, and seeing the film locations in the Old Town/university was incredible! The Girona Cathedral is equally as breathtaking, featuring the second-widest gothic nave in the world!
We then headed out through some scenic wine country on our way to the well-preserved medieval village of Peratallada before arriving in the old fisherman village in the center of Costa Brava!
It was so much fun being able to take a little dip in the refreshing water before having lunch at a traditional restaurant full of tasty dishes! I had no idea we could see so much beauty in just one day, and I would recommend this tour to anyone of any age!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. Medieval Three Villages Small Group Day Trip from Barcelona
- Duration: 10.5 hours
- Departure: C/ Palau de la Música, 1, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona
- Departure Time: 8:30 AM
- Includes: Local guide, air-conditioned vehicle
Next up is the Medieval Three Villages Small Group Day Trip from Barcelona Tour, showcasing the timeless charm of this rustic area of Spain.
The magnificent journey will take you from the bustling city streets to the enchanting cobblestone pathways, ancient castles, authentic cuisine, and picturesque landscapes.
I learned so much about Catalonia’s history and culture, as well as how they vary between all of the different villages!
Our tour started by meeting up with our guide in central Barcelona, where we were given a briefing of what to expect before hopping on our air-conditioned bus out to the little riverside village of Besalú.
Learning about its unique Jewish heritage was very interesting, and we saw the 12th-century ritual Jewish bathing area, along with a stunning medieval synagogue.
Next up was the 1,000-population town of Castellfollit de la Roca, followed by Rupit: the postcard-esque, cobblestone-pathed village complete with 16th-century homes and a hanging wooden bridge.
Expand To See More
We took a well-deserved break for lunch at a cute locale while chatting about our experience so far, before heading up the ruins of the Castle of Rupit which sits on a rocky outcrop looming over the village.
I enjoyed learning about how it was built during the 10th century as a defensive stronghold, with its strategic location perfect for monitoring and keeping the surrounding land safe.
We then proceeded to Cingles de Tavertet in the valley, seeing the megalithic tomb and Iberian Wall along with nearly 50 homes from the 16th and 17th centuries.
It was perfect weather for walking around and exploring, so we took another break to grab a delicious coffee before enjoying a stroll to the gorgeous overlook at Panta de Sau lake!
We then had the energy to enjoy the lush forests of El Montseny Natural Park before heading back to the city. While I do recommend having at least a bit of conditioning in order to walk and hike around, it’s a great way to learn, see less-touristy places, and get some fresh air!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Girona, Figueres and Dali Museum Day Trip from Barcelona
- Duration: 11.5 hours
- Departure: Carrer d’Alí-Bei, 80 Local nº 180 – Planta baja Delante del andén 19
- Departure Time: 8:30 AM
- Includes: Transportation on an air-conditioned coach, Bilingual tour in English and Spanish, Local guide, Assistant on board, Admission to the Dalí Theatre-Museum and Dalí Jewels exhibition
This is one of the longest tours on this guide, but it’s one of the best ways to explore medieval Girona and learn more about Dalí!
The Girona, Figueres and Dalí Museum Day Trip from Barcelona offers an immersive experience that highlights the region’s rich heritage and artistic legacy!
From Girona’s historic Old Town filled with intricate medieval buildings to the flamboyant egg-topped Dalí Museum, you’ll see a wide range of artistic expression and how it relates back to the country’s history.
We met up with our guide and the rest of our group in central Barcelona, and right away, our guide exhibited a ton of knowledge and a kind demeanor that kept all our attention.
She was perfectly bilingual, doing a great job of explaining local customs, interesting anecdotes, and historical accounts seamlessly.
We then hopped onto the air-conditioned coach and relaxed while taking in the scenic countryside views on our way to Girona, which sits right on the Onyar River.
Even before we arrived, our guide had already filled us in with tales of how Girona was a powerhouse in medieval times, using its money to build the extraordinary Romanesque and Gothic buildings we were about to see.
Expand To See More
The cobblestone streets and intricate homes and plazas were quite impressive, but the Girona Cathedral and its viewpoint were what really took my breath away!
After plenty of exploration, we took a break and filled up at one of the many delicious restaurants in the Old Town before hopping back on our coach to Figueres.
Salvador Dalí was born here at the beginning of the 1900s, and we learned all about his life, and how he transformed the Municipal Theater into his Theatre-Museum.
Now boasting the world’s single biggest collection of Dalí works, the interior was just as impressive as the eccentric exterior. We then had some free time to walk around the gorgeous Figueres, complete with the biggest 18th-century fortress in all of Europe!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Costa Brava Day Trip from Barcelona with Boat Trip
- Duration: 9 hours
- Departure: C. de Nàpols, 68, L’Eixample, 08013 Barcelona
- Departure Time: 8:30 AM
- Includes: Live commentary, local guide, transport by air-conditioned coach, wi-fi on board, one-way boat ticket from Lloret de Mar to Tossa de Mar
The Costa Brava Day Trip from Barcelona with Boat Trip is the perfect opportunity to have some fun in the sun while taking in natural beauty, charming villages, and crystal-clear waters.
This place has one of the best climates in all of the Mediterranean, but also some of the best cuisine, complete with various Michelin-starred restaurants.
I also think it’s a cool place in that it’s filled with sandy beaches, contrasted by pine forests and ancient ruins.
If you’re looking for a romantic date option during the daytime, I can’t think of a better place to go than Costa Brava! As it’s so accessible from Barcelona on a well-planned trip like this tour, there’s no reason not to take advantage of the opportunity!
We met up with our guide in the center of Barcelona to set off on an immersive journey with a meticulously-crafted itinerary that only a seasoned pro could put together.
As we cruised along in our air-conditioned coach, we learned all about Lloret de Mar before seeing the bustling streets, mementos from its legendary maritime past, as well as plenty of cool shopping opportunities.
Expand To See More
However, my favorite part of the tour was the cruise to Tossa de Mar which is known as the “Pearl of Costa Brava”. The guided walking tour taught me so much, including the Vila Vella!
After all that walking and traveling around, we deserved a nice little break for a tasty lunch that exemplified the local gastronomic versatility!
I couldn’t believe how lively and colorful Lloret de Mar was, and our guide made sure we all had plenty of opportunities to take grade-A photos and videos of the surrounding area.
In Tossa de Mar, I saw the firsthand Roman imprint on the town, along with the fortified Old Town. We kept climbing until we reached the beautiful lighthouse at the top, which has some stunning views, as well!
With gorgeous, clear blue waters and amazing weather, it certainly was tempting to go down and take a dip, but we had a pretty steady pace that we had to keep up with for the full-day tour.
Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes along with clothing that moves with you, so you are able to go everywhere and focus on the beauty at hand. I’d also recommend this tour to anyone!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Sites Seen
Tour Guides
Value
The Montserrat, Girona & Costa Brava Guided Day Trip from Barcelona is our Editors Choice for the best day trip from Barcelona
