Planning a trip to Barcelona and are thinking about side trips? Keep scrolling for my list of the best day trips from Barcelona by train worth adding to your Spain itinerary!
This list of day trips from Barcelona by train was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Visiting the capital of Catalonia and want to escape the crowds by planning day trips from Barcelona by train?
It’s a great idea! Many visitors stay in Barcelona for their whole trip, but there are so many beautiful places near Barcelona to explore, too. This is true in the Catalan region, other parts of Spain, and even beyond the French border.
While day trips from Barcelona to Mallorca or other Spanish islands aren’t doable (unless you’ve got the cash to splash on a private jet!), hopping on train trips from Barcelona couldn’t be simpler.
No stressing over navigating foreign roads, rental insurance, or city traffic!
This guide lists all the best day trips from Barcelona by train, whether you’re in the mood to sip on cava in a local wine region or dive into the historic center of another bustling city.
It includes all the logistical info you need too!
Barcelona to Zaragoza Day Trip
Zaragoza is the capital city of Spain’s Aragon region, resting along the Ebro River. The jewel of Zaragoza is the Nuestra Señora del Pilar Basilica, a baroque church with many domes dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
There are lots of Moorish and Gothic buildings in Zaragoza, which all make up the Mudéjar Architecture of Aragon, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It’s one of the top day trips from Barcelona by train because it’s easy and not too far away. Zaragoza also looks nothing like Barcelona, so despite being a big city, you’ll definitely feel like you’re seeing another side of Spain.
How To Get From Barcelona to Zaragoza by Train
From Barcelona-Sants train station, take a direct Renfe AVE service to Zaragoza-Delicias station which is approximately a 90-minute journey. Renfe is the name of Spain’s national rail service. There are around 13 trains per day that travel on this route and tickets start from €7.
Renfe’s AVANT, AVE, and EUROMED services cater to this route, which are different versions of high-speed trains, but AVE trains are slightly faster.
On high-speed services, the carriage classes are Básica (2nd class) and Prémium (1st class). Sometimes, they have ‘Elige’ tickets which allow you to choose some of the perks of 1st class, but not all.
Day Trips from Barcelona to Figueres
Figueres is a small Spanish town north of Barcelona, not too far from the French border. Many travelers like to take a day trip to Figueres from Barcelona because it is the birthplace of world-renowned surrealist Salvador Dalí.
The Dalí Theatre-Museum was curated and built by the man himself and you can even visit his former home. Aside from the Dalí-related attractions, Figueres is a charming, walkable city with few crowds.
How To Get From Barcelona to Figueres by Train
From Barcelona-Sants take a direct Renfe MD train to Figueras station which takes less than two hours and departs every 30 minutes. MD (Media Distancia) high-speed trains are standard for Renfe’s regional services.
Ticket prices for this journey start from €11.10, making a day trip from Barcelona to Figueres perfect on a budget!
Barcelona to Cerbère, France Day Trip
Is it possible to take day trips to France from Barcelona? Absolutely! While some might suggest hopping on a train to cities like Perpignan or Montpellier, these journeys will take over four hours.
But if you want to take day tours from Barcelona to France where you’re not spending half the day sitting on a train, stopping by the seaside town of Cerbère is perfect. Beyond the French border, it has several rugged, pebbled hidden coves like Plage d’El Canu and Plage De Cerbère.
There’s a small harbor and a hilltop lighthouse you can hike to called Phare du Cap Cerbère. It’s not too strenuous and you’ll see great views across the coastlines of both Spain and France.
How To Get From Barcelona to Cerbère by Train
From Barcelona-Sants, hop on a direct Renfe regional train service to Cervera de la Marenda, the name of Cerbère’s local train station. This scenic ride takes around three hours, and approximately nine trains run daily. Tickets are around €48.40, so it’s better to book in advance to save money.
Day Trips from Barcelona to Girona
Girona is an easy recommendation for travelers unsure where to go from Barcelona on a full day tour. It’s one of the closest places to visit near Barcelona and it’s absolutely gorgeous.
Girona’s Ciutat Antiga (Old Town) has patchwork-colored houses lined against the River Onyar which wouldn’t look out of place on the Italian Riviera. It has one of the best-preserved Jewish Quarters in Europe, too.
How To Get From Barcelona to Girona by Train
From Barcelona-Sants, get a direct Renfe AVE, AVANT, MD, or EUROMED service to Girona station, which can take 40 minutes to one hour. 21 trains run frequently for this train line per day, and the ticket price for this journey starts at €7.
Barcelona to Ribes de Freser Day Trip
The Pyrenees mountains form a natural, mountainous border between France and Spain. This range stretches from the Bay of Biscay on the west to the Mediterranean Sea on the east coast.
Because they’re mountainous, it’s challenging to travel from Barcelona to the Pyrenees by train as buses can easily weave between the peaks. But it’s definitely doable! You can travel to the mountain town of Ribes de Freser, or get off earlier at the town of Vic if you prefer.
Ribes de Freser is a pretty town on the banks of three rivers with many hotels, restaurants, and tourist centers for hikers. You can do many shorter walks on a day trip, and the Mirador de Ribes de Freser observation deck offers an incredible panoramic view of the region.
How To Get From Barcelona to Ribes de Freser by Train
From Barcelona-Sants, take a direct Renfe Cercanías R3 service to Ribes de Freser station. These journeys take just over two hours and there’s only one service every four hours, so don’t miss it!
Cercanías services are commuter train lines, which means you cannot book in advance or reserve seats. You just buy them at the train station before you travel! This does mean the tickets are cheaper than normal, with most costing between €2.40 – €6.95.
Day Trips from Barcelona to Valencia
One of the best day trips from Barcelona is to Valencia. Sure, this large port city deserves a couple of days to explore it fully, but one day in Valencia is far better than no days in Valencia!
It’s known as a city of Arts and Sciences and is the birthplace of Spain’s famous seafood dish, paella. Stroll around Valencia’s Old Town, check out the Cathedral, and don’t forget to wander through the city’s Central Market too.
How To Get From Barcelona to Valencia by Train
From Barcelona-Sants, hop on a direct Renfe Intercity service to Valencia Station North. These trains leave regularly and take around three hours and 30 minutes. Even better, catch a Renfe EUROMED service to Valencia Joaquín Sorolla which takes less than three hours.
Whichever train you take, book in advance to reserve a seat on an early service to make the most of your time in Valencia! There are around 11 trains that travel this route every day and tickets usually cost around €24 – €30.
Barcelona to Sitges Day Trip
If you’re looking for fun, beach day trips around Barcelona, you couldn’t choose anywhere better than Sitges. It’s a town just a bit further south of the Catalan capital and offers a long stretch of beautiful beaches with hotels and restaurants along the promenade.
Sitges is also famous for its fun festivals and nightlife. It’s a great place for Carnival if you’re traveling in February or March or the Pride Festival in June!
How To Get From Barcelona to Sitges by Train
From Barcelona-Sants, take a direct Renfe Cercanías R2S service to Sitges station which only takes 40 minutes. Because these train lines are Cercanías services, you cannot book them in advance, but there are some regular regional services between the same stations too.
Trains leave regularly on this route, with a journey time roughly every 20 minutes and tickets for regional trains start from €7.75.
Day Trips from Barcelona to Lleida
Staying in the Catalan region, Lleida is a medieval city with lots of centuries-old buildings, such as La Seu Vella, which is a ruined fortress on a hilltop overlooking the city centre.
It’s quite a small city so it’s the perfect size to explore on a one-day trip from Barcelona.
How To Get From Barcelona to Lleida by Train
From Barcelona-Sants, hop on a direct high-speed Renfe AVE or ALVIA service to Lleida station. These trains run frequently, taking just over an hour, and roughly 15 services per day. Tickets start from €7.
Barcelona to Tarragona Day Trip
Tarragona is popular for travelers looking for one-day trips from Barcelona because it has so much to offer, no matter your interests.
As a former Roman colony, there are so many Ancient Roman ruins, tombs, and city walls dotted all around the Spanish town, with the Roman amphitheater taking center stage.
It also has an impressive gastronomic scene and a couple of pristine beaches, too!
How To Get From Barcelona to Tarragona by Train
From Barcelona-Sants, get a direct Renfe regional train line to Tarragona station, which takes just over one hour and has around 34 daily services. Ticket prices for this journey start from €6.80. It is one of the easiest day trips near Barcelona!
Day Trips from Barcelona to Montserrat
You won’t regret spending one day of your trip to Barcelona in Montserrat. Known by the Romans as Mons Serratus (Saw-Toothed Mountain) and by the Catalans as Montsagrat (Sacred Mountain), there’s no denying it’s a special place.
This hidden gem is where you’ll find the Benedictine monastery of Santa María de Montserrat, which houses a wooden statue of the Virgin Mother and Child said to have been carved by Saint Luke.
There are countless panoramic viewpoints, churches, and hiking trails within the landscape of this mountain, too. The scenic ride to the top offers great views of the surrounding area, making this one of the most breathtaking day tours from Barcelona.
How To Get From Barcelona to Montserrat by Train
Getting to Montserrat is a little trickier than taking some of the other Barcelona day trips, but worth it!
From Barcelona-Sants, hop on a Renfe Cercanías R4 service to Martorell Central station. This journey should take about 40 minutes.
At this station, change trains to a Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya R5 service to Monistrol de Montserrat, which is a 20-minute journey.
From there, you can take the funicular (like a rack railway or cable car) up to Montserrat. Despite the changes, this journey should only take about two hours in total. You can buy single tickets that will cover your entire journey from Barcelona to Montserrat for only €13.25.
Barcelona to Vilafranca del Penedès Day Trip
France has champagne, Italy has prosecco, and Spain has cava!
Not only that, but it’s mostly grown in the Catalan region. It’s the most underrated and underappreciated of all the sparkling wines and you can help spread the word by spending a day in the wine region.
Vilafranca del Penedès is one of the easiest Barcelona day trips by train into the cava wine region. There are lots of wineries, like Cava Torreblanca and Família Torres, that are a quick five-minute taxi journey from the center.
Plus, the city itself is beautiful and compact with so many great wine bars, you don’t even need to see the vines.
How To Get From Barcelona to Vilafranca del Penedès by Train
From Barcelona-Sants, take a direct Renfe Cercanías R4 service to Vilafranca del Penedès station. These services operate every 30 minutes and are just over one hour long. Tickets, which you can only buy at the station before you board, cost around €5 – €9.
Barcelona Day Trips by Train FAQs
The best day trips from Barcelona by train include destinations such as Montserrat, Girona, and Figueres.
The cost of train tickets can vary depending on the destination and the type of train, but it generally ranges from 5 to 20 euros for a one-way ticket.
Yes and that can be a great way to learn more about the history and culture of an area. Plus, you’ll get to chat with a local.
The amount of time to spend at each destination can vary, but most people recommend allowing at least half a day to fully explore each destination.
There may be discounts available for train tickets and attractions, such as group discounts or student discounts.
No, it is not necessary to speak Spanish to travel to these destinations, but it can be helpful to know a few basic phrases in Spanish to communicate with locals.
Day Trips from Barcelona by Train Wrap-Up
These favourite day trips from Barcelona allow you to visit vineyards, hidden coves, Roman ruins, beautiful beaches, pristine beaches, and even the serene atmosphere of mountain towns.
Taking the best way to travel—by train—makes these trips stress-free. Trains leave regularly from Barcelona-Sants train station, making it easy to visit places like Girona, Figueres, and Tarragona in just a fast train ride. Some locations, like Montserrat, even offer unique experiences such as riding a cable car or rack railway for great views of the Catalan landscape.
Whether you choose a full day tour or a quick getaway, these hidden gems offer a deeper look into Spain’s diverse history, landscapes, and culture. The Mediterranean Sea, ancient city walls, and vibrant cities are all within reach.
Side trips from Barcelona are so easy to plan, and you will have a richer, more memorable trip by exploring more of the gems that the Iberian Peninsula has to offer. Whether you want a scenic ride through the countryside or a day tour to a Spanish town, Barcelona’s train lines give you more options than you can imagine!
Looking for more Spain travel resources? Check out my Madrid travel tips, top Barcelona family hotels, things to do in Barcelona with kids, Barcelona travel tips, tips for Mallorca, things to do in Madrid with kids, day trips from Madrid, how to plan a trip to Spain, best day trips from Benidorm, and hidden gems in Spain!
