Get to know the best places to visit near Barcelona
Beach, mountains, culture, leisure, architecture… Catalonia has an endless offer of activities and getaways for all tastes and pockets. If you are thinking of taking a day trip from the Hotel Arc la Rambla, we suggest you a guide with the Best Day Trips near Barcelona.
Trips less than an hour away from Barcelona
Sitges
Sitges is one of the trendiest towns of the Catalan coast thanks to its combination of beaches, party, cultural effervescence and architectural richness.
Internationally known for its Fantastic Film Festival, Sitges is also famous for its beaches and for the festive and multicultural atmosphere of the city, which reaches its highest expression in February during the Carnival.
You will fall in love with this town, characterized by its wonderful houses with white facades and blue touches, that you could find once only in the historic fisherman’s district, but that today are all over the town.
In addition, in the old city centre you will find colonial buildings and a rich modernist heritage among which stands out Cau Ferrat Museum and Palau de Maricel.
The silhouette of the church of San Bartolomé and Santa Tecla looking towards the sea composes another of the most classic pictures of this city located only 40 kilometres from Barcelona.
How to get there: http://www.visitsitges.com/en/como-llegar/en-tren
Montserrat
In the heart of Catalonia, about 50 kilometres from Barcelona, the mountain of Montserrat is a place of pilgrimage for both the devotes of La Moreneta (the black-faced Virgin of the region, whose figure is in the monastery of Montserrat) and for hikers, climbers and nature lovers.
The huge rock formations that give their name to this natural park (Montserrat means “serrated mountain” in Catalan) invite you to make excursions while you are captivated by the spectacular landscapes.
In addition to the obligated visit to the wonderful monastery that houses the Virgin, you can’t miss the museum (which features works by Picasso, Dalí, El Greco, Caravaggio and Monet, among other great artists), nor the songs of La Escolania de Montserrat, one of the most traditional children’s choirs in Europe.
And do not miss the incredible views that can be seen climbing the cable car!
If you are planning to visit Montserrat, ask our Fornt Desk staff about the Guided Tours that we offer!
Colònia Güell
Near Barcelona, in Santa Coloma de Cervelló, is found one of the best kept treasures of Gaudí: the crypt of the church that the Catalan genius designed for this industrial colony, built in the nineteenth century on the orders of the businessman Eusebio Güell.
Gaudí used for the first time some architectural and artistic innovations, which later have characterized his work and that were applied also to design the famous Sagrada Familia.
In addition to the crypt (declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 2005), the Colònia Güell has other buildings designed by the main modernist architects of the time.
If you are planning to visit Montserrat and Colònia Güell, ask our Front Desk staff about the Guided Tours that we offer!
Port Aventura & Ferrari Land
Just one hour away from Barcelona, between the towns of Salou and Vila-Seca, are two of the most important amusement parks in Europe: Port Aventura Park and Ferrari Land.
Fun for the whole family in Port Aventura
Since its opening in 1995, Port Aventura has been growing and innovating. The park is divided into different theme areas (Mediterranean, Polynesia, China, Mexico, Far West and Sesamo Aventura, the newest which is specially designed for children) with a wide variety of attractions and shows for the whole family.
If you are a lover of strong emotions you can’t miss the Shambhala, a roller coaster that reaches 134 km/h in a breathless downhill of 78 meters (the longest in Europe) that will test your vocal cords.
The Shambhala takes its name from one of the highest peaks of the Himalayas, which, according to legend, it is so close to the sky that you cease to feel time and gravity.
The Furius Baco, the refreshing water attractions and the Dragon Khan (one of the great icons of the park) are some of the main attractions of the park that receives every year about 4 million visitors.
Ferrari Land, Europe’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster
Ferrari Land has 11 attractions and 5 restaurants inspired by the world known brand symbolized by Il Cavallino Rampante (“the prancing horse”). Among them is the “Red Force”, the highest vertical accelerator in Europe (112 meters) that will make you feel like driving a F1 car when going from 0 to 180 km/h in just 5 seconds. You won’t have time to scream!
Likewise, the park has a car show, simulators, life-size models of the most important monuments of Italy and a store with Official Ferrari merchandising.
Portaventura Park and Ferrari Land are part of a giant leisure complex that also includes a water park and a golf course. Impossible not to have a great time!
If you are planning to visit Port Aventura & Ferrari Land, ask our Fornt Desk staff about the 1-day excursions that we offer!
The beaches of Maresme
If you feel like enjoying wonderful beaches less than an hour away from Barcelona, Maresme is your best choice.
The beach of els Anglesos in Caldes d’Estrach, which its modernist houses next to the sea give a special charm; the immense sandy beach of Llevant in Premià de Mar; the beach Dunas de Santa Susanna, ideal to go with children; or la Roca Grossa in Calella, with its rocks, caves and crystalline waters, are some of the most recommended in an area of 50 kilometers of beach that are an earthly paradise for its visitors.
And that’s all for the first part of our guide of the best day trips near Barcelona. In our second post we will propose longer trips. Stay tuned to our blog and do not miss it!
