7 GETAWAYS NEAR BARCELONA
There are not a few places to visit in Catalonia that will leave you speechless. Fantastic landscapes of mountains and lakes in the Pyrenees, large metropolises like Barcelona, towns that seem frozen in time, ancient archaeological sites or coves with turquoise waters hidden between cliffs are just some of the great attractions of this beautiful community.
According to our experience and taking into account that to enjoy all these wonders you would need more than a month, we advise you to make several trips and getaways that will allow you to know the place with the tranquility it requires and thus take the best of memories with you.
The best way to visit all its tourist attractions is by car, since this will allow you to save time and stop in places that public transport does not reach, such as beaches and natural viewpoints.
The best time to travel to Catalonia (Catalunya in Catalan) is in spring and autumn, when you avoid the heat of summer and the colors of nature are at their maximum splendor, in addition to not having so much tourist overcrowding and the price of being more affordable.
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1.Girona
Girona, one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Catalonia, is perfect to spend a day getting lost in the network of alleys of the old Jewish quarter, visiting its main points of interest such as the Cathedral or the Arab Baths and crossing the bridges over it. Onyar river to enjoy incredible views.
After completing this list of places to visit in Girona, we recommend you try the most typical dishes such as monkfish suquet or the sea and mountains in one of the most recommended restaurants where to eat in Girona or the most modern cuisine of the mythical Celler de Can Roca , one of the best restaurants in the world.
If you have the opportunity to travel in spring, try to square your dates with the Temps de Flors festival (mid-May), when the city is filled with beautiful floral ensembles that will leave you speechless.
2.Costa Brava
A one-week route along the Costa Brava by car, from Lloret de Mar to Cadaqués, is another of the best experiences you can have in Catalonia.
During the more than 100 kilometers of coastline you will fall in love at first sight with its coves with turquoise waters hidden between cliffs, its historic coastal paths and its old fishing villages such as Calella de Palafrugell, Pals or Tossa de Mar, all located between the towns of the most beautiful Costa Brava.
As the final icing on the cake, in addition to wandering around Cadaqués and visiting the Salvador Dalí House Museum in Port Lligat, we suggest you take a hiking route through the eroded landscapes of Cap de Creus.
3.Montserrat
Another of the best things to do in Catalonia is to climb the mountain of Montserrat, located 30 kilometers from Barcelona, which surprises for its original rounded rock formations produced by the force of the wind and water, and for its iconic monastery that houses the popular virgin of the Moreneta.
One day in Montserrat is enough to do some of its hiking routes, such as the one that will take you to the peak of Sant Jeroni, the highest in the area and with breathtaking views, visit the interior of the monastery and get closer to Santa Cova , a small chapel in which La Moreneta was found.
For more information, we recommend reading this post on how to go from Barcelona to Montserrat.
4.Tarragona
On the shores of the Mediterranean Sea stands the historic city of Tarragona, ancient Tarraco in Roman times and another of the most important cities to see in Catalonia.
In addition to observing the remains of buildings of the great Roman Hispania such as the Amphitheater and the Circus, it is worth getting lost in the historic center until you find the Cathedral, enjoy the views from the Balcó del Mediterrani, take a walk along the walls and arrive even to the old fishing district of Serrallo.
After completing this list of places to see in Tarragona and trying good tapas or delicious fish and rice dishes in one of the best restaurants where to eat in Tarragona, you can take the car and go to the well-preserved Aqueduct.
If you have more time, we advise you to spend a day in PortAventura, the most visited and spectacular amusement park in Spain, full of attractions to release adrenaline and the little ones.
5.Sitges
Sitges, known worldwide for its International Film Festival, is a beautiful coastal town, which attracts more and more tourists from all over the world due to the combination of its modernist buildings on the seafront without losing its essence of a fishing village.
6.Miravet
Miravet is a small municipality of just over 700 inhabitants, located in the Ribera d’Ebre region, Tarragona.
The Templar Castle and the Andalusian walls or the Miravet pier are the “must” of this small town near Tarragona.
7.Figueres
Figueres is a charming open-air city. Strolling through its squares or along the Rambla is a pleasure and you will find markets with local products, shops of all kinds and a great atmosphere of terraces of bars and restaurants.
Just 70km from Barcelona, it is an unmissable visit for lovers of art and the Salvador Dalí house museum.
