Planning on attending the Barcelona Open then the Madrid Open tennis events in mid and late April. The way the schedule works out I have to spend a minimum of at least 11 nights in both cities. I tend to like day trips more than repacking, going to new hotel every other day.
Definitely going to Toledo, anyone been to Sitges? Highly likely going to Salamanca and Segovia, any other nearby day trips I'm missing? I was also thinking of flying to Basque Country from Barcelona then from there to Madrid, if the public transport takes more than 5 hours I'd rather fly. I won't be renting a car.
Posted by
Australia
863 posts
Barcelona day trips:
- Montserrat mountain and monastery
- Girona
- Figueres/Cadaques - if you are interested in Salvador Dali
- Tarragona - a little further along the coast from Sitges but has really good Roman ruins
Madrid day trips:
- Avila
- Cuenca
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7278 posts
Depending on what your maximum train time is for a day trip, Cordoba is less than two hours by train from Madrid.
Posted by
Washington DC
27104 posts
I'm not a fan of Avila unless you happen to be driving near it in a rental car. It has a wall but isn't otherwise terribly interesting.
I like Cuenca a lot, but to make it practical as a day trip, you need to take one of the fast AVE/AVANT trains. Those can be very expensive unless you buy your tickets well in advance. The cheap regional trains to Cuenca take about 4-1/2 hours one way, so they don't work for day trips.
Sitges is an artsy (museums and shops) beach town. I don't know what it will be like in April--probably livelier on weekends if you have that option.
Posted by
756 posts
Madrid I think you've mostly got our key trio:
- Toledo
- Segovia
- Ávila (personally, loved the walls!)
Salamanca seems ambitious for a daytrip, but is doable I suppose.
Barcelona
- Girona
- Besalú (bus)
- Possibly Vic for something a little more off-the-beaten-path (also bus)
Posted by
Barcelona ☀️ Sweden ❄️
3901 posts
From Barcelona, there are many different day trips for many different interests of many different people. A selection of my favorites:
Ancient history
Tarragona
Empúries
Moorish history
Zaragoza
Girona
Medieval History
Poblet Monastery
Vic
Hiking
Camino de Ronda
Vall de Núria
Beach Day
Sitges
Tossa de Mar
Village Charm
Rupit
Besalú
Posted by
Hudson Valley
2267 posts
April would be early for beach time, and without a bit of time in the sun, I’m not sure Sitges or Tossa are worth the trip.
Posted by
Barcelona ☀️ Sweden ❄️
3901 posts
@Scudder
The water temp would be too cold that's true, but by mid to late April I think the weather should be nice enough to enjoy some sun, chill on the beach, sip on some vermut, maybe partake on some calamares at the local chiringuito. When I was back in Barcelona last April, we had some pretty decent weather, sunny with temps around 20-24 c