I am planning a trip to Barcelona in august with my husband and two grown up daughters. I want to spend 4-5 days in Barcelona but also want to go to the coast for beach and to the Pyranees for hiking. I need some suggestions on where to go as I am just stuck on making plans cause I have no information. We are active and like the outdoors. Can anyone give me some suggestions?
Tossa De Mar and Stiges both have great beaches and are fun beach towns.
We looked at Girona as a base for a Pyrenees hiking adventure, but ended up not going. Here is a link to one website I found useful: http://costabrava.angloinfo.com/information/63/outdoors.asp One of the places they mention is Aigüestortes National Park, which looks stunning: http://reddeparquesnacionales.mma.es/parques/aiguestortes/index.htm You would need to rent a car to explore this area.
If you take a day trip to Montserrat you can take the tram, the funicular trains, visit the monastery, listen to the choir, etc AND hike on the many trails above the main plaza. I agree with LaRae, Sitges is a great seaside communty with SANDY beaches NOT pebble, a seaside promenade, lots of restaurants and shops, a good sized grocery store (by the train station) and an easy 45 minute train ride to Barcelona. We actually stayed in Sitges and commuted back and forth to Barcelona. People will immediately post explaining that Sitges is a gay community - my wife and I saw little evidence of this one way or another and don't really care what others do. WE had a great time there and hope to return someday. Hasta la Vista!
Maelien Start with Rick Steve's Spain Guide Book and absorb that. Then, you may have more specific questions for the Helpline. Bobbie
What good is the Rick Steves guidebook to Maelien? Barcelona, yes, and it does mention Sitges, but not other beaches on the Costa Brava, and does not cover the Pyrenees or hiking there at all. They are looking for places to go near Barcelona for beaches and hiking, for five days. Telling her to read the book is not helpful.
If you are active and like outdoors I think less time in Barcelona is something to look at.