Hey there-I will be visiting Barcelona in late May 2010. We are interested in taking a day trip from Barcelona and we'd love to get some suggestions- either along the coast or in the countryside. Thank you in advance! China
Posted by
Palm Beach, Florida, United States
536 posts
http://wikitravel.org/en/Cadaques
Hi China - Cadaques is a Fantastic village on the ocean and a Great day trip from Barcelona. Have a look and see what you think!!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6859648564346751199#
Greg
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
I would say that the two best day trips are Montserrat (monastery with cool architecture, spectacular mountain walks around, and a surprisingly secular art collection) or the Dali art gallery at Figueres if you like his work.
Montserrat can be reached in about an hour from central Barcelona by FGC suburban rail from Placa de Catalunya station followed by cable car (faster) or rack railway (less scary) connection. You can buy various combined travel/admission deals at the station. Watch out for religious festival dates when the monastery and transport links will be absolutely packed with local people.
Figueres is about two hours from Barcelona by main line express train from Sants or Passeig de Gracia stations. The Dali museum is about twenty minutes walk from the station. There may be rail engineering work over the next year or so around Figueres due to the new Montpellier-Barcelona high-speed railway line now under construction so check on that when you get to Barcelona. Despite the length the journey counts as local rail so there is no advance booking discount that you might worry about losing out on.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
691 posts
China, i agree with the suggestion to Montserrat, great day trip, beautiful scenery and hiking possibility if you are into hiking. We went to the Penedes valley about 1 hour west of Barcelona near the coast, we visited the Torres winery and the Cordeniu "champagne" winery. I heard that there is a nice beach in Stiges. Have fun!
Posted by
OP
HI
100 posts
Hey guys-thanks so much for the great suggestions! We're getting excited to visit.
Posted by
Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
324 posts
My personal vote would go for Tarragona. This unfairly underrated town is a quick (less than 2 hours) train ride from BCN, and is packed with great (and well presented) historical stuff as well as one of the best Roman amphitheaters I've ever seen. I'd also chose Gerona over Cadaqués, Figueres or Montserrat, but they are all nice day trips.
Posted by
St Petersburg Florida
951 posts
I live in St Petersburg, Florida and have a great Dali museum here. When I went to Spain 5 years ago, it was important to me to see Dali's museum in Figueres. So I vote for Figueres because the museum is out of this world. Even the buiding is a piece of surreal art.
Posted by
Alpharetta, Georgia, USA
45 posts
I would have to agree that Montserrat would be my choice. I went there in 2004 and it was amazing. If the scenery is not enough, you should hear the boys' choir sing! It is lovely and to see the Black Madonna is a treat. Enjoy yourself wherever you choose to go! Amanda
Here is a link if you'd like to check out some pictures of the surroundings and the Black Madonna and the history behind her.