Barcelona (Barcelona), of course, in itself is a huge and almost inexhaustible world. Nevertheless, in its vicinity there are many other interesting places that deserve attention. As a matter of fact, further on these places will be discussed. So, where can you go from Barcelona on your own?
Where to go around Barcelona
To begin with, consider several options near the capital of Catalonia. The choice here is considerable and is able to satisfy a lot of the most diverse interests. So, for example, very close to the place Montserrat(Montserrat)– mountain, natural park and monastery (Monestir Santa Maria de Montserrat) rolled into one. The place is amazing. You can safely set aside a whole day for Montserrat, or you can even stay longer, since at least one hotel (Hotel Abat Cisneros) is located literally at the very monastery walls. Getting to the mountain and Montserrat monastery from Barcelona is quite easy. R5 trains (see www.fgc.cat) run regularly from Plaza España (Plaça d "Espanya), where you can get to Montserrat-Aeri station. Then go up the cable car, to a height of about 1200 meters above sea level.
Another, of course, iconic place in Catalonia is Figueres(figueres), the hometown of Salvador Dali, in which his theater-museum is located. In addition, here you can find a huge and generally well-preserved fort - Castell de Sant Ferran. You can get to Figueres on your own by train from the main Barcelona Sants station (Sants, see www.renfe.com). Travel time is about two hours.
Also deserves some attention Tarragona(Tarragona), an ancient city, now famous for its ruins of the ancient Roman period. Tarragona can be reached within an hour from Barcelona by rail or bus (see www.autocarsplana.com).
Not far from Tarragona is another interesting city - Reus(Reus) birthplace of Antoni Gaudí. Accordingly, the main attraction of Reus is the Gaudí Museum. The drive to Reus is a little longer than to Tarragona - about one and a half to two hours.
Also not far from Tarragona is monastery Poblet(Reial Monestir de Santa Maria de Poblet) see - www.poblet.cat - listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Therefore, a trip to Tarragona can be completely supplemented with either Reus or a visit to this monastery. You can get to it from Tarragona by bus (see www.vibasa.com - routes in the direction of Lleida (aka Leida in Catalan - Lleida). The town closest to the monastery is called La Espluga de Francoli (L "Espluga de Francolí It can be reached by rail both from Tarragona and directly from Barcelona. Poblet Monastery is located at a distance of about four kilometers from Esplugi, and the road to it is quite picturesque. Therefore, if you have time, it is worth walking to the monastery. Moreover, many take much longer walks from Montblanc, which is about 10 km from the monastery.This route is even more interesting and beautiful than the road from Esplugy.And the fortified city of Montblanc itself deserves to walk along it for at least a couple of hours. Detailed maps and other materials on this region of Catalonia can be found... In general, in this tiny corner of Spain (however, like in many others) you can easily spend more than one week... The area is very beautiful, and there are plenty of attractions.
Beach holidays near Barcelona
Separately, we will say a few words about the possibilities of a beach holiday in the vicinity of Barcelona. In general, Barcelona itself has pretty good city beaches, but, in our opinion, preference should still be given to other places, which, I must say, are quite a few nearby.
To the north of Barcelona stretch the beaches of the Costa Brava. The center of this region is Lloret de Mar(Lloret de Mar), where it is convenient to get either directly by bus from the North Station (Estació del Nord, you can buy tickets here www.sarfa.es) or through Blanes (Blanes) - first by train, then by bus. Read more about Lloret. You can also pay attention to the town Tossa de Mar(Tossa de Mar). It is calmer than Lloret. There are, of course, other options. For example, Escala(L" Escala), next to which is the archaeological site of the Greco-Roman city of Empurion (Sitio arqueológico del puerto grecorromano de Ampurias). Here, on the Costa Brava, you can stay for a few days and travel around the surrounding towns. In addition to Empurion, you can go to the very picturesque town of Cadaques (where, by the way, there is the Dali house-museum - not to be confused with the theater-museum in Figueres), as well as look into Rosas (Roses) and Empuriabrava (Empuriabrava), a kind of Catalan Venice, though , unlike the original, interesting only from a beach point of view. To implement such a route, it would be more convenient to rent a car, but in principle, in the summer, you can come up with something using the same Sarfa buses. Finally, don't forget Girona, which is worth a trip if only for a leisurely stroll along the Onyar River.
To the south of Barcelona, towards Tarragona and beyond, are the resorts of the Costa Dorada (Costa Daurada). In particular, this is Salou(Salou), known not only for its beaches, but also for the nearby popular amusement park Port Aventura. You can get here from Barcelona either by bus (details at www.autocarsplana.com) or by train (see timetable). Both sites work crookedly, but you can find information.
From Barcelona to Spain
Since Barcelona is a major center of the north-east of Spain and the most important transport hub, it is convenient to take not only short-term trips around the area, but also longer independent trips around the country in general. Moreover, in addition to land and air, it is worth bearing in mind sea transport. For example, it is quite possible to make a short cruise to the Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Mallorca, etc.). Similar routes are implemented by Balearia and Trasmediterránea.
If you look at the mainland, then the most logical points for continuing your trip to Spain from Barcelona are cities such as Zaragoza, Valencia and Madrid. By and large, you can go to all these cities for a day, but such trips, in our opinion, do not make much sense - it will turn out to be tedious, superficial and expensive.
Where to go from Barcelona? Interesting places and attractions nearby
Barcelona is full of a variety of sights and interesting places. To see everything slowly, you need to spend a few days. But even near Barcelona there is an incredible number of small towns and sights famous all over the world, and not visiting at least a few of them while in Barcelona means missing the opportunity to spend time with interest and benefit and not bring home an unforgettable experience. The history of this region is rich in a variety of events. She left a huge legacy. This is probably one of the most interesting regions in Europe.
Where can you go, what to see near Barcelona and how to properly organize your trip? Let's try to help!
Port Aventura
The famous amusement park Port Aventura is the most visited in Europe - 3.5 million people. in year! From Barcelona to the park about an hour drive (about 110 km), it is located next to the popular resort of Salou. Here you will find unbridled fun, unforgettable rides, cafes and restaurants, shops.
The park is divided into six thematic areas:
"Mediterranean". The Furius Baco attraction is located here, accelerating up to 135 km / h.
"Wild West". As the name implies, everything in this part of the park is saturated with the spirit of the development of the Wild West of America. The main highlight is a wooden roller coaster on trolleys.
"Mexico". Here is the famous Hurakan Condor - the opportunity to experience a free fall, 86 meters long.
"China". Highlights: Dragon Khan, 1269 meters long with 8 dead loops, and the highest slide in Europe Shambhala (76 meters) with the longest drop of 78 meters.
"Polynesia". A notable attraction - Tutuki Splash - boat ride through the caves.
"Sesame Aventura"- entertainment for children.
There is also water park "Costa Caribe", with an area of 50 thousand m2
How to get to Port Aventura from Barcelona
Getting to Port Aventura from Barcelona is not difficult. A ticket is purchased for the R-16 train company Renfe. This also includes an entrance ticket to the park - for everything about everything 45 euros!
Barcelona – Madrid
If you look at the map of Spain, you can see that the distance between the two most famous Spanish cities is far from small (620 kilometers!). Does this mean that the trip to Madrid will take quite a long time? But no! In 2008, Spain took over one of the world's fastest high-speed railways, with trains reaching speeds of up to 300 km per hour! Thus, the trip from Barcelona to Madrid will take less than 3 hours.
Ticket prices start at 45 euros. If you are interested in such a route, then we advise you to weigh all the pros and cons at once and make a final decision as soon as possible: the closer to the date of the trip, the more expensive the tickets.
Read more:
- How to get from Barcelona to Madrid
Tarragona is a fairly large ancient city located 95 km from Barcelona. The history of the city is very rich and may well compete with Barcelona itself! Tarragona (in ancient times - Tarracon) was formed around the 20s BC. and is the oldest settlement in the entire Iberian Peninsula (which is completely occupied by Spain). In the Middle Ages, Tarragona was the capital of the Kingdom of Aragon, which owns lands in southern Europe. The remains of some Roman buildings have survived to our times - an amphitheater, a forum, a palace of a Roman governor, etc. They are the main attractions of the city. In addition, Tarragona serves as a resort - there are good beaches here. Although, many vacationers prefer neighboring Salou. Either way, visiting Tarragona from Barcelona is a great idea.
How to get to Tarragona
Getting to Tarragona from Barcelona is very easy. Two types of direct trains run between cities: high-speed and regular. Ordinary trains take about 1.5 hours and cost 7-8 euros. A high-speed train will cost twice as much, but it will also deliver you, of course, faster.
Montserrat Monastery is one of the most popular attractions in Barcelona, despite being far from the city.
One of the main religious centers of Spain and the most important object of pilgrimage for Catholics from all over the world. This attraction will certainly be of interest to everyone without exception. Montserrat, in a broad sense, is not only a monastery, but also an insanely picturesque place, thanks to the high limestone cliffs at the foot of which this object is located.
Montserrat is located 50 km from Barcelona, at an altitude of more than 700 meters above sea level. The Catalan authorities have done everything possible to make the road for tourists here as easy as possible. The infrastructure of this place is at the highest level!
How to get to Montserrat Monastery
There are two ways to get to Montserrat Monastery. First you need to take the urban train line R5 (included in the unified Barcelona urban transport system). These trains depart from the Plaza de España station, so you need to get there first. Trains run about once an hour.
Next, there are two options. You can drive to Monistrol de Montserrat station and from there change to the rack railway, or get off at Montserrat Aeri station and then change to the Aeri cable car. Stations follow each other, both routes are very interesting and unusual. There are also two funiculars on the mountain itself - Santa Cova and Sant Joan.
The Trans Montserrat Comprehensive Ticket includes two metro rides (round trip), train ride (R5), Sana Cova and Sant Joan funicular rides, rack railway ride OR Aeri cable car ride. Such a ticket will cost you 27.5 euros. If you buy all the tickets separately, it will be much more expensive.
There is an alternative option - a field trip, which will include a transfer, and a Russian-speaking guide will tell you along the way and directly on the spot a lot of interesting facts from history.
Andorra
Barcelona is located near the Spanish borders, so visiting neighboring countries from here is a popular pastime. One of these countries is tiny, but very original and picturesque Andorra, located in the mountains. Andorra is also great for shopping lovers, since all shops in the country are duty-free. In fact, Andorra is one big Dute Free.
To visit the Andorran border, you do not need any visa or additional fees - the Schengen you already have is enough.
Balearic Islands: Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca
Located in the Mediterranean, not far from Barcelona, the Balearic Islands are an excellent alternative to the nearby resorts of the Costa Brava, Costa Dorada, etc. You can read about these resorts in a separate article.
About Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca, for sure, everyone has heard a lot.
How to get to the Balearic Islands
You can get to the islands quite quickly and inexpensively.
There are two main ways.
The first is a regular flight. The local airline Vueling will take you anywhere in just an hour. Moreover, tickets for such flights cost a penny - 25-40 euros.
It is worth noting that you can go on a sea cruise from Barcelona not only to the Balearic Islands, but also to other European cities (and not only), for example, French Marseille. All kinds of directions can be explored using the special service below.
A popular destination from Barcelona is the town of Figueres, located 140 kilometers away, in the province of Girona. What is Figueres known for in the first place? This is the hometown of the famous Salvador Dali! The most popular attraction here is the Dali Theatre-Museum. The interest in the city among tourists is not limited to this: another popular place to visit is the Toy Museum. Figueres itself is a very interesting and unusual city and walking around it is a real pleasure.
How to get to Figueres from Barcelona
Of course, the transport infrastructure between Barcelona and Figueres is excellent (otherwise who would go there? :) Buses and trains are at your service. The fastest way is the AVE high-speed train, which leaves from Barcelona Sants (Estacio Sants) main train station. It will take you to Figueres in just 55 minutes. The ticket price is 30-45 euros.
Girona (Girona, Girona)
If we are already talking about the neighboring province of Girona to Catalonia, then you should pay attention to its main city of the same name - the capital. Girona is a popular city to visit, especially among those who are not in Barcelona itself, but rest in the resorts of Costa del Maresme and Costa Brava - they are closer to Girona. The city with a population of almost 100 thousand people has a very rich history and a well-preserved historical center. Another common reason why many travelers end up here is Girona Airport, which can be called the second most important airport in Barcelona, an alternative to the main El Prat airport. Many low-cost airlines are based at this airport, for example, the largest Ryanair. And the Patriotic Victory arrives just here.
How to get to Girona
The fastest and most convenient option is the same AVE high-speed train that we talked about above when we talked about Figaras. This train makes a stop in Girona, and only then goes on to Figaras. The distance between cities is very small.
Quite logically, there is a desire to make a complex trip Girona + Figaras. Yes! That's what most tourists do :)
There is another way to visit Girona, a cheaper one is the Sagales bus, the ticket for which will cost only 14 euros.
Barcelona - Perpignan - Nice
We have already touched on the topic of neighboring countries to Barcelona, speaking of Andorra. The French borders are located less than 200 km from Barcelona and the option of a trip to France suggests itself. The nearest city is Perpignan, just 30 km from the Spanish-French border. Between Barcelona and Perpignan there are direct buses (cost from 13 euros) and trains (about 35 euros).
But, probably, the most desirable place to visit is the famous Cote d'Azur, namely Nice. Alas, it is located far away and cannot be limited to one day. Therefore, Nice is not an option for those who want to make a quick round trip from Barcelona, but rather an option to go further.
If we are already talking about where to go from Barcelona for a long time, then we cannot but draw your attention to an excellent opportunity to visit the Canary Islands.
As in the case of the Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Mallorca, etc.), the Catalan airline Vueling and a number of others operate here. Since the Canary Islands are part of Spain, the flight between Barcelona and Tenerife will be domestic, so the ticket price is very low. You can find tickets for only 25 euros (about 1500 rubles).
And there is still time left, below is a list of cool places outside of Barcelona that you can ride for 1 day.
For nature lovers
Val— de— Nuria(Vall de Nuria)
Val de Nuria - picturesque valley hidden in the Pyrenees mountains. The valley is crystal clear Mountain Lake, on the shore of which you can arrange a small picnic.
Although there are only 130 km between Barcelona and Val de Nuria, getting there is not easy- first you need to take a car or taxi to the town of Queralbs, and then transfer to the funicular Cremallera Vall de Nuria - Queralbs.
The schedule and prices for the funicular can be found on this website.
El Torrent de la Gabana(El Torrent de la Cabana)
El Torrent de la Gabana - mountain stream with 7 pools of crystal clear emerald water, above each of which there is a cascade of waterfalls.
The place is located just 120 km from Barcelona, but with public transport everything is not easy, so better to rent a car:
Can also be reached by train to Campdevànol, and then about 3 km on foot.
Sau reservoir (Sau Reservoir)
Sau reservoir - the village of Sant Roma de Sau flooded for the benefit of Barcelona with an 11th century church.
Depending on the dryness of the season, the church may appear completely out of the water, or only a small piece of the spire may stick out of the water.
The reservoir is located about 100 km from Barcelona. It is better to go through the city of Vik to see it at the same time (we will tell below).
History lovers
Vic (Vic)
Vik will appeal to those who want to plunge into history - there is in the city:
- Roman temple built in the 2nd century
- the most beautiful market square Plaça Major de Vic, where there is still a brisk trade (however, only on Tuesdays and Saturdays),
- 11th century cathedral
- bridges over the dried up river Meder (also 11th century),
And in general, the city is very ancient, beautiful and interesting.
Vic is only 70 km from Barcelona. You can get there by train from Plaza Catalunya, on the way 1-1.5 hours.
Girona
Girona, like Vic, has its origins in during the Roman Empire.
From attractions here is:
- fortress La Forsa Vella of the 1st century of construction,
- colorful Jewish quarter,
- the cathedral, the construction of which took place over 8 centuries,
- Church of Sant Feliu (or Saint Philip),
- dilapidated Arab baths,
- university and part-time monastery of Sant Domenech,
- the old Arbat of Girona, which is called the same as in Barcelona - La Rambla :)
Getting to Girona is very easy - by train from Barcelona Sants and by bus from Barcelona Nord. In both cases, the journey will take about 1.5 hours (high-speed trips take 40 minutes).
For lovers of the sea and Dali
Cadaqués
Cadaques owes its popularity to Dali. Or, on the contrary, Dali owes his popularity to Cadaques, because. it was here that he drew inspiration.
By and large, it doesn't matter, because. this seaside town is just amazing and more like Greece than Spain - blue sea, narrow streets, white houses.
From attractions here is the Cap de Creus nature reserve and the church of St. Mary, from where you can enjoy stunning views.
Getting there from Barcelona is very easy.- either first by train to Figueres, and then by bus to Cadaqués, or by bus from Barcelona Nord.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR TRIP TO BARCELONA EVEN MORE INTERESTING
Another way to get to know the city is private guided tours in which travelers of all ages can participate.
During the tours from Surprise Me, you will visit a lot of unusual places that will make your trip unforgettable, filling it with adventures and discoveries.
Surprise Me tours have a number of benefits for solo travelers:
- Unusual excursions. All routes are compiled by local residents or people who know the city well.
- game format. Explore new places by completing tasks.
- The freedom of action. Start, end or pause the tour at any time.
- Availability. Surprise Me author's excursions are cheaper than usual ones.
- You can with friends. Go on excursions in the company of up to 5 people from two devices.
Welcome to the capital of Catalonia - beautiful BARCELONA!
The author's sightseeing tour of 4-6-8 hours in a comfortable car involves getting to know the main attractions - the main street of Paseo de Grazia with the famous masterpieces of Gaudi - the Batlo house and the Mila house, the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Plaza de España and magnificent views from Mount Montjuic, the highest point of Barcelona is Mount Tibedabo and of course the history of Barcelona - the old city or the Gothic quarter with its amazing secrets accumulated over 2000 years, La Rambla and the Boqueria market with a wide range of fruits, jamon, cheeses and seafood.
Having enjoyed the splendor of Barcelona to the full, it is worth visiting the main attractions of Catalonia under the fascinating stories of an experienced guide who will take care of buying tickets in advance, which will allow you to avoid queues.
Excursion program Where to go from Barcelona for one day:
Montserrat mountain -
Miracle Catalonia,
duration 6
hours.
Montserrat And wine cellars Torres,
duration 9
hours.
Just 40 km from Barcelona there is a sacred place where the Virgin Mary of Montserrat appeared in 880, and since then the number of pilgrims to these places has been increasing every year, because here everyone asks for the fulfillment of their most cherished desire. Magnificent landscapes, clean mountain air, a monastery and, of course, the energy of this place, causing peace and tranquility, will be remembered by every tourist for a long time.
The impressions of the excursion will be enhanced by a visit to the museum with the works of Caravaggio, Dali, Picasso, Ruseniel and Casas. Listen to the choir of the boys who live at the monastery, buy fresh tasty cheeses from local farmers from organic milk, dine in a village restaurant on Mount Montserrat - all this will allow you to feel the traditions of the Spanish hinterland and taste authentic Spanish and Catalan cuisine.
Not far from Montserrat there are Torres wine cellars. A fascinating and informative journey into the world of winemaking will be a memorable event, and a tasting of fine Catalan wine will complete this magnificent day full of events.
FigueresAnd museum El Salvador Dali,
duration 6
hours.
Figueres And Girona,
duration 9
hours.
Figueres And Empuriabrava,
duration 9
hours.
Triangle Dali (Figueres,
Pubol,
portligat)
,
duration 11
hours.
Having visited the homeland of Salvador Dali, you should definitely visit the genius museum, which is the last masterpiece of the artist, the key to his genius and allows you to expand Consciousness!
And we will tell you the unique story of a genius and his muse and inspirer Gala.
According to the will of El Salvador, a golden rain of money will pour over every visitor!
Do you want to check for yourself? Then we follow you...
Thematic a park attractions Port Aventura, duration - whole day.
We invite the most daring to travel to the world of extreme rides, shows and performances. And on a hot summer day, water rides will allow you to cool your heated emotions. At the end of the day you will find a chic fireworks and performance.
Family time at Port Aventura is the perfect choice for a day trip from Barcelona.
Knightly tournament, flamenco And dinner V medieval castle, duration - With 20 before 24 hours.
In the evening, you can take a trip to a medieval castle, watch a jousting tournament, eat chicken on a spit and lentil stew. Passionate flamenco dance, the sounds of the Spanish guitar, the performance of horses will make the evening unforgettable. An ocean of impressions by the Mediterranean Sea awaits you!
Besalu And Rupit – medievalAI outback, duration 11 hours.
Just a few hours drive from Barcelona there is a medieval village where everything breathes with old legends and stories, and it seems that the knights are about to come out from around the corner, and we will witness their tournament. Besalu is an architectural monument in the open air, where houses and the bridge are over 1000 years old.
Rupit - built on fiery lava, the city has only 400 inhabitants, who gladly welcome more than a thousand pilgrims a year. The north of Catalonia is also famous for the fact that witches once lived here and the Inquisition raged.
How to recognize a witch and get good luck from her?
Why are chairs attached to the walls in the city of Besalu under a roof?
Why were houses built of black stone here?
You will hear the answers to these and other questions while traveling with us!
Tarragona And Reus - motherland Antonio Gaudi, duration 9 hours.
Tarragona was founded by the Romans over 2,000 years ago, as evidenced by the Colosseum, which has survived to this day, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
Gaudi's birthplace - Reus - is the place where madness ends and the genius of the great master begins, whose work thousands of people from all over the world come to admire.
In addition to the above destinations, we are ready to provide you with many options for where to go from Barcelona for 1 day.
Carcassonne and oyster farms
- Shopping in La Roca Village
- Flight in a hot air balloon or helicopter
- Sea trip under a white sail
- Sigean Safari Park in France
- For children - a zoo, an aquarium, a science museum of cosmocais, catalonia in miniature, a chocolate museum, an amusement park Tibedabo
Details about excursions company DiaMar can be
Our experienced and caring guide will be happy to create an individual express tour for you, which will become an informative, joyful and happy event of your life!
We work well and harmoniously so that you have a great rest. Your wildest dreams come true with us!
On the Mediterranean coast there are many large and small, famous and not so luxurious and modest resort towns. Among all this diversity, Barcelona stands apart. Bright, controversial, proud and, of course, unusually atmospheric. This is a city of geniuses, unrecognized and recognized talents, and, of course, art lovers. A city that can rightfully be called the resort capital of the Mediterranean. However, even with all this diversity and splendor, sometimes you want to go on a trip to Spain by car, starting the route from Barcelona and discovering every day more and more new corners of Catalonia and beyond.
A nice bonus only for our readers - a discount coupon when paying for tours on the site until October 31:
- AF500guruturizma - promo code for 500 rubles for tours from 40,000 rubles
- AFTA2000Guru - promo code for 2,000 rubles. for tours to Thailand from 100,000 rubles.
- AF2000TGuruturizma - promo code for 2,000 rubles. for tours to Tunisia from 100,000 rubles.
Barcelona - Lloret de Mar - Girona - Vila Sacra
Having decided to go on an independent auto tour from Barcelona, many tourists first of all go to the sides of Lloret de Mar. Moreover, in one day you can have time to visit several interesting cities at once. Having overcome literally 70 kilometers, travelers find themselves in a completely different reality. Despite the popularity of the resort, a calm, peaceful atmosphere reigns here. In addition, there are quite a few attractions in Lloret de Mar - San Juan Castle, located on the coast and which has become the hallmark of the entire Costa Brava, the romantic chapel of St. Christina, the patroness of the city, the gardens of St. Clotilde and others. For those who decide to spend the night in Lloret de Mar, the town opens up from a completely different side. With the sunset, it seems to come to life and the streets, which seemed quiet and calm during the day, turn into one big party. You can roam between the bars until dawn. The main thing is not to overdo it with cocktails, especially if you have plans to go further in the morning.
The next stop for many travelers is Girona, which is only 35 kilometers away. It is often called the immortal city (the city fortress managed to withstand 25 sieges over the years of its existence, and this is really a lot!), Spanish Florence and even the city of Salvador Dali (although the museum dedicated to him is not located here, but in Firegas). Girona is not as famous and popular as its neighbor Barcelona, but no less beautiful. The best way to start your acquaintance with Girona is with a walk through the Old Town. Small colorful houses of the 17th century with multi-colored facades, located on the embankment of the Onyar River, invariably fascinate and remind of the affairs of bygone days (someone compares them with Florence - and there really is some similarity), and Catalunya Square, which looks like a wide bridge and connecting the two banks, looks very unusual and even mysterious. And, of course, you can’t pass by the medieval Cathedral, the construction of which began back in the distant XIV century.
Vila Sacra is located just 20 kilometers from Girona. Why is it worth visiting this small cozy village? At least in order to breathe the air of the Spanish province, find out what the national cuisine is (not tourist-oriented, but really local!) And spend the night in a cozy hotel in order to go further to discover beautiful Spain with renewed vigor in the morning.
Vila Sacra - Empuriabrava - Besalu - Castelfiolite de la Roca
Curious tourists are unlikely to want to linger in Vila Sacra for a long time - a couple of hour evening walks will be enough to get around the entire village. Therefore, in the morning, after having a snack at the hotel, you can get ready for the journey - to the shores of the bohemian Empuriabrava. This resort town is often called the Spanish Venice. It is all "cut" by channels, their total length exceeds 35 kilometers - this is a world record. As in Venice, luxury villas have access to the water - locals often travel on yachts and boats. However, land transport can also be used to reach any point in Empuriabrava. In general, this is a very atmospheric town, a walk through which will surely give a lot of positive emotions and vivid impressions.
Of the attractions of the resort in the first place it is worth noting the beaches. Wide, sandy, almost endless ... In fact, there are two of them - one is well-maintained, and the second is wild. Despite the popularity of Empuriabrava, there is enough space for everyone even at the height of the tourist season. But lovers of architectural masterpieces, this town is likely to disappoint. It is not old, and there are no attractions as such. But in medieval Besalu, the first mention of which dates back to the 10th century, there are enough of them. It would be more correct to say that the whole city is one continuous attraction. It is small in area, only 5 square kilometers, and you can get around all the nooks and crannies in 2-3 hours. City landmarks are the El Castel castle and the bridge over the El Fluvia river. However, not only they, but also every house, every alley reminds of the former greatness.
Having enjoyed the color of bygone days, you can go further. Just 15 kilometers from Besalu is the village of Castelfollit de la Roca, very famous far beyond the borders of Spain. It is amazing in the first place because it is located right in the rock. And it was built neither more nor less than in the distant Middle Ages. Hence - a very unusual architecture and many buildings worthy of attention. Among them, the church of San Salvador and the museum located next to it stand out. From the observation deck you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the surroundings. In general, Castelfollit de la Roca is not just colorful - it seems to be lost in time. Walking along its narrow streets, you begin to believe that a brave knight in armor, or a lady in a chic lush dress, is about to appear around the corner. Fortunately, there are very few tourists here and the stories of the guides do not disturb this mysterious atmosphere. But no matter how beautiful the village in the mountains is, it is unlikely to interest inquisitive travelers for more than 2-3 hours. Therefore, in the evening you can return to Vila Sacra in order to continue the journey in the morning and see a completely different Spain - to the Pyrenees.
Vila Sacra - Seira, Pyrenees
From Vila Sacra to Seira is not so close - about 350 kilometers. However, the roads in Spain are good and the path can be easily covered in 4-4.5 hours. Why, having decided to visit the Pyrenees, is it worth staying here? First of all, because Seira is a very cozy, colorful village where you can get acquainted with national traditions and feel the special spirit of the Spanish province. Secondly, housing here is not expensive - for the price of a room in a three-star hotel in Barcelona, you can rent a two-story apartment with a mountain view. From the point of view of attractions, Seira is of no interest. They are simply not here. But the immediate surroundings deserve attention. The first place to go is the dam near the lake Estany De Cavallers. It is considered the most equipped and convenient for inspection. The building is really striking in its scale. In addition, dizzying views open up from the dam itself.
You can admire nature almost alone - getting to Estany De Cavallers is not so easy, you can do this only with your own transport. That is why there are not too many tourists here. In the dam area, there are simple places to rest (wooden tables and benches), but if you want to relax and have a picnic, then you should stock up on food in advance - there are no shops and other outlets here. Aiguestortes National Park is located near the lake. It is notable primarily for the fact that several routes for short trekking have been laid across the territory - the easiest one, designed for unprepared tourists, can be overcome in 2-3 hours. On the way there are swift mountain rivers, slopes rushing towards the clouds, almost abandoned bridges. Occasionally, somewhere in the distance you can see lonely houses. The landscapes are complemented by lonely walking cows with bells - almost alpine romance. Although the Pyrenean landscapes are not at all similar to the Alps. They are beautiful in their own way, bewitching and breathtaking.
Enjoying the beautiful, do not forget about returning home - from Aiguestortes to Seira is not so far, only 80 kilometers, but the road is quite difficult - a narrow serpentine. Therefore, it is better to overcome it before sunset.
Seira - Benasque
Just 22 kilometers from Seira is a place that is known to every lover of active winter recreation - the ski resort of Benasque. In winter, at the height of the season, there is literally “no place for an apple to fall”. But in the summer in a small town with a population of 2000 people, as if lost among the Pyrenean peaks, it is calm and quiet. There are several trekking routes of varying difficulty in the vicinity - designed for both amateurs and professionals who know a lot about hiking. The beauty of the surrounding landscapes amazes even seasoned travelers - glaciers, lakes, waterfalls ... not a single photograph conveys all this grandeur and magnificence. Benasque is not only a modern ski resort. The city has a rather interesting history, so there is nothing surprising in the fact that there are many architectural sights on its streets. Among them are the palace of the Counts of Ribagorets, the houses of Casa Huste, Casa Faure and Casa Martial del Rio. As you can see, this place has always attracted representatives of the Spanish nobility. In addition, the Romanesque church of the XIII century Santa Maria Maggiore deserves attention.
The Seira-Benasque road is not too long, only 22 kilometers, but it is worth deviating just a few meters from the main route and you can find yourself in truly fabulous places. One of them is the dam at Presa de Benasque lake. By itself, it is closed to the public, but there is an observation deck nearby, which offers a beautiful panoramic view of the dam itself, a tunnel through the rock (they are quite common in the Pyrenees) and the lake. Another place that would be a real crime to drive past is Lake Escarpinosa and the Posets Maladeta Park, which is located in its vicinity. Many call it the most beautiful thing in the Pyrenees. In any case, lovers of nature and beautiful landscapes will not remain indifferent.
You can end this day by staying at one of the Benasque hotels (in summer, the prices for accommodation in the city are very attractive, since the resort is empty) or by returning to Seira - it will be more convenient to continue the journey from there.
Seira - Montserrat - Castelldefels
Of course, these are far from all the interesting places of the Pyrenees, but if you are limited in time, the “must see” route can be considered complete on this route. On the way to Barcelona there is an object that you simply cannot pass by. This is the spiritual center of Catalonia, the holy of holies for local residents and Catholics around the world - the monastery of Montserrat. It is known primarily for the fact that it is here that the statue of the Black Virgin of Montserrat is located. The history of the monastery began over 1000 years ago. Since then, and to this day, it is considered to be active, however, now there are not too many monks, no more than 20 people. The monastery has a small museum where you can learn about the affairs of bygone days. In terms of architecture, the monastery of Montserrat is interesting primarily because it was almost completely rebuilt in the 19th century with the participation of the famous and controversial architect Antonio Gaudi. His ideas, connected with the unity of man and infinite harmony, here he embodied really very successfully.
Montserrat Monastery is located in a very picturesque place. Several trekking routes have been laid in its vicinity - for the convenience of tourists, there are signs everywhere, so you won’t get lost for sure. In addition, they pass through the most picturesque places and are designed for tourists with different levels of physical fitness - even those who are “on you” will cope with the conquest of the simplest ones.
How much time do you plan to visit Montserrat Monastery? A few hours is enough for someone, and someone is ready to stay here forever. For those who decide to stay and spend the night, there is a hotel near the monastery. True, the prices here are not low, tourist prices.
Having completed your acquaintance with the monastery and having breathed enough of the air of the monastery, you can return to the coast. Back to Barcelona? Of course, you can do that, but there are still many beautiful places in Catalonia where you can end up in the end. For example, a tiny and very cozy town of Castelldefels. It is known, first of all, for its endlessly long beach - a great place to put the final point and say goodbye to beautiful Spain. In addition, there are a huge number of restaurants with a wide variety of cuisines - from national Catalan to Japanese. Seafood dishes are considered a local "highlight". If you are lucky enough to get to Castfeldefels in July or October, then you can become a participant in a pirate feast or a chestnut festival, the fame of these events “spreads” throughout Catalonia.
Of course, this is not the only "Spanish" route that you can take to travel by car from Barcelona. Catalonia and neighboring regions are rich in sights, natural parks and all sorts of interesting places. Spain is many-sided, colorful and invariably hospitable. It opens to each traveler in its own way, but every tourist will certainly leave a piece of his soul here.
