Best Places Near Barcelona

Siurana Village

Depending on how you’re travelling, it can take around 90 minutes to 2 hours to get to the village of Siurana. But the journey is well worth taking because there is no place quite like it! Siurana is very different from the big city of Barcelona, with a quieter, more tranquil atmosphere. 

There are rising green hills, old castles, hiking trails, and beautiful natural landscapes to explore. It’s often described as a classic fairy tale environment come to life! Siurana village would make a fantastic destination for anyone looking to escape city life and enjoy a relaxed walk around some wondrous old architecture. 

It’s a dream location for photographs and picnics and quite possibly one of the best places to visit if you’re a wine lover. Many small family-owned wineries call Siurana village their home and are well worth visiting for an unforgettable wine tasting experience. 

The Ruins of Empuries

If you enjoy history and want to see it up close, we strongly recommend visiting the Ruins of Empuries. Around 90 minutes from Barcelona, the site contains ancient Greek and Roman architecture. 

You can even find many bus/ coach firms offering visits to the site, so travel is even easier. You can see old walls and columns and even ancient Roman mosaics. Excavation work on the ruins is still ongoing, and more interesting historical wonders are still being uncovered. 

But if that wasn’t enough, there is also an onsite Archaeology Museum full of interesting exhibitions. If you love history, then you’ll definitely enjoy visiting, but it’s also a great place to visit if you’re simply looking for a break from the city. 

Tosa de Mar

Tossa de Mar is a small seaside town not too far from Barcelona. It’s a little more laid back and relaxed with a friendly atmosphere, and most importantly, it’s full of fun and exciting attractions and things to do. 

Tourists visiting Barcelona regularly visit the small town, so the locals are very friendly. There are many small beaches well worth visiting, with the most famous being the Platja Gran. Well-known for its pale sands and relaxed atmosphere, this is a lovely beach you could easily spend all day at. 

Both swimming and snorkelling are also very popular activities in the town, and you can even enjoy a good game of volleyball. Whether you’re simply enjoying a trip around the local shops on the cobbled streets or heading straight to the beach, you’ll surely have a great time at Tossa de Mar. 

Colònia Güell Village

If you want a shorter journey, then we strongly recommend visiting Colònia Güell village. You can easily reach the village by train or car in just half an hour, and it’s a truly magical unforgettable place to visit! 

The village was built in 1980 and is famous for its old architecture and churches. The church crypt even became a UNESCO site in 2005. Around the village, you can find many historical sites, including long-abandoned houses and even castle ruins. 

If you are interested in the local history, then Colònia Güell village is well worth seeing up close. But it also makes a great place to visit for anyone looking to get some truly memorable and unique photos. 

Tarragona

For our final pick with have the amazing Tarragona City. If you have ever visited Barcelona before, you might have already heard about this popular city as many tourists who visit Barcelona do take day trips there. 

A trip to the city by train will only take half an hour, and there are some amazing sites to see. The wondrous waterfront amphitheatre is the big attraction for many people. But we also strongly recommend a visit to the National Archaeological Museum. 

But you could just as easily avoid the big attractions and still have a great day out. Exploring the old twisting pathways throughout the city is sure to be a great time, and you’ll find many wondrous shops and restaurants well worth visiting.