Barcelona and Catalonia: 7 Days with Day Trips

Four classic days in the city, plus three day trips to Montserrat, Girona and Figueres, and the Roman city of Tarragona

Stay in Eixample throughout and fan out by train, so there's no need to change hotels. Spend more than three days in the city on the Old Town, Gaudí's architecture and the museums on Montjuïc. For day trips, visit Montserrat by train, take the high-speed train to the historic city of Girona and the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres, and go to Tarragona to see its Roman ruins. Suited to visitors with a week who prefer not to drive. The seaside towns of the Costa Brava are not included.

In summer, book high-speed trains and the Dalí museum in advance. In winter, daylight is short, so start day trips early.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrival and the Old Town

Barcelona（La Boqueria Market、Gothic Quarter & La Rambla、Barcelona Cathedral、Museu Picasso、Santa Maria del Mar）

Take the Aerobús into the city, about 35 minutes. In the afternoon, walk around the Gothic Quarter and the Born district.

The Picasso Museum is closed on Mondays.

Stay: Eixample

Day 2 · A Gaudí Day

Barcelona（Sagrada Família、Park Güell、Casa Milà (La Pedrera)、Casa Batlló）

In the morning, take the Metro to the Sagrada Família, then a bus up to Park Güell. In the afternoon, walk along Passeig de Gràcia.

Both the Sagrada Família and Park Güell require timed tickets booked in advance.

Stay: Eixample

Day 3 · Montserrat

Barcelona（Montserrat Monastery）

Take the R5 from Sants station, about 1 hour to the foot of the mountain. Transfer to the rack railway up, and return to the city in the evening.

Fit hikers can walk to Sant Jeroni peak, a round trip of about 3 hours.

Stay: Eixample

Day 4 · Girona and Figueres

Costa Brava（Girona、Girona Cathedral、Dalí Theatre-Museum）

Take a high-speed train from Sants station, about 40 minutes to Girona. Then take another high-speed train, about 15 minutes, to Figueres, and return to Barcelona in the evening.

The Dalí Theatre-Museum requires a reservation. It is open on Mondays in summer but closed on Mondays in other seasons.

Stay: Eixample

Day 5 · Roman Tarragona

Salou & Costa Daurada（Tarragona Amphitheatre、Roman Circus & Praetorium、Tarragona Cathedral & Old Town、Balcó del Mediterrani）

Take a regional train from Sants station, about 1 hour to Tarragona station. The coastal views are lovely. Walk around the old city, then return.

The old city is built on a slope, so wear comfortable shoes. Many Roman sites are closed on Mondays.

Stay: Eixample

Day 6 · Montjuïc Museums

Barcelona（Montjuïc、Fundació Joan Miró、Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC)、Magic Fountain of Montjuïc）

Take the Metro and then the funicular up Montjuïc. Walk between the Fundació Joan Miró and the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC), and watch the Magic Fountain in the evening.

The Magic Fountain performs only on certain evenings and has a winter maintenance break, so check the official website first.

Stay: Eixample

Day 7 · Ciutadella Park and the Beach

Barcelona（Parc de la Ciutadella & Arc de Triomf、Barceloneta Beach）

In the morning, walk from Ciutadella Park to Barceloneta Beach. In the afternoon, take a taxi or the Metro to the airport, about 30 minutes.

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