Towns in barcelona: 8 Of The Most Beautiful Towns Near Barcelona You Must Visit In 2023

8 Of The Most Beautiful Towns Near Barcelona You Must Visit In 2023

Thanks to its incredible tourist draw, Barcelona is home to several great areas where you can encounter fun things to do and places to explore. With a name like ‘Barcelona,’ it’s clear that this beautiful city has something appealing for everybody, regardless of their interests.

Here is a list of towns near Barcelona that have amazing attractions worth checking out. Take your time getting lost in one of these fantastic areas as they’re all loaded with incredible sights and things worth seeing nearby!

Be sure to ask around, too, as plenty of locals will give on-the-spot advice to visitors. Without further ado, let’s take a look at eight of the best towns near Barcelona, all with their unique quirks and offerings.

8 Best Towns Near Barcelona

1. Sitges

Sitges is a small town with 25,000 people located around 35 miles southwest of Barcelona. Sitges is one of the most beautiful coastal towns near Barcelona on the northern Mediterranean coast of Catalonia. Sitges is known for its beach and diverse tourist attractions, from its old town, many museums and souvenir shops to the famous restaurants and nightlife.

Other notable things near Sitges include a boardwalk along the coast, boat rides across to Mallorca, and plenty of family-friendly activities like biking, golfing, or visits to marine wildlife. It’s also easy to find day trips outside of Barcelona with local travel agencies that will take you to tourist spots, where you can go on the different beachside or hike through natural parks.

Some things to do here:

Carnival
Sitges is a seaside resort
Museums; Museu Cau Ferrat, Museu Maricel and Museu Romantic.
Vintage car rally
Sitges International Film Festival of Catalonia

Travel time from Barcelona:

Sitges is 45 minutes by train from Barcelona.

2. Besalú

Besalú is a city in Catalonia, Spain, and one of the most famous towns near Barcelona. It has more or less 3,000 people distributed in the city center and surrounding area.

The name Besalú comes from the Latin Bisuldunum, which means “fort on a mountain between two rivers”. Because of its geographical location and history, they have primarily known Besalu as an ancient town with many medieval monuments and relics dating back over 700 years; most notably, its 12th-century Romanesque cathedral-one of the best-preserved in all Catalunya.

Besalu, Catalonia’s most important medieval town, has been proclaimed a National Historic Site since 1966 because of its architectural significance. You’ll feel you’ve journeyed back in time when you visit this magnificent village, so we recommend getting a feel of it.

Some things to do here:

The Medieval Bridge
Besalu Miniature Museum
Attend A Festival
Church of Sant Vicente de Besalú

Travel time from Barcelona:

Besalú is 1.5 to 2 hours by train from Barcelona.

3. Rupit

If you like the mountains, a visit to Rupit provides a unique vacation experience. At 868 meters above sea level, the village is around 1.5 hours away. The medieval old town, built fully of stone, is set on a prominent ridge and is home to rustic houses, Romanesque churches, and the Rupit Castle.

An incredible suspended bridge spans the Rupit River, and adjacent is the jaw-dropping Salt de Sallent waterfall. If you’re lucky, you could also observe eagles and Egyptian vultures nesting on the nearby cliffs.

Some things to do here:

Stone houses from the 16th and 17th century
Puente Colgante de Rupit
Església de Santa Magdalena
Salt de Sallent

Travel time from Barcelona:

Rupit is 1 hour and 30 minutes away from Barcelona.

4. Sant Pol de Mar

Sant Pol de Mar is on the Mediterranean coast in northern Catalonia’s Maresme region one of the impressive towns near Barcelona. The Sant Pau hermitage, established in the 11th century, is the town’s principal landmark. Similarly, the late Gothic Sant Jaume church, erected in the 16th century on an old chapel, has historical importance to locals and even tourists visiting the town.

From Sant Pol, you can take in breathtaking views of the Maresme coast and Barcelona. The city also has significant architectural importance, as seen by many of its buildings maintaining modernist architectural characteristics on their façade. Among these are a group of buildings in the city’s center: Les Escoles, Cal Dr. Roura, Can Planiol, and Can Tió.

Some things to do here:

Hot air balloon flight
Costa Brava
Scuba Diving
Matagalls Vic & Cerveceria Artesana Trekking

Travel time from Barcelona:

Sant Pol de Mar is 1-hour away from Barcelona by train.

5. Tossa De Mar

Tossa de Mar, a lovely beach village on the southernmost tip of the Costa Brava, is a popular day excursion from Barcelona. Tossa is known for its sandy beaches and attractive old town dotted with restaurants and cafés.

Once a haven for artists and intellectuals, Tossa became a famous holiday resort in the 1950s after appearing in Eva Gardner and James Mason’s film Pandora and the Flying Dutchman. The town attracts domestic and international tourists but has avoided the excesses associated with other resorts.

Some things to do here:

Vila Vella
Fortified old Town
Roman Villa
Municipal Museum

Travel time from Barcelona:

Tossa De Mar is 1 hour drive from Barcelona

6. Figueres

Figueres, the birthplace of Salvador Dali and the capital of the Alt Emporda, is well-known for the Dali Theatre-Museum, which is the second most visited museum in Spain after the Prado Museum in Madrid.

Figueres is a fantastic place for a night or two. Here you can explore a variety of magnificent structures, including the famed Dali museum in one of the most architectural breathtaking towns near Barcelona.

Some things to do here:

Museums: Toy Museum of Catalonia, The Emporda Region Museum, Dali Theatre Museum, and the Technical Museum.
Festival Internacional De Circ Ciutat De Figueres
Sant Ferran Castle
Annual Festivals
Iglesia de San Pedro

Travel time from Barcelona:

Figueres is 55 minutes by train from Barcelona.

7. Garrotxa

This one is dedicated to all of the wildlife enthusiasts out there. Garrotxa is one of the towns near Barcelona in Girona, Spain, that is known for its expansive open areas, undulating hills, and volcanic rock forms. The Volcanic Zone Natural Park is one of the most popular tourist places in this area, and we strongly advise you to pay a visit here.

There are various activities at the park, including hiking, biking, horseback riding, rail trips, and even extreme sports! Garrotxa is an ideal spot for getting away from the city and immersing yourself in the Catalan countryside. A lot argue that it’s one of the most beautiful hikes in Catalunya.

Some things to do here:

Medieval Villages of Garrotxa
Hiking in La Garrotxa
Cycling in La Garrotxa
Hot Air Ballooning over La Garrotxa
Romanesque Churches of La Garrotxa

Travel time from Barcelona:

Garrotxa is 3 hours from Barcelona by Bus.

8. Cadaqués

Cadaqués is one of our favorite towns near Barcelona. This fishing town in the Alt Empordà region of Costa Brava is a perfect example of what natural beauty truly is. This town has some excellent views because it is right on the Mediterranean Sea, the Puig Peni, and Puig del Bufadors mountains.

Two of its most famous features are the stunning Gothic cathedral of Santa Maria and the 14,000-hectare Cap de Creus Natural Park. In the end, you’ll reach the historic Cala Nans lighthouse, which is nowadays home to the Geology Museum.

You can also visit the Museum of Cadaqués, which hosts exhibitions of the region’s plastic artists, most notably the master Salvador Dali, who made this province of Girona his favored summer destination.

Some things to do here:

House of Salvador Dali
Cap De Creus Hidden Bays

Hours away from Barcelona:

Cadaques is two-and-a-half-hour away from Barcelona by Bus.

Author’s Note

If you’re looking for a change of scenery, it might be time to head out to towns near Barcelona. These are the eight most popular towns near Barcelona, with some of the best views that Catalonia has to offer.

Each town has a different focus, so if you’re looking for something specific, there’s a town perfect for what you’re looking for. We hope you’ve enjoyed our list, and we hope you find this information valuable when planning your travels to Barcelona. Here are more Barcelona guides to help you plan your trip. Happy travels!

Historical Sites in Barcelona: Tourists’ and Locals’ Top Picks
Where to Stay In Barcelona’s Best Neighborhoods
Barcelona Famous Artists You Must Know

Top 5 Charming Small Towns Near Barcelona

Barcelona’s museums, bars, clubs, restaurants, and beachfront setting will certainly keep you entertained. But just outside the city, Catalonia’s small towns have a great deal to offer. Extraordinary beaches line the Costa Brava, and with a car rental, you have easy access to the more secluded and tranquil spots. On the outskirts of the city, parks and mountain ranges are also in abundance; this is a Spanish hot spot for natural beauty. To make the most of it, here is our list of the best small towns near Barcelona.

1. Montserrat-Vila

The Montserrat Mountains have a hugely important place in Catalan culture, both as a religious retreat and a site of outstanding natural beauty. If you are traveling to Montserrat for a day trip from Barcelona, the best way to get into the mountains and see the famous Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey is to park in the town and take the cable car up. Once you are there you can stroll around and see the monastery’s architecture, take in the fantastic views and admire the stunning geological rock formations up close.

A convent outside Montserrat-Vila

2. Sitges

Just south of Barcelona, Sitges is a beautiful beachfront town often compared to St. Tropez for its mix of tradition and glamor. Sitges is popular with the LGBT community and in and around the town there are a staggering 17 beaches with Platja de la Bassa Rodona and Platja de la Barra being two of the most popular. The historic Old Town is not so expansive, but it is charming and picturesque. On the beachfront, you can expect villas, cocktail culture and lots of outdoor dining.

One of the beaches at Sitges

3. Tossa de Mar

This Costa Brava resort town is 53 miles north of Barcelona and offers the whole beach vacation package. Some parts of the town date back to the 12th Century and there is an old fort with much of its walls intact perched on a hill overlooking the town and beaches. There are three main beaches in total: the main downtown beach Platja Gran, La Mar Menuda and El Codolar. History buffs can see the remains of the Roman villa of Ametllers that dates from the 1st century BC – 6th century AD.

A villa at Tossa del Mar

4. Begur

Begur is another excellent beachfront town that pulls in the tourists despite its situation being off the main coastal route. Begur’s vibrant and colorful buildings are a historic mix of Moorish and Spanish architecture, plus fantastic restaurants and boutique hotels have opened in recent years and the town is very popular with Barcelonans. To reach Begur take the AP-7 north for around 1.5 hours, the last stretch of the route will take you close to the coastline and offers scenic views over the sea.

Houses on the coast at Begur

5. Rupit

If mountains are more your thing, a trip to Rupit makes for a completely different vacation experience. At 868 meters above sea level, you can reach the town in around 1.5 hours. Built from stone, the medieval old town is perched on a rocky hill and features rustic houses, Romanesque churches, and Rupit Castle. There is an amazing hanging bridge that crosses the Rupit River while nearby you can find the jaw-dropping Salt de Sallent waterfall. If you are lucky you can also see eagles and the Egyptian vultures that live in the surrounding cliffs.

A narrow street in Rupit

Barcelona. Description of the city

General information

Description of the city

Barcelona is the main symbol and capital of the Spanish Autonomous Community of Catalonia, a major seaport. Located on the Mediterranean coast in the northeastern part of the Iberian Peninsula. It occupies an area of just over 100 square kilometers and is home to 1.6 million people. In trade, economic and cultural terms, the city is one of the largest in Europe. Centuries-old history, impressive sights, amazing Catalan cuisine, an amazing atmosphere of carelessness and freedom make Barcelona one of the popular destinations for educational tourism. Three of the ten administrative districts of the city are of the greatest interest to travelers: the Old Town, which is the historical center of Catalonia, the Eixample (New Town), built in the 19th century and showing the main works of the famous architect Gaudí, and Montjuic, spread out on the slopes of the hill of the same name. The heart of Barcelona is Plaza Catalunya, from which the main pedestrian street, La Rambla, departs. The city is famous for its temples, architectural monuments, interesting museums, galleries, picturesque parks, beaches, modern shopping centers, colorful markets and the titled Barcelona football club. Spectacular holidays, festivals and large-scale sports competitions are held here every year.

Attractions

Sagrada Familia (Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familya)

Shrines and temples

4.39 guest ratings
81 Review
691 Photo
2 Excursions

Sagrada Familia (full name “The Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family”) is the creation of the famous master of Spanish architecture Antonio Gaudi, who worked on the design and construction of the building for 43 years. The temple was supposed to embody, according to the plan of the master, the dominant ideas of the New Testament. But – alas! Gaudi never managed to see with his own eyes the greatest project of his life: he died in 1926, and the full completion of the work was timed only for 2024 – a hundred years later than his death.

Park Guell

Architectural and historical complexes, City parks

4.22 guest ratings

422 Recommend

859 Tourists
62 Reviews
800 Photo
1 Excursion

Park Guell is an incredibly beautiful place, designed to create a private residential complex that would resemble the popular style of building in England, which is a garden city. Subsequently at 1984 this extraordinary park has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The creation of the garden city was ordered by Eusebi Güell, a Spanish philanthropist, after whom the complex was named. The main work of designing and building amazing, whimsical houses, ornate walking paths and alleys …

Las Ramblas Boulevard

Urban areas and streets

4.04 guest ratings

224 Recommend

632 Tourist
20 reviews
181 Photo
No excursions

In the place where Las Ramblas now passes, a river once flowed. The name of the street is connected with this – in Arabic the word “rambla” means “dried riverbed”. In a sense, the river has not gone anywhere from this place – today an endless stream of tourists “flows” here every day.

This is the most important pedestrian and tourist artery of Barcelona, where palaces, theaters, museums, churches, a market and numerous open verandas of cafes are located. Life here is in full swing …

features

Park Guell

Barcelona is an architectural gem of Spain, the sights of which attract a huge number of tourists. This is a real open-air museum, where Gothic monuments of the Middle Ages, experimental modernist masterpieces and modern high-tech buildings are harmoniously combined. An interesting fact is that in Barcelona, a modern and active city, the historical center has remained almost untouched.

Kitchen and restaurants

Hard Rock Cafe

El Prat International Airport, the largest on the Mediterranean coast, is located 10 kilometers from the center of Barcelona. The city has a well-established railway connection – an extensive network of railways connects most of the cities of Catalonia and all of Spain. The seaport of Barcelona carries out passenger transportation on the Mediterranean coast.

Barcelona’s urban public transport network is represented by metro, urban trains, trams, buses and funiculars. To visit most tourist sites, the subway is quite suitable. From Monday to Thursday and on weekends it is open from 5-00 to 24:00, on Friday – from 5-00 to 2:00. Trams in Barcelona run on six long lines according to the metro schedule. Buses run to all parts of the city, but their routes are quite confusing, and the schedule depends on the day of the week. City trains are suitable not only for exploring the city, but for traveling around the city. The fare in all types of public transport is the same and amounts to 2.15 €, a ticket for 10 trips costs 9.95 €.

Taxis in Barcelona are black and yellow cars that can be found everywhere. When moving around the city, there are four tariffs, depending on the day of the week and time of day. Landing costs 2.5 €, then the cost of the trip is calculated by the meter. A taxi from the airport to the city center costs 30 – 40 €. A tourist bus is the best way to see the districts and architecture of the city, a ticket for 1 – 2 days costs 30 – 40 €, respectively. If desired, you can rent a car for 20 € per day.

Shopping: shops

Boqueria Market

Shopping in Barcelona is full of markets, shops, boutiques and malls offering a wide range of high quality goods. Usually people come here for clothes, shoes and accessories from the world’s leading manufacturers. The famous El Corte Ingles department store, which sells almost everything from food to weapons, is especially popular with residents and visitors of the city. Tourists will be interested in souvenir shops in the historical part of the city. But the most famous shopping spot in Barcelona is the famous Boquería food market on La Rambla, where you can buy the freshest seafood, fish, meat, vegetables and fruits. Museu Gastronomic, a Catalan food and wine store, is also popular. It resembles a real museum – here you can admire beautiful shop windows, buy everything you need and have a bite to eat on the spot. Most shopping establishments in Barcelona are open from 9-00 to 13-00 and from 16-00 to 20-00, large shopping centers – from 10-00 to 21-00 without a break.

Climate

Mount Tibidabo

Barcelona has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm summers. The coldest month of the year is January with an average air temperature of +10°C, the hottest is July (+25°C). The greatest amount of precipitation falls in spring and autumn, the least – in summer. The beach season in Barcelona lasts from mid-May to the end of September. At the end of July – the first half of August, there are much more foreign tourists on the streets of the city than local residents.

Transport

Barcelona Airport

Tip

Magic Fountain of Montjuic

Tipping in cafes and restaurants in Barcelona is usually not included in the bill, so it is customary to leave up to 10% of the bill to the waiter. The cash reward for taxi drivers, maids and porters is usually 1 €.

Mobile communication and internet

Bank of Catalonia

There are no problems with the Internet and mobile communications in Barcelona. The flagships of the Spanish mobile communications Movistar, Jazztel, Orange, Vodafone, YA.com and Ono offer favorable rates and conditions for access to mobile 3G Internet. Roaming is available from major Russian operators, but for international calls it is more profitable to use a local SIM card. There are internet cafes in many places. In recent years, the free Wi-Fi system has been actively developing in the city. Almost the entire historical center and neighboring neighborhoods are entangled in a network of access points marked with blue signs with the letter W.

Reasons to visit

Medieval flavor of the Gothic Quarter;

impressive architectural sights;

majestic temples;

interesting museums;

scenic parks;

beautiful beaches with developed infrastructure and warm clear sea;

spectacular holidays and festivals;

large-scale sports competitions.

Prices in the city

Rent

Lunch

EUR 5

Taxi

EUR 3

Water bottle

EUR 4

Bottle of local wine

Things to do

Alexander
04/07/2014

Excursions and only excursions

orfo
08/07/2014

walk

anoginan
12/11/2014

ride on the bus tourist

Foods and drinks to try

alena2809
02/04/2014

Seafood paella, jamon, sheep cheese, fresh fruits and vegetables

What to bring

Alexander
04/07/2014

ceramic bull – the symbol of Barcelona

orfo
08/07/2014

something made of ceramic tiles (a panel or just one tile with a picture), something made of olive wood

anoginan
12/11/2014

no matter which Barcelona you will not forget

Bad sides

anoginan
12/11/2014

not very gentle sea

Recommended to visit

Alexander
04/07/2014

Mount Tibidabo, Las Ramblas, Barcelona Aquarium

orfo
08/07/2014

Sagrada Familia, Gothic Quarter, Gaudí’s Lizard

anoginan
12/11/2014

Barcelona Zoo, Gaudi House Museum, Grand Royal Palace of Barcelona

Useful information | Barcelona City of Refuge

Barcelona and its administrative and territorial structure

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain after Madrid in terms of territory and population. Currently, about 1.6 million people live in it. The Barcelona metropolitan area comprises 36 municipalities with a total population of approximately 3.2 million.

The mayor’s office is the organization that manages the city. It includes the mayor, his deputies, as well as advisers; they are all elected for four-year terms. Municipal policy is discussed and approved at the plenum of the mayor’s office.

From an administrative point of view, Barcelona is divided into ten districts, each of which has its own office providing services to the inhabitants of the district. In addition, from a territorial point of view, the city is divided into 73 districts.

Transport and mobility

Barcelona’s well-developed transport network provides connections to all parts of the city. You can purchase a single transport card that is valid for travel on all modes of transport (metro, bus and tram) that are part of the integrated transport network. Bicing is a city bike service. In order to use this service, you need a subscription card, which can be ordered online.

For more information, visit the Barcelona City Transport Service (TMB) website.

The Barcelona Map (BCN Map) will allow you to find any address or service on the city map and find out how best to get to that place by public transport.

Culture, leisure and sports

Barcelona has a wide range of cultural, leisure and sports resources.

City Libraries are public centers offering services such as book lending, free Internet access and special courses.

District leisure centers – places where cultural, leisure and educational events are regularly organized for residents of the district.

The network of sports centers provides the opportunity to practice various sports.

Resources for children

Barcelona offers a wide range of activities outside school hours and during the summer holidays. There is a network of 43 children’s leisure and game centers; these are municipal centers where leisure and play activities for children are organized.

Click here for more information about extracurricular activities, locations and opportunities to participate.

Municipal Youth Services

The city has a variety of youth resources. The Youth Information and Counseling Center (CIAJ) and the Youth Information Center Network (PIJ) offer advice on employment, tourism and international mobility, as well as information in areas such as culture, housing, health and sports.

The CIAJ Center is located on Calle de Sant Oleguer, 6-8. Drassanes metro station (green and purple lines). Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00. The center has free wifi.

Shop opening hours

Barcelona grocery stores usually open between 8:00 and 9:00, while other shops open from 10:00. Some shops close for lunch at 13:30 – 14:00 and reopen at 16:00 – 17:00. They are open until 20:00 – 20:30. Large shopping centers do not close for lunch. Most shops are open on Saturday afternoons and closed on Sunday.

Markets

Barcelona has an extensive network of markets. There are 32 food markets in the city, so in each district you can find a market located near you.

In addition, Barcelona has the Sant Antoni Sunday Market with a wide selection of books, postcards, magazines and video games, as well as the Encants Market, one of the oldest markets in Europe, with 283 shops selling antiques, second-hand clothes, goods for collectors, etc.

Code of Conduct in Public Places

Barcelona has a municipal code of conduct that governs behavior in public places, the inappropriate use of which may result in sanctions.

Sanctions apply in cases such as gambling for money on the street, drinking alcohol in public places, peddling without a license, graffiti, etc.