Explore Barcelona’s Surrounding Beauty: Day Trips by Train
The cosmopolitan city of Barcelona is an excellent destination to visit and travel from, as it is surrounded by many fascinating destinations. Given the vast and efficient rail network to other parts of Catalonia, one can easily embark on the discovery of other parts of this region. In this manual, we will tell you the most exciting day tours to take from Barcelona using the train.
Montserrat
the Montserrat shrine is a very beautiful place both in the natural landscape and as a spiritually calming place for a day trip. Montserrat is a mountain range with unique rock formed structures and an active Benedictine Monastery and it is 50kms northwest of Barcelona. For further travel by train, one can go to Plaça d’Espanya and take a R5 train to Manresa station. It will take some one hour or so aboard the train with breathtaking view along the entire journey. Upon your arrival, you can have a tour of the monastery or go hiking or take the funicular to have an amazing sightseeing of the hillsides.
Sitges
Sitges also boasts various beautiful beaches, the well preserved old town, and an attractive party-scene, so it is an ideal destination for people who seek sightseeing. It is connected by frequent and convenient train service from Estació de França right in Barcelona’s city center, the journey takes about 30 minutes to get to Sitges. You can spend time taking a walk on the promenade, enjoying the sun, sand on the beach, or walking around the culturally rich streets with view of closely built houses. It will be a great shame if you continue missing on the Sample Cau Ferrat Museum which feature artwork of artists such as Santiago Rusiñol and other artist from the region.
Girona
Girona is another interesting place, which can be reached from Barcelona and which is famous for its rich history and medieval architecture. In order to travel to Girona by train, one way is to go to the Barcelona Sants station since there are many direct connections during the day. The travel will take approximately an hour and quarter, and this is more than enough time to organize your trip. Recommended activities while in Girona include: Visiting gothic Quarter, Touring the Arab Baths, Walking around Eiffel Bridge. People who are fans of the series Game of Thrones will also be familiar with Girona as this area here was also used as a shooting location for the same series.
Tarragona
For lovers of Roman history and beautiful coast Tarragona can be the most attractive destination. Located a hundred minutes away from Barcelona Sants station, this city captivates the hearts of those who get to visit it. There is the Tarraco Archaeological Site in Tarragona having a UNESCO site status where you can visit the Roman architectures including an excellent amphitheater that faces the sea. What follows this can be the coastal tour of one of the many gorgeous beaches or strolling through densely inhabited lanes and turns of the outfitted old city where you can explore a dbc of the Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
Figueres
Tourists interested in arts will definitely appreciate the trip to the town of Figueres which is known as the birthplace of Salvador Dalí. From Sants station within the city of Barcelona, there should be a train which will take you to Figueres and the journey will take about two hours. Here, give special attention to the Dalí Theatre-Museum, which is designed and built according to the sketches of the artist, and hosting a rich expositions of the works created by Salvador Dalí. This museum is itself an art piece with sculpture that is vivid on the roof of the building. Alarone chose to show that, after visiting the museum, the reader can eat traditional catalan food in one of the restaurants.
Conclusion
Owing to the availability of good train networks, Barcelona is the ideal location from where you can take day trips and explore most of the tourist attractions in Catalonia. There are numerous historical and natural attractions, museums, art collections, and of course relaxing on the seashore. Please do take the train timetable prior to the traveling, food for the journey, and comfortable shoe for your outing. Get onboard a train and visit the splendid sights that can easily be reached in a few hours’ drive, and yet are so far from Barcelona!
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