Fun Solo Day Trips From Barcelona

Barcelona has become a hot spot for solo travellers, and why not? It’s a very safe destination, especially for female solo travellers, there are many great places to stay, and an abundance of activities. However, while Barcelona can keep you busy for days, if not weeks, there are times that you will feel the need to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. You are in luck! There are many day trips from Barcelona that are both fun and safe for solo travellers.

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Barcelona is a European mecha for solo travellers, and it certainly offers plenty to do. However, why not escape the massive crowds and explore the surrounding history, nature, and wineries.

In this post I will provide my personal recommendations for fun solo day trip from Barcelona that will include wineries, monastaries, small towns, medieval towns, and the most beautiful coastline that I’ve ever seen.

Costa Brava Road Trip

For a day trip to the Costa Brava region of Spain, a vehicle is required. Trust me, renting a car for the day is more than worth it for this road trip.

Costa Brava is a coastal region of Catalonia in northeastern Spain. While many tourists opt to spend the summer months in the Costa Brava region, it’s also fun day trip for solo travellers to Barcelona at any time of the year.

A road trip through Costa Brava will have you travelling winding, hilly roads for approximately 65 km. There are small towns, such as Blanes, as well as lookout points along the way. This allows you to take in the beauty of the Mediterranean from various vantage points.

Things To Take On A Costa Brava Road Trip

There are a few items that you won’t want to leave back in Barcelona before heading out on the epic Costa Brava road trip:

1. CAMERA! The views along the Costa Brava are spectacular and you won’t want to miss photo opportunities
2. Swimsuit and Towel. There are many swimming areas along the coast to enable you to cool off.
3. Money. Bring a sm and all amount of cash with you for coffee, drinks, etc. For larger purchases, a credit card is acceptable.
4. Food. While there are many quaint cafes and Michelin rated restaurants along the way, you can also opt to having a picnic and take in the beauty of the Mediterranean.
5. Water. Similarily, you will want to ensure that you have lots of water on hand to quench your thirst along the way.
6. Passport: Yes your passport! The Costa Brava runs along the border of France. If you have enough time, you may want to visit France for a delicious croissant.

In my opinion, the Costa Brava offers some of the most spectacular views in the Catolonia Region of Spain. It’s also extremely safe, which makes it one of the best solo day trips from Barcelona.

Pals: The Perfect Solo Day Trip From Barcelona

The medieval village of Pals is one day trip that can’t be missed!

Pals is also located in the Costa Brava region. Located a short 5 miles off the Mediterrean coast, a day trip to Pals can be combined with the Costa Brava roadtrip.

Pals is a medieval village which dates back to at least the 7th century, as indicated by records. The village has been well-maintained and still exhibits signs of the time.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Pals?

The short answer is anytime. However, Pals can get crowded throughout the months of July and August and it is recommended to visit during the off-season of Spring and Fall. My visit to Pals was in March, and there were very few people which made me feel much safer and my day trip more enjoyable.

Things To Do When Visiting Pals On A Day Trip From Barcelona

Obviously the main attraction of Pals is the historic medieval architure of the village perched atop the hill, however, that’s not all there is!

1. Stroll the alleyways and take in the stunning architecture of years gone by
2. Shop at the boutique stores scattered throughout the medieval village
3. Bike or hike through one of the many rice fields surrounding the Village of Pals
4. Sit back and enjoy a meal or drink and watch the people go by.

As mentioned earlier, a day trip to the Village of Pals can’t be missed. I visited Pals when on my Costa Brava road trip and this day was one of the highlights of my visit to Barcelona.

Familia Torres

Carrer de Miquel Torres i Carbó, 6, 08720 Vilafranca del Penedès, Barcelona, Spain

When visiting a Country where wine is in abundance and cheaper than a bottle of water, a day trip to one of the region’s wineries has to be on every visitors list. I can personally recommend a tour and tasting with Torres, the largest winery in Spain.

Despite its size, Torres has remained a family run business and has been in operation since 1870. The winery is currently run and operated by the 5th generation of the Torres family.

What You Can Expect When Visiting Torres

Torres Vineyard is massive. And I mean massive! Prior to your tour, you will board an open air “trolley” which will take you to where the wine is made. The guide will take you on approximately a 1 hour tour, explaining how they make the wine, sharing the history of the wine, and explaining their legacy of “caring for the land for future generations”.

Once you have completed the tour, you will then enjoy wine tasting paired with……what else but tapas! You are provided the opportunity to try 4 different wines, ranging from sweet to dry, as well as white wine, rose, red wine, and sparkling wine. The winery also has a restaurant if you opt to stay a little longer.

JUST ONE TIP: Not all tours are in english. If you require an english speaking tour, check directly with the winery to see when it’s available.

To reserve your spot directly with the winery, you can contact Torres by emailing [email protected] or calling +34 93 817 73 30.

To Visit Torres From Barcelona

There are several ways to reach Torres from Barcelona depending on your comfort level when visiting alone:

Car

Driving from Barcelona to Torres will take approximately 44 minutes. The quickest route is by taking B-23 to AP-7. Take exit 28 from AP-7. Follow Ave de Barcelona and Carrer de Sarriera to Carrer del Dr. Janer in Vilafranca del Penedes.

Train

Like anywhere else in Europe, Torres can be reached from Barcelona by train.

Take the R4 Train from Barcelona to Vilafranca del Penedès station. You can take the train at the Arc de Triomf metro and train station, following the R4 signs inside the station. Vilafranca del Penedès station is 4km away from Torres wine cellars. You can take a taxi from the station to the Torres wine cellars.

If you are travelling alone and opt to take the train to Torres, I recommend having knowledge of the Spanish language.

Tour

For many solo travellers, joining a tour is the best way to take a day trip to wineries from Barcelona. There are many differention tour options available, however, I highly recommend that these tours be booked in advance so that you don’t miss out.

Montserrat Monestary

No visit to Barcelona is complete without taking a day trip to the Montserrat Monestary. Yes, it’s very touristy, but it’s a day trip destination that can’t be missed.

What You Can Expect

As stated above, Montserrat is touristy, which means it’s quite busy. If visiting independently, you can expect to wait in line for quite sometime in order to take the gondola up OR to save time, you can drive up, however there is a fee for parking.

JUST ONE TIP: I recommend visiting Montserrat during the off-season to avoid crowds.

Things To Do

You can easily spend an entire day exploring Montserrat, however, on my recent visit, I combined Monserrat with Torres for some winetasting. I feel that in half a day, I was able to explore what Montserrat offers.

• Visit the Church and Monestary
• Enjoy gondola rides
• Attend a sermon in the Church
• Grab a bite to eat
• Hike up the mountain
• Enjoy the views
• Visit the crucifix of Montserrat
• Spot a Munk

How To Get To Montserrat From Barcelona

A day trip from Barcelona to Montserrat is extremely popular and there are the usual ways of getting there:

• Car
• Train
• Tour

For an indepth visit to Montserrat, you can read Is Montserrat Worth Visiting.

I do however, highly recommend taking a solo day trip to Montserrat from Barcelona with a tour.

Town of Sitges

Without a doubt, visiting Sitges is number 1 on my list of solo day trips to do from Barcelona (even though this is where I tore all the tendins in my ankle) ! I not only loved being with my sister and her family, but Sitges also offers beautiful beaches, historic charm, cute little alleyways and boutiques, amazing food, and a vibrant nightlife, all of which I immediately fell in love with!

Sitges is renowned for its vibrant nightlife and first rate cuisine. It’s an extremely safe destination for a solo day trip from Barcelona.

How To Get To Sitges From Barcelona?

While Sitges is easy to get to by car, I don’t recommend it. The streets in this small town can get very busy and parking can be a nightmare.

Car

If you do opt to drive from Barcelona to Sitges, it’s a 39 minute drive (then another half hour looking for parking 🙂 ).

The quickest way is to get on the B-20 to C-32. Take exit 30 from C-32. Continue on Passeig de la Tramuntana. Take Passeig de Vilafranca and Passeig de Vilanova to Carrer d’Esplater in Sitges.

Train

Getting to Sitges from Barcelona is extremely easy (if you don’t get lost lol). In my opinion, this is the best way to take a day trip from Barcelona to Sitges. Trains run frequently throughout the day and it’s a very cost efficient way to travel, which takes approximately 34 minutes.

Cheap train tickets from Barcelona to Sitges can start from as little as $5 (1 way) when you book in advance. The average train ticket price for Barcelona to Sitges is $5 (1 way); however, prices vary depending on the time of day and can be more expensive.

Taxi

There are many taxi’s that will also take you to Sitges from Barcelona. Before choosing a taxi, it’s always wise the ensure that it’s legit. The cost of a taxi is anywhere between 75 and 85 Euros, plus toll charges. Establish the cost prior to your departure.

Tour

Again, a tour is a great option for solo travellers to Barcelona who want to take a day trip to Sitges. This is a great way to feel safe and make new friends. There are many different tours to choose from, but should be reserved in advance.

Solo Day Trips From Barcelona: In Conclusion

In conclusion, Barcelona offers an array of exciting solo day trips that cater to a variety of interests, from exploring historic towns to taking in the the natural beauty of Montserrat and the Costa Brava.

Whether you’re seeking adventure, culture, or relaxation, these are my top picks for the best and most fun solo day trips from Barcelona….they have it all!

ENJOY SOLO DAY TRIP 🙂

SAVE FOR FUN SOLO DAY TRIPS FROM BARCELONA

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