Your Spain tour wouldn’t be complete if it didn’t include a trip to Barcelona. As one of the country’s most active and distinct cities, Barcelona is rich in culture, history, and the arts. Spectacular architecture is what Barcelona is known for which includes notable masterpieces like Antoni Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, and Casa Batlló.
Plan your itinerary ahead of time to make the most of a trip to Barcelona and the surrounding areas, providing you enough time to explore each place properly. Barcelona is a well-connected city that allows solo travelers the freedom to explore all the famous and rich cities surrounding it. Spain’s well-developed transportation network will let you travel with ease and enjoy the surrounding landscapes at the same time – from buses and trains to planes.
Neighboring Towns You Can Conveniently Visit When Staying in Barcelona
Montserrat
Montserrat is a mountain range region and home to the famous Montserrat Monastery, a popular destination for pilgrims and solo travelers.
Montserrat to Barcelona (30 km)
- Train (1 hour and 15 minutes): You can take the Cremallera de Montserrat rack railway from Montserrat to Monistrol de Montserrat station. From there, you can take the R5 line train to Plaça d’Espanya station in Barcelona.
- Bus (1 hour and 15 minutes): The bus departs from Montserrat’s lower station and arrives at the Barcelona Nord bus station.
- Car (1 hour): If you prefer to drive, you can rent a car in Montserrat and take the C-55 highway to Barcelona.
Sitges
This coastal town is known for its beautiful beaches, lively nightlife, and picturesque old town. It is also home to several museums and art galleries, as well as the annual Sitges Film Festival during the month of October.
Sitges to Barcelona (35 km)
- Train (30 to 40 minutes): The trains depart from Sitges station and arrive at various stations in Barcelona, including Passeig de Gracia, Barcelona-Sants, and Estació de França.
- Bus (45 minutes to 1 hour): The bus station in Sitges is located in the town center, and the bus stops in Barcelona are typically located near the city center or at major transportation hubs.
- Car (30 to 40 minutes): If you prefer to drive, you can rent a car in Sitges and take the C-32 highway to Barcelona.
Girona
Girona is a majestic city known for its well-preserved medieval old town featuring narrow streets, ancient walls, and beautiful architecture. It is also home to several museums, art galleries, and restaurants.
Girona to Barcelona (100 km)
- Train (1 hour): The trains depart from Girona station and arrive at various stations in Barcelona, including Passeig de Gracia and Barcelona-Sants.
- Bus (1 hour and 15 minutes): The bus station in Girona is located near the city center, and the bus stops in Barcelona are typically located near the city center or at major transportation hubs.
- Car (1 hour): You can rent a car in Girona and take the AP-7 highway to Barcelona.
Tarragona
Tarragona is a coastal city known for its rich Roman history that’s reflected in its many ancient ruins and world-renowned monuments. The beautiful old town also has several museums, art galleries, and a lively waterfront area.
Tarragona to Barcelona (100 km)
- Train (1 hour): The trains depart from Tarragona station and arrive at various stations in Barcelona, including Passeig de Gracia and Barcelona-Sants.
- Bus (1 hour and 30 minutes): The bus station in Tarragona is located near the city center, and the bus stops in Barcelona are typically located near the city center or at major transportation hubs.
- Car (1 hour): You can rent a car in Tarragona and take the AP-7 highway to Barcelona which usually takes about 1 hour, depending on traffic conditions.
Cadaqués
Cadaqués is a small coastal town known for its stunning natural beauty, crystal-clear waters, and rugged cliffs. It is also home to several art galleries and museums and was a favorite spot of the famous painter Salvador Dalí.
Cadaqués to Barcelona (170 km)
- Train (2.5 hours): There are no direct train rides from Cadaqués to Barcelona. You can instead ride a bus to Figueres which is 35 km away and would take about 2 hours. Then, you can take a train from Figueres to Barcelona.
- Bus (3.5 hours): The buses depart from Cadaqués bus station and arrive at Estació de Sants in Barcelona.
- Car (2.5 hours): You can rent a car in Cadaqués and take X highway to Barcelona. The route takes you along the beautiful Costa Brava coastline.
Recommended Stops for the Perfect Spain Tour
Barcelona
As one of the most popular destinations for solo travelers, Barcelona has sprawling city districts filled with flavor and local history. Its unparalleled architecture and art, and well-connected transportation between cities make it the perfect point to start your epic journey.
Activities & Attractions
- Visit La Sagrada Familia
- Stroll along La Rambla
- Explore Park Güell
- Wander through the Gothic Quarter
- Visit the Picasso Museum
- Enjoy Barcelona’s beaches
- Try the local food, from tapas to paella and seafood dishes
Madrid
Spain’s capital city, Madrid is well-known for its lively nightlife, world-class museums, and breathtaking architecture.
Activities & Attractions
- Visit the Prado Museum, with works by famous artists such as Goya, Velázquez, and El Greco
- Explore the Royal Palace
- Wander through Retiro Park
- Stroll along Gran Via – Madrid’s most famous street
- Enjoy tapas and local cuisines, such as jamón ibérico, patatas bravas, and churros
- Visit the Reina Sofia Museum, with works by famous Spanish artists such as Picasso and Miró
- Watch a Flamenco Show, a traditional dance and music style that originated in Spain
Madrid to Barcelona
This journey takes around 2.5 hours via high-speed train (AVE) and there are several trains departing daily from Madrid’s Atocha Station and arriving at Barcelona Sants Station.
Valencia
Located on Spain’s eastern coast, Valencia is famed for its stunning beaches, sophisticated architecture, and delectable cuisine.
Activities & Attractions
- Visit the City of Arts and Sciences
- Explore the Central Market
- Relax at the beach, such as the famous and easily accessible Playa de la Malvarrosa
- Wander through the Old Town, including the Cathedral of Valencia and the Torres de Serranos
- Visit the Oceanografic, the largest aquarium in Europe located within the City of Arts and Sciences
- Taste the paella – Valencia is the birthplace of paella!
- Watch the Fallas festival in March
Valencia to Barcelona
There are several trains departing daily from Valencia, Joaquín Sorolla Station to Barcelona, Sants Station. The journey takes around 3 hours.
Girona
Girona’s well-preserved old town, the medieval Jewish quarter, and its ancient walls are all well-known attractions.
Activities & Attractions
- Explore the Girona Cathedral and its impressive gothic architecture
- Stroll along the Jewish Quarter
- Walk along the Onyar River
- Visit the Girona Art Museum, which includes Roman and Gothic art
- Relax at the Arab Baths, dating back to the 12th century
- Explore the City Walls, dating back to the Roman and medieval periods
- Try the local culinary and beverage scene, filled with rich delicacies such as Sweet ‘botifarra’ sausage with apple and Ratafia
Girona to Barcelona
This journey usually takes around 1 hour via high-speed train (AVE) departing daily from Girona’s station and arriving at Sants station in Barcelona.
Tarragona
Tarragona, located on the Mediterranean coast, has a long Roman history and several historical ruins and archaeological sites.
Activities & Attractions
- Explore Tarragona Cathedral, dating back to the 12th century
- Enjoy the Roman Amphitheater, dating back to an astounding time of the 2nd century
- Visit the National Archaeological Museum, featuring a wide range of artifacts and exhibits from the Roman and medieval periods
- Enjoy the Tarragona Beaches, known for their beautiful beaches close to the city center
- Discover medieval architecture, such as the City Walls, Portal del Roser, and the Casa Castellarnau
- Explore La Lonja, a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visit the Les Ferreres Aqueduct, one of the best-preserved examples of Roman engineering in Spain – dating back to the 1st century, this is a must-see site for solo travelers and history buffs.
Tarragona to Barcelona
There are multiple trains departing from Tarragona station and arriving at Passeig de Gracia or Sants station in Barcelona. This journey can take up to 1 hour via high-speed AVE trains.
Zaragoza
This medieval city is positioned between Madrid and Barcelona. Zaragoza is well-known for its beautiful architecture, rich cultural legacy, and divine cuisine.
Activities & Attractions
- Explore the Basilica del Pilar, one of the most iconic landmarks in Zaragoza
- Visit the Aljafería Palace, dating back to the 11th century
- Explore the La Seo Cathedral, a stunning display of Gothic architecture
- Enjoy the Roman Theater, dating back to the 1st century – this inspiring ancient site is a must-see
- Visit the Puente de Piedra, built in the 15 century and one of the most iconic sites of this city
- Explore the Goya Museum, dedicated to Spanish painter Francisco de Goya
- Stroll along the Zaragoza Market
Zaragoza to Barcelona
This journey takes around 30 minutes to an Hour via high-speed trains (AVE departing from Zaragoza-Delicias station and arriving at Sants station in Barcelona.
Available Spanish and Euro Tours
Spain has so much to offer, from vibrant cities and rich history to stunning landscapes and beautiful beaches. We’ve listed a few route recommendations that travel through some of the best cities for your Spanish trip.
Best of Northern Spain Tour
This 8-day tour travels through the phenomenal highlights and historic wonders of Barcelona, Spain, and 5 other magical destinations in Europe. This includes hotel accommodation, an expert guide, transportation, meals, and more!
Itinerary:
- Barcelona
- Pyrenees Mountains (France)
- Bilbao
- San Sebastian
- Logroño
- Madrid
Andalucia & Valencia Tour
This 6-day tour takes you through the wonders and historic marvels of Spain and includes an expert guide, transport, insurance, meals, hotel accommodation, and more!
Itinerary:
- Barcelona
- Zaragoza
- Madrid
- Cordoba
- Seville
- Granada
- Valencia
- Barcelona
Great Iberian Cities Tour
This tour will take 9 days and includes accommodation, transport, an expert guide to take you through the spectacular places in Spain and Europe, meals, and more!
Itinerary:
- Barcelona
- Madrid
- Toledo
- Seville
- Lisbon (Portugal)
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many routes you can take and places you can visit for your Spanish tour. Depending on your interests, available time, and travel preferences, you can customize your itinerary to explore the regions, cities, and landmarks that interest you the most. The beauty of solo traveling is the endless freedom of choice!
