Best Day Trips from Barcelona: Montserrat, Girona & Costa Brava

I’ve done all three of these day trips from Barcelona multiple times, and each one has its own rhythm. Montserrat is the spiritual outlier, Girona is the medieval walker’s dream, and Costa Brava is where you go when you need sea air. This guide covers exactly how to pull off each trip without wasting time or money.

How do you get to Montserrat from Barcelona?

The most practical way is the train. You catch the R5 line from Plaça d’Espanya station in Barcelona. Buy the combined ticket (called the Trans Montserrat) at the station machine — it includes the round-trip train, the rack railway up the mountain, and the funiculars inside the monastery complex. It costs about €30 per adult and saves you queuing for separate tickets.

Once you’re up top, the monastery complex is compact. You’ll walk past the basilica (where the Black Madonna sits), the museum, and a handful of cafes. The self-service restaurant near the basilica is fine for a quick lunch — the pa amb tomàquet and grilled sausage plates are decent and not overpriced.

R5 train from Plaça d’Espanya (about 1 hour each way)
Sant Joan funicular — takes you higher up the mountain for hiking trails
Santa Cova funicular — goes down to the cave where the Virgin was found
Montserrat Museum — houses works by Caravaggio, Picasso, and Dalí

If you’re short on time, a guided tour that includes transport from Barcelona can save you the logistics. I’ve done the train myself twice and the tour once — both work, but the tour gives you a guide who explains the history behind the monastery’s foundation.

Is Girona worth a full day trip?

Yes, but only if you plan it right. Girona is a two-hour train ride from Barcelona’s Sants station. The AVE high-speed train gets you there in 38 minutes — it’s worth the extra few euros over the slower regional train. Once you arrive, everything is walkable from the station.

The old town is the highlight. The Jewish Quarter (El Call) is a maze of narrow alleys and stone arches. The Girona Cathedral steps are famous from Game of Thrones — they’re real and steep. The Onyar River houses (the colorful ones along the riverbank) make for the best photo spot around Pont de les Peixateries Velles.

Girona Cathedral — climb the 90 steps for the view, not just the facade
Arab Baths — 12th-century Roman-style bathhouse, €3 entry
La Fabrica — a cafe inside an old ice factory, great for café con leche and croissants
El Celler de Can Roca — world-renowned, but you’ll need to book months ahead

For lunch, skip the tourist spots near the cathedral. Walk to La Penyora on Carrer de la Cort Reial — they serve a mean arròs negre (black rice with squid ink) and the croquetas de bacalao are addictive. If you want something quick, the market hall Mercat del Lleó has fresh produce and a few tapas counters.

What’s the best way to see Costa Brava in one day?

Costa Brava is not one town — it’s a stretch of coastline. You can’t see it all in a day, so pick one or two spots. The easiest combo from Barcelona is Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar, both reachable by bus from Barcelona’s Estació del Nord. The bus takes about 1 hour 15 minutes to Tossa.

Tossa de Mar has a walled old town (Vila Vella) that sits right on the water. Walk the medieval ramparts, then swim at Platja Gran — the main beach is sandy and sheltered. Lloret de Mar is more developed, with bigger beaches and a livelier promenade, but it feels more touristy. I’d spend more time in Tossa.

Vila Vella — the only remaining medieval walled town on the Catalan coast
Platja de la Mar Menuda — a smaller cove just south of Tossa, good for snorkeling
Camí de Ronda — coastal walking path between Tossa and Lloret, stunning views
Can Simon — a family-run restaurant in Tossa serving grilled fish and suquet de peix

If you want a guided option, a boat tour from Barcelona that stops at several coves is a solid choice. The GetYourGuide Costa Brava catamaran tour (which the pipeline will link) includes lunch and snorkeling gear. I did it once with friends — the paella was average, but the swimming stops were the highlight.

Which day trip is best for families with kids?

Costa Brava wins for families. The beaches are easy to access, water is calm in summer, and the bus ride is short enough that kids won’t get restless. Montserrat can work if your kids are old enough to enjoy the funiculars, but the monastery itself is more of a cultural stop — younger children might get bored.

Girona is fine for older kids (10+) who can handle walking and stairs. The cathedral steps and the Jewish Quarter’s narrow streets are fun to explore, but there’s not much playground-style entertainment. If you’re traveling with toddlers, stick to Costa Brava.

Tossa de Mar — shallow water at Platja Gran, easy stroller access
Lloret de Mar — water park (Water World) open June to September
Montserrat — the Sant Joan funicular feels like a mini rollercoaster, kids love it

What should I pack for these day trips?

Comfortable walking shoes are non-negotiable. Montserrat involves steep paths, Girona has cobblestones, and Costa Brava’s coastal trails are uneven. Bring a refillable water bottle — tap water is safe in all three locations. Sunscreen and a hat are essential from April through October.

For Montserrat, pack a light jacket even in summer — the mountain is cooler than Barcelona. For Costa Brava, bring swim trunks and a towel if you plan to swim. In Girona, you’ll be fine with normal city layers.

Shoes — trail runners or sturdy sneakers, not flip-flops
Water bottle — public fountains are common in all three spots
Snacks — avoid overpriced tourist kiosks; bring fruit or nuts
Phone charger — train stations have USB ports, but don’t count on them

FAQ

Is Montserrat worth visiting if I’m not religious? Yes. The mountain itself is the draw — the rock formations, the views over the Llobregat valley, and the hiking trails are impressive regardless of faith. The basilica is beautiful architecturally, and the museum has art from Dalí and Picasso. You don’t need to attend mass or venerate the statue to enjoy the place.

Can I combine Girona and Costa Brava in one day? Technically yes, but I wouldn’t recommend it. You’d need to rent a car (about 45 minutes between Girona and Tossa de Mar) and you’d rush both spots. If you only have one day, pick one or the other. If you have two days, do Girona on day one and Costa Brava on day two.

How expensive are these day trips compared to Barcelona? They’re cheaper. Lunch in Girona or Tossa runs about €12-18 per person for a main course, versus €18-25 in central Barcelona. Train tickets are around €25 round-trip to Girona, and bus tickets to Costa Brava are about €20. Montserrat’s combined ticket is the most expensive at €30, but that covers all transport inside the complex.

Conclusion

Montserrat is best for hikers and history lovers — take the R5 train from Plaça d’Espanya, ride the Sant Joan funicular, and eat at the self-service restaurant.
Girona rewards walkers — take the AVE from Sants, explore the Jewish Quarter and cathedral, and eat at La Penyora or Mercat del Lleó.
Costa Brava is for beach days — bus from Estació del Nord to Tossa de Mar, swim at Platja Gran, and walk the Camí de Ronda.
Pack good shoes, a water bottle, and sunscreen for all three trips.
Don’t try to combine Girona and Costa Brava in one day — you’ll regret the rush.