Barcelona and its surroundings offer a wide variety of getaway options just half an hour from the city, which means you don’t have to plan a big adventure to enjoy a different and exciting day out.
We tell you about some of the hidden treasures that are close to the city and easily accessible by train and other public transportation.
Great places just half an hour from Barcelona
El Prat de Llobregat: watch the airplanes take off
In 2007, the city council of El Prat de Llobregat realized that neighbors loved to watch airplane takeoffs. To satisfy this curiosity, they placed concrete benches a few meters away from the runway, thus offering a unique experience. Watching planes take off and land can be surprisingly exciting and the deafening noise of the engines creates a unique atmosphere. From Plaza de España, you can reach El Prat de Llobregat by city bus in just over half an hour.
Montgat: immerse yourself in the tranquility of the past
You may not have considered visiting Montgat before, but you are missing out on one of the best kept secrets near Barcelona. Montgat is home to one of the best beach bars in the area, Banys Virgen del Carmen, located on the beach of Sant Joan, just beyond the mountain that separates Barcelona and Maresme. Here, you won’t find the Californian style that prevails in Barceloneta or the elegant chill-out bars. Instead, you will discover a completely different atmosphere: long tables, checkered tablecloths, a cane roof that provides shade, cats, geraniums and smiling waiters.
Sitges: where life is enjoyed to the fullest
Sitges is a place that radiates a special charm. Having a beer in the courtyard of La Guineu, stretching out your towel on Balmins beach or strolling along Aigua street is to experience a sweet and hedonistic life. But what really sets Sitges apart are its cultural events and active social life. The International Fantastic Film Festival in October and the Fiesta Mayor celebrations in August are just a few examples of Sitges’ lively cultural scene. In addition, initiatives such as the Palmera Torta, a non-profit association that promotes music in Sitges, provide even more reasons to enjoy this wonderful place.
Sant Cugat: quiet retreat near the city
What used to be a village is now the seventh richest municipality in Spain. Its pedestrian streets and its monastery, with one of the most impressive cloisters in Barcelona, provide a relaxing and familiar atmosphere. Enjoy a vermouth with bravas at Bar Rusiñol or anywhere in the monastery square for a truly local experience.
