These day trips from Barcelona by train cover town centers, historic sights, and beaches where the station puts the first stop within reach. Look to Sitges or Vilanova for a seaside day, Girona for lanes and city walls,…
Items 23 The creator’s order
1 Sitges Use the R2 Sud toward Sitges when it is running through. Walk from Sitges station through the center toward the church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla for a first view of the coast. From there, choose Sant Sebastià beach or the busier promenade. 0 2 Girona Use Girona station for either a regional or a high-speed service. Walk toward the Onyar river and begin at one of its bridges, where the houses mark the edge of the old town. The cathedral and walls involve more climbing once you cross the river. 0 3 Tarragona A regional service to Tarragona puts you in the city. Walk up from the waterfront station toward the amphitheater for a first look at the Roman remains. Camp de Tarragona is a different high-speed station outside the center and requires another leg. 0 4 Vilanova i la Geltrú An R2 Sud train can put you at Vilanova i la Geltrú station. Start next door at the rail museum if it is open, or take the straight walk through town toward the seafront to get to the beach first. 0 5 Figueres The regional station named Figueres is closer to the streets around the Dalí Theatre-Museum. High-speed trains use Figueres-Vilafant farther west. Choose the station before choosing a museum time and allow extra walking for the high-speed option. 0 6 Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey Take the FGC R5 from Plaça d’Espanya and transfer at Monistrol de Montserrat to the rack railway. The abbey complex is right by the upper station. Make its main plaza your first stop before choosing a chapel, museum, or steep walking trail. 0 7 Sant Cugat del Vallès Take the FGC to Sant Cugat and walk through the center to the monastery. Start at Plaça d’Octavià for the Romanesque complex and its cloister. The nearby streets give you a useful second stop when you want to stay close to the station. 0 8 Castelldefels For the sand, look for Platja de Castelldefels rather than the main Castelldefels town station. Walk south from the coastal station to begin along the promenade. Engineering work can temporarily change R2 Sud stops or require a replacement leg, so check the route first. 0 9 Terrassa Take the FGC S1 to Vallparadís Universitat. Walk into the Vallparadís area and follow signs for the Seu d’Ègara churches in the Sant Pere neighborhood. The park and church complex make a distinct outing for medieval architecture. 0 10 Sant Pol de Mar Choose an R1 stopping service to Sant Pol de Mar. Start by the beach near the station, then walk among the small streets behind it. This works when you want a short first leg from a coastal train and a less city-like setting. 0 
SitgesUse the R2 Sud toward Sitges when it is running through. Walk from Sitges station through the center toward the church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla for a first view of the coast. From there, choose Sant Sebastià beach or the busier promenade.0
GironaUse Girona station for either a regional or a high-speed service. Walk toward the Onyar river and begin at one of its bridges, where the houses mark the edge of the old town. The cathedral and walls involve more climbing once you cross the river.0
TarragonaA regional service to Tarragona puts you in the city. Walk up from the waterfront station toward the amphitheater for a first look at the Roman remains. Camp de Tarragona is a different high-speed station outside the center and requires another leg.0
Vilanova i la GeltrúAn R2 Sud train can put you at Vilanova i la Geltrú station. Start next door at the rail museum if it is open, or take the straight walk through town toward the seafront to get to the beach first.0
FigueresThe regional station named Figueres is closer to the streets around the Dalí Theatre-Museum. High-speed trains use Figueres-Vilafant farther west. Choose the station before choosing a museum time and allow extra walking for the high-speed option.0
Santa Maria de Montserrat AbbeyTake the FGC R5 from Plaça d’Espanya and transfer at Monistrol de Montserrat to the rack railway. The abbey complex is right by the upper station. Make its main plaza your first stop before choosing a chapel, museum, or steep walking trail.0
Sant Cugat del VallèsTake the FGC to Sant Cugat and walk through the center to the monastery. Start at Plaça d’Octavià for the Romanesque complex and its cloister. The nearby streets give you a useful second stop when you want to stay close to the station.0
CastelldefelsFor the sand, look for Platja de Castelldefels rather than the main Castelldefels town station. Walk south from the coastal station to begin along the promenade. Engineering work can temporarily change R2 Sud stops or require a replacement leg, so check the route first.0
TerrassaTake the FGC S1 to Vallparadís Universitat. Walk into the Vallparadís area and follow signs for the Seu d’Ègara churches in the Sant Pere neighborhood. The park and church complex make a distinct outing for medieval architecture.0
Sant Pol de MarChoose an R1 stopping service to Sant Pol de Mar. Start by the beach near the station, then walk among the small streets behind it. This works when you want a short first leg from a coastal train and a less city-like setting.0