A day offers numerous options to explore outside the city. With breathtaking landscapes of nature connect us with the most incredible sensations in the magical mountain of Montserrat. Or a day in the land of Dalí  and the medieval Girona. Learn about the Iberian Roman past in Tarragona or fall in love with the charming Sitges. Here we offer you some ideas and options!

Montserrat sacred mountain excursion

Interested in a sacred mountain with a thousand-year-old monastery? Or spectacular rock formations and outstanding views? Montserrat is THE place.

The monastery of Montserrat, a central hub for any visit to this magical mountain, is the starting point for this unforgettable experience. Montserrat means “the serrated mountain.” This mountain range has attracted humans for as long as we know. The prehistoric remains found in caves by the 1000-year-old monastery vouch for this. The mountain is huge, and you can even stay at the hotel by the monastery if you really want to feel its mystical touch for more than one day.

Another world-famous attraction is La Escolania which refers to both the white voices boy’s choir and the boarding school where the boys live from Sunday to Friday. They sing during the noon prayer every day except Saturdays and holidays. Songs are dedicated to the Virgin Mary of Montserrat who is endearingly referred to as “la Moreneta” AKA “little tanned one”, a reference to her dark skin. In addition if you are an athletic kind of person you should also take the opportunity to hike a little, to breathe in the cleanest air and enjoy spectacular views!

Girona and Teatre-Museu Dalí: Full day excursion.

Explore a magnificent medieval city, on the banks of the river and be amazed by the magnificent surreal world of Salvador and Gala Dalí.

Girona is just over an hour’s drive from Barcelona. On this excursion, you will climb the ancient walls and walk through the narrow streets of the historic Jewish Quarter. You will see its imposing cathedral, and if time permits, visit the Basilica of San Felix and the Arab Baths. Around the river, you will see the colourful houses and the Eiffel Bridge. The second part of the day will take you to see the largest surrealist object in the world: the Theater-Museum Dalí in Figueres. There is the option to visit, instead, the Castle of Púbol. This medieval castle was the residence of Gala Dalí, and the space was created as a home, with a surrealist setting. It is very close to Girona and a highly recommended visit for art lovers.

Tarraco visit, capital of the Roman Iberia

Astonishing Roman remains by the sea, mingled with medieval charms and sunbathed by Mediterranean light.

The Roman remains found throughout Spain are mostly unspoiled and breathtaking. Tarragona houses one of these places, the ancient Roman city of Tarraco. For example outside the city, you’ll find an incredibly well-preserved aqueduct or the ancient quarry from where the city was carved. Further in, Tarragona oozes Roman splendour with its magnificent walls and the remains of the circus scattered through the oldest part of town. An absolute must-visit of Tarragona is also the amphitheatre by the sea.

Furthermore, as Roman times were followed (after decadence and abandonment) by the long medieval period, you’ll find that Tarragona has a magnificent cathedral and cloister from the 12th to 14th century. The Serrallo area is the fisherman’s neighbourhood by the harbour where the best fish and seafood can be found, and great restaurants or tapas places so savour it!

Fall in love with Sitges excursion

About halfway between Tarragona and Barcelona the charming village of Sitges stands out for its great beaches.

But Sitges is not all beach and sun. The art museum composed by Cau Ferrat and Maricel offers a remarkable display of modernismo painting and sculpture as well as the private collection of the artist Santiago Rusiñol including works of Picasso and two magnificent paintings by El Greco (16th century). During the late 19th century, El Cau Ferrat (“cau” means “lair”) was where the “creme de la creme” of Catalan and Spanish artists celebrated parties and rendezvous. In fact, it was THE place to be if you were someone in the artistic world.

Many coastal towns, such as Sitges, progressed economically in the 19th century thanks to strong import and export links with Cuba and other Caribbean countries. For example, the famous surname Bacardí, which we usually associate with the famous Cuban rum, has its family roots in Sitges.