The Guide to Barcelona Day Trips Under €20: Explore Catalonia Without Breaking the Bank

One of the best things about being in Barcelona is that there's so much more than Gaudí, tapas bars, nearby beaches or getting a little lost in the Gothic Quarter. In fact, Catalonia has so much more to offer.

One of the best things about living or studying in Barcelona is that you can escape the city for a day without blowing your entire monthly budget. Beaches, medieval towns, mountains and hidden corners of the Costa Brava are much closer than you might think.

So, if you're looking for different things to do in Barcelona, cheap day trips or places to visit near Barcelona, here are some of our favourite options.

1. Sitges: Beach, Seafront and Good Vibes

Best for: A beach day, a relaxing walk and feeling like you're on holiday.

Sitges is probably one of the easiest day trips from Barcelona. It's close enough to go and come back in the same day, but once you arrive, it feels like you've completely changed scenery.

You can take the R2 Sud train from Barcelona and reach Sitges in around 40 minutes. The journey costs around €4–€5 per person each way, depending on the fare.

Once you're there, you can walk around the old town, stroll along the seafront and spend a few hours at the beach.

Budget tip: Bring your own food and water. The restaurants by the sea have plenty of charm… but very few of them are cheap, and you'll probably need to book in advance if you're travelling in summer because they tend to fill up quickly.

How to get there: R2 Sud from Barcelona → Sitges.

Estimated transport: Around €10 return.

2. Girona: Medieval Streets and Plenty of Charm

Best for: History, architecture, photos and wandering around without a plan.

Girona is one of the best places to visit near Barcelona if you want to completely change your surroundings.

Its historic centre is full of medieval streets, colourful houses, small squares and beautiful corners. You can walk along the old city walls, get lost in the Jewish Quarter and visit Girona Cathedral.

The easiest option is to travel by train from Barcelona Sants. Depending on the service and type of ticket, prices can vary, so it's worth checking the fare before travelling.

Once you're in Girona, almost everything worth seeing is within walking distance.

Budget tip: Grab something from a bakery or supermarket and make your own picnic. It's much cheaper than sitting down at the first tourist restaurant you find.

How to get there: Train from Barcelona Sants.

Recommended budget: Around €20 if you choose your transport carefully and eat on a budget.

3. Montserrat: Mountains, Monastery and Incredible Views

Best for: Nature, hiking and escaping the noise of the city.

If you're looking for day trips from Barcelona by train, Montserrat should definitely be on your radar.

Montserrat Mountain is one of the most famous landscapes in Catalonia and is home to the iconic monastery. You can go hiking, enjoy the views and explore the surrounding area.

You can take the FGC trains from Plaça d'Espanya and connect with the rack railway. Currently, the combined FGC + rack railway ticket starts at €20.80 return for adults, depending on the zones, so this option is slightly above our €20 budget.

The solution? If you want to save money, you can walk part of the route from Monistrol and turn the trip into a much more adventurous plan.

Budget tip: Bring food from home and choose a free hiking route. Luckily, the views don't charge an entrance fee.

How to get there: FGC from Plaça d'Espanya → Monistrol de Montserrat.

Transport: From around €20, depending on the route and ticket you choose.

4. Tossa de Mar: A Costa Brava Escape

Best for: Hidden coves, turquoise water and postcard-worthy towns.

Here's where we bend the budget rules just a little.

Tossa de Mar is one of the most beautiful destinations on the Costa Brava and a fantastic option if you're looking for things to do near Barcelona that combine beaches and nature.

The town combines Mediterranean beaches with a medieval old town and the famous walls of Vila Vella.

There is no direct train from Barcelona, so one of the easiest options is to travel by bus. Moventis offers connections between Barcelona and Tossa de Mar, where you can check timetables and purchase tickets online.

As prices can vary, we recommend checking the fare before travelling. It's not a trip we can guarantee will cost less than €20 return, but it can still be an interesting option if you find a good fare.

Another option if the direct bus is too expensive is to take a Rodalies train from Barcelona to Blanes. A standard adult return ticket costs approximately €12.

Once you arrive in Blanes, you'll need to continue by bus. The L69 bus connects Blanes with Tossa de Mar, and a return ticket costs approximately €7.10.

That brings the total transport cost to around €19.10 return. So yes: Tossa de Mar technically fits our under-€20 budget!

And the best part is that you get to enjoy some of the beautiful Costa Brava landscapes along the way before arriving at one of Catalonia's most beautiful coastal towns.

Budget tip: Book in advance whenever possible and bring your own food. Save your budget for that obligatory ice cream by the Mediterranean.

How to get there:

Barcelona → Tossa de Mar by bus.

Or:

Barcelona → Blanes by Rodalies → L69 bus → Tossa de Mar.

Tips for Cheap Day Trips from Barcelona

Exploring Catalonia doesn't mean renting a car, booking an €80 tour and having a minor existential crisis when you check your bank account.

With public transport and a little planning, you can enjoy plenty of affordable day trips.

Our favourite tips:

• Take the train whenever possible. Rodalies offers single tickets based on zones and different passes that can help you save if you're travelling frequently.
• Always check the price before you leave. Fares can change.
• Bring food from home. A picnic can easily save you €15–€20.
• Start early. More time to explore and fewer chances of spending money just because you're bored.
• Walk. Sitges, Girona and Tossa are perfect destinations to explore on foot.
• Look for free activities. Beaches, viewpoints, historic centres and hiking trails don't require an entrance ticket.

Which Barcelona Day Trip Is Best for You?

Want a beach and easy transport? → Sitges.

In the mood for history and pretty streets? → Girona.

Prefer nature and mountains? → Montserrat.

Dreaming of the Costa Brava and turquoise water? → Tossa de Mar.

Catalonia is huge, but with a little planning, you can make sure your budget isn't an excuse not to explore it.

And remember, if you're looking for accommodation in Barcelona, you can check out our available rooms in Barcelona.