Costa Brava Day Trips from Barcelona: The Towns Worth Visiting

Updated April 2026 | 3 min read

We spent a week in Catalonia in May-June 2023 and used Barcelona as a base for day trips along the Costa Brava. The coastline north of Barcelona is dramatic, uncrowded, and easy to reach by rental car.

L’Estartit and the Medes Islands

About 90 minutes north of Barcelona. We took the Nautilus glass-bottom boat at 11:30am, which circles the Medes Islands marine reserve. The snorkeling here is some of the best in the western Mediterranean.

Calella de Palafrugell

The postcard village of the Costa Brava. White houses, a rocky cove, fishing boats on the beach. Less developed than most of the coast. Nearby, Platja Fonda and Illa Roja are worth the short drive.

Tarragona and Sitges

We booked a Viator day trip combining both towns. Tarragona has Roman ruins that rival Italy: an amphitheater overlooking the sea, a forum, a well-preserved aqueduct. Sitges is completely different: a colorful beach town 40 minutes from Barcelona with great restaurants.

Tossa de Mar

A medieval walled town perched above a sandy beach. We combined it with the Dofi Jet Boats experience, which zips along the coast showing you cliffs and coves unreachable by car.

Montserrat

Not technically Costa Brava but an essential day trip. The cable car up to the monastery is dramatic, rising above jagged mountains. Go early to avoid tour bus crowds.

Drive Times from Barcelona

• Tossa de Mar: 1h 15min
• Calella de Palafrugell: 1h 30min
• L’Estartit: 1h 30min
• Tarragona: 1h 15min south
• Sitges: 40min south
• Montserrat: 1h northwest

Barcelona, Costa Brava, and the F1 Spanish Grand Prix covers the full week including the race.

Gear We Recommend

• Fodor’s Barcelona guide

Tours and Activities

• Tarragona and Sitges Day Trip from Barcelona
• Montserrat Half-Day Trip with Cable Car

Book Tours and Activities

• Costa Brava Day Trip

Book on GetYourGuide:

• Montserrat Half-Day Trip
• Costa Brava Day Trip from Barcelona

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Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. SafetyWing, Skyscanner, Airalo, Booking.com, Viator, GetYourGuide.

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