Barcelona is an excellent starting point for some beautiful excursionsTossa de Mar.
Figueres
How to get there: train from the Barcelona Sants station
Length of journey: approx 2 hours
The main attraction of Figueres, a small town 130 km from Barcelona, is the Teatre-Museu Dalì, a work of auto-celebration of this visionary Catalan artist.
Teatre-Museu Dalì
Plaça Gala-Salvador Dalí 5, Figueres Schedules: Nov 1 to Feb 28: 10:30 am to 6 pm; Mar 1 to June 30: 9:30 am to 6 pm; July 1 to Sept 30: 9 am to 8 pm; Oct 1 to 30: 9:30 am to 6 pm Entrance: €12
Cadaqués
How to get there: bus from the Estaciò d'Autobusos Barcelona Nord (Barcelona North Bus Station)
Length of journey: 2 hours and 15 minutes
From this enchanting fishing village, the pearl of the Costa Brava, it is possible to reach Port Lligat, where one can visit the surprising Casa-Museu Dalì and walk along the panoramic path to Cap de Creus.
Casa-Museu Dalì
Port Lligat, Cadaqués
Timetable: Mar 15 to June 14 and Sept 16 to Jan 6: 10:30 am to 6 pm; June 15 to Sept 15: 9:30 am to 9 pm
Entrance: 12 Euro
Tossa de Mar
How to get there: bus from the Estaciò d'Autobusos Barcelona Nord
Length of journey: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Another pearl of the Costa Brava, Tossa de Mar is easy to reach from Barcelona by bus. A walk on the medieval wall offers spectacular views of this beautiful coast.
Montserrat
How to get there: FGC (local) trains from the Plaça d'Espanya station to Aeri de Montserrat to take the cableway (leaving every 15 minutes) or to Monistrol de Montserrat to take the panoramic train called cremallera (leaving every 20 minutes)
Length of journey: 1 hour by train plus about 15 minutes by cableway or cremallera
Information concerning the visit: The Benedictine Abbey of Montserrat is the spiritual heart of Catalonia and is an interesting visit both for its cultural heritage and for its spectacular position among steep mountains. In the abbey you can find the Moreneta, the statue of the black Virgin, patron of Catalonia. The museum boasts paintings by Picasso, Dalì, El Greco, Monet and Caravaggio.
Girona
How to get there: RENFE (national) trains leave frequently from the stations of Barcelona Sants and Passeig de Gracia
Length of journey: about 1 hour and 30 minutes
Information concerning the visit: It is in Girona, the second city of Catalonia, where the traditions and culture of this land are best preserved. Girona is an interesting excursion for getting to know the most typical Catalonia and to visit its evocative historical centre and museums.
Tarragona
How to get there: frequent RENFE trains from the stations of Barcelona Sants and Passeig de Gracia
Length of journey: about 1 hour
Information concerning the visit: Tarragona, called Tarraco in the past, was the most important centre of the ancient Romans in Spain and the capital of the Tarraconensis province. The town still hosts important Roman archaeological ruins, for which the UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage Site.