Itinerary
Catalonia Beyond Barcelona: 7 Places Worth Adding to Your Trip
Medieval villages, Mediterranean coves, volcanic landscapes, and mountain monasteries—seven Catalonia destinations worth leaving Barcelona for.
Barcelona makes an irresistible first chapter, but Catalonia changes character within an hour or two of the city. Serrated mountains rise behind a monastery, Roman walls meet the Mediterranean, volcanic forests surround stone villages, and the Costa Brava folds into coves hidden from the road.
You do not need to collect all seven places below. For a one-week trip, choose two that contrast with Barcelona and with each other—perhaps Montserrat plus Girona, or Tarragona plus the Ebro Delta. The aim is to understand more of Catalonia, not to spend the holiday moving luggage.
1. Girona
Girona is one of the best places to experience Catalan history without the intensity of a large city. Its historic center rises above the Onyar River, where colorful houses create one of the city’s most recognizable views.
Walk through the narrow lanes of the Jewish Quarter, climb the steps leading to Girona Cathedral, and follow the old city walls for panoramic views over the rooftops. The medieval streets are beautiful, but Girona is not simply an open-air museum. Its cafés, markets, independent shops, and riverside neighborhoods give the city a relaxed, lived-in atmosphere.
Girona works well as a day trip, although staying overnight allows you to enjoy the old town after many visitors have left.
2. Besalú
Approaching Besalú across its fortified medieval bridge feels like entering another century. Located in the province of Girona, the town is known for its remarkably preserved medieval center.
Inside the old town, stone passages lead between small squares, churches, traditional houses, and traces of Besalú’s historic Jewish community. You do not need a complicated itinerary here. The pleasure comes from walking slowly, looking through archways, and discovering unexpected views.
Besalú can be combined with the volcanic landscapes around Olot and La Garrotxa.
3. Montserrat
Montserrat is both a mountain range and one of Catalonia’s most important spiritual destinations. Its unusual rock formations rise dramatically from the surrounding landscape, creating a silhouette unlike anything else in the region.
The Benedictine monastery attracts pilgrims and visitors, but Montserrat is also an excellent destination for hiking. Trails range from relatively gentle walks to more demanding routes through the mountains.
Arrive early if you want a quieter experience. Once you move away from the main monastery complex, the landscape quickly becomes more peaceful.
4. Pals
Pals stands on a hill above the plains of the Baix Empordà. Its historic center is a compact collection of stone houses, arches, flower-filled corners, and narrow lanes.
The village is small enough to explore in a couple of hours. Climb toward the upper part of the old town for views across the surrounding countryside toward the Mediterranean.
Pals is particularly easy to combine with Peratallada, Begur, and the beaches of the central Costa Brava. Together, these places make an excellent full-day driving route.
5. Peratallada
Peratallada is one of Catalonia’s most atmospheric medieval villages. Its name is associated with the rock-cut defensive structures around which the settlement developed.
Today, its cobbled lanes contain restaurants, craft shops, shaded courtyards, and carefully restored stone buildings. Although the village becomes busy during summer weekends, it can feel wonderfully peaceful in the morning or outside the main holiday season.
Rather than rushing through, stop for lunch and allow time to explore the smaller streets away from the central square.
6. Cadaqués
Whitewashed buildings, rocky hills, and the intense blue of the Mediterranean give Cadaqués a character quite different from the resort towns farther south.
Its relative isolation helped the former fishing village develop a strong artistic identity. Salvador Dalí had a home nearby in Portlligat, and the surrounding landscape appears throughout his work.
Cadaqués is one of the most beautiful towns on the Catalan coast, but reaching it involves a winding mountain road. It is better suited to a longer Costa Brava itinerary than a rushed excursion from Barcelona.
7. La Garrotxa
La Garrotxa offers a greener and quieter side of Catalonia. The area is best known for its volcanic landscape, forests, walking routes, and traditional villages.
One of its most popular natural areas is La Fageda d’en Jordà, a beech forest growing across ancient lava flows. Nearby, the town of Olot provides a useful base for exploring the region, while Santa Pau combines medieval architecture with views of the surrounding countryside.
Autumn brings rich forest colors, but La Garrotxa is attractive throughout the year.
How to Plan Your Journey
Travelers relying on trains can easily visit larger destinations such as Girona. Reaching small villages, rural landscapes, and secluded beaches is usually more convenient by car.
Try not to include too many stops in a single day. Distances on a map may appear short, but mountain roads, coastal traffic, and the temptation to stop at viewpoints can make journeys longer than expected.
A rewarding first itinerary could combine Barcelona, Girona, the medieval villages of the Baix Empordà, and several nights on the Costa Brava. Add Montserrat or La Garrotxa if you have more time.
Barcelona introduces you to Catalonia. These places help you understand how much more there is to explore.
Are you in the know?
Don’t miss our latest Catalonia stories, routes, and practical travel tips.