Family Day Trips from Barcelona: 6 Best Excursions

Quick answerThe 6 best family day trips from Barcelona are: PortAventura (1 hour by train, all ages), Montserrat (1 hour by train and rack railway, age 5+), Sitges (35 minutes by train, all ages), Costa Brava (Tossa de Mar 1 hour 20 by car, all ages), Girona (40 minutes by AVE, age 7+) and Tarragona (1 hour by train, all ages). PortAventura wins for pure fun, Montserrat for nature plus culture, Sitges for the easiest beach day. Avoid Andorra and Cadaques as day trips with small kids: too far.

Montserrat: Mountain plus Monastery

Montserrat is the dramatic mountain monastery 1 hour northwest of Barcelona. Take the FGC R5 from Plaza Espanya to Aeri or Cremallera de Montserrat. Cremallera is the rack railway, more fun for kids than the cable car. At the monastery, the basic plan is the Black Madonna interior visit and the boys choir at 1 pm Monday to Friday. Take the funicular Sant Joan up the mountain for short walks (45 minutes round trip). Pack snacks because food is overpriced at the monastery.

PortAventura plus Ferrari Land

PortAventura is 1 hour south by direct Renfe train from Sants for 9 euros one way. The park is divided in 6 themed areas: Mediterrania (entrance), Polynesia, China, Mexico, Far West and Sesame Aventura for under-8. Plan to start at Sesame Aventura with small kids and move to Mexico after lunch. Combine with Ferrari Land if your kids are over 8 and into coasters. The Caribe Aquatic Park makes it a 2-day plan in summer.

Sitges and Costa Brava Beach Days

Sitges is the easiest beach day from Barcelona, 35 minutes by Renfe R2 from Sants. Sant Sebastia beach has calm waters and the old town is just behind. For Costa Brava, Tossa de Mar is 1 hour 20 minutes by car or 1 hour 50 by direct bus from Estacio Nord. The Vila Vella medieval walls plus the small protected cove make it the best Costa Brava day with kids. Calella de Palafrugell and Begur are even prettier but require 2 hours one way.

Girona and Tarragona for Older Kids

Girona is 40 minutes from Barcelona by AVE high-speed train (38 euros round trip) and 1 hour 20 minutes by regional train (16 euros round trip). The medieval city walls walk takes 1 hour and includes 4 viewpoints over the rooftops. Game of Thrones fans will recognize the Cathedral steps from Season 6 (Sept of Baelor scene). Tarragona is 1 hour by Renfe and combines a Roman amphitheater facing the sea with a stop at Saturday market and a beach lunch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest day trip from Barcelona with toddlers?

Sitges by direct Renfe train from Sants in 35 minutes is the easiest. The train is stroller friendly, the beach has services and the old town is small enough for a relaxed afternoon. Castelldefels at 20 minutes is even closer if you only want a beach plan.

Do I need a car to do day trips from Barcelona?

No. Sitges, Castelldefels, Girona, Tarragona, Montserrat and PortAventura are all reachable by direct train or bus. Costa Brava beyond Tossa de Mar and the Pyrenees benefit from a car but most family destinations work on public transport.

Is Andorra a good day trip from Barcelona for families?

Not as a day trip with kids. Andorra is 3 hours one way by car or 4 hours by bus, leaving only 4 hours on site. If you want the snow plus shopping plan, do at least 1 overnight. Better day trip alternatives: La Molina ski station (2 hours by train and bus) or Vall de Nuria (2 hours 30).