1. PortAventura
Distance 109 km. Travel time is about 1 hour 20 minutes one way without stops. The route will include a toll highway C-32 (12.55 euros).
Port Aventura is a large theme park, one of the most visited in Europe. It is divided into 6 regions – Mediterranean, Polynesia, China, Mexico, Wild West and Sesame Street. Here you will find extreme rides (for example, a free fall from a height of 100 meters),
for the little ones, as well as a variety of shows and performances. Each area has restaurants serving cuisines from their respective countries.
Also part of the resort are the Caribe Aquatic Park and Ferrari Land Park. At the box office you can buy combined tickets for several parks at once. However, we advise you to take your time and spend the whole day in Port Aventura. In the evening, be sure to stay for the beautiful fireworks display in honor of the closing of the park.
The cost of an adult ticket is 47 euros, a child ticket (4-10 years old) is 40 euros. Current prices can be checked on the website.
2. Montserrat Monastery (Monasterio de Montserrat)
Distance 61 km. Travel time is about 1 hour one way without stops.
Montserrat is a Benedictine monastery located high in the mountains and attracts pilgrims from all over the world. Its territory offers panoramic views of the mountain valleys.
By car you can drive up to the monastery itself; there is free parking near its walls. An alternative option for climbing the mountain is the cable car (Aeri de Montserra),
the trip will take about 5 minutes. In this case, the car will need to be left in the parking lot at the foot of the mountain (also free). A return ticket costs 10.30 euros. Cable car opening hours vary depending on the season, details can be found on this website.
The monastery is available for visits daily from 07:00 to 20:30, (from December to June – from 07:00 to 19:30).
3. “Dali’s Triangle” – Figueres, Pubol, Cadaqués
Distance 197 km. Travel time is about 3 hours one way without stops. There will be a toll on the route AP-7 (about 10 euros).
The famous “Dali Triangle” includes three cities inextricably linked with the life and work of the famous surrealist Salvador Dali.
The first stop on your way will be a small town Pubol. Here is the castle that Dali gave to his wife Gala. Currently, it has been turned into a museum, and the interior remains the same as in the old days. The entrance ticket costs 8 euros. Discounts apply for students and pensioners. Opening hours vary depending on the season, please check this page for current information.
The next stop on your journey is Figueres. It was in this city that Dali was born, and the main attraction here is his theater-museum. The museum’s exhibition represents the largest collection of paintings by the artist. The artist himself is buried here, in the crypt.
The entrance ticket costs 14 euros, there is a system of discounts. Opening hours vary depending on the season, please check this page for current information.
The final point of the route will be Cadaqués. The city is known primarily for the stay of Salvador Dali. Once here, you will understand why the great artist loved and was inspired by this place – the town is amazingly beautiful. Almost all the houses in the city are snow-white.
The most visited attraction is the Salvador Dali Museum. The entrance ticket costs 11 euros. We recommend booking a tour – people here are passionate about what they do and the stories they tell are really interesting. The museum’s opening hours vary depending on the season. Current information can be found on this website.
4. Andorra
Distance 199 km. Travel time is about 2 hours 30 minutes one way without stops. Roads are free.
A great idea for a one-day trip is a visit to the small mountain principality of Andorra, located on the border of Spain and France.
The capital, Andorra la Vella, is a fairly compact city that is easy to get around on foot. The main attractions, conveniently, are concentrated in the Old Quarter.
If you have had time to walk along the narrow medieval streets of the capital and look at the ancient mansions, we recommend going to the largest mountain thermal center in Europe – Caldea. Entrance ticket costs from 30 euros, detailed information about tariffs can be found on this website.
The entire state is a duty-free zone, so shopping here is profitable.
Find out more about what to do in Adorra on this page.
5. Carcassonne (Cité de Carcassonne)
Distance 303 km. Travel time is about 3 hours one way without stops. The route will include toll highways AP-7 and A-9 (total cost 40.60 euros).
The small French city of Carcassonne is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
First of all, Carcassonne is famous for its ancient fortress, which is unique not only because it is perfectly preserved, but also because of its size (it is more like an entire fortified city). You can spend a whole day exploring it.
The best views of Carcassonne itself are from the west (for example, from the old bridge over the Aude River or the A61 highway). Keep in mind that all parking directly next to the fortress walls is paid.
Entry to the territory is free. You can take an audio guide (cost 4.50 euros). You can also book a tour of the fortress (3.50 euros – 1 hour, 4 euros – 1.5 hours).
Opening hours vary depending on the season: from October 1 to March 31 – daily from 09:30 to 17:00, from April 1 to September 30 – daily from 10:00 to 18:30.
The second UNESCO World Heritage Site within the city is the Canal du Midi, linking the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. Currently, it is mainly used by tourist ships, so if you wish, you can take a ride along it.
6. Girona
Distance 102 km. Travel time – about 1 hour 30 minutes one way without stops. The route will have a toll highway AP-7 (EUR 8.90).
Girona is a city of contrasts, where modern urban culture juxtaposes a well-preserved historical center with medieval architecture. The ancient Jewish quarter is also located here. Girona is relatively small and great for walking.
7. Zaragoza
Distance 302 km. Travel time is about 3h 30 min one way without stops. The route will include a toll highway A-2 (14.45 euros).
Zaragoza is a city whose appearance was formed under the influence of Roman, Arab, Christian, and Jewish cultures. The main attractions are concentrated in the Old Town.
Here you will see the largest Spanish Baroque church, the Moorish Aljaferia Palace, the Cathedral of San Salvador, a beautiful stone bridge over the Ebro River, a modern exhibition center building, as well as various objects reminiscent of the Roman period.
8. Valencia
Distance 349 km. Travel time is about 3 hours 30 minutes without stops one way. The route will have a toll highway AP-7 (38.20 euros).
Valencia has everything to be considered a European capital – the historical center, the medieval walls and towers of the old city, architectural masterpieces of world significance (“City of Arts and Sciences”),
excellent public transport system. However, the city is home to only 800 thousand people, so it does not reach the status of a metropolis. In addition, for now Valencia manages to avoid tourist routes: during the summer holiday season, the main flow of tourists flocks to Alicante.
As a result, travelers receive the following advantages – free tables in restaurants, lack of traffic jams (if you are used to traveling in a rented car),
low prices on food and museum tickets (entry to most museums in Valencia is free on Sunday).
9. Travel route by car from Barcelona: medieval cities and lava plateaus
Distance – 181 km.
Travel time – 3 hours non-stop one way. With full stops – 10 hours.
This unusual driving route runs through the volcanic region of Garrotxa. You will find charming small medieval towns with hanging bridges, fortress walls and narrow streets, extinct volcanoes and frozen lava flows. In addition, in each of the towns you can taste local liqueurs, wines and cheeses. So your trip will also be gastronomic! Read more…
10. Travel route by car from Barcelona: Cistercian monasteries and wineries of Priorat
Distance – 271 km.
Travel time – 4 hours 50 minutes one way without stops. With full stops – 10-12 hours.
For history and wine lovers, we have prepared a detailed route for a road trip through the mountainous part of Catalonia. Cistercian monasteries, a Templar castle, wineries of the famous Priorat wine region, picturesque mountain valleys, beautiful serpentines, as well as delicious food and unforgettable experiences await you. Read more…
You can book hotels online on the website or in the OneTwoTrip app.
