Barcelona Adventures

Montgat

A clean and easy-to-reach beach with rugged waves, white sands and good wind conditions, making it popular amongst water sport fanatics. The Renfe Rodalies (R1) train from Plaça de Catalunya zooms up the coast to Montgat Nord, transporting you to this wilder stretch of coastline. The prime wind conditions make this a popular choice for surfers, with two kilometers of lifeguarded beach to enjoy. Soak up the Mediterranean Sea breeze and wander around the cobbled streets of the whitewashed town, set just back from the sea, or enjoy a cool beverage in one of the beachfront xiringuitos with sand between your toes. For children and big kids, the nearby Illa Fantasia water park provides hours of fun in the sun.

Santa Coloma de Gramenet

Enjoy quiet, leafy streets, laid-back local life and a taste of history with a day out in this lesser-known commuter town. Take the metro (L1) eight kilometers north to Santa Coloma, a traditional Catalan town with ancient settlements and impressive museums, an area inhabited since the Iberian period. Climb to Puig Castellar, a colony built by the Laeitani tribe in the sixth century, to learn about the archaeological importance of the area and enjoy views of Barcelona from afar. Or, stroll along La Rambleta, the local go-to spot for some authentic tapas—favorites include Casa Pepe (Sant Carles 36) and Restaurante Santa Lola (Sant Ignasi 14).

Tibidabo Amusement Park

Climb to new heights for the best view in town. The base of this striking mountain, the highest in the Serra de Collserola range at 512 meters, can be reached by the FGC train (L7) to Avinguda Tibidabo from Plaça de Catalunya. Either take the funicular, or lace up your trainers and get to the summit on foot for an extra sense of achievement. The two kilometer trail zigzags up through dense forest and beautiful buildings, leading to the Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor, Tibidabo’s crowning glory, which was finally finished in 1961 after 60 years of construction. Spain’s oldest running amusement park sits just below the church, for those who seek some extra mountain-top thrills.

Museu-Monasteri de Pedralbes

Located at the foot of the Collserola hills, this Gothic monastery was founded in 1326 by King James II of Aragon for his wife, Elisenda de Montcada, who lived adjacent to the monastery for 37 years after her husband’s death in 1327. Until 1982, this was a functioning convent and the spaces where convent life played out are all relatively intact, from the kitchen and refectory to the chapter house and the dormitory. The latter was converted into an exhibition space in 1993 and currently houses a fascinating collection of treasures from the monastery.

This summer, visitors can enjoy the recently opened exhibition, ‘Divine Murals,’ which coincides with the reopening of the chapel of Sant Miquel, a treasure trove of fresco and secco mixed-media paintings, heavily influenced by masters such as Giotto, Simone Martini and the Lorenzetti brothers. A wander round the impressive three-tier cloister, one of the largest in the world, and the meticulously kept, leafy, medicinal herb garden is sure to leave you with a sense of peace. The site is well connected by public transport, either via metro (L3) to Maria Cristina or buses H4, V5, 63, 75 and 78.

Platge de Gavà

A day out at the coast doesn’t have to mean packed coastlines and crowded bars. Just half an hour down the coast, this long, beautiful beach is reachable by the L95 bus, which leaves from Ronda de Universitat, near Plaça de Catalunya. Paddle in the clear waters, grab lunch at one of the xiringuitos dotted along the beachfront, or simply enjoy a picnic away from the city’s tourist masses. If you wish to wander further afield, the GA1 bus connects Gavà Mar (the beach) to the town center of Gavà, where you can find the Minas prehistóricas de Gavà, a fascinating museum about Neolithic mines, or hike to the atmospheric ruins of Castillo Eramprunyá for panoramic views of the surroundings.