My husband and I (both 28 years old) will be in Barcelona at the end of March for 5 days and would love to do 1 day trip. We only have 9 days in Spain, and are going to Madrid for the second part of the trip, but would like to see a couple more cities by taking a couple easy (preferably less than 3 hrs away by train) day trips. We'd be fine leaving early in the am and coming back late at night, but would be staying in our hotel in Barcelona.

Any recommendations??

Thank you!

Lori

Girona is a lovely old historic city less than an hour by train north of Barcelona - Figueras is a so-so city - nice enough but if famed as the home of the eccentric Dali Museum - Zaragoza is a large neat city 1.5 hours by train towards Madrid. There are many others - even over the border in France - like Coulieres a lovely seaside village near the Spanish border.

Barcelona is kind of out there in geography, but I think Lonely Planet does a good job of naming the best possibilities

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/europe/t...t-of-barcelona

I've only been to Montserrat (and Figueres but just to change trains) and that's not a city or town, just a sight of interest, of course. But it's very enjoyable. This website has excellent info on how to get there http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...ontserrat.html

Montserrat is my favorite day trip from Barcelona but I did not mention it because it ain't a town or even a village but one of Europe's most popular pilgrimage spots - ornate basilica or whatever they call it houses the venerated Black Madonna (if I recall correctly) and some monks who brew up and sell a very potent liqueur!) Take a suburban train to the foot of the mountain it tops and swing up top by gondola or walk up as penitent pilgrams do!

Here's a recent thread on day trips from Barcelona:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...p-170271-2.cfm

(Searching the board is always a good starting place!)

Zaragoza is just over a 1.5 hour AVE (high speed) train ride from Barcelona.

We loved Tarragona, a former Roman outpost with many structures intact. Perfect for just a day and the Cathedral is one of the most interesting I've ever visited. The Roman walls, Forum, and amphitheater are outstanding. Pleasant rambla with interesting statues.

Highly recommend Almosta Restaurant; all are a short walk from the train station.
http://www.tarragonablog.com

We did a daytrip to Tarragona. We agree with gailscout; however, we went om a Sunday and many things, including the cathedral, were closed. Also, the trains returning to Barcelona were packed with students returning to classes. So, if you decide to go to Tarragona, we'd suggest that you avoid Sunday.

Montserrat is also an interesting trip. We didn't make it to Girona, but it was on our list.

Have fun in Barcelona!

My standard day trip recommendation is Montserrat and San Sadurni d'Anoia. The first is the monastery mentioned above, which is always busy but has the advantage of having the train from Barcelona pull in alongside it. The second is the Cava (Spanish sparkling wine) making town, with several Cava houses who produce wine as good as, or in some cases better than, Champagne.

It's a short rail trip up to Montserrat and you can see the monastery and take the funicular up to the top in 3 or 4 hours maximum, which will enable you to see the buildings, church and the Black Madonna (for UK readers, this is not the Fallen Madonna by Van Klomp).

Then you can travel back down to San Sadurni and visit one of the Cava houses. There's Freixenet, Cordonui or my favourite Cava, Juve y Camps. Check on their websites for details, you will need to arrange your visit at Juve, but IMO it's the best of the lot. Try the Gran or Reserva de la Familia.

I found visiting Montserrat quite boring, and if you want to go for the views and hikes, be sure you pick a clear day to do it. (The singing and the superstition cult of the madonna doesn't require nice weather).

For me, the most interesting town I've seen near Barcelona doable as a day trip is Vic, with fascination around every corner, including its wonderful Catalonian art museum, plus an absolutely stunning central plaza, a Roman temple in town, and excellent food.

We enjoyed visiting the Dalí Museum in Figueres.