The Best Places to see around Barcelona

Barcelona, and Spain itself, has so much to offer and see! Below is a list of the 18 best things to see when you arrive in Barcelona and have some time to get around Spain!

Carnival in Sitges, in February and March

Carnival in Sitges, February 16 to 22 February, the town of Sitges, 35 km south of Barcelona, becomes the place to be for partying non-stop! You have probably heard of Carnivale in Brazil; this is Spain’s version, and has been happening for centuries! It offers tons of cultural and party events. Definitely the place to be for an authentic Spanish festival atmosphere. Last year a group of 75 students from Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona went and came back with the most amazing stories and photos! We can’t wait to do it again this year.

Las Fallas in Valencia, March 15 to 19

Valencia on its own is a beautiful city, but in March, things really heat up with Las Fallas! Las Fallas commemorates Saint Joseph. It is definitely worth the trip from Barcelona to see how Southeast Spain parties on the Mediterranean. It is highly recommended, as last year a huge Erasmus group from BCU headed down there and had an absolute blast.

Ibiza in May

Everyone has heard of the legendary parties of Ibiza. If you love partying to house music this island is a must-visit! The best DJ’s in the world are regulars at the clubs and the beaches of the Balearic Sea are second-to-none. Tons of students from all over the world make the voyage to this Mediterranean paradise.

Sonar Music Festival, June 14 to 16

Every year thousands of people from all over the world flock to Barcelona for the Sonar Music Festival. Taking place from June 14 to 16, it is a huge attraction and an epic weekend. Just ask anyone who has been – a weekend of partying and dancing on the Mediterranean to world-class artists and DJs is not to be missed!

Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, July 6 to 14

In July of every year thousands of Spaniards and tourists flock to the city of Pamplona for the world-famous San Fermín Festival, also known as the Running of the Bulls. Test your mettle by running with the bulls, or just revel in the amazing party atmosphere, and be sure to wear the traditional red and white uniform!

Benicassim Music Festival in Benicassim, July 12 to 15

Every year in Benicassim, located in between Barcelona and Valencia, a huge music festival takes place. It is wildly popular, with people coming to Spain from all over the world to attend.

La Tomatina in Valencia, August 29

Did someone say food fight? In late August, the town of Buñol, a small town outside of Valencia, becomes a veritable battlefield where millions of tomatoes are wielded as weapons by thousands of people. By the end, the streets run red with tomato juice! Afterwards, be sure to shower off in the waterfall with all the locals. An epic journey down south!

Wine Tasting in Tarragona

Tarragona is quite close to Barcelona and a beautiful city with a Gothic quarter and an amazing Cathedral! It exerted major influence in Spain for many years. You will find plenty of beautiful beaches and many small wineries where you can try all different types of Spanish wine.

Port Aventura

Also in Tarragona you will find Port Aventura. If you love fun and excitement it is a must-visit theme park! Easily accessible from Barcelona it features many attractions and different themes from exotic to locales. It’s considered the largest resort in southern Europe. It has plenty of rides, roller coasters, and watersides so you can’t be bored for even a moment. You can easily take chartered bus or train from Barcelona.

Tossa del Mar

If you’re looking to enjoy the Catalan sun and beaches, you need to check out Tossa de Mar! Located on Spain’s famed Costa Brava, it is a town city with small streets and an old medieval wall. It offers gorgeous beaches and fantastic views, especially from the lighthouse. You can even take a boat for a little while and discover private beaches and caves with crystal clear water hidden among the cliffs.

Zaragoza, Lleida and Fiestas de Pilar

This adventure will take you outside of Cataluña and into Zaragoza, another Spanish province. On the way you should stop and visit Lleida, one of the most ancient cities in Cataluña. It has a fantastic cathedral that you can climb up and see the view for miles in every direction. Upon arriving in Zaragoza, definitely check out the Arabic Palace. Similar to Palacio de Alcazar in Seville, it is an intriguing mix of Arabic and Christian design and features beautiful gardens. After you are done with the Palace, make sure you visit another highlight of Zaragoza called The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pilar, another amazing cathedral! If it’s October you’ll have the opportunity to revel in the festival called “Las Fiestas de Pilar” with concerts, dancing and all-around partying! The festival will take place the week of October 12th.

Cadaqués, Sant Pere de Rodes and Port-Lligat

Cadaqués is Mediterranean-style town with beautiful architecture, inspired by the works of one of Spain’s most famous artists – Salvador Dalí. You can also visit the town of Port-Lligat that features the former house of Dali which has been turned into a Dali museum. Then, staying in Costa Brava, head over to the Benedictine monastery Sant Pere de Rodes which features roman-medieval style architecture and expansive views of the Mediterranean.

Madrid, Toledo and Sigüenza

Madrid, located in the exact center of Spain, is the capital city. It is quite a large city so you should allow at least 2-3 days to see what Madrid has to offer. It is an old city with many ancient neighborhoods but the infrastructure is certainly up-to-date. El Prado, an art museum, is definitely a must-see for art lovers. From Madrid you should hit up Toledo. It’s a short drive/train/bus ride and worth checking out. It has many monuments and such a rich history that it has been designated a World Heritage Site. Also not far from Madrid is Sigüenza: it has some really unique attractions to see, with a beautiful Gothic quarter.

Figueres, Girona and Púbol

The province of Cataluña has so many beautiful cities and towns. Yet another example is Figueres, only 45 kilometers from Girona. Salvador Dalí was born in Figueres and it features the Theatre-Museum Gala Salvador Dalí, a sizeable museum designed by Dalí and is very popular with tourists and Spaniards alike. Girona is an ancient city and has its own airport. You will generally find flights to and from Girona are cheaper than El Prat in Barcelona. It has wonderful old cathedrals and plenty of other sites to see. Púbol, located quite close to Girona, features the Castle of Dali, a majestic structure that draws thousands of tourists from all over the world.

Montserrat

Montserrat is a mountain about 1-hour outside of Barcelona. You can take the train from Sants Estacio, and from the bottom of the mountain you can either take the funicular or cable car up to the summit. The famous monastery contains the super-popular Holy Virgin. You can bring your own picnic-style lunch or eat at one of the restaurants at the summit. Offering breathtaking views, definitely allow a full afternoon to explore the many hiking trails and sights from Montserrat.

Los Pireneos - Besalú and Castellfollit de la Roca

Besalú and Castellfollit de la Roca are both located in Catalonia, close to the French Border. Besalú has ancient medieval part close to the city center, and has an extensive Jewish history with many interesting, ancient structures. It features the Medieval Bridge, the biggest in Catalonia. Castellfollit de la Roca is located close to Girona. It is situated on a high basalt cliff, which is really unique and makes for an intriguing visit. There is a cool food museum all about Spanish and Catalan culinary traditions where you can learn the origin of many of Spain’s famous foods! If you are into the local food, we can hook you up with tapas and paella-cooking classes in Barcelona. You can even learn how to make, and then drink, your very own sangria!

South of France

One of the nicest things about Barcelona is it’s close proximity to France. Many people living in Barcelona often visit cities like Arles, Nimes, Avignon, Carcassonne, Colliure, Montpellier and Perpignan. They are so close that you can take a train to most of them in a few hours. So get ready to practice your French!

Skiing and Snowboarding in Andorra

If you are a skier or snowboarder then the country of Andorra is for you! Sandwiched in between the borders of France and Spain, thousands of Europeans flock to the Pyrenees mountain range to enjoy the snow each winter! Both beginners and experts are welcome!

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