From Barcelona there are a number of day-trips which are worth the effort.

MONTSERRAT

Less than one hour away, towards the interior, is the spectacular rocky outcrop of MONSERRAT with its historic abbey.
Huge vertical slabs of rock rising abruptly out of the surrounding plain, Monserrat is like a mini mountain range and offers some good routes for walkers and climbers. On the mountain, there is a sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin of Montserrat, “the Moreneta”, the patron of Catalonia. There are also numerous caves, and you can visit some of them. Getting to Montserrat is also part of the fun, with a cable car and funicular railway to choose from.

Where to eat in Montserrat
There are three restaurants in the Monastery complex where you can recover after an excursion and enjoy good food and views. One is self-service, another offers traditional catalan food while the third is more upmarket.

For more information: Montserrat

How to get to Montserrat
The website for Montserrat has good information about getting there by car or on public transport. 

For more information click here: Montserrat

SITGES

A bit less than one hour from Barcelona, is SITGES, one of the prettiest and most elegant coastal towns in Catalonia. Well-preserved, with good beaches and a number of popular “festivals”-such as February’s carnival- it is worth a visit at any time of year. It is particularly famed for its nightlife, with bars and clubs attracting a lively and often flamboyant crowd. More information: click here
Well known nightclubs include Pacha Sitges or Atlantida which only opens in the summer.

While there, don’t miss out on more leisurely pursuits like wandering through the narrow streets of the old town, or visiting the beach-front Cau Ferrat Museum dedicated to the modernism movement. More information: Cau Ferrat Museum

Where to eat in Sitges

La Torreta: one of the most popular restaurants in Sitges, where rice and fresh fish dishes are the speciality. Address: Port Happy, 17-19. Telephone: 93 894 52 53.

Els 4 Gats: A great place for home-made cuisine.
Address: Sant Pau, 13.
Telephone: 93 894 19 15

Sport bar: Near to the beach is one of the most emblematic and best-known places in Sitges.
Passeig de la Ribera, 48
Telephone: +34 93 811 11 00

How to get to Sitges

Sitges is in the Comarca de Garraf, in the south of the province of Barcelona. It is easy to get to by practically any means of transport.

The RENFE has services every half-an-hour from Barcelona: take the line Vilanova / Geltrú line from Sants Station or Passeig de Gracia Station. Alternatively it takes half an hour by car on the C32 Highway.

TARRAGONA

To the south of Barcelona past Sitges you'll find Tarragona, home to Roman ruins which include a Roman theatre, the forum, the circus and praetorium, and also a fantastic exhibition in the Museu Nacional Arqueològic.

TO THE NORTH OF BARCELONA:

Costa Brava

Tossa de Mar: A ‘blue paradise’, a great place for a relaxing day out. A small white village backing onto a curved bay that ends in a headland protected by medieval walls and towers, Tossa is a truly pleasant stop on the road north along the Costa Brava. In summer, glass-bottomed boats will take you to some enchanting little coves and beaches to the south and north of the main beach, Platja Gran. You can eat in one of the restaurants along Carrer de Tarull.

Palafrugell & Around: One fo the msot spectacular coastlines on the Costa Brava is that around Palafrugell and there are several low key beach resorts that truly warrant some effort. A little way inland, Palafrugell is the local transport hub. From there you can go to Calella de Palafrugell, Llafranc, Tamariu, Aigua Blava and Fornells de Mar>.

L’Escala & Empúries: L’Escala is a pleasant medium-sized resort on the southern shore of the Golf de Roses. It’s close to the ancient town of Empuries, founded around 600 BC, and was probably one of most important Greek colonies in Iberia. You can visit the site from June to September.

Cadaqués The northern end of the Costa Brava is more barren and, for some tastes, more startling that the coast further south. The sprawling white village of Cadaques is one of the highlights of the entire coast. Salvador Dalí spent a lot of time here and in nearby Port Lligat, attracting a stream of celebs to the place. The pretty town and beach front is well worth a stroll, and you’ll find a few art musuems cashing in on the Dalí theme.

CAVA: The Champagne of Sant SADURNÍ d’ANOIA

This town of just over 10,000 habitants has one undeniable attraction: Cava, the Catalan version of Champagne. It is said that the under-soil of the town is occupied entirely by wine cellars. The town is also interesting architecturally with both historic and modern buildings, almost all related to the wine trade, open to guided visits. Don’t miss visiting the vineyards of cava’s most well-known labels: The Freixenet Cavas Frexeinet and the Codorniu Cavas Codorniu Cavas

At the beginning of October, the town celebrates a one week festival dedicated to Cava, organized by the Brotherhood of Cava. One of the main attractions is the Cavatast, a meeting place for lovers of Cava and those who make a living from wine, and a great place to sample the local gastronomy and a huge number of local labels.

For information on guided visits to Cava houses:

Tourist board
Patronato de Turismo
Hospital, 26
08770 St. Sadurní d’Anoia
Tel.: 938 913 188
Fax: 938 914 367
a/e: turisme@stsadurnia.diba.es


Where to eat in Sant Sadurní

Cal Blay: Serves home-made food with a modern-twist. Also has a neighbouring take away delicatessen where the specialities of the restaurant can be bought. C/ Josep Rovira, 27 Cal Blay
Cal Joan Marina: Specialises in grilled meat and has a fixed-priced lunchtime menu. Highway San Quintí, 22
La Cava d’en Sergi: The most sophisticated option. Elaborate and imaginative dishes. C/ Valencia 17

How to get to Sant Sadurní
Sant Sadurní can be reached by bus from Barcelona and by train with Renfe, line C-4 (in the direction of Vilafranca) from Sants station or Plaza Catalunya. It takes some 45 minutes by either option.

By car from Barcelona: Highway AP-7. Exit 27.

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