Barcelona is an amazing city, but every once in a while you need to disconnect and enjoy a nice rural weekend. That’s why in Willy’s Plan we have prepared a selection of the 10 most beautiful villages near Barcelona.
In these magical towns, which combine nature with the best of the past and the best of the present, you can breathe fresh air and recharge your batteries. And best of all, they are very close to Barcelona. Don’t miss them!
Sitges
If we talk about coastal towns near Barcelona Sitges is an essential destination that you can not miss.
Between the sea and the mountains, it is not only one of the most popular spots in the Mediterranean with the best beaches in Catalonia (LINK), but is already almost a brand, attracting a myriad of artistic and recreational activities such as carnival or the famous film festival. The Paseo Marítimo, the Pecat street, the Casa Bacardí….With a wide and versatile cultural, gastronomic and nightlife offer, you can adapt the plan whether you want a quiet family plan, a romantic plan with your partner in Barcelona or an outing to the bars and party with your friends.
Don’t miss our Hiking trails and excursions in the Garraf area!
2. Mura
In the heart of Bages, The Natural Park of Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac has many places to discover. Within this wonderful natural environment, is Mura, an iconic and tiny medieval village perfect to escape from overcrowding.
Its name, Mura, comes from the Latin murus, which means wall. These walls served as a defense for centuries to safeguard the nearby towns and today retain their medieval charm, highlighting the perfect state of preservation of its houses and narrow stone streets.
There, we can find for example the farmhouse of El Puig de la Balma, where the filming took place.
Pa Negre was filmed,
as well as other points of interest, such as the hermitage of Sant Antoni or the church of Sant Martí. In addition, the area is surrounded by places to explore, with some of the most beautiful the best waterfalls and waterfalls in Catalonia, such as Font l’Era or Gorg del Pare. as the Font de l’Era or the Gorg del Pare.
This village near Barcelona is not only perfect for lovers of medieval architecture, but also of gastronomy, with a variety of bars and restaurants offering the best of Catalan cuisine at very good prices.
Don’t miss our Hiking trails and excursions in Mura!
3. Tavertet
Tavertet, in the Osona region, with just over 100 inhabitants, is one of the most charming villages near Barcelona. Being fortunate enough to be located in the middle of Les Guilleries and the Collsacabra mountain range, Tavertet enjoys breathtaking views and is considered one of the most beautiful places in the world. the best viewpoints in Catalonia.
The town itself is not to be missed either, due to the good preservation of its streets and buildings from the XVII and XVIII centuries. In fact, the old town has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest, where we can highlight the Church of Sant Cristófol, built in the eleventh century. This mythical town is perfect to make a mountains route through Barcelona.
Don’t miss our Routes and excursions in Tavertet.
4. Rupit i Pruit
One of the medieval villages near Barcelona that we always recommend is Rupit i Pruit, whose history dates back to the ninth century. Located in the Osona region and in the eastern part of the Sierra de Cabrera, the municipality is the last village in the province of Barcelona before reaching Girona and is divided into two distinct but equally charming nuclei.
Despite having just over 250 inhabitants, it is famous for its stone houses, its suspension bridge and its incredible natural environment, and on weekends and during the summer it fills up with tourists eager to enjoy culture, nature and good gastronomy.
For hiking lovers, less than an hour walk from the center of the village we find the waterfall of Sallent, the highest waterfall in Catalonia, with 100 meters of vertical drop. One of its curiosities is that, despite being a town considered medieval, its charm lies neither in its walls nor in its castle, of which there are hardly any remains, but in the rustic and cozy air given off by its stone houses, built between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. That is to say, walking through its historic center will make you travel to a distant era.
Don’t miss our Hiking trails and excursions in Rupit!
5. Talamanca
If we talk about beautiful places near Barcelona, located in the region of Bages in the middle of the Natural Park of Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac, we find Talamanca, a picturesque medieval village full of history and culture.
It is curious to look at the mountains around Talamanca and observe the shapes of the artificial terraces on the slopes, although covered with vegetation. Most of the surrounding mountains were used for the cultivation of vineyards in times of splendor of wine production in the region of Bages, for which the population achieved great economic prosperity..
We recommend a stroll through its streets and stone houses and of course its castle, a well-known monument that was rebuilt as a fortified mansion in the eighteenth century. Beyond its core, you can visit different places, such as the wine presses of Las Siete Tinas, the Ojos del Llobregat or the Chapel of Santa Magdalena.
Don’t miss our hiking trails and excursions in Talamanca!
Caldes de Montbui
Located in the Vallès Oriental, Caldes de Montbui is one of the perfect destinations for those who like to enjoy the thermal tourism and especially for those who want a good relaxing getaway in Catalonia.
As you can imagine, Caldes means “hot” and this is due to the fact that the waters that flow under this locality reach up to 74ºC, being one of the hottest waters in Europe. The Romans themselves took advantage of this in their day, creating thermal baths that are still the best preserved in the peninsula today.
Don’t miss our hiking trails and excursions in Caldes de Montbui!
7. Castellar de N'Hug
Located in the Berguedá region, Castellar de N’Hug, which in the 19th century became a famous village inhabited by smugglers, is now one of the best villages to visit near Barcelona.
We can enjoy the scenery from the viewpoint, admiring the spectacular way in which its medieval and Romanesque buildings blend with the rocks of the mountains.
Among other monuments, the Church of Santa Maria and the Church of San Vicente de Rus or the Museum of the Shepherd stand out. Close to places like Las Fonts del Llobrgat, this destination is ideal for a getaway in the middle of nature. The whisper of its waterfalls and its environment of lush green vegetation will transport you to a fairytale landscape. In addition, this place is famous for making the best handmade sausages and cooking giant croissants weighing more than 1 kg, so you’ll be able to get your boots on.
Don’t miss our hiking trails and excursions in Castellar de N’hug!
Palafolls
Palafolls, in the region of Maresme in Catalonia, is one of the most outstanding historical and cultural destinations to visit in Barcelona province.
In addition to a varied gastronomic offer and an average temperature of 16 ºC, ideal for hiking trails throughout the year, it is worth mentioning its important architectural heritage; the Castell de Palafolls, the church of Santa María de Assumpta, the Igesia de Sant Genís de Palafoll or the farmhouses of different styles such as Cal Alsina, Mas Florit or Can n’Homs,
In the same town you can visit the Marineland water park, where in addition to all the attractions, there are also exhibitions with dolphins, sea lions, penguins, flamingos, storks or peacocks, which makes it a perfect destination for an unforgettable getaway with children in Catalonia.
Don’t miss our hiking routes and excursions around Palafolls!
9. Manresa
Located just one hour from Barcelona, in the region of Bages, just at the corner where the rivers Llobregat and Cardener meet, we arrive at the town of Manresa. A rich medieval past and a fascinating artistic and historical heritage together with a remarkable modernist architecture and an outstanding gastronomy make Manresa a perfect weekend getaway.
The modernist Manresa, the stained glass windows of the beautiful Gothic Seu, the cave of San Ignacio, the Jesuit Escorial, the Parc de la Sèquia… The Bagés region is a real wonder. You can not miss a walk along Carrer del Balç, a beautiful street that is still intact and is the greatest exponent of the Middle Ages in the city.
You also have to cross the classic Old Bridge, which although it was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War, could be rebuilt imitating the first one, which was a great example of Romanesque architecture of the time. However, be careful when crossing the bridge because according to legends, devils hide under the bridge and cast a spell on everyone who passes by.
Don’t miss our hiking routes and excursions around Manresa!
10. Berga
In the Berguedá region, as the gateway to the Catalan Pyrenees, we find another of the most spectacular villages near Barcelona, Berga.
One of the most fun routes in Berga is to go mushroom hunting. Since many of them grow in this area, it is a very popular plan for both locals and tourists, who go out to fill their baskets while enjoying a pleasant walk through the unique and beautiful nature of its forests and trails. That’s why this place near Barcelona is also a perfect destination for lovers of good gastronomy, especially if you like mushroom specialties. You will lick your fingers!
In addition to the historic center, where you will know all the legacy of the town and the details of the daily life of its inhabitants, one of the must-see places to visit in Berga is the Queralt mountain range, with amazing views where you can see the Montseny, Sant Llorenç de Munt and the Sierra de l’Obac.
Don’t miss our hiking trails and excursions around Berga!
