Еhe smell of fried squid, street musicians on La Rambla, the smell of the sea mixed with the aroma of coffee from the morning cafes. But after a few days, I felt that the city was not enough for me; I wanted to see what Catalonia was like beyond its borders. I decided to organize day trips from Barcelona to feel the real atmosphere of the region. And, frankly, it turned out to be one of the best trips of my life.
Mountain air of Montserrat
The first thing I did was go to Montserrat. Already on the cable car ride up I felt my lungs filling with fresh mountain air. The rocks here look as if they were hand-carved by some ancient titans. The monastery is especially quiet, and only the voices of the boys from the choir penetrate the high vaults, sounding almost unearthly. Sitting on a bench in front of the entrance to the temple, I looked for a long time at the clouds clinging to the mountain peaks, and thought that for this feeling it was worth breaking away from the city noise.
Sea and freedom in Sitges
The next day I went to Sitges and it was a complete immersion into a different atmosphere. The warm breeze, the sound of the waves and that smell of salt that gets into your skin and hair make the city special. Walking along the promenade, I felt free and relaxed. Sitges is made for taking your time: wine in a glass, light music from the open bars, warm sand under your feet.
Immersion in the history of Girona
Girona struck me with its historical atmosphere. The narrow streets of the Jewish quarter seem to transport you back in time. Stone walls, steps where monks and merchants once walked - all this breathes history. And yes, I could not resist and went to the very locations that were used in the filming of "Game of Thrones". But even without this, the city leaves a strong impression: it seems alive, but at the same time frozen in time.
The taste of wine and warm sunsets of Penedès
The trip to Penedès was a real gastronomic discovery. Catalan wineries are not just a place for tasting, but a real culture. I tasted cava, watched the sun set behind the vineyards, and caught that very moment when the day smoothly flows into evening. The atmosphere there is surprisingly calm, and time seems to pass more slowly.
Conclusion
Each trip opened up a new side of Catalonia – mountains, sea, history, wine, small towns and warm encounters with locals. Back in Barcelona, I felt like I got to know it better through these little trips around. If you ever find yourself in this region, don’t limit yourself to the city. By the way, the https://www.tripluster.com website was very helpful in planning my routes – I found detailed and really useful tips there.
