Quick answer From Barcelona, Sitges is about 35 minutes away, Montserrat about an hour, and Girona and Tarragona about an hour to an hour and a quarter, with one-way fares from 90 euros in an Economy sedan.
Barcelona is a city you could spend a week in, and yet some of Catalonia's best experiences sit just outside it: a seaside town of white houses, a monastery on a serrated mountain, a medieval city with a river of coloured houses and a Roman amphitheatre above the sea. All four are within about an hour or so by road, which makes them ideal day trips with a private driver. This guide covers each, with distances, timings and our published one-way fares.
All times are approximate and assume normal traffic. Summer weekends and the return on Sunday evenings can add time.
The four trips at a glance
| Destination | Typical journey time | One-way fare, Economy sedan |
|---|---|---|
| Sitges | 35 to 45 min | from €90 |
| Montserrat | about 1 h | from €120 |
| Girona | about 1 h to 1 h 15 | from €150 |
| Tarragona | about 1 h to 1 h 15 | from €150 |
Fares are one-way transfers from Barcelona city centre or the airport on our published list, and your exact fare is confirmed before you pay. Larger vehicles are on the same price list. For a full day with waiting time, a chauffeur by the hour is often the better way to book.
Sitges: the easy beach day
Sitges is about 35 kilometres south-west of Barcelona, a 35 to 45 minute drive. It is an old fishing town with a promenade, a church above the sea and a relaxed atmosphere, and it is the simplest seaside outing from the city. A half day is enough: walk the old town, have lunch by the water and be back in Barcelona for the evening. From the airport it is even closer, which makes it a natural first stop for a beach holiday.
Montserrat: the mountain monastery
Montserrat is a mountain range with a Benedictine monastery set high in its rock formations, about an hour from the city. People come for the basilica, the views and the walking trails. The final approach is a mountain road, so a driver who knows it is an advantage, especially in busy periods. Book the day around any timed activity and check opening hours before you go.
Girona: the medieval city
Girona is a walled medieval city about an hour to an hour and a quarter from Barcelona, known for its old Jewish quarter, its cathedral steps and the coloured houses along the river. It combines well with the Costa Brava, and you can read more in our Barcelona to Costa Brava guide. A full day gives you time for the old town, lunch and a walk along the walls.
Tarragona: Roman Catalonia
Tarragona lies about an hour to an hour and a quarter south-west of Barcelona and was once a major Roman city. Its amphitheatre above the sea, its walls and its old town make it one of the best places in Spain to see the Roman past. It pairs well with a lunch by the port, and some visitors continue to the beach towns further down the coast.
Which trip suits you?
- One short day: Sitges, because the drive is short and the beach is the point.
- Culture and hiking: Montserrat, with an early start to avoid the crowds.
- History and food: Girona, with a full day and a long lunch.
- Roman sites: Tarragona, which also pairs with a seaside afternoon.
Practical tips
- Book early in summer. Popular days and weekends fill up.
- Check opening hours and tickets. Monuments and the monastery have timed entries and closing days.
- Tell us your group and luggage. We choose a vehicle that fits everyone comfortably, and child seats can be requested at booking.
- Agree the return time. If you want a driver to wait, say so when you book and we plan the day around it.
- Think about the weather. Montserrat can be cooler and cloudier than the city, so bring a layer.
Questions travellers ask
How long does it take to get from Barcelona to Sitges? About 35 to 45 minutes by road.
How much is a private transfer from Barcelona to Montserrat? From €120 in an Economy sedan, one way, confirmed before you pay.
Is Girona or Tarragona the better day trip? Girona suits medieval history and the Costa Brava, Tarragona suits Roman sites and the sea. Both are about the same distance.
Can the driver wait for me? Yes. For a day with waiting time, book a chauffeur by the hour.
Final thoughts
Barcelona makes an excellent base. Choose the trip that fits your interests, book a driver who handles the road and enjoy the day without a timetable. A pre-booked private transfer turns a plan with several buses into a single, comfortable journey.
For more in the city, read the best places to visit in Barcelona, learn about a private chauffeur in Barcelona or compare the airport transfer options.
Written by the LuxRide Transfer team. Journey times and distances are estimates for normal conditions and can change with traffic, events and season. Check operators' own timetables and fares before you travel.
