Don't have a vacation? Escape to these charming places near Barcelona.

BarcelonaFor those of you who aren't on vacation yet and are counting down the days until you leave, summer can be a great time to take short getaways near Barcelona and discover charming spots you might not yet know about. Here are our suggestions:

Three charming towns

Garraf

Nestled in the heart of the Garraf mountain range, this small coastal village of whitewashed houses began to emerge in the late 19th century as a primitive fishing village, only to become, a few years later, a popular bathing and summer retreat. One of its most iconic spots is the cove known as Las Casetas del Garraf, a group of old wooden huts originally used to store fishing gear and which today offer a landscape full of personality.

Mura

Hidden in the heart of PAmong the natural arches of Sant Llorenç del Munt and Obac, we find Mura, a small gem that maintains its medieval village essence. Strolling through the old town, you'll find several historic houses associated with the area's ancient trades. If you enjoy walking, you can explore ridges, streams, pools, caves, fountains, and grottos, following one of the many paths and trails that lead out of the town.

Castellet and Gornal

This municipality in the Alt Penedès region offers several attractions, including privileged views of the Foix reservoir and a visit to the 10th-century Castellet fortress. The castle was built to control the eastern sector of the Penedès plain during the conflict between Christians and Muslims. Throughout history, it has undergone various transformations, and today you can visit this majestic castle of great archaeological value that blends different architectural styles.

Three viewpoints with views

MNAC viewing terraces

The National Art Museum of Catalonia has two viewing terraces on the rooftops of the National Palace open to the public, offering a panoramic view of Barcelona. A 360-degree view of the city from where you can see the main buildings and monuments that make up theskyline from Barcelona: from the Sagrada Familia to the Agbar Tower and the buildings of the Olympic Village to the facilities that make up the Olympic Ring.

Collserola Tower

The Collserola Tower has a public viewing platform located 560 meters above sea level, making it one of the best places to enjoy the views of Barcelona and its metropolitan area. In good weather, the view can extend up to 70 km, offering magnificent panoramic views of the city. Collserola Park, Montserrat, and even the Cadí-Moixeró mountain range. Access to the viewpoint is via a panoramic elevator that travels the 135 meters to the viewing platform in two and a half minutes.

Miravinya. Route of viewpoints

If you want to discover the landscapes of the Penedès, you can take a route through the viewpoints that make up the Miravinya project. A car tour of the ten Miravinya viewpoints where each stop is a window into the essence of this land. The route can begin at the viewpoint of the Hermitage of San Elías de Mediona and end at the Balcón del Penedès in Font-Rubí, passing, among others, the viewpoints of Torrelavit, Subirats, and Castellví de la Marca.

Three places for cultural exploration

Novella Palace

If you're looking for an interesting two-for-one, you can include Olivella, the gateway to the Garraf Natural Park, on your list of towns to visit. Its beautiful old town is located on top of a small hill, and via Calle Mayor you'll reach the parish church of Sant Pere and Sant Feliu, built in 1430 on the remains of Castell Nou and renovated in the 17th century. Take advantage of your time in the area to take a guided tour of the Palau Novella, a modernist building from 1890 that became the spiritual home of the Sakya Tashi Ling Buddhist community. You'll discover how this enclave has been transformed into a space for meditation, learning, and connection with nature.

Colonia Güell

An opportunity to discover part of the Baix Llobregat region's industrial past with a visit to the iconic modernist colony that still retains its 19th-century atmosphere. A must-see is the Crypt designed by Antoni Gaudí, where the architect experimented with the innovations he would later apply to the Sagrada Família.

Castelldefels Castle

Take advantage of the summer to discover Castelldefels Castle, a leisure and cultural complex offering a variety of options: stroll freely through its gardens or take a guided tour that takes you through Piratia, the Piracy Interpretation Center, and the castle's various rooms, such as the noble hall and the church. These spaces explain the defensive and social functions of the fortification, as well as the legends and curiosities surrounding this emblematic building..

Three museums to discover

Palau Mercader Museum

The Palau Mercader Museum is located in the middle of Can Mercader Park in Cornellà de Llobregat. The palace in Cornellà was renovated to house some Neo-Arabic furniture collections, as well as other collections. It is a striking example of the lifestyles and tastes of the Catalan upper classes who lived between the 19th and 20th centuries.

Renaissance Museum

Located in the Requesens Palace in Molins de Rei, the Renaissance Museum houses an interesting collection of paintings, sculptures, and Renaissance objects from the town and from the collections of other museums with which it collaborates. Construction of the Palau began in the late 15th century, but it enjoyed its period of greatest splendor in the 16th century. Prominent figures and monarchs, such as the Catholic Monarchs and Emperor Charles V, stayed here repeatedly.

Thermalia Museum

A spa town par excellence, Caldes de Montbui offers a visit to the Thermalia, a series of buildings and collections that summarize the town's basic historical features: Roman baths, a Romanesque chapel, a Gothic civil building, and an 18th-century manor house. You can take several guided tours, such as the one that will allow you to discover the spa town by visiting the ancient Roman baths from the late 2nd century BC; the Font del Lleó, which provides water at a temperature of 74°C; the modernist dining room of the former Can Rius spa; and the Portalera thermal wash house, where the "Mignon de la Portalera" (the evil one of the Portalera baths) is still found, where the "Zueco" (the clog) is still washed today.