Forget Barcelona! These 4 authentic cities less than 2 hours drive are less busy

When it comes to the summers in Europe, Barcelona seems to be the number one destination in everyone’s thoughts.

Despite the rising anti-country sentiment and the rising crowds, tourists continue to flow to the Spanish city year after year.

Between the walking of the charming Gothic neighborhood, while you slowly go to La Sagrada Familia, and lounge on the golden sand of La Barceloneta while the Mediterranean Sea gently strokes your feet, it certainly feels like the sky (occasionally).

That is, if you can look past the hectic urban scenes, the angry -looking locals put in picket signs that encourage you to ‘go home!’, And all pick pockets and scammers.

Now, if you don’t just want your way through a mass of bodies Ellen 4 smaller Catalan cities Less than two hours away from Barcelona:

Tossa de Mar

The only remaining reinforced city on the Catalan coast, Tossa de Mar is best known for its Photo-Perfect sandy beachCuddled by clear blue seas, its maze of paved alleys, almost unchanged since the Middle Ages and his artistic legacy.

Although Barcelona is known for its Gaudí associations, the picturesque Tossa was once the home of artists such as Rafael Benet, a Catalan painter, Enric Casanovas, a prominent 20th-century sculptor, and Marc Chagall, one of the leading figures in Surealism.

They were all attracted by the city romantic atmosphere And Bohemian character, with Chagall itself who calls the ‘blue paradise’ – and guess, the picturesque coastal rit from Barcelona to Tossa takes a little more than an hour (more precisely, 1h15).

Castell Defels

If you are looking for a shorter day trip, Castelldefels you need to go is easy to reach from Barcelona, via a 25 -minute train ride, it has one about More than 3 miles unspoilt golden sandMuch wider and less busy than the most important beaches of the city and family -friendly shallow waters.

With a view of the historic center, the striking red brick Castell deefs Castle is a must-see for culture lovers: it offers the best view over the coast from the highest tower, and you can even visit temporary exhibitions in the summer.

For the gourmets there are, the coastal promenade is covered in Castelldefels Cozy cafés and beach barsServing delicious paella and freshly drawn fish at affordable prices, and the best thing is that you rarely have to book a table! There is almost always room for walk-ins.

Besalú

Now, if you do not necessarily take care of the beaches, and your primary reason to visit this part of Spain is to take on the sights, you cannot miss Besalú, A settlement on the river dating from the Middle Ages On a 1h30 drive northeast of Barcelona.

The home base of a Romanesque bridge, all the way back in the 12th century, a castle in the hilltop near the confluence of two winding rivers, and one of the best preserved Jewish quarters in Spain, it is the kind of real postcard so beautiful that it seems AI made.

Given that most newspapers leave Barcelona for the day, are on their way to both Sitges or Girona, less well -known cities such as Besalú Keep keep Flies under the radarAnd are therefore a lot more peaceful in comparison.

Lleida

A uncomfortable cultural hub in the west of Catalonia, Lleida is one City center rich in history And the home base of a food scene that most tourists still have to discover. Believe us, some of the best Maarifarras (Catalan sausages) cannot be found in the La Boqueria market in Barcelona, but here instead.

Lleida is also regionally famous for its Fort-like 13th-century cathedral” La Seu VellaAnd adjacent King’s Castle, both located on a hill and the orders of a breathtaking panorama of the timeless cityscape below.

The narrow paths in Central Lleida, the historic stone buildings and the leafy square All hints on his fascinating past, and if you think Barcelona is the only nightlife that is worth traveling in Catalonia, wait until you try Lleida’s lively, bars-packed Els Vins district. After all, this is a university city.

Are you going to Spain this summer?

Don’t forget to use our newly launched Top 1-minute Trip Check tool to ensure all your documents, access grabbing and bags are in order.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior leader at Travel Off Path, has more than 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving stories from Paris!), And a talent for converting the images-path experiences into informative stories with which you can pack your bags.