September is the perfect month for day trips from Barcelona. The summer heat softens, the crowds thin out, and the towns and landscapes surrounding the city show themselves at their very best. If you have a few days in Barcelona and want to explore beyond the city, this is your month.
And if you arrive with luggage, you know what to do: drop your bags at our luggage storage in Barcelona, at Carrer Sepúlveda 123, right next to the Aerobús airport bus stop, open 24 hours every day. Store your bags and set off to explore Catalonia with total freedom.
1. Sitges — Sea, Culture & Mediterranean Charm
Just 35 minutes from Barcelona by train, Sitges is probably the easiest and most complete day trip you can do from the city. The Rodalies R2 Sud commuter train departs from Sants, Passeig de Gràcia, or Barcelona-França stations every 20 minutes, and tickets cost just a few euros.
In September, Sitges is at its best: the beaches are still in full swing, the Mediterranean water retains the warmth of summer, and the crowds drop significantly compared to July and August. The old town, with its cobblestone streets and bougainvillea-draped houses, invites you to stroll without a rush. The church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla and the Museu Cau Ferrat — the former home of painter Santiago Rusiñol — are unmissable visits.
For lunch, the seafront promenade has options for every taste, from beach bars with rice dishes and seafood to more elaborate Catalan cuisine restaurants. And if you feel like extending the day, Sitges has a surprisingly lively nightlife scene for a town of 30,000.
Tip: if you’re leaving Barcelona with airport luggage, store it at our luggage lockers in Barcelona before catching the train. Sitges on foot, without bags, is a completely different experience.
2. Cadaqués — The Most Beautiful Village on the Costa Brava
Cadaqués is one of those places you never forget. White-washed houses, crystal-clear coves, wooden fishing boats, and a Mediterranean light that explains why Salvador Dalí chose this corner of the Costa Brava to live and work. The Dalí House-Museum in Portlligat, just minutes from the village, is one of the most original visits in all of Catalonia.
September is the best time to go: summer ends, prices drop, and the village regains its usual calm. The nearby coves — Cala Nans, Cala Jugadora, Cala Es Pianc — are perfect for a peaceful swim.
How to get there: the most direct option is the Sarfa bus from Barcelona’s Estació del Nord, with a journey of around 2h45min to 3h15min. You can also combine the AVE train to Figueres (around 55 minutes) and then a bus to Cadaqués. Given the travel time, the ideal plan is to leave early and return in the late afternoon.
Practical tip: Cadaqués is a destination best enjoyed at a relaxed pace. If you arrive in Barcelona the night before from the airport, store your bags at our Barcelona luggage storage — open 24 hours — and start the day trip fresh from the first hour.
3. Montserrat — Mountain, Monastery & Endless Views
Just 40 minutes from Barcelona, Montserrat is one of the most impressive day trips you can take from the city. The mountain massif, with its unique rock formations that look like they belong on another planet, is home to the famous Montserrat Monastery, seat of the Black Madonna, patron saint of Catalonia.
In September, temperatures on the mountain are perfect for hiking: no oppressive summer heat, no autumn chill. The trails surrounding the monastery offer spectacular views over the Catalan plains, the Mediterranean on clear days, and the Pyrenees on the horizon. The most popular routes lead up to Sant Joan (by funicular or on foot) and to the Santa Cova.
How to get there: take the R5 FGC train from Plaça Espanya station to Monistrol de Montserrat, and from there the rack railway up to the monastery. The full journey takes around 1h15min and tickets can be bought as a combined package from Barcelona.
Montserrat can be visited in half a day, making it an ideal trip to combine with an afternoon back in Barcelona. If you arrive that same day from the airport, drop your bags at our luggage storage lockers in Barcelona in the morning, head up to Montserrat, and collect your things in the afternoon before heading to your hotel.
Why September is the Best Month for These Day Trips
- Fewer tourists: the summer peak has passed and destinations regain their calm.
- Ideal weather: pleasant temperatures, guaranteed sunshine, and the sea still warm.
- Lower prices: hotels, restaurants, and activities tend to be more affordable than in August.
- Better experience: you can enjoy these towns as they really are, without queues or crowds.
Store Your Luggage & Explore Without Limits
If you’re passing through Barcelona, just arrived by flight, or have a few hours before check-in, our luggage storage in Barcelona is the perfect starting point for any of these day trips.
📍 Carrer Sepúlveda 123, Barcelona 🚇 Urgell Metro (L1) — 1 minute on foot 🚌 Aerobús airport bus stop — steps from the door
🔓 Open 24 hours, every day
💻 Book online or walk straight in — no hassle
Drop your bags, catch the train, and discover the best of Catalonia.