Barcelona is a city surrounded by a rich and varied natural environment. Flanked by both sea and mountain, and with landscapes such as the Ebro Delta, the Costa Brava and the Pyrenees just a short distance away, Barcelona offers multiple possibilities for all kinds of multi-adventure activities suited to the interests, levels and abilities of your group of pupils. In this article we outline the activities and excursions you can do on your end-of-year trip to Barcelona.
Although Barcelona is a large city with important cultural attractions, monuments to discover and endless leisure options, in its surrounding area we find some very interesting places that are well worth a visit. If your school trip to Barcelona lasts between 4 and 5 days, it is well worth doing some of the excursions we describe below: a stroll around Sitges, a fun day at PortAventura, nautical sports on the coast, an excursion to nearby Montserrat, or a visit to Tibidabo Mountain within Barcelona itself. Pay close attention!
Excursion to Sitges
Sitges is a coastal town surrounded by the mountainous Garraf Natural Park. It is known for its Mediterranean beaches and its pleasant seafront promenade lined with grand mansions. Located just 40 kilometres from Barcelona, the excursion to Sitges is one of the most interesting you can do from the Catalan capital. This charming seaside town is defined by two key features: an old town full of life, where you can wander and get pleasantly lost without worrying about too many monumental sights; and a widespread atmosphere of respect, acceptance and diversity amongst all its inhabitants.
Some of the most important streets to walk along include Carrer d’en Bosc, the oldest street in Sitges, and the Carrer del Pecat (Sin Street), one of Sitges’ main thoroughfares and the epicentre of Catalan gay culture. If your excursion to Sitges leaves you wanting more, these are the monuments you can visit on your end-of-year trip: the Cau Ferrat Museum, the Maricel Museum, the Church of Saint Bartholomew and Saint Tecla, and Sitges Town Hall.
A Day at PortAventura
To make your end-of-year trip to Barcelona a resounding success, another possible excursion on your school trip to Barcelona would be to visit the amazing PortAventura theme park: a veritable miniature city packed with attractions of every kind. It is divided into 5 different themed areas — Far West, Mediterranean, Polynesia, Mexico and China — where you can enjoy roller coasters, major rides, children’s zones and magnificent shows at every corner of the park.
Discover the thrilling rides in the Mexico area, dare to ride the Dragon Khan in China — the enormous red roller coaster with its 8 loops and plummeting drops — and travel to the Far West to dodge the rushing waters of the Grand Canyon Rapids. And for something a bit calmer, visit Polynesia. In addition to these exciting rides, there are over 100 live shows, from dancing and acrobatics to shootouts in the Wild West. Do not miss this great excursion on your end-of-year trip to Barcelona!
Nautical Multi-adventure on the Coast
Another possible excursion on your school trip to Barcelona could be spending a full day on the Barcelona coast and taking part in a day of nautical multi-adventure activities. Water sports are a perfect option for introducing children to new experiences, helping them develop new skills and perhaps discover new talents. Sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and paddleboarding are some of the most popular nautical activities. Some of these sports require the collaboration and cooperation of all members of the school group, whilst others are more focused on individual effort, self-discovery and personal achievement.
There are numerous coastal locations for all these adventure activities: the Barcelona Coast, which includes towns such as Mataró, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Castelldefels, Badalona and others, as well as the marina areas of Barcelona city itself and the Port Olímpic, where numerous water sports companies offer boundless fun on the sea.
Hiking in Montserrat
Montserrat is a unique natural park in the world and one of the most visited natural landscapes in Spain. This jagged mountain range stands at an altitude of 1,236 metres and is home to the Sanctuary of the Patron Saint of Catalonia. The excursion to Montserrat on your end-of-year trip to Barcelona will be a breath of fresh air: a nature escape and a cultural visit all in one. All this just over 30 kilometres from the city. From Barcelona we can travel by train or coach and along the way we will pass through some of the most picturesque villages in the region, heading towards the village of Monistrol de Montserrat. From there we will take the famous Montserrat rack railway, which brings us up to the Monastery at the summit in just 15 minutes.
On this day excursion we encounter two important locations. First, the Montserrat Massif, an enormous rocky formation rising from a flat surrounding landscape. The shapes of this mountain are so peculiar that you will find yourselves entertained spotting and imagining the forms of animals and people in the rocks. Second, the Monastery of Montserrat, or Santa Maria de Montserrat, a Benedictine monastery situated at 700 metres above sea level.
Nature in Barcelona: Tibidabo Mountain
The Collserola Natural Park is considered the green lung of the Barcelona metropolitan area. It extends across 8,000 hectares dominated by woodland. The highest point in this park is Tibidabo Mountain, which can be seen from virtually any point in the city. This visit is an ideal excursion on your end-of-year trip from Barcelona, given its proximity to the city and the opportunities it offers.
To reach the Parc de Collserola you should take the S2 line to Sabadell or the S1 to Terrassa on the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC), and alight at Baixador de Vallvidrera station. On arrival, we recommend visiting the Park Information Centre first, where staff will brief you on various straightforward hiking routes through the park.
Practical Guide to Organising Your School Trip to Barcelona
Barcelona is a city that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Do you want to know everything about this city so you do not miss a thing on your trip? We reveal the best neighbourhoods, share its secrets and encourage you to enjoy the full experience on your end-of-year trip to Barcelona. Here is everything you need to know:
- How to organise your end-of-year trip to Barcelona
- The most important neighbourhoods in Barcelona
- Activities and excursions on your end-of-year trip to Barcelona
- Why visit Barcelona on your end-of-year trip?
- 15 experiences to enjoy on your school trip to Barcelona
For more information about all the end-of-year trips we organise to Barcelona from Natuaventura, write to us at info@natuaventura.com or call us on 91 714 06 36.
