Lance & Dua Pinson
Barcelona explorers, bloggers, and youtubers
One Day Trip from Barcelona: Sant Cugat del Vallès
Reasons to visit the historic town
About this guide
For us, a day trip to Sant Cugat became a perfectly relaxing experience with a nice cultural fix. Sort of a mini-vocation. So, we have made this small guide to help you decide if you should visit this charming town.
Sant Cugat del Vallès
🏘️ Historic town close to BarcelonaLance & Dua Pinson
🏰 About Sant Cugat
It is an ancient town located in the hills above the Catalan capital. It is close enough to Barcelona, so you get the city buzz, but far enough for you to enjoy some peace and quiet. Sant Cugat del Vallès is home to a medieval abbey famous for its beautiful Romanesque architecture. This monastery was once under the patronage of the counts of Barcelona and nowadays is turned into a museum.
🚊 Just a quick ride by train
Sant Cugat del Vallès is located just around 16 km from the center of Barcelona. The simplest way to get there is to take the train from Barcelona’s Plaça de Catalunya station, and in 20 minutes, you will already be there.
⛪ Discover the Sant Cugat monastery
The monastery was founded back in the 9th century on the spot where Sant Cugat or Saint Cucuphas died a martyr. Nowadays, it is a well-preserved medieval ensemble surrounded with fortified walls. You can explore the abbey’s peaceful cloister and discover images of different magical creatures carved from stone by an ancient master. Walk under the vaulted ceilings of the Gothic Basilica. Admire medieval art and climb the bell tower to enjoy a panoramic view of the surroundings.
🥐 Walk to Plaça de Pere San
It is a charming square in front of a local market. You can stop by the market to buy some souvenirs and delicious snacks from local producers or grab a cup of coffee at one of the nearby cafés.
🏞️ Connect with nature
Sant Cugat del Vallès borders Collserola Natural Park, filled with mountains, picturesque river valleys, pastoral farms, and abandoned heritages. There are many interesting trails for hikers and nice chill spots for those who just want a nice stroll.