For a Half Day

Mount Tibidabo: On a clear day, Mount Tibidabo offers unsurpassed views of the city and the Mediterranean in one direction and Montserrat and the Pyrenees in the other. Located on the northwestern edge of Barcelona, the slopes of the mountain are crisscrossed with appealing wooded walks, while the summit is crowned with an old-style amusement park. Transport to the mountain is by FCC metro to Avinguda Tibidabo, then Tramvia Blau tram to Peu de Funicular and funicular railway to the summit.

For a Whole Day

Montserrat: Located some 60km (37 miles) to the northwest of Barcelona, the spectacular peaks of Montserrat have been a major pilgrimage destination for centuries. Today, hordes of tourists flock to ride the cable car to this atmospheric monastery that lurks deep in the rugged mountainside. Numerous miracles have supposedly happened here, centred on the icon of La Moreneta (Black Virgin), allegedly hidden here by St Peter. In addition to the monastery and accompanying museum (tel: (93) 877 7777; www.montserratvisita.com), which features paintings by masters such as El Greco, Caravaggio and Picasso, the mountain hides numerous hermitages and caves, which can be reached on foot via a network of mountain paths. The basilica is open daily 0730-2000 (June to September) and 0800-1830 (October to May), while the museum is open daily 1000-1800 (March to December) and 1000-1645 (January to February). FCC trains to Montserrat depart hourly from Espanya station in Barcelona, to the cable-car terminus at Aeri de Montserrat.

Teatre-Museu Dalí, Figueres: Located in the town of Figueres, 145km (90 miles) northeast of Barcelona and reached by motorway or rail from Passeig de Gràcia, this unusual museum (tel: (97) 267 7500; website: www.salvador-dali.org) is a surrealist showcase of the artist's eccentric imagination. Created by Dalí himself, out of the former town theatre where he held his first exhibition, it also holds his surprisingly austere tomb. The museum is open daily 0900-2000 (July to September), 0930-1800 (October), 1030-1800 (November to February) and 0930-1800 (March-June). There is an admission charge.

Beaches: Sitges is a lively Balearic-style resort, situated 40km (25 miles) south of Barcelona, very popular with the Spanish, British and German gay community and accessible in 40 minutes by train south from Barcelona-Sants. Alternatively, Tossa de Mar, located 40km (25 miles) north of Barcelona, boasts several fine beaches and small bays, an attractive old town and a good museum. Buses from Barcelona are frequent during the summer but private transport might be required at other times. The Sitges Tourist Office, Carrer Sínia Morera 1 (tel: (93) 810 93 40; website: www.sitgestour.com), and the Tossa de Mar Tourist Office, Avinguda del Pelegrí 25, Edificio La Nau (tel: (97) 234 0108; website: www.infotossa.com), can provide further information.