Barcelona Before or After a Cruise: Gaudí, Montserrat & the Costa Brava

Whether you are starting or ending a cruise, give yourself a soft landing in Barcelona. After disembarking or arriving before your sailing, check into a central hotel and keep this first day relaxed with a walk through the Gothic Quarter, a long lunch, and time to shop or wander without a packed schedule. Barcelona is a city best enjoyed with a little breathing room, especially after days at sea or before the pace of a cruise begins. End the evening with tapas and an early night so the next day can be all about Gaudí.

Spend your second day fully immersed in Gaudí’s Barcelona, but do not make the mistake of starting at Sagrada Família first thing in the morning. Begin with Park Güell while the city is still waking up, then continue through Passeig de Gràcia to visit Casa Batlló or La Pedrera with stops for coffee, tapas or shopping in between. Keep the pace intentional instead of trying to cram every landmark into one exhausting day. End the evening at Sagrada Família when the late afternoon and early evening light pours through the stained glass and transforms the entire basilica into color. It is one of the most unforgettable experiences in Barcelona and the perfect finale to a Gaudí-focused day.

For travelers who want a memorable day trip, Montserrat is a beautiful contrast to the city with mountain views, history, and a completely different sense of place. If you prefer to stay in Barcelona, make this your shopping, food, and neighborhood day instead. Browse local boutiques, revisit a favorite café, linger over lunch, and let the city unfold without rushing from landmark to landmark. This is also a great day to adjust based on your cruise schedule, energy level, and how much time you really have.

After a few busy days in Barcelona, pick up a rental car and begin making your way north toward the Costa Brava. On the drive out of the city, stop at the Marimurtra Botanical Garden in Blanes for sweeping coastal views, Mediterranean gardens, and one of the prettiest overlooks along the route. From there, continue toward Tossa de Mar, where the pace completely changes from city energy to coastal calm. Check into Zel Costa Brava and spend the rest of the afternoon settling into the slower rhythm of the coast with time by the water, a long dinner, and nowhere to rush off to next.

Today can be whatever you want it to be, which is part of the beauty of the Costa Brava. If you are in the mood to explore, spend the day wandering through Tossa de Mar with its stone streets, medieval walls, small shops, and beautiful seaside views. You can continue exploring nearby coves and coastal viewpoints or simply spend hours lingering over a long lunch by the water.

Personally, I chose to fully lean into the resort experience at Zel Costa Brava instead. After the movement of a cruise and several sightseeing days in Barcelona, staying put felt like the right call. The day started slowly with coffee and ocean views, followed by a Pilates or spin class time at the spa, and a relaxed afternoon at the beach. End the evening with fresh paella and wine by the water while the coastline glows at sunset.

Use this day to explore more of the coastline. Depending on your interests, you can visit hidden coves, take a scenic coastal walk, explore nearby villages, or make your way toward ancient ruins and historic sites along the Costa Brava. The area has layers of history, including Greek and Roman influence, so it is not just a beach escape. It is beautiful, old, textured, and worth more than a quick day trip.

Keep the final morning easy with breakfast overlooking the coast, one last swim, or a quiet walk before packing up and heading onward. One of the advantages of staying in this part of the Costa Brava is how accessible it is to Girona, making it easy to connect onward by high-speed train instead of backtracking fully into Barcelona. If you are continuing through Spain or heading toward France, Girona works beautifully as your next stop. It keeps the trip feeling smooth, relaxed, and far less rushed than trying to do everything through Barcelona alone.