Weekends are for getting out of the city.

Montserrat

Jagged rock towers rising more than 1,200 m above Catalonia, with a Benedictine monastery clinging to the cliff. Ride the rack railway up, visit the Black Madonna (La Moreneta) in the basilica, then hike towards Sant Jeroni, the highest peak, for views that reach the Pyrenees on a clear day.

• Full day
• Coach + rack railway

• Hiking
• Monastery
• Epic views

Sitges

Whitewashed lanes, 17 beaches and the church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla perched on its rocky seafront. Swim, stroll the Passeig Marítim, eat paella with your toes in the sand, and come back in February for one of Spain's wildest carnivals.

• Day · 10:00–19:00
• Train

• Beach
• Old town
• Paella

Girona & Besalú

Colourful houses hanging over the Onyar river, a grand Baroque staircase up to the cathedral (Game of Thrones fans will recognise it), the old Jewish Quarter of El Call and a walk along the medieval walls. Kiss the stone lioness so you'll come back, then finish at Besalú's Romanesque bridge.

• Full day
• Coach

• Game of Thrones
• Medieval
• Old town

Costa Brava Coves

Turquoise coves, pine-covered cliffs and the walled medieval Vila Vella of Tossa de Mar towering over a golden bay. Kayak and snorkel into hidden calas you can only reach by water, then dry off on the beach with a cold drink.

• Full day
• Coach + kayak

• Kayak
• Snorkel
• Hidden coves

Roman Tarragona

Once Tarraco, one of the great cities of Roman Hispania. See a Roman amphitheatre right by the sea, walk the vaulted tunnels of the old circus and "touch iron" on the railing of the Balcó del Mediterrani for good luck. Then hit the beach at El Miracle, minutes from the old town.

• Day · 09:00–19:00
• Train

• Roman ruins
• Beach
• Tapas

Figueres & Cadaqués

A surreal day out. Start at the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres, the artist's own giant artwork crowned with eggs, then take the winding road to Cadaqués, a whitewashed fishing village on the edge of Cap de Creus that inspired Dalí, Picasso and many others.

• Full day
• Coach

• Dalí
• Art
• Seaside village

Valencia

Futuristic architecture at the City of Arts and Sciences, a 9 km park in an old riverbed, and paella in the place it was invented. Cycle the Turia gardens, graze through the Central Market, go out in El Carmen and catch the sunset over the Albufera lagoon. In March, come for Las Fallas, when the city sets fire to giant sculptures.

• Sat – Sun
• Coach + hostel

• Paella
• Architecture
• Nightlife

Pyrenees Snow Weekend

Two days on the slopes of Grandvalira, one of the biggest ski areas in the Pyrenees. Never skied? Beginner lessons are part of the plan. Then après-ski, an optional thermal spa evening, duty-free shopping in Andorra la Vella and a hotel full of new friends.

• Sat – Sun
• Coach + hotel

• Ski & snowboard
• Après-ski
• Spa

Ski pass and equipment rental available as add-ons. Andorra is outside the EU, so bring your passport or ID. Non-EU students: check that your visa or TIE allows re-entry to Spain.

Andalusia Road Trip

The Spain of postcards. Seville's Plaza de España and Real Alcázar, the breathtaking Mezquita of Córdoba, and the Alhambra palaces in Granada, where tapas still come free with your drink. Flamenco in Triana, sunset from the Mirador de San Nicolás and orange trees everywhere.

• Thu – Sun
• Flight + coach + hostels

• Alhambra
• Flamenco
• Free tapas

Ibiza Island Weekend

Take the overnight ferry from Barcelona and wake up in the middle of the Mediterranean. Swim in the turquoise water of Cala Comte, wander the UNESCO-listed old town of Dalt Vila, watch the famous sunset in Sant Antoni and join a boat party along the coast.

• Fri night – Mon morning
• Ferry + apartment

• Beaches
• Boat party
• Sunsets