I would like to visit Barcelona but I don't like big cities and would like to be base on a small quiet town near Barcelona where I can take the train or a bus to spend the day in Barcelona but not all the time. Does any body know of a pretty small town that I could try to find hotels or apartment to rent, near Barcelona? Thanks
Frank

Sitges is the natural response to your question. Quaint, by the sea, plenty of accomodations, about 50 daily trains in each way that take an average of 30 minutes to reach its destination.

When I traveled by train from Madrid to Barcelona last December, we passed through Tarragona on the Meditteranean coast. It sure looked nice from the train window.