The Perfect 7-Day Catalonia Road Trip Itinerary

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by Maggie Turansky


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Though countless visitors each year flock to Barcelona, there is just so much to see and do outside of the city that spending an entire week (or more) in Catalonia is never a bad idea.

Spain is a massive country and each region is so distinct that it can be well worth dedicating an entire trip solely to one area. There is so much to take in and see that you will be able to get a great feel for the unique culture, cuisines and traditions of the region. And this is especially true when you plan a Catalonia itinerary.

Fiercely independent Catalonia can sometimes feel a world away from the rest of Spain, with a different language and culture that courses through it.

An infographic outlining a 7-day itinerary for Catalonia in Spain

How Many Days in Catalonia?

Ideally, I would recommend planning out a week to explore the region. This will give you enough time to explore Barcelona, go on a few day trips, and also visit a couple of other cities in the region as well — all without feeling too rushed.

There is so much to see in this region that you will be surprised how little time a week feels – and there will definitely be things that you have to leave out of your itinerary with this amount of time. But, if you want to get a great feel for Catalonia – plan to spend at least 7 days.

Getting To & Around Catalonia

Catalonia is one of the most accessible regions of Spain and there are two international airports that you could arrive into.

The first and most likely airport to fly into is Barcelona, which serves countless international flights from all over the world. The second is the smaller Girona/Costa Brava airport which operates more seasonally and serves mostly budget airlines across Europe.

The Barcelona airport is located only a bit south of the city centre and it’s easy to get to the city from the airport using both public transport or simply taking a taxi.

If you happen to be flying into Girona and want to head to Barcelona to begin your trip, keep in mind that it is located about an hour north of the city and you will need to catch a train or drive into Barcelona.

Beautiful Besalu in Catalonia
Beautiful Besalu in Catalonia

The below route is meant as a road trip so it is recommended that you rent a car, however, you actually can visit all of these places using public transport – it will just not be as convenient.

You can either opt to rent a car as soon as you arrive or plan to pick a car up after you spend your first few days in Barcelona. Barcelona itself doesn’t need a car to explore – most everywhere is easily accessible by foot or by using the extensive public transit system within the city.

Ideally, you could plan to hire a car on day 3 of this itinerary to embark on a day trip or even on day 4 when you leave Barcelona altogether.

Have a look on Rentalcars.com to find deals on car hires in Catalonia to see what suits your trip best.

Keep in mind that it can be more cost-effective to rent a car for an entire week, however, you do need to account for any parking costs in Barcelona (or elsewhere) to determine if this works well for your overall Spain trip cost.

Roman Amphitheatre in Tarragona
Roman Amphitheatre in Tarragona

7 Days in Catalonia Itinerary

This route will take you through a diverse array of Catalonian cities along with some great day trip destinations. You’ll be able to enjoy historic sites, beautiful coastline, Roman ruins and famous art museums all within the span of one week.

Day 1: Barcelona

Start your Catalonia trip in the beautiful and historic city of Barcelona. As Spain’s second-largest city and a major European metropolis, Barcelona is one of the most popular destinations in the entire world – and for good reason; there is a ton of things to see and do.

On the first day in Barcelona, take the time to explore some of the city’s iconic sites, including the Houses of Gaudí, La Rambla, Boquería Market and the Gothic Quarter.

End your busy day taking in the seaside vibes of the Barceloneta neighbourhood and watching the sun set below the Mediterranean.

Barcelona's Gothic Quarter
Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter

Where to Stay in Barcelona

Hotel Condado – Situated in an optimal location for sightseeing, this mid-range hotel has numerous spacious and comfortable rooms available and also includes breakfast in the nightly rate.

Room Mate Anna – A centrally-located boutique hotel, this place boasts a swimming pool, room service, on-site restaurant and plenty of chic and modern rooms.

Fabrizzio’s Petit – Centrally located within easy walking distance of all of Barcelona’s main attractions, this hostel not only has both dorm and private rooms available but also includes a great breakfast in their rates.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Barcelona hotels!

Day 2: Barcelona

On your second day in Barcelona, pick up where you left off yesterday and make sure to take the time to take in more Gaudí’s famous contributions to the city — namely, the Sagrada Familia.

This is easily the most famous attraction in Barcelona — if not all of Spain — and no trip to this city would be complete without visiting this incredible cathedral. If you want to learn more about the history of this place, you can book a guided tour with skip-the-line tickets.

After touring La Sagrada Familia, take the time to get lost in Park Güell and enjoy more Gaudí pieces along with some of the most iconic views of Barcelona. Then, end your day at the Bunkers of Carmel and gorging yourself on some local tapas.

La Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia

Day 3: Montserrat Day Trip

Day 3 of your itinerary is when you can opt to begin exploring Catalonia outside of Barcelona – and that is by going on a day trip to the incredible Montserrat. Located just a bit away from the city centre of Barcelona, this gorgeous area feels a world away.

Known for its gorgeous mountain views and Benedictine monastery, this is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the entire region. Take the cable car up to the top of the mountain and enjoy the spectacular views along the way. Then, make sure to tour the monastery and learn about the history of this beautiful place.

Montserrat is one of the most popular day trips from Barcelona for a reason and no Catalonia trip would be complete without it.

If you haven’t hired a car yet for this day, you can either take public transport to Monsterrat or book a guided tour like this half-day budget option or this full-day adventure.

Montserrat is a great day trip if you have 4 days in Barcelona
Montserrat

Day 4: Girona

Day 4 is where your Catalonia road trip really begins – and that is by driving a bit north of Barcelona to the lovely city of Girona.

This charming city is compact yet completely packed with things to do. Though I definitely recommend spending as much time as possible here, because of its small size you can see the majority of the top sites if you only have one day.

Begin your day taking in the views from the city walls before meandering down to the Arab Baths and visiting the Jewish Quarter. Visit the beautiful cathedral, head to the archaeological and Jewish museums admire the beauty of the houses hanging over the River Onyar.

Girona also has excellent restaurants where you can sample a broad array of Catalonian specialities no matter your budget. The city has everything from Michelin-starred fine dining establishments to divey tapas bars and everything in between.

There is absolutely no doubt that this is a must-visit on your Catalonia trip, even if you only have one day in Girona.

Girona Cathedral
Girona Cathedral

Where to Stay in Girona

Hotel Costabella – A plush hotel with an outdoor swimming pool and a fab breakfast, they have several comfortable rooms to choose from and a great location for exploring Girona.

Hotel Nord 1901 Superior – A luxe option just outside the city centre, this hotel has a gorgeous lap pool, a beautiful terrace and is located only 5 minutes from the Girona Cathedral.

Little Home Girona – This comfortable apartment in the centre of Girona comes fully equipped and furnished. With one bedroom and a sofa bed, it’s a great option for couples or families.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Girona hotels!

Beautiful Girona
Beautiful Girona

Day 5: Figueres & Besalú Day Trip

Use your second day in Girona to hop in the car and visit some of the top day trip destinations in northern Catalonia. Begin your day by driving by Banyoles Lake before making it to the incredibly picturesque town of Besalú.

This village is incredibly compact and you can wander around it in under an hour, but it is well worth it. Known for its imposing bridge at the entrance, this is truly a hidden gem in the region and a truly unique spot to include on your Catalonia road trip.

Next, drive to the city of Figueres. Primarily known as the birthplace of legendary surrealist Salvador Dalí, this is the city to visit if you’re a modern art fan.

There are lots of things to see in Figueres that have to do with the artist, but you absolutely cannot miss the Dalí Theatre-Museum if you want to experience the art and mind of this iconic Catalonian figure.

Figueres is also home to the fascinating Castell de Sant Ferran, an 18th-century fortress that is super interesting to explore.

Outside the Dali Museum in Figueres
Outside the Dali Museum in Figueres

Day 6: Coastal Drive

Day six of this road trip includes a great route along the Mediterranean. Though this isn’t necessarily a Costa Brava itinerary, you can head east from Girona and stop by several towns along the coast before making it to your final destination, Tarragona.

A lot of the coast is quite built up and full of seaside high-rises that are there to cater for the hordes of tourist crowds that descend on the area in the warmer months, but there are also towns and cities that are worth visiting along the way.

Make sure to make a stop in the gorgeous Tossa de Mar before continuing on south. The city of Blanes is also worth a stop, with a great seaside promenade and botanical garden to explore.

Of course, no stop on a coastal itinerary would be complete without visiting the beautiful town of Sitges, located just a bit south of Barcelona. This whitewashed town is home to lovely beaches, beautiful side streets and some incredible restaurants.

Spend the night in Tarragona so you have the full day to explore this city the following day.

Town of Blanes
Town of Blanes

Where to Stay in Tarragona

B&B Hotel Tarragona – Located in the centre of Tarragona and boasting a gorgeous terrace with incredible views, this hotel offers single, double and twin rooms and 24-hour reception.

Placa de la Font – A comfortable choice in the Old Town, this hotel has several different room options, a terrace, restaurant, bar and a good breakfast available each morning.

Apartamentos Astoria – With one- and two-bedroom apartments available and the option to sleep 2-4 people, these furnished flats are great for both couples and families. They are centrally located for exploring the city.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Tarragona hotels!

Historical City of Tarragona
Historic City of Tarragona

Day 7: Tarragona

End your trip in the wonderful coastal city of Tarragona. In fact, this itinerary is ideal if you can’t decide whether to visit Girona or Sitges or Tarragona!

Located about an hour and a half south of Barcelona, this city is well-known for its plethora of Roman ruins, however, it has a lot more to offer beyond that.

Spend your day taking in the Roman antiquities including the amphitheatre, circus, and Roman walls. Of course, you cannot miss the Mercat de Tarragona — the city’s central market where you can sample local specialities and see an integral part of Tarragona’s culture.

If you’re visiting in the warmer months, make sure to hit the sand on one of Tarragona’s many beautiful beaches. If you’re interested in driving a few kilometres outside of the city, then head to the Puente del Diablo — an excellently-preserved Roman aqueduct that you can even walk across.

End your day in the lovely Seralló neighbourhood. This fishing area of Tarragona has countless seaside cafes and a number of wonderful restaurants serving up local seafood specialities.

Puente del Diablo
Puente del Diablo

This 7-day itinerary will take you by a number of the highlights that Catalonia has to offer. Taking you to massive metropolises, beautiful coastal areas, and wonderful medieval towns, you’re sure to have an amazing experience following this route.

Are you planning a trip to Catalonia? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!

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Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics.

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