Barcelona Road Trip: Catalonia and the Best Around its Capital

Difficulty

480 km

Distance

7+

Recom. Days

Culture

Trip type

Image of Indie Campers freelance travel writer Jenn Zajac, outside a cafe.
Jenn Zajac

Ice coffee-addicted, pun-loving, Oxford comma-embracing writer. Currently based in beautiful Bali after too many winters in Boston and London. Specializes in crafting content for hotels and travel.

Barcelona Road Trip: Catalonia and the Best Around its Capital

Barcelona Road Trip map itinerary

Google Maps

Embark on a Barcelona road trip and get ready to explore the vibrant regional capital and beyond. Attracting artists, architects, foodies, and filmmakers, Spain’s stunning Catalonia region is a feast for the senses.

Start in Barcelona, to see the eccentric creations of Antoni Gaudí, cheer on Barça FC, and dance into the early morning hours. The incredible Roman ruins of Tarragona beckon, along with the breathtaking mountain monastery at Montserrat.

Finally, the cinematic city of Girona is sure to impress with its medieval walls and ancient Roman baths.

A yellow cable car between mountains on your Barcelona road trip
Pick-up in
Barcelona depot
1

Barcelona, where colour and cuisine converge

The capital of Spain’s Catalonia region is a cosmopolitan city bursting at the seams with colourful art, quirky architecture, sunny beaches, and delicious food. Barcelona truly has a little bit of everything, making it a can’t-miss part on this Barcelona road trip.

Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí’s fantastical designs can be explored in a day, starting with La Sagrada Familia, his still-unfinished masterpiece basilica. Visit the unusual Casa Milà and Casa Batlló next, then head to Park Güell, a whimsical wonderland of colourful mosaic tiles with beautiful views of the city.

Top view of Barcelona with La Sagrada Familia in the background, the first stop of this Barcelona road trip

Football fans will enjoy a visit to Camp Nou, home of Barcelona FC, while the beautiful sands of Barceloneta Beach might also call your name. Visit the Gothic Quarter for bohemian cafés and plentiful tapas bars, but know that dinner rarely starts before 9:00 pm in Barcelona.

Later, head to the nightclubs of Eixample or El Born, where locals keep dancing well into the early morning.

Visiting

Barcelona

3

Recom. Days

Main route

21 miles

from Barcelona pick-up center

40min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

La Sagrada Familia

Gaudi’s still-unfinished basilica masterpiece.

Parc Güell

Impressive, mosaic-covered park overlooking city.

Camp Nou

Home of Barcelona FC with stadium tours & museum.

Barceloneta Beach

Swim or sunbathe on a beautiful, sandy beach.

Signal

Eat at

Bar El Tomas

$

Tapas bar with the best patatas bravas.

Nou Celler

$$

Cosy spot for traditional Catalan cuisine.

La Boqueria

$

Arrive early or book a guided market tour.

RV icon

Parking

Parking Freser Trinxant

$$

(Overnight) motorhome parking garage close to center, space very limited.

Signal

Stay at

Camping Estrella de Mar

$$$

Upscale campground 18 km (~11 miles) from city center.

2

When in Tarragona, do as the Romans do

Once a Roman colony, the pretty port city of Tarragona is just a short road trip from Barcelona. Explore well-preserved ancient ruins in and around the medieval centre, starting with the Tarragona Amphitheatre.

Built in the 2nd century, the Mediterranean Sea served as a bright blue backdrop for fierce gladiatorial battles. Are you not entertained?

Tarragona during daylight is the second stop on this Barcelona road trip

On the outskirts of town, the Ferreres Aqueduct is well worth the short drive. Also known as Pont del Diable, this stunning marvel of ancient construction is a beautiful place for a picnic or scenic walk.

Back in town, peek into the Tarragona Cathedral to see stunning stained glass and take a leisurely stroll around the city’s oldest quarter, Part Alta, where a number of warm, cosy tapas bars and bistros beckon.

Visiting

Tarragona

1

Recom. Days

Main route

62 miles

from Barcelona

1h15min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Amfiteatre de Tarragona

Seaside ruins of a Roman amphitheater.

Aqüeducte de les Ferreres

Ancient Roman aqueduct, aka Pont del Diable.

Signal

Eat at

Koop

$

Cool and cosy Catalan restaurant.

Txantxangorri

$$

Stylish Basque bistro with rustic vibe.

RV icon

Parking

Pàrquing Pont del Diable de Tarragona

$$

Rest stop near Pont del Diable.

Signal

Stay at

Las Palmeras Camping

$$

Beautiful beachfront spot 10 mins to town.

3

Head to the mountains and majestic Montserrat

Montserrat is an easy day trip from Barcelona, but also an ideal place to stop overnight on a Barcelona road trip by campervan. We suggest arriving at the campground in the evening and rising early to enjoy a full day exploring the monastery and hiking trails.

Originally founded in the 11th century, Santa Maria de Montserrat remains one of the most important religious sites in Catalonia.

View of the Monastery of Montserrat, a must-visit on your Barcelona Road Trip

The abbey itself is free to visitors and accessed mainly via cable car, an incredibly scenic ride high up into the jagged Montserrat mountain range. Legend has it that this was once the home of the Holy Grail.

There are also numerous hiking trails to wander for truly epic panoramic views, including Sant Miquel’s Cross, Sant Jeroni, and the Stairway to Heaven.

Visiting

Montserrat

1

Recom. Days

Main route

62 miles

from Tarragona

1h15min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Santa Maria de Montserrat

The main attraction, a Benedictine monastery.

Signal

Eat at

Restaurante Abat Cisneros

$$$

Your best bet, though a bit pricey.

RV icon

Parking

Aeri de Montserrat

$$

Park at the station to ride cable car up.

Signal

Stay at

Camping Freixa

$$

Short drive to monastery from Manresa.

4

Medieval walls and Michelin stars in Girona

Girona’s star is on the rise, largely thanks to the production team for Game of Thrones. As you take a stroll through the old Jewish Quarter and past the Girona Cathedral, you’ll recognize scenes from the “free city” of Braavos as well as King’s Landing. (Hopefully, you’ll have more luck visiting the city than the show’s characters.)

The Passeig Arqueològic is a walkway leading past landscaped gardens and old watchtowers along medieval Girona’s ancient city walls.

Girona and its Cathedral, a must-visit on your Barcelona Road Trip

Visit the Banys Àrabs, a 12th-century Roman-style bathhouse, then wander south along the River Onyar, where colourful houses line the riverfront on both sides.

In addition to its magnificent architecture and history, Girona is an ideal destination for foodies. Michelin-starred El Celler De Can Roca has been named one of the world’s best restaurants and is the perfect treat to wrap up an incredible weeklong Barcelona road trip. Adéu, Catalunya!

Visiting

Girona

2

Recom. Days

Main route

80 miles

from Montserrat

1h40min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Jewish Quarter

Historic district with fortress & secret archways.

Banys Àrabs

Roman bathhouse from the 12th century.

Signal

Eat at

La Penyora

$$

Mediterranean fusion meets art gallery.

El Celler De Can Roca

$$$$

Splurge at one of the world’s best.

RV icon

Parking

Pàrking Vayreda la Devesa

$$

Convenient to city center.

Signal

Stay at

Camping Girona Can Toni Manescal

$$

Just a 15-minute drive from town.

Drop-off in
Barcelona depot

70 Miles

from Girona

1h20

drive