Spanish Coast Road Trip: Beat the crowds from BCN to Málaga

Difficulty

1,100 km

Distance

8

Recom. Days

Culture, Adventure

Trip type

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Cora Harrison

Freelance writer for Indie Campers, currently trying to find herself in Indonesia but without much luck. Enjoys exploring weird and wonderful world cuisine — the less identifiable, the better.

Spanish Coast Road Trip Itinerary: Barcelona to Málaga

Spanish Coast Road Trip map itinerary

Google Maps

Fancy going on a Spanish coast road trip? Land of endless sunshine, spectacular food, and lovely people, Spain is perfect — except everyone knows it.

Escape the crowds on this itinerary along Spain’s eastern coast, venturing off the beaten path to explore some lesser known but equally lovely destinations. 

Beginning in Barcelona, get out of the city towards the natural paradise of the Ebro Delta. Next up, it’s Dénia with its pristine beaches and delicious prawns.

Then onwards to Cartagena for a history lesson — albeit a casual one, enjoyed with cerveza in hand. And finally, to Andalusia’s beauty pageant queen, utterly picturesque Frigiliana, where you can fill up your camera with countless photos of its glorious white-washed streets. 

Pick-up in
Barcelona Depot
1

Unspoilt beauty in the Ebro Delta

Venturing south from Barcelona on this Spanish coast road trip, you’ll come to a long bulge of silty land. It might not sound that appealing at first, but look closer and you’ll find a natural paradise of untamed and untouched rural beauty. This is the Ebro Delta and your first destination. 

Spot pink flamingos and ibis flocking to mirror-like lagoons. Explore windswept beaches and sand dunes. And glimpse white-washed farmhouses squatting between rice paddies — yes, rice paddies! 

Sunset in Ebro Delta- Spain

Take a boat down to the mouth of the River Ebro to get a sense of the place. Or hire a bike and cycle the 26 km (~16 miles) Ruta de les Lacunes. Head to the beach at Riumar for kitesurfing or stand up paddle — or go kayaking out on the river to really get up close with the flora and fauna. 

This area is home to over 330 bird species so, at dusk, take your binoculars and head to L’Encanyissada or La Tancada to try and spot them. 

Visiting

Ebro delta

2

Recom. Days

Main route

112 miles

from Barcelona

1h57min

drive

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

Visit

Playa Eucaliptus

seemingly endless sandy beach with stunning mirages

L’Ampolla

pretty fishing town near lovely Blue Flag Beaches

Cala Xelin

idyllic cove with crystal clear waters

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Eat at

Restaurant Novedades Casa Asmundo

$$

known for its rice dishes

Musclarium

$$

oyster and mussel farm, and restaurant

Restaurant Catedral Del VI

$$

contemporary restaurant in a “wine cathedral”

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Stay at

Camping Eucaliptus

$$

near the beach with restaurant on site

2

Explore Dénia’s underrated delights

Continue your exploration of a less travelled, more authentic Spanish coast road trip with your next destination. Dénia is a laidback port town that attracts its share of tourists — but never enough to ever feel cramped and crowded, despite its four Blue Flag beaches. 

It’s also somewhat of a foodie destination with heaps of critically acclaimed restaurants popping up all over. Be sure to try the Dénia prawns — they’re a delicacy here. 
Explore Baix la Mar, the old fisherman’s quarter, with its colourful painted houses. Climb up to check out the views from the clifftop Castillo de Dénia, on the site of an 11th century Moorish fortress. 

Denia- Road trip through the Spainish coast

Relax on the sandy shores of La Marina, or head further south to the rocky coves of Les Rotes. 

Go hiking in beautiful Mount Montgó Natural Park where you might spot eagles and badgers. Or take to the water - either in a sailing boat, or perhaps try your hand at windsurfing. 

Visiting

Dénia

2

Recom. Days

Main route

180 miles

Ebro Delta

2h50min

drive

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

Visit

Cueva de Las Calaveras

the ‘cave of skulls’, leads to an underground lake

Museo del Juguete

toy museum with dolls that the town used to produce

Cabo de San Antonio

hiking with incredible views

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Eat at

Quique Dacosta

$$$$

much celebrated minimalist restaurant

El Baret de Miguel Ruiz

$$

locally inspired using market produce

Aitana

$$

best place to try the famous Dénia prawns

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Parking

Parking Avenida las Industrias

free uncovered parking in the city center

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Stay at

Camping los Llanos

$$$

17 minute drive from Dénia

3

Take a trip through the centuries in Cartagena

If it’s the history you’re after, you’re in luck. Cartagena’s ancient streets have been walked by everyone from Phoenician traders to Roman soldiers to Christian Reconquistas. This characterful seaside port is your next Spanish coast road trip destination and, fascinating history aside, it’s a thoroughly lovely place to spend a few days. 

Visit during Easter and you’ll catch the lavish Semana Santa fiestas and get a taste of how wonderfully over-the-top Spain can be. Stroll the narrow streets of the old town, checking out the bars and restaurants.

Ruins of an arena in Cartagena, Spain

Wander along the waterfront, imagining back to when Phoenician traders docked here. Spot the modernista buildings influenced heavily by Gaudí, such as Casa Cervantes by Beltri.

Explore the evocative Roman remains known as the Augusteum. In June, you might catch some of International Nautical Week, or, in July, part of the Mar de Músicas. Visiting in winter? In November the city hosts a jazz festival as well as the International Festival of Nautical Cinema. 

Visiting

Cartagena

2

Recom. Days

Main route

136 miles

from Dénia

2h14min

drive

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

Visit

Casa Clares

check out this extravagant modernista building

Barrio del Foro Romano

the ruins of a street dating from 1st century BC

Castillo de la Concepción

castle, views, and beautiful gardens

Signal

Eat at

Magoga

$$$

elegant decor and great quality food

Techos Bajos

$

local vibe, fresh fish and fried seafood

Cerveceria La Mejillonera

$

traditional good value tapas bar

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Stay at

Area Autocaravanas Cartagena

$$$

campervan parking a bus ride from center

4

Fall in love with beautiful Frigiliana

Watch out. The final stop on your Spanish coast road trip really has the power to break your heart. We’re talking about one of the most beautiful towns in Andalucía.

Gorgeous Frigiliana has won countless awards for its good looks and, just like any Miss World contestant, there are crowds of people desperate to bask in its beauty. But that aside, Frigiliana, with its whitewashed houses and pots of bright red geraniums, is undeniably the definition of postcard-pretty.

Spanish hilltop town in the province of Cádiz, Andalusia enroute the Spanish Coast Road Trip

Wander the ridiculously picturesque old town, following the signs that point out places of interest on the way. Venture up its winding streets, popping into boutique shops on the route, to where you’ll find spectacular views over terracotta roofs.

Relax on a shaded terrace with a tinto de verano. Or escape the crowds with a hike down south to the Cueva de Nerja, a series of caves that sometimes host concerts, or perhaps head north into the rugged Almijara Mountains.

Visiting

Frigiliana

2

Recom. Days

Main route

215 miles

from Cartagena

3h30min

drive

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

Visit

Church of San Antonio

plain exterior reveals an extravagant interior

Playa de Burriana

gorgeous beach only a 15 minute drive from town

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Eat at

Oliva

$$$

contemporary Mediterranean cuisine in Nerja

The Garden Restaurant

$$

fine dining and amazing views in the old quarter

Restaurante El Mirador

$$

imaginative menu and incredible panoramas

RV icon

Parking

Free Parking Frigiliana

uncovered parking in town center

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Stay at

Aula de Naturaleza, Cortijo San Miguel

$$$

12 minutes from Frigiliana

Drop-off in
Málaga Depot

36 Miles

from Málaga

47 min

drive