Road Tripping in Catalonia, Spain
- Danielle Dybiec
- Oct 8
- 5 min read
On your next trip to Spain, you might stay an hour northeast of Barcelona along the coast in Palafrugell, pictured above, for a quintessential Costa Brava experience with beautiful landscapes, excellent dining options, and of course those lovely beaches. Pick up your rental car in Barcelona or Girona, and you'll be ready to explore Catalonia!
1/17/2024 excerpt of article produced by Virtuoso with the Catalan Tourist Board can be found here.
One epic itinerary for cruising around Spain’s diverse northeastern region.
Between the Mediterranean Sea and the peaks of the Pyrenees Mountains lies Catalonia, the Spanish region known for its distinct language, culture, and cuisine. Travelers may be familiar with Barcelona’s iconic architecture and the beach resorts sprinkled across the Costa Brava, but a deeper dive reveals much more: Vineyards, charming villages, and centuries-old landmarks.
The best way to discover the region is on a carefully curated, five-segment road trip, beginning and ending in Barcelona. Travelers should plan to give themselves at least two weeks for this entire grand tour of Catalonia or choose among the following legs. Your Virtuoso travel advisor can help you craft a perfectly Catalan itinerary, handling overnight accommodation, restaurant reservations, and other must-do experiences along the way.
Segment One: Barcelona to Tarragona
Get ready to hit the road in Barcelona, Catalonia’s capital and hallmark city. But before setting off, make time for an afternoon at Barceloneta Beach; dine at one of the city’s Michelin-starred restaurants, such as Disfrutar or Caelis (your Virtuoso advisor can book a table); and admire the architectural wonders of Barcelona’s most famous craftsman, Antoni Gaudí. Don’t miss his famously unfinished basilica, La Sagrada Família, or the vibrant mosaics at Park Güell.
Leaving the city behind, the next stop is a pinnacle-laden mountain range 40 miles northwest of Barcelona. Sweeping vistas await at the top of Montserrat Mountain, as well as an ornate monastery dedicated to the Virgen de Montserrat, the patron saint of Catalonia.
From Montserrat, the route weaves 50 miles north to Solsona, where travelers can visit the nearby Llosa del Cavall reservoir, a lake surrounded by mountains. From Solsona, the 77-mile journey to Tarragona is a dream for wine aficionados, with several noteworthy wineries lining the route. Don’t miss Torres Familia, a fifth-generation vineyard known for sparkling wines, and the Museum of Wine Cultures of Catalonia in the town of Vilafranca del Penedès.
Segment Two: Tarragona to Lleida
Take a step back in time in Tarragona, one of Spain’s oldest cities (established in the fifth century BC) and a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized for its extensive Roman remains. Travelers can admire the ancient engineering of the Devil’s Bridge aqueduct or imagine they’re spectators at the ancient gladiator games in the Roman amphitheater.
The scenic drive from Tarragona to Lleida hugs the coastline for miles, offering opportunities to stop at L’Ametlla de Mar to swim near massive bluefin tuna, Fangar Bay for a lunch of fresh mussels and oysters, and the Delta de l'Ebre Nature Reserve to spot some of more than 300 bird species. Later, the route cuts inland and north, passing the towns of Horta de Sant Joan, Falset, Montblanc, and L’Espluga de Francolí. Worthy stops include kayaking on the River Ebro, hiking in the Prades Mountains, or cycling along the Zafan Valley.
Before arriving in Lleida, be sure to make the small detour to Quatre Molins, a Michelin-starred experimental restaurant in the Priorat area of Tarragona, to try mushroom, lobster, and sage ravioli or aged tuna carpaccio with miso vinaigrette.
Segment Three: Lleida to La Seu d’Urgell
With origins that date to the fourth century BC, Lleida showcases a patchwork of cultures that have left their marks on the quiet, riverside town. The hilltop King’s Castle, for example, was built in the ninth century by Muslims, while the twelfth-century Gardeny Castle allows visitors to roam the same halls as the Knights Templar once did. In the evening, nearby Montsec Astronomical Park, an official Starlight Reserve, offers travelers an up-close view of the cosmos with the help of its resident astronomy experts.
About two hours north of Lleida, more of Catalonia’s natural beauty awaits at Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, the region’s only national park. Jagged, rocky peaks tower 10,000 feet above fir and pine forests and more than 200 glacial lakes. A variety of trails make it easy for hikers of all skill levels, even children, to explore the Central Pyrenees expanse. From there, travelers crisscross Pyrenees passes on their way to La Seu d’Urgell.
Segment Four: La Seu d’Urgell to Figueres
Medieval history comes alive in La Seu d’Urgell, home to the twelfth-century Cathedral of Santa María, Catalonia’s only preserved Romanesque cathedral. From paintings to metalwork, the art at the cathedral’s museum showcases the Catholic way of life from the tenth to the eighteenth centuries.
From La Seu d’Urgell, drive about an hour southeast to the village of Gósol, where Pablo Picasso spent a prolific few months in 1906, at the beginning of his cubist era. At the town’s Picasso Center, travelers can see copies of his works and other artifacts from the early 1900s. From here, en route to Figueres, travelers should make time to stop at La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, a 38,000-acre expanse with 40 volcanic cones and more than 20 basalt lava flows. Hop in a hot-air balloon to see the landscape from above or learn more about its geology during a guided walk through the park with a local scientist.
Segment Five: Figueres to Barcelona
The last segment of the Catalonia grand tour begins in Figueres, birthplace of Salvador Dalí. For an insider’s look into the life of this surrealist master, a private tour of the town’s Dalí Theatre-Museum.
From Figueres, the drive continues southeast along the Costa Brava, with stops for quintessential Catalan culinary experiences, such as a visit to the Anchovy and Salt Museum in the city of L’Escala, where travelers can learn about the area’s salt-curing factories and sample the local delicacies at a nearby tavern.
Another Costa Brava highlight: a three-mile hike along the coastal path from the town of Sant Antoni de Calonge to Platja d'Aro. The trek is a bit challenging, but the secluded beach coves along the way are worth the effort.
After a few more inland stops in noteworthy towns such as Girona, Tavertet, and Vic, the road trip ends back where it all began, giving travelers one more opportunity to bask in the sun, art, nightlife, museums, and culinary delights of Barcelona – this time, with a deeper appreciation for everything Catalonia has to offer.
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