Catalonia Road Trip: A Quick trip of Barcelona’s nearby gems

Difficulty

200 miles/320 km

Distance

5+

Recom. Days

Culture

Trip type

Profile photo
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.

Catalonia Road Trip Itinerary: Barcelona Round-Trip

Catalonia Road Trip map itinerary

Google Maps

Admittedly, a Catalonia road trip is not just about Barcelona. Sure, the captivating city is a true cultural utopia with its spectacular Modernist architecture and cosmopolitan vibes. But the delights of the region go beyond Gaudí’s fantastical creations.

The cities and towns around Barcelona make for a fascinating and fabulous escape — best enjoyed on four-wheels on a Barcelona itinerary.

Begin with the magnificent sights of Barcelona, yes. But then walk the ancient medieval walls of Girona, pay homage to Salvador Dali in Figueres, and discover majestic architecture in Vic. So buckle up and get ready to explore a region with too many cultural must-sees to keep count.

Campervan hire in Catalonia

Pick-up in
Barcelona Pick-up center
1

Begin with brilliantly beautiful Barcelona

Catalonia’s capital needs little introduction. This seaside city, with its wealth of historical and cultural sites, is loved the world over.

Buildings than span the ages, from the temple columns of Ancient Rome to Gothic drama and Modernism’s quirkiness, find a backdrop in the rolling green Collserola hills and look out onto the glimmering Mediterranean sea. This Iberian sun-soaked city has long provided inspiration to artists. Let it inspire you too.

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

This first stop on your Catalonia road trip is all about art — surprise, surprise. Explore Cubist classics in the Picasso Museum. Then head to the Museum of Contemporary Art: the building alone is a masterpiece, designed by Richard Meier. Then, of course, the Sagrada Família — there really is nothing quite like it.

For more Gaudí, pay a visit to Casa Batllò or the Palau de la Mùsica. And, when night falls, catch an open-air movie at The Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona.

Visiting

Barcelona

2

Recom. Days

Main route

20 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

Joan Miró Foundation

For some of the artist’s most famous pieces.

Park Güell

Gaudí’s Hansel and Gretel-like creation.

The Magic Fountain

A mesmerising display of light and music.

Signal

Eat at

La Dama

$$$

French cuisine, spectacular interior.

Bicnic

$$

Food-truck-turned-restaurant.

Kaiku

$$$

Local food with views of the Med.

RV icon

Parking

Aparcament Fira de Barcelona

$$$

Parking garage, closes at 9pm.

Parking Trinxant

$$$$

lt's best to reserve a space.

Signal

Stay at

Camping Tres Estrellas

$$$

Next to beach, bus access to city.

2

Next up: the cultural gems of Girona

Next on your Catalonia road trip is the medieval city of Girona. A cultural chocolate box of museums, galleries, and Gothic churches, all connected by a maze of picturesque cobbled lanes, Girona straddles the River Onyar.

On one side is the city’s historic hub, Modernist mansions reflected in the flowing water. On the other side, its commercial centre. The river is crossed by the Pont de les Peixateries Velles, designed by Gustave Eiffel, creator of — yes, you’ve guessed it — Paris’ most famous landmark.

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

Begin by strolling the medieval centre. Visit the remains of the Força Vella fortress and trace the Passeig Arqueològic, a walkway that runs along the city’s ancient walls. Head to a watchtower for exceptional views, both of Girona, and, in the distance, the snow-capped Pyrenees.

For some culture of the pop variety, head to ice-cream parlour Rocambolesc, which serves a blood orange concoction in the shape of the hand of Games of Thrones’ Jaime Lannister.

Visiting

Girona

1

Recom. Days

Main route

65 miles

from Barcelona

1h20min

drive

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

Visit

The Museum of Cinema

Movie history and memorabilia.

La Lleona

A stone lioness, to be kissed for good luck.

The Girona Cathedral

The widest Gothic nave in Europe.

Signal

Eat at

Miramar

$$$$

Michelin starred traditional food.

Neptú

$$

Creative dining.

Draps

$$$

Large sharing plates.

RV icon

Parking

Parking Vayreda La Devesa

$$$$

Motorhome parking close to city center.

Signal

Stay at

Can Toni Manescal

$$$$

20 minute drive from Girona.

3

Find yourself transfixed by Figueres

Figueres is best known as the birthplace of surrealist icon, Salvador Dalí. The Teatre-Museu Gala Salvador Dalí, designed and founded by Dalí himself, attracts people from all over the world. Art aficionados or not, they are drawn by the allure of a man who was just as uniquely odd as his oeuvre.

Aside from surrealist delights, Figueres, the next stop on your Catalonia road trip, also provides great food, wine, and small-town charm.

Head first to the Dalí Foundation. Whether you consider him a genius, or a self-indulgent eccentric, you can’t help but be bowled over by this magical wonderland, which includes giant eggs and great walls of bread.

Red building with giant eggs on the top on this Catalonia Road Trip

Figueres is also home to the Toy Museum Of Catalonia, a collection of teddies, tricycles, spinning tops, and steam engines, among other children’s momentos. And then there’s the quirky Technical Museum of the Empordà, known for its collection of rare antique typewriters. It’s more interesting than it sounds, we promise.

If you’re looking to extend this Barcelona itinerary, the coastal area near Figueres is the perfect excuse for doing so. From Cadaques down to the Golf de Roses, Catalonia’s most northeastern coast is seriously worth a detour.

Visiting

Figueres

1+

Recom. Days

Main route

30 miles

from Girona

40min

drive

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

Visit

Museu de l'Empordà

Museum covering art, archaeology and history.

Cadaques

Dreamy fishermen’s village where Dali spent holidays.

Les Escaules

Swimming lagoon, waterfall and castle remains.

Signal

Eat at

La Mossegada

$

Tapas in a cosy pub atmosphere.

Wok You

$$

Asian food in converted warehouse.

Bon Retorn

$$$

Formal dining, local produce.

RV icon

Parking

Parking Figueres, Avinguda de Salvador Dalí

$$$

In the center of Figueres.

Signal

Stay at

Camping Bassegoda Park

$$$

Next to the Alta Garrotxa Nature Park.

4

Final stop: the vibrant city of Vic

Inland from Barcelona sits Vic, a city often ignored in favour of its coastal cousin. More fool them. Vic is home to fascinating cultural attractions and you won’t have to fight the crowds to see them.

With its young population, it also has a sassy energy that draws you in. Here you’ll find restored Roman ruins, Romanesque bridges, Gothic town halls, and Modernist mansions — a real cultural hodge-podge that just makes it more handsome.

Top view of Vic, on a Catalonia Road Trip

Visit the Catedral de Sant Pere where the neo-classical and Romanesque collide. Then to the Roman temple, surrounded by the walls of an 11th-century castle, packing a lot of history into its few square metres.

Wander the art collection of the Museu Episcopal. Relax in one of the cafes that overflow into Plaça Major, home to Vic’s bi-weekly markets. Stroll ancient alleyways and stumble upon intriguing street art.

And when cultural adventuring wears you down, refuel with local cured meats, known as embutidos — probably the best you’ll have on this Catalonia road trip.

Visiting

Vic

1

Recom. Days

Main route

55 miles

from Figueres

1h15min

drive

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

Visit

Monastery of Sante Pere Casseres Benedictine

Monastery with beautiful views.

Cat hot air ballooning

Hot air ballooning, but better.

Palau Episcopal

Historic palace with plenty of photo ops.

Signal

Eat at

El Jardinet

$$

Popular Catalan cuisine.

Boira

$$$

Sophisticated setting, contemporary Catalan cooking.

La Creperia

$

Energetic atmosphere, sweet and savoury crêpes.

RV icon

Parking

Pàrquing del Sucre

Free parking 10 minutes from center.

Signal

Stay at

Camping Santa Eugenia Park

$$$

Peaceful camping 11 minutes from Vic center.

Drop-off in
Barcelona Pick-up center

47 miles

From Vic

1h10min

drive