4-Day Catalonia Road Trip with Tony Olsen

Lisa Roolant

Dreaming of a Catalonia road trip? Whether you're seeking coastal views, mountain trails, or hidden coves, Catalonia is full of road trip magic—and there's no better way to experience it than behind the wheel with a fully-equipped campervan from Siesta Campers. We handed the keys to travel content creator and filmmaker Tony Olsen, and let the open road lead the way.

Here’s Tony’s travel diary to inspire your own Catalonia itinerary.

About Tony Olsen's Catalonia Itinerary

“We recently spent four days exploring the coast, mountains, and hidden gems of Catalonia in a campervan—and it was honestly one of the best short trips we’ve ever done.

Our Catalonia itinerary had no strict plans and everything we needed packed into our van. We hit the road ready to chase views, swim wherever we wanted, and camp under the stars. Here’s how it all went down.”

4-day Catalonia itinerary map.

Tony Olsen's 4-day Catalonia itinerary

Day 1: Barcelona → Costa Brava → Tossa de Mar

Highlights: Coastal drives, medieval views, sunset dinner by the sea.

“After sorting out campervan hire in Barcelona and left the city around 12:00 PM, heading straight for the coast to explore some of the beautiful beaches of Costa Brava. Once we left the highway and hit the winding coastal roads, it already felt like we were in a different world—pine trees, cliffs, and those little flashes of blue sea between the hills.”

Campervan in Catalonia, Spain.

Costa Brava

Tossa de Mar: Dreamy Views and Sunset Vibes

“Tossa de Mar is a total gem and should be part of every road trip in Catalonia. Think medieval stone walls perched above a turquoise bay.

We spent the afternoon wandering through cobble stone alleys, grabbing ice cream, and climbing up to the top of the castle walls for a full panoramic view of the coast.

As magic hour came, we found a little lookout spot above the bay and just sat there watching the sky change color. It felt like something out of a movie.

That evening, we cooked a simple pasta dinner in the van and fell asleep with the view of the old town glowing below us. Pure magic.”

Sunset in Tossa de Mar, Catalonia, Spain.

Tossa de Mar

Day 2: Castellfollit de la Roca → Garrotxa → Montserrat

Highlights: Volcano hikes, cliffside villages, forest camping

“From the coast to the mountains. On the second day of our Catalonia road trip we woke up ready for a totally different vibe: mountains, forests, and wild landscapes inland.”

Castellfollit de la Roca: Literally Hanging Off a Cliff

“Castellfollit de la Roca looks like it’s balancing on the edge of the world. It’s built on a narrow strip of volcanic rock with a crazy drop on both sides. We parked nearby and walked to the edge, and honestly, it took a second to process what we were even looking at. It’s unreal.

We wandered along the river below, and grabbed a snack in the town.”

Garrotxa Volcanic Zone: Hiking Through a Volcano Crater

“Next, we headed to the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone and did the short hike up to Santa Margarida. The trail winds through forest until suddenly you’re standing in this wide, green crater with a little stone chapel in the middle. It was so peaceful and quiet. We made lunch from the van and just sat for a while, enjoying the stillness.”

Campervan in Garrotxa.

Garrotxa

Montserrat: Mountains, Forest, and the Chillest Camp Spot

“By the afternoon, we were driving toward Montserrat, which we were told was one of the best spots for hiking near Barcelona. The second those jagged peaks came into view, we got excited. They don’t look real—just rock spires shooting out of the earth.

After checking out the monastery and some viewpoints, we found this little forested area to camp for the night. Total peace. Just us, the trees, and the mountains glowing in the background as the sun went down.

We made dinner in the van, opened the pop top, and just sat up there for a while—feet up, totally unplugged. It was one of those rare moments where everything feels still.”

Day 3: Montserrat → Zaragoza → Valencia

Highlights: Scenic driving, beachside dinner, city vibes

“We packed up early and continued our Catalonia itinerary with a long drive west toward Zaragoza, then curved south toward the coast. Even though it was mostly a travel day, the changing landscapes—flat plains, distant castes—kept it interesting.”

Montserrat in Catalonia, Spain.

Montserrat

Valencia: City Life, But Chill

“We got to Valencia in time to catch the tail end of the day at the beach. It’s got such a relaxed energy—people playing volleyball, families walking along the shore, music from a beach bar in the distance.

We parked the van near the sand and made a low-key dinner before crashing for the night. Sleeping by the sea, with the windows cracked open and the sound of waves as our soundtrack.”

Day 4: Valencia → Sitges → Playa del Muerto → Castelldefels

Highlights: Hidden beaches, seaside cafés, one last sunset

“During the last day of our Catalonia road trip, we wanted to savour every minute of the experience.”

Valencia: Old Town Vibes

“We started slowly—grabbed coffee and pastries from a café near the beach and walked around the old town of Valencia. Then it was time to head back north toward Barcelona, with a couple of perfect detours on the way.”

Sitges & Playa del Muerto: Coastal Detours Are Always Worth It

“We stopped in Sitges, wandered around the cute streets, and took a short detour to Playa del Muerto—a hidden beach tucked between cliffs and forest. Super quiet, crystal clear water, and no crowds. We swam, sunbathed, and had one last van-cooked lunch on a little cliff above the water.”

Campervan at Playa del Muerto in Catalonia.

Playa del Muerto

Castelldefels: Beach Sunset Near the City

“We made it to Castelldefels just in time for sunset. It’s located at the heart of Costa del Garraf, between the mountainous landscape of the massif of Garraf and the Mediterranean. It’s a stretch of fine beaches, only a few minutes away from Barcelona and its international airport.

Parked up near the beach, made dinner, and sat on the sand watching the sky go pink and orange one last time. It was the perfect finish for our Catalonia itinerary.”

Tales From the Road: Why Van Life Just Hits Different

“Embarking on a Catalonia road trip with Siesta Campers gave us total freedom. No check-ins, no rushing, no overplanning. Just a comfy van, a good map, and the road ahead. We found places we never expected to love, swam in random beaches, hiked through craters, and woke up in places more beautiful than any hotel.

If you’re just getting started on your Catalonia itinerary, make sure to include the Costa Brava, and Valencia. Seriously. This route gave us a little bit of everything: beach days, mountain hikes, tiny towns, and yes, plenty of stunning sunsets to soak up the long summer days”