7-Day Road Trip from Barcelona

Looking to escape the city buzz and dive into the natural wonders of northern Spain? You’re in luck. A road trip from Barcelona is your golden ticket to a week of unforgettable outdoor adventure in Catalonia. Designed as a loop starting and ending in Barcelona – a destination known for its hot summers and mild winters – this journey can be completed year-round. 

Our 7-day Barcelona road trip itinerary offers the perfect blend of coastal escapes, jaw-dropping mountain landscapes and peaceful forests, perfect for seasoned campervan travellers and first-timers alike. If scenic drives, national parks, hiking trails, wild swimming, and charming little villages are all things you enjoy, let this itinerary guide you on your next road trip!

Get the interactive Barcelona road trip itinerary map

 

Where to Start

Campervan hire in Barcelona is by far the best (and most fun) option, giving you total freedom and comfort on four wheels.

If you’re flying into Barcelona (BCN), Spain’s second-largest airport and direct flights from around 200 cities in 64 countries, you’ll be just a short drive from our Siesta Campers Barcelona base.

Our campervans come ready for life on the road, with a full kitchen kit, comfy beds that sleep up to four, outdoor table and chairs, a fridge to stock up on supplies, unlimited km and basic insurance.

Whether you’re heading into the mountains or relaxing by the coast, we’ve got you covered.

Day 1: Barcelona to Montserrat

Highlights:

• Montserrat Monastery and mountain peaks
• Hike the Sant Jeroni trail (10km, moderate)
• Views of the Pyrenees

Driving Time: 1 hour, 50 km

Start your road trip from Barcelona with a dramatic change in scenery. Within just one hour, the city skyline gives way to the towering peaks of Montserrat. History lovers need to check out the Montserrat monastery nestled into the mountainside, a one thousand year old abbey with a museum and the famous Black Madonna statue.

Next, we recommend an exciting hike up the Sant Jeroni trail, one of the best hikes near Barcelona. The trail offers stunning panoramic views of Catalonia all the way to the Pyrenees.

With your camper waiting for you close by, you’ll always have somewhere to rest or cook up some delicious food ready for the next part of your journey.

Overnight at: Camping Montserrat – This quiet campsite has amazing views of the Montserrat Mountains. Facilities include showers and charging ports.

Montserrat

Day 2: Montseny to Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park

Highlights:

• Scenic drive into the Pyrenees
• Nature walks and alpine lakes
• Fantastic stargazing

Driving Time: 3h50m, 255 km

Get an early start for one of the longest but most spectacular drives of your Barcelona road trip. The winding roads take you north into the heart of the Pyrenees, a famous mountain range unlike anything you’ve seen. Stretching more than 430 km between Spain and France there is so much to discover in this natural wonder. Stop off for a quick coffee in Sort, a riverside town known for white-water rafting trips.

After a quick break head into Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, the only national park in all of Catalonia. If you’re craving alpine lakes, large granite peaks and endless hiking opportunities then this park will feel like a slice of heaven. The Estany de Sant Maurici trail is a great hiking choice among many others if you want to get that heart pumping. Or simply chill beside the peaceful lake and soak in that fresh Pyrenees air. If one lake doesn’t take your fancy, then you’ve got 48 more to choose from in this vibrant National Park.

Overnight at: Aigüestortes Camping Resort – Campsite in the middle of nature with facilities equipped for a campervan. A swimming pool, playground and restaurant are on the premises.

Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park

Day 3: Explore Vall de Boí

Highlights:

• Romanesque churches (UNESCO World Heritage)
• Caldes de Boí natural thermal springs
• Hike to waterfalls in Boí Valley

Driving Time: 15 min, 6 km

Spend a relaxed third day exploring the rest of the municipality of Vall de Boí, a valley rich in both nature and history. Consisting of only eight small villages, why not visit the iconic Romanesque churches, known for their 11th-century frescoes and bell towers – there are nine in total to find if you can spot them. Then head to Caldes de Boí, a quiet spa area with natural hot springs in the forest for a soothing dip.

If you’re still craving a hike then why not stretch your legs on a short route to Cascada de Sant Esperit, an easy waterfall walk that’s especially beautiful in spring and early summer.

Overnight at: Camping Boneta – Open all year round at the foot of the Pyrenees with plenty of facilities. Close to the village that has supermarkets, a pharmacy and restaurants.

Vall de Boi

Day 4: Vall d’Aran Adventure

Highlights:

• Mountain culture and Aranese villages
• Forest hikes around Artiga de Lin
• Wild swimming at Uelhs deth Joèu spring

Driving Time: 1h15, 66 km

On day 4, your road trip from Barcelona takes you deeper into the Pyrenees to discover the Vall d’Aran; a region with its own cuisine and culture. In the past, when the inhabitants were very isolated, they created unique Aranese dishes still cooked today – Olha Aranesa (a stew full of various sausages, meats, vegetables and noodles) is definitely worth a try. Explore the alpine village of Vielha surrounded by colourful slopes and mountains, then head to Artiga de Lin, a vibrant valley with magical forest trails and easy access to the Aran valley, an exciting spot full of ravines and gullies.

Don’t miss Uelhs deth Joèu, a thundering natural spring where the water emerges from the earth and rolls down the mountain side. It’s a magical wild swimming spot accessible in the warmer months but closed during the winter ones.

Overnight at: Verneda Camping Mountain Resort – Family atmosphere and plenty of facilities for vans in a stunning location.

Vall d’Aran

Day 5: Into La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone

Highlights:

• Walk inside a volcano crater (Santa Margarida)
• Medieval village of Besalú
• Sunset at Castellfollit de la Roca

Driving Time: 4h, 340km

Leave the high peaks behind and descend into the green, rolling hills of La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park. With numerous hikes available, one of our favourites is the Santa Margarida, where a tiny chapel sits inside the ancient crater of an extinct volcano. Remember to follow the signposted hiking trails here as there is lots of private property in the park. And don’t worry, none of these volcanoes have erupted for 11 '000 years, so you won’t need to make a quick escape in your camper.

For the latter part of your day, why not stop off in Besalú, a medieval gem of a town with a 12th-century stone bridge, and finish off by watching the sun go down behind the cliffs of Castellfollit de la Roca (One of the most picturesque villages in Catalonia).

Overnight at: Camping La Fageda – Facilities and electricity ports for campers. Close to the city of Olot.

La Garrotxa

Day 6: Costa Brava Escape – Calella de Palafrugell & Begur

Highlights:

• Crystal-clear coves & hidden beaches
• Coastal walk (Camí de Ronda)
• Snorkelling or paddle boarding

Driving Time: 1h, 55km

After a week in the mountains, it’s time to hit the coast. If it’s beaches you’re craving, then check out our Costa Brava beach guide. This lesser-known stretch is full of tiny fishing villages, pine-covered cliffs and peaceful beaches ready to kick back and relax on.

Park up in Calella de Palafrugell (an ancient fishing village on the coast), then hike a section of the Camí de Ronda, a beautiful coastal path linking cove to cove. Spend the afternoon swimming and snorkelling in the clear blue Mediterranean waters - or better yet, rent a paddle board to explore the rocky shoreline and discover more hidden coves along the coast.

Overnight at: Camping Begur – Electricity, water and wi-fi provided deep in a beautiful forested area.

Calella de Palafrugell

Day 7: Lloret de Mar via Coastal Viewpoints

Highlights:

• Sunrise swim at Platja de Castell
• Coastal drive through Tossa de Mar
• Stop at Sant Feliu de Guíxols viewpoint

Driving Time: 60km, 50m

Start the final day of your road trip from Barcelona with a sunrise dip at Platja de Castell, a clear beach surrounded by pine trees and free of any large building developments. Then begin the journey back to Barcelona along the scenic GI-682, one of the most beautiful coastal roads in Catalonia that overlooks the sea for 20 kms. 

Pause for coffee in Tossa de Mar, and spend a relaxing few hours exploring this walled old town – You can even grab one last seaside meal in Sant Feliu de Guíxols, a popular port town that overlooks the rich blue sea. Being by the coast, if you want to spend your last afternoon relaxing on the beach then you’ll have no trouble finding plenty of relaxing spots.

Overnight at: Camping Tucan – Camping site on the coast with campervan facilities. Waterpark and restaurants nearby.

Lloret de Mar

Lloret de Mar to Barcelona

The 85 km drive to our Barcelona base should take around one hour to complete. With our drop-off procedures being quick and easy, give yourself an added twenty minutes to make sure you have plenty of time if you have a plane to catch home.

Ready to Roll?

This 7-day Barcelona road trip blends a wide range of terrain and landscapes, from the peaks of the Pyrenees to the golden sands of the Mediterranean. This is a trip waiting to be explored in a campervan! No limits, no restraints, just the freedom to explore. So book yourself a van and come on over to Siesta Campers Barcelona, where your camper will be waiting and ready to hit the road. Let the adventure begin!