Eiffel Bridgespans the Onyar River and offers beautiful views of Gironas Old Town. An alternative to the Dal museum is the Castell de Sant Ferran. Its crazy to see them growing so close to the sea, Jon -- who happens to be a former winemaker -- said. We walked through the streets, stopping at souvenir shops for some postcards and checked out the local antique market in the main square. Enlarge map route PROGRAMME Day 1-2: Barcelona We spend 2 hours in the museum, marveling at the seemingly crazy but definitely artistic Salvador Dal. 8. Maybe because of our age but I thought the trip had too many activities planned without enough time be", Traveled to Spain as a couple in June, 2023, "Helena was an outstanding partner in helping us curate a customized itinerary for our first trip to Spain. Day 2: Sightseeing in Barcelona. Best of Barcelona & the Costa Brava - 8 Days | kimkim We paid 5,50 for the entrance fee which included a free audio guide. the 10 most unforgettable things to do and see in Spain. Read more, The distance between Barcelona and the beach town of Begur, located on the Costa Brava, is 66 miles (106 km). Montserrat monastery is one the most famous stops we visited during our road trip, and is most popular as a day trip from Barcelona. Today, after breakfast, get ready to see the city on two wheels. Without a doubt, its the most intriguing museum Ive ever seen! The Sagrada Familia and Paseo de Gracia are must-see attractions in Barcelona that will leave visitors in awe of this vibrant citys rich history and fantastic architecture. Buen Viaje! During the hike, you can enjoy incredible panoramic views of Santa Cova, where the legend says that the image of the Virgin of Montserrat was found. In the evening, we explored the old town on foot with a food tour. Besal is also a popular jumping off point for treks in natural Volcanic park of La Garrotxa, nearby. Read our tips for spending a day in Figueres in our 55 Best Places to Visit in Spain post! Barcelona & Costa Brava | VBT Bicycling Vacations I was not paid or sponsored. We drove to the hill top village of Begur, to sit in the shade, sip on a cold drink and devour some amazing tapas spreads. Even if youve never been there, you dont need me to tell you why you should visit. Spend day 1 in Figueres . The Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey is still home to around 80 monks today and welcomes visitors who enjoy its peaceful atmosphere and beautiful architecture. Welcome to Eat Bike Travel: a resource for bike, food, and travel adventures around the globe. This 2.0-mile out-and-back trail is generally considered a moderately challenging route. With its rich history and incredible architecture, Passeig de Grcia is a must-see for anyone visiting Barcelona. I loved Girona. Costa Brava itinerary advise - Barcelona Forum - Tripadvisor And this didnt disappoint. Upon arrival at either the airport or train station, you'll be greeted by a private driver who will transfer you to your hotel in the city center. Poblet Monastery is another beautiful monastery; its a bit off the beaten track and surrounded by vineyards, but absolutely worth the effort. This cute village of white houses, hugging the cliffs of the rugged bay is postcard perfect. Centuries later, this is still considered one of Europe's best food markets and provides a great introduction to Catalan cuisine. After we picked up the rental car and left Figueres behind, we set out to Empries. If you have the time, spend at least one night here two nights is even better! The Costa Brava region of Catalonia is situated in the northeast corner of Spain and is best known for its sunny beaches, all-inclusive resorts, rugged landscapes, hiking and biking trails, fine dining, and for being the birthplace of Salvador Dal. The Sagrada Familia is an iconic Gaudi masterpiece under construction since 1882 and remains one of Barcelonas most visited attractions. Although similar to Cadaqus, El Port de la Selva felt more down to earth. Barcelona to Costa Brava Itinerary 9 days 6 years ago Save Hello! In the middle of the day, the city seemed to grind to a hold. On day one of an unforgettable one-week Northern Spain itinerary, Barcelona is a must. Traveling the world through food and outdoor adventures, A post shared by Tramuntana Hotel Cadaqus (@tramuntana_hotel_cadaques), 5 Great Non-Touristy Things to Do in New Orleans (2022). If youre planning on continuing your road trip south to Valencia, this makes a nice overnight stop (its about a 40-minute drive from Poblet Monastery, and 2.5 hours from Valencia). See more ideas about spain travel, barcelona travel, costa brava. If you have more time, extend your road trip by adding some of these suggestions from Geoff and Katie to your itinerary: Sitges: South of Barcelona (and a great day trip from Barcelona), Sitges is an LGBT-friendly beach town thats perfect for a lazy day on the coast and a raucous party at night. Stay in the beachside town of Pineda de Mar, Santa Susanna or Malgrat de Mar. It features medieval architecture and cobbled streets that are incredibly well-preserved. The hotel has an exclusive spa, terraced gardens, an infinity-edge pool and a family pool. These sites are some of the best on any one-week Northern Spain itinerary. It doesnt matter if you plan your vacation at the beach and wish to explore more of the Costa Brava or want to escape Barcelona, a road trip to Costa Brava is always a good idea! Find all the transport options for your trip from Barcelona to Costa Brava right here. Rome2Rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. As we enjoyed our table of tapas at, Day 3: Roman Greek discovery and the hilltop village of Begur, Naomi is a Travel Blogger from the Netherlands. Ancient houses, the shopping street and the main market. Ca l'Herminda(Port de la Selva): At once homey yet somewhat formal, Ca lHerminda, which first opened its doors in 1963, is a wonderful place for a classic, seafood heavy Mediterranean meal. You can also easily visit Montserrat as a day trip from Barcelona. The easiest and quickest way to make the trip is by car (1 hour and 40 minutes), either renting one yourself or hiring a private car service. There are also several churches and other unique attractions to explore. All of the tou", "We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Spain! By Bus Travel Time: 1 hour 40 minutes Bus Stations: Estacio del Nord Timings: Available every three hours Historians say that vineyards have been in this area since the 5th century BC. With a jaw-dropping clifftop setting, the gardens afford amazing views over the sea and region as a whole. Bring your own(Cap de Creus): We skipped the crowd at Bar Cap de Creus and instead joined dozens of others on a rocky beach by the sea with our own picnic of Spanish specialties. For something close to Begur, tryPlatja Fondaa small cove and swimming spot known for its clear blue water and relaxed atmosphere.You could also drive a short distance south to the coastal town ofPalafrugellto visit theCap Roig Botanical Gardens, which are considered to be among some of the best in the Mediterranean. Read our full disclosure, privacy policy and disclaimer/terms of use. My first stop in Costa Brava was Figueres. Dotted with little villages and holiday towns, there is plenty to see and do for the whole family. When you visit the interior, be sure to take a look at the small La Moreneta (Black Madonna) which is said to be the soul of Montserrat. This open-air market in La Rambla offers a vast selection of fresh produce, meats and seafood, and traditional dishes like paella and tapas. Where to Stay The 5 Best Hotels in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter. We enjoyed and highly recommend our tapas crawl and tour of the gothic quarter in Barcelo", How Many Days to Spend in the Costa Brava, How to Choose the Best Beaches in Costa Brava. Step 1: From Barcelona to the Costa Brava: going north We choose Barcelona as a starting point because it's a huge transport hub. At the end of a windy, rural road sits Cap de Creus Natural Park, a preserved area with rich biodiversity and a wild, weird landscape of cliffs and coves. Visiting Spain'S Costa Brava Without a Car + Sample Itinerary Ultimate Tour of Galicia: Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, & Madrid or Barcelona: Which City is Best for You? Most travelers will find that seven to nine days are perfect for a well-paced Spain trip with stops in both Barcelona and the Costa Brava. Low-key, cheap, and right next to the beach, its an ideal place to laze away an afternoon or evening. If youre looking for a charming and historic European city to explore, look no further than Girona, Spain. If you want to pick a few of the sites, there are plenty of tours that will get you there and back in a one day trip from Barcelona. What to do in Barcelona for 3 days? 8 Best and easiest day trips from Barcelona. With fantastic art and architecture, rich medieval history, clean urban beaches, world-class nightlife, and great shopping you'll be spoiled for choice.A good place to start is by taking a stroll downLa Ramblas, a sequence of promenades that runs from Plaa de Catalunya down to the waterfront. You can combine the hustle and bustle of a cosmopolitan city experience, with the laid back charm of exploring the beauty and distinctiveness of the Costa Brava. Camping Cadaqus(33 Euros / night): Not wanting to risk accidentally parking illegally for the night, we paid 33 Euros to stay at the town campground (in peak season). The sight was amazing. Your email address will not be published. However, its cornerstone dish, the paella, was average and the dessert was half-cooked (!!). Day 1: Drive to coastal Cadaqus. Visit the government website for the latest info. Subscribe to my mailing list by clicking HERE. All of our guides are written by local experts and writers with extensive knowledge and insider tips. Road Trip from Barcelona: Catalonia and Costa Brava Road Trip Itinerary You'll experience a broad range of cultural tours covering the history, architecture, and ancient and current traditions at the hands of knowledgeable private guides, with free time to go at your own pace. museum, we continued to the ancient Roman sights. The city is well-known for its historical sites, museums and excellent local food. Its also a great place to sample some of Barcelonas famous sangria. Placa Independia: This impressive square is located in the heart of Gironas Old Town and is a great place to start your tour. Rome2Rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and . Welcome to Barcelona! 9.4 locationscore 8.4 on Booking.com. When I suggested renting a car and explore more of the Costa Brava region, north of Barcelona all he said was: ROAD TRIP! Head north and spend a few nights soaking up the fresh mountain air of the majestic . When we returned the car, we added 450 km to the cars mileage, which doesnt sound that much. Day 3: Sightseeing in Barcelona. And off we went! Cathedral: Gironas impressive cathedral dates back to the 12th century and features Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Day 1: Arrive in Barcelona in the morning; sightseeing in the afternoon. Our local travel specialists have been recommended by, "The hotels and the activities provided were excellent. It was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the same architect behind Paris iconic Eiffel Tower, and is definitely worth a stop on your tour! Good to Know: Figueres is roughly a one-hour drive (80 km) from Blanes, or 45 minutes (42 km) from Girona. The area features numerous hiking trails that offer stunning views of the surrounding terrain. Wendy recently took a 3-day road trip through Catalonia, stopping in Blanes, Figueres, Besal, Castellfollit de la Roca, Montserrat, and Poblet Monastery. Costa Brava's major drawcard is its coastline as reflected in its name which literally means 'rugged coast' or 'rough coast', and rightly so. Visitors to Girona can explore its winding streets lined with colorful buildings or enjoy its many festivals celebrating Girona. For the transf", Traveled to Spain as a family in June, 2023, "So happy we found KimKim and Karenina as our tour specialist. Barcelona to Costa Brava Itinerary 9 days - Costa Brava Forum Email: info@travelbta.com. Stretching north from Barcelona to the Spanish-French border, the Costa Brava ('rugged coast') is undoubtedly the most beautiful of Spain's three main holiday coasts. 3. During Middle Ages, some rooms were used by the Jewish community as a mikveh, while in the 17th century, they were used by Capuchin nuns as a convent. Mexico & Caribbean If you are anxious to get out and explore, there are plenty of beaches along the 133-mile (214-km) stretch of coastline, and even in the height of summer, you can often find a secluded sandy cove all to yourself. Of course, when you have long lunches, followed by siesta time and lengthy apperativos, then you might need more time to explore. Good to Know: You can drive to the monastery from Montserrat, or take a cable car.