Planning a vacation in Spain and wondering where to go after Barcelona on an easy road trip? Costa Brava – the Wild Coast of Spain is famous for its rugged cliffs and natural beauty. It is also conveniently close to Barcelona and so lends itself perfectly for a 3-day road trip from the Catalan capital.
This 3 day itinerary from Barcelona is packed with suggestions for activities, places to see and must-have experiences along the way. See some of the most iconic pieces of art while tracing the steps of surrealist Salvador Dalí, taste some local wine from the L’Emporda region and enjoy the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean during a kayak tour in the calas.
3 day itinerary from Barcelona
Road Trip Costa Brava Itinerary From Barcelona
Everyone wants to visit beautiful Barcelona city, a must-see destination in Spain. So, after spending 2 days in Barcelona seeing the famous historic sights, it’s time to explore more of the Catalonia Region, especially the popular Costa Brava.
Authored by Christin Braatz
Day 1.
Barcelona – Blanes – Tossa de Mar – Palamós – Begur
Highlights of the day:
- Blanes castle
- Botanical Gardens Martimurtra
- Walking old city walls in Tossa de Mar
- Calas along the Cami de Ronda in Palamós
- Old town and castle of Begur
Total driving distance: 150 km / 93 miles
Driving time: 2 hr 30 min
Start early, as you have a big day ahead of you!
1. Blanes
Your drive to Blanes from Barcelona will lead you along the Maresme coast north east of Barcelona, with its long sandy beaches. Upon arrival in Blanes you have the choice of either hiking up to Blanes Castle or wandering around in the Botanical Gardens.
The view from Sant Joan de Blanes castle is spectacular and will make for a perfect instagram photo session. With the ruins in the foreground you can see the never ending beaches to the south and the surrounding green hills. It’s about a half hour hike from the beach, but as it is all uphill, make sure to bring water, especially in the summer!
If instead, you go for the Marimurtra botanical gardens, get ready to be surprised. Beautifully maintained flowers, pergolas, ponds, nooks and viewpoints await. From the pavilion you will be able to see one of the small coves the Costa Brava is so famous for. It’s like this garden sits right on the border between Maresme’s beaches and the Costa Brava’s cliffs and coves. This is why Blanes is considered the gate to the Costa Brava.
If you drive up to the castle instead of hiking up you can probably fit both into the day.
2. Tossa de Mar
But before lunch, drive to Tossa de Mar. This medieval village offers many choices of restaurants with a view of the sea for you to choose from.
After lunch, go for a stroll in the old town, you can even walk on the old city walls! In the old town, every corner you turn will make for a great photo. In the spring and summer, flowers bloom on the hill with the towers of the fortress overlooking the town itself and the coast.
How about a quick dip in the sea from the sandy beach before you continue?
3. Palamós
Then on your way north, stop in Palamós. Not as overrun by tourists, here you can still feel what the Costa Brava used to be like. The wooden fishing boats are drawn up on the beach, ready for their next day’s work.
This is a great place to hike a short bit of the Cami de Ronda, the coastal trail (GR92) that stretches along the entire Costa Brava. It will lead you to charming coves (so-called calas) with arching rocks over turquoise water and through pine forests that smell delightful, warmed by the sun. Alternatively, you can rent a kayak or SUP to explore the calas from the sea side.
4. Cami de Ronda
The Cami de Ronda can be divided into several day hikes almost from the French border all the way along the coast of Catalonia. It is well over 100 years old and originates from police patrolling the coast. Ronda is Spanish for patrol.
Some hikers take their own camping equipment and put up tents along the way. But as it leads from town to town, some also book hotel accommodation each night. With the rocky terrain of the Costa Brava the hikes are mildly challenging, mostly medium difficulty and require proper footwear.
5. Begur
After Palamós your Costa Brava road trip takes you to Begur. Probably the best spot to see the sunset is from Begur Castle, if you like that sort of thing. But really, when you are in this neck of the woods, it is so worth it to get up for sunrise!
As you are on the east coast of Spain you will see the sun rise above the Mediterranean Sea. So while you enjoy a scrumptious dinner in the historic town, consider waking up early to experience the sky turning pink and orange the next morning.
Day 2.
Begur – Pals – Peratallada – Girona
Highlights of the day:
- Snorkeling in Begur
- Medieval town of Pals
- Medieval town of Peratallada
- L’Empordà wine region
- Jewish Quarter in Girona
Total driving distance: 55 km / 34 miles
Driving time: 1 hour 10 min
Less driving, more action today!
Before you leave Begur you may want to use this opportunity for a morning of snorkeling or scuba diving. Begur Dive as well as the Aiguablava Dive Center offer both activities here.
6. Pals
One your way to Girona today, you will visit two medieval villages. The first picture stop is Pals. Its Torre de les Hores tower was part of the old castle and still stands today, surrounded by sandstone buildings, the town square, churches and the old city walls. Take a picture from the Josep Pla viewpoint, from here you can see over the Empordà plain all the way to the Montgri mountains.
7. Peratallada
Stop for lunch in Peratallada, in the heart of the L’Empordà wine region. The medieval town is a cultural heritage of national importance in Spain, thanks to its 1000 year history. Much of the historic architecture remains to this day and buildings now house restaurants, cafés and artisan shops. Peratallada translates loosely to “engraved in stone” referring to the sculpted sand stone structure of the fortified village. Narrow cobbled streets lead onto a porticoed main square and the 11th century Peratallada Castle.
8. Girona
Leave enough time in the afternoon to explore Girona, as there is so much to see! After all, Girona was a filming location for Game of Thrones! You can walk on the old city walls, admire the colourful buildings along the Onyar River from the Eiffel Bridge, explore the historic Jewish Quarter and Girona Cathedral. But you must make sure to kiss the lion statue, as that brings luck!
Why not enjoy some Spanish tapas this evening or indulge in the ultimate fine dining experience? After all, Girona is known for its amazing cuisine. The city’s legendary 3 Michelin stars El Cellar de Can Roca is one of the best restaurants in the world (reservations are vital as tables are fully booked up to a year in advance!). For less fancy food try some Catalan originals in the tapas bars around town. For example patatas bravas (fried potatoes with a spicy sauce), jámon (ham), pan con tomate (bread with tomato) or tortilla de patata (omelette with potato) along with some local wine. A popular grape is Tempranillo.
Day 3.
Girona – Besalú – Figueres – Cadaqués – Empúries
Highlights of the day:
- Medieval village of Besalú
- Salvador Dalì museum in Figueres
- Picturesque town of Cadaqués
- Cap de Creus, easternmost point of Spain
- Greek/Roman ruins of Empúries
Total driving distance: 141 km / 88 miles
Driving time: 2 hr 45 min
Today is the day of architecture and art!
9. Besalú
Your first stop from Girona will be Besalú where you will want to take the iconic picture of the historic stone bridge leading into the village.
Another reason people visit Besalú is that it is right on the edge of Garrotxa Volcano Park, boasting 38 volcanic cones and many other natural attractions. But that is an excursion for another time.
10. Figueres
Drive on to Figueres and visit the Salvador Dalí museum. This world famous artist basically created the genre of surrealism right here on the Costa Brava. While there are other museums in Figueres as well, if you only see one, make it this one. The building itself is as unique as the art in it and the story of Dalí is well told, leaving few visitors untouched.
11. Cadaquès
In the afternoon, drive on to Cadaquès, the white town on the sea that inspired Dalí and so many other artists. In fact, his house was in the neighboring village Port Lligat. If you wish to see it, make sure to make reservations ahead of time.
Take a moment to walk around Cadaquès, explore the little shops along the beach. And just a short drive from the village center is Cap de Creus, the easternmost point of continental Spain. It’s worth a visit in its own right, too, with a lighthouse on top of the rugged cliffs.
12. Empúries
For the finale of your 3 day Costa Brava road trip from Barcelona, drive to Empúries. Follow the signs to the Ruins of Empúries, you will be able to park very close to the site. For a small admission fee here you can wander where the ancient Greek and the Romans walked since the 6th century BC. The settlement grew during the time of Julius Caesar to include an amphitheater and much more! Before it gets dark, allow about 1 hour 15 min to discover this special place.
Fun activities on the Costa Brava
Hopefully, this 3 day itinerary from Barcelona has given you some inspiration to explore la Costa Brava. Maybe you even found some places you want to come back to and spend more time.
If you like the outdoors, why not extend your trip for one of these activities?
Skydive in Empuriabrava
If you want to end your road trip with a true highlight, consider a skydive in nearby Empuriabrava! Companies such as La Tierra del Cielo offer tandem jumps over the artificial harbor town. Near the canals of Empuriabrava you will notice countless campgrounds in this area. It is popular for caravans and RVs but also the odd tent.
Coasteering on the Costa Brava
Coasteering is a half-day or full-day activity, usually in a group. You’ll be climbing up rocks and cliffs, then jumping into the water. A guide will give you the safety equipment and advise you were the water is deep enough to jump. For beginners, jumps are up to 8 metres.
Climbing a Via Ferrata on Costa Brava
A via ferrata is a pre-determined route of climbing on a rock, guided by a steel wire. Climbers are hooked to this wire at all times via two carabiners. The via ferrata in San Feliu de Giuxols on the Costa Brava is easy enough for beginners and offers fantastic views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Hiking the Cami de Ronda
Catalonia has an extensive network of hiking trails, some of pan-european importance. One of these is the Cami de Ronda, GR92, part of the Grand Route network. The trail leads along the coves of the Costa Brava and through the towns and villages. It is usually well marked with red and white signs.
About the Author
Christin has lived in Germany, Switzerland, USA, UK, Spain, Canada, Norway, Italy and on a cruise ship. She is currently based in Barcelona, Spain, but travelling for a living.
She started Christin has Fernweh after a trip to the Provence, France in 2018 in order to share stories of beautiful places and beautiful people with a larger audience.
If you have any questions or comments, please use the comment box below!
This Costa Brava road trip is simple to do from Barcelona whether you’re driving your own car or hiring a rental vehicle. Alternatively, you can do a similar itinerary by local bus if you have more days to spare or consider an organised trip.
Female travellers have the exciting option of joining this exclusive women’s only tour of Barcelona and the Costa Brava. Just sit back and enjoy the experience without the hassle of planning or driving. This is a chance to see the best of Catalonia, accompanied by a local guide and a small group of like-minded ladies. Away from the top tourist sites, there’s much more to see and do – start with a heli trip over Barcelona City, discover secret coves, vineyards, winetasting and authentic cuisine, and finish with a private beach party. Sounds perfect to me!
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