Itinerary in Spain by car - voyage from Barcelona

On the Mediterranean coast there are many large and small, famous and not so, luxurious and modest resort towns. Among all this diversity, Barcelona stands apart. Bright, controversial, proud and, of course, extraordinarily atmospheric. It is a city of geniuses, unrecognized and recognized talents, and, of course, art lovers. A city that can rightfully be called the resort capital of the Mediterranean. However, even with all this diversity and splendor, sometimes you want to go on a trip to Spain by car, starting the route from Barcelona and discovering more and more new corners of Catalonia and not only every day.

How to get to Barcelona

The easiest and fastest way to get to Barcelona is by plane. Every day, at least 10 regular flights from Russia arrive at El Prat International Airport. Alternatively, transfer options may be considered. You can find the cheapest and most convenient option and book tickets on the Aviasales website. Other ways are railway and bus. In either case, you will have to get from Moscow to Paris, and then make a transfer. It should be noted right away that such a journey will take a lot of time.

Where to stay in Barcelona

Barcelona is a big city, and there are hotels of various stars, from luxury to economy class, in almost every area. There are more than 200 of them. And this is not taking into account the numerous apartments, hostels and campgrounds. And, despite this, during the season, places must be booked in advance. A distinctive feature of the Barcelona fives is that there are often design hotels and so-called "boutiques" among them. Even here, the love of art, typical of the Catalan capital, was not without. By the way, not always traditional - among such hotels there are often avant-garde ones. As for the price, it varies - from 200-300 euros per night for a double room in luxurious hotels in the central part of the city to 5-10 euros for a "bed" in hostels. Here, as they say, everyone chooses for themselves. Fortunately, there is something.

Car rental in Barcelona

If you are planning to travel in Spain on your own, it is most convenient to do it with a rented car - there are many companies in Barcelona that provide such services. Managers, as a rule, are ready to communicate with clients in advance, book a car at their request for specific dates and even submit it to the airport parking by the specified time. The fee for this will be purely symbolic. But it's better to know where to look for parking while traveling - in Spain, they are not cheap and spontaneity in this matter can be very expensive, in the truest sense of the word.

Barcelona landmarks

How to start exploring Barcelona? Even experienced travelers who have visited it more than once will probably not answer this question. Someone prefers to walk along the noisy always lively Rambla, someone - to look at it from the height of the Columbus monument, someone - to admire the legendary Sagrada Familia, someone - to enjoy the silence (yes, this is possible even despite the presence of hundreds of tourists) Park Guell ... Barcelona has a lot of attractions that have become its symbol. But nevertheless, despite the rather diverse collage "mast see", you still have to highlight something important for yourself. If you answer the question - where to go in Barcelona, ​​if there is only an hour to see it, it will probably still be the Rambla. Why? Because it is as controversial as the Catalan capital.

At first glance, she is cheerful and carefree. But one has only to peer into the sad faces of living sculptures, turn right (if you go from Plaza Catalunya towards the embankment) and find yourself in the Boqueria market, colorful and devoid of any capital flair, turn left, walk a few blocks and stumble upon the Cathedral, which serves as a residence Archbishop and built in the 15th century (although it began even earlier - in the 13th century), it becomes clear that the Rambla, like Barcelona itself, is much deeper. One involuntarily recalls the lines of the Russian poet N. Rylenkov: "It is not enough to hear here, here you need to listen ... It is not enough to see here, here you need to look closely ...". This is about her - the central pedestrian street of Barcelona.

If there is something contradictory, ambiguous, but invariably bewitching and striking the imagination (in terms of architecture, of course), then this is the Cathedral of the Sagrada Familia, or as it is also called the Sagrada Familia. It is truly unique - it is a structure that preserves the memory of many historical events (construction began in 1882) and at the same time sounds in unison with modernity, linking epochs and generations with an invisible thread. It should be noted that this is the only case in the history of architecture when unfinished long-term construction (the completion date has been postponed more than once and is currently set for 2026), which attracts millions of tourists and is insanely popular.

And finally, in order to understand Barcelona, ​​the famous Camp Nou stadium cannot be ignored. Football for the capital of Catalonia is like a second air, and it is not surprising that your favorite team is treated with awe and respect. It is no coincidence that the slogan "More than a club" flaunts on the podium. During the excursion, guests can sit in the stands, visit the commentator's cabin and go to the edge of the field. And, of course, get acquainted with the museum exposition. Of course, these are not all the sights of Barcelona. Olympic Park, Casa Batlló and Mila, Park Güell, the magnificent old port, the Picasso Museum, the mysterious Gothic Quarter ... You can continue for a long time and what you have time to see depends solely on the availability of time. There will be enough interesting things for more than one week.

How to save money in Barcelona?

Everyone knows that Barcelona is an expensive city. If there is an opportunity to save money, why not use it?

• Skip-the-line tickets to the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell
• Transfer from and to Barcelona airport or one way transfer from Girona airport will allow you to quickly and comfortably reach the city center
• Hop-On Hop-jff bus tickets
• 20% discount on tickets to top museums (including Picasso, Juan Miro, MNSC), attractions (including Casa Mila, Casa Batllo and Camp-Nou), excursions and bike tours, Hola Transport card

Fast Track Ticket for Sagrada Familia
Entrance ticket to Park Guell
Casa Batlló ticket and video guide
Hola BCN: public ticket transport for 2,3,4 or 5 days
PortAventura Park ticket and transfer
Ticket to PortAventura and Ferrari Land parks
Tibidabo Amusement Park Ticket
Skip-the-line ticket with audio guide to Casa Mila
1 or 2 days hop-on hop-off Barcelona city tour

Barcelona - Lloret de Mar - Girona - Vila Sacra

Having decided to go on an independent auto tour from Barcelona, ​​many tourists first of all go to the side of Lloret de Mar. Moreover, in one day you can have time to visit several interesting cities at once. Having covered literally 70 kilometers, travelers find themselves in a completely different reality. Despite the popularity of the resort, the atmosphere is calm and peaceful.In addition, there are quite a few attractions in Lloret de Mar - the castle of San Juan, located on the coast and which has become the hallmark of the entire Costa Brava, the romantic chapel of Santa Cristina, the patroness of the city, the gardens of Santa Clotilde and others. For those who decide to spend the night in Lloret de Mar, the town opens from a completely different side. As the sun sets, it seems to come to life and the streets, which seemed quiet and calm during the day, turn into one big get-together. You can wander between the bars until dawn. The main thing is not to overdo it with cocktails, especially if you plan to go further in the morning.

The next destination for many travelers is Girona, which is only 35 kilometers away. It is often called the immortal city (the city fortress has managed to withstand 25 sieges over the years of its existence, which is really a lot!), Spanish Florence and even the city of Salvador Dali (although the museum dedicated to it is not here, but in Firegas). Girona is not as famous and popular as its neighbor Barcelona, ​​but it is no less beautiful. The best way to start your acquaintance with Girona is to walk through the Old Town. Small colorful houses of the 17th century with multi-colored facades, located on the embankment of the Onyar River, invariably fascinate and remind of the deeds of bygone days (someone compares them to Florence - and there really is some similarity), and Plaza Catalunya, which looks like a wide bridge and connecting the two banks, it looks very unusual and even mysterious. And, of course, you cannot pass by the medieval Cathedral, the construction of which began in the distant XIV century.

Vila Sacra is literally 20 kilometers from Girona. Why is it worth visiting this small cozy village? At least in order to breathe in the air of the Spanish province, find out what the national cuisine is (not oriented towards tourists, but really local!) And spend the night in a cozy hotel, in order to go on to discover beautiful Spain with renewed vigor in the morning.

Vila Sacra - Empuriabrava - Besalu - Castellfiolit de la Roca

Curious tourists are unlikely to want to linger in Vila Sacra for a long time - a couple of hours of evening walk will be enough to get around the whole village. Therefore, in the morning, having a snack at the hotel, you can get ready to go - to the shores of the bohemian Empuriabrava. This resort town is often called the Spanish Venice. It is all "cut" by canals, their total length exceeds 35 kilometers - this is a world record. As in Venice, luxury villas have an exit in the water - locals often travel by yachts and boats. However, land transport can also be reached anywhere in Empuriabrava. In general, it is a very atmospheric town, a walk through which will certainly give a lot of positive emotions and vivid impressions.

Among the attractions of the resort, first of all, it is worth noting the beaches. Wide, sandy, almost endless ... In fact, there are two of them - one comfortable, and the second wild. Despite the popularity of Empuriabrava, there is enough place in the sun for everyone even in the height of the tourist season. But lovers of architectural masterpieces, this town is likely to disappoint. It is not old, and there are no sights as such. But in medieval Besalu, the first mention of which dates back to the X century, there are enough of them. It would be more correct to say that the whole city is one continuous attraction. It is small in area, only 5 square kilometers, and you can get around all the nooks and crannies in 2-3 hours. City landmarks - El Castel castle and the bridge over the El Fluvia river. However, not only they, but every house, every lane reminds of its former greatness.

After enjoying the flavor of bygone days, you can go further. Just 15 kilometers from Besalu is the village of Castellfollit de la Roca, very famous far beyond the borders of Spain. It is amazing, first of all, because it is located right in the rock. And it was built neither more nor less in the distant Middle Ages. Hence - a very unusual architecture and many buildings worthy of attention. Among them, the Church of San Salvador and the museum located in it stand out. From the observation deck, you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area. In general, Castellfollite de la Roca is not just colorful - it seems to be lost in time. Walking along its narrow streets, you begin to believe that a brave knight in armor, or a lady in a chic fluffy dress, is about to appear from around the corner. Fortunately, there are very few tourists here and the stories of the guides do not break this mysterious atmosphere. But, no matter how beautiful the village in the mountains is, it is unlikely to interest curious travelers for more than 2-3 hours. Therefore, in the evening you can return to Vila Sacra, in order to continue your journey in the morning and see a completely different Spain - to the Pyrenees mountains.

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Vila Sacra - Seira, Pyrenees

It is not so close from Vila Sacra to Seira - about 350 kilometers. However, the roads in Spain are good and the path can be easily overcome in 4-4.5 hours. Why, having decided to visit the Pyrenees, is it worth staying here? First of all, because Seira is a very cozy, picturesque village where you can get acquainted with national traditions and feel the special spirit of the Spanish province. Secondly, housing here is not expensive - for the price of a room in a three-star hotel in Barcelona, ​​you can rent a two-story apartment with a mountain view. From the point of view of sights, Seir is of no interest. They are simply not here. But the nearest surroundings deserve attention. The first place to go is the Estany De Cavallers dam. It is considered the most equipped and most convenient for inspection. The construction is really striking in its scale. In addition, there are dizzying views from the dam itself.

You can admire nature almost alone - getting to Estany De Cavallers is not so easy, you can only do it with your own transport. That is why there are not too many tourists here. In the area of ​​the dam, there are simple places for recreation (wooden tables and benches), but if you want to relax and have a picnic, then you should stock up on food in advance - there are no shops and other outlets here. Not far from the lake is the Aigüestortes National Park. It is remarkable, first of all, by the fact that several routes for short trekking have been laid through the territory - the simplest one, designed for unprepared tourists, can be overcome in 2-3 hours. On the way, there are swift mountain rivers, slopes rushing to the clouds, almost abandoned bridges. Occasionally, somewhere in the distance, you can see lonely houses. Lonely walking cows with bells complement the landscapes - almost alpine romance. Although the Pyrenean landscapes are not at all similar to the Alps. They are beautiful in their own way, mesmerizing and breathtaking.

While enjoying the beauty, do not forget about returning home - from Aigüestortes to Seira is not so far, only 80 kilometers, but the road is quite difficult - a narrow serpentine. Therefore, it is better to overcome it before sunset.

Seira - Benasque

Just 22 kilometers from Seira there is a place that is known to every lover of active winter recreation - the Benasque ski resort. In winter, at the height of the season, there is literally "nowhere for an apple to fall." But in the summer in a small town with a population of 2000 people, as if lost among the Pyrenees peaks, it is calm and quiet. In the vicinity there are several trekking routes of varying difficulty - designed for both amateurs and professionals who know a lot about hiking.The beauty of the surrounding landscapes amazes even seasoned travelers - glaciers, lakes, waterfalls ... no photograph conveys all this grandeur and splendor. Benasque is not only a modern ski resort. The city has a rather interesting history, so there is nothing surprising in the fact that there are many architectural sights on its streets. Among them are the palace of the Counts of Ribagorz, the houses of Casa Juste, Casa Faure and Casa Marcial del Rio. As you can see, this place has always attracted representatives of the Spanish nobility. In addition, the 13th century Romanesque church of Santa Maria Maggiore deserves attention.

The Seira-Benasque road is not too long, only 22 kilometers, but it is worth deviating just a few meters from the main route and you can find yourself in truly fabulous places. One of them is the Presa de Benasque dam. By itself, it is closed to the public, but there is an observation deck nearby, which offers a beautiful panoramic view of the dam itself, a tunnel through the rock (they are quite common in the Pyrenees) and the lake. Another place that will be a real crime to pass by is the Escarpinosa Lake and the Poss-Maladeta Park, which is located in its vicinity. Many call it the most beautiful thing in the Pyrenees. In any case, lovers of nature and beautiful landscapes will not remain indifferent.

You can end this day by staying in one of the hotels in Benasque (in summer the prices for accommodation in the city are very attractive, since the resort is empty) or returning to Seira - it will be more convenient to continue your journey from there.

Seira - Montserrat - Castelldefels

Of course, these are far from all the interesting places of the Pyrenees, but if you are limited in time, this must see route can be considered fulfilled. On the way to Barcelona, ​​there is an object that simply cannot be passed by. This is the spiritual center of Catalonia, the holy of holies for locals and Catholics around the world - the Montserrat Monastery. It is known primarily for the fact that it is here that the statue of the Black Virgin of Montserrat is located. The history of the monastery began over 1000 years ago. Since then and to this day it has been considered active, although now there are not too many monks, no more than 20 people. The monastery has a small museum where you can learn about the affairs of bygone days. In terms of architecture, the Montserrat Monastery is interesting primarily because it was almost completely rebuilt in the 19th century with the participation of the famous and controversial architect Antoni Gaudi. His ideas, connected with the unity of man and infinitely harmony, here he embodied really very successfully.

Montserrat Monastery is located in a very picturesque place. Several trekking routes have been laid in its vicinity - for the convenience of tourists, there are signs everywhere, so you will not be able to get lost for sure. In addition, they pass through the most picturesque places and are designed for tourists with different levels of physical fitness - even those who play sports “on you” will cope with the conquest of the simplest ones.
How much time to plan to visit Montserrat Monastery? For some, a few hours are enough, while others are ready to stay here forever. For those who decide to stay and spend the night, there is a hotel next to the monastery. However, the prices here are not low, touristy.

Having completed your acquaintance with the monastery and having breathed in the air of the monastery, you can return to the coast. Back to Barcelona? Of course, you can do that, but there are still many beautiful places in Catalonia where you can find yourself in the end. For example, the tiny and very cozy town of Castelldefels. It is known, first of all, for its endlessly long beach - a great place to put a final point and say goodbye to beautiful Spain. In addition, there are a huge number of restaurants with a wide variety of cuisine - from the national Catalan to the Japanese. Seafood dishes are considered a local highlight. If you are lucky enough to get to Castfeldefels in July or October, you can take part in a pirate feast or the chestnut festival, the fame of these events spreads throughout Catalonia.

Of course, this is not the only "Spanish" route that you can take on a trip by car from Barcelona. Catalonia and the surrounding regions are rich in sights, natural parks and all kinds of interesting places. Spain is diverse, colorful and invariably hospitable. It opens up to each traveler in its own way, but every tourist will certainly leave a piece of his soul here.

Route in Spain by car from Barcelona on the map