Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip

Coastal Road Trip Through Catalonia
Barcelona and the Costa Brava

Barcelona - Begur - Cadaqués

Starting from between £1,800 to £2,520 per person for 8 days depending on the time of year, type of accomodation and activities

Itinerary Highlights

  • Savour the varied sights and sounds of eastern Catalonia, from vibrant Barcelona to peaceful Cadaqués
  • Hang up your hat in a collection of chic, well-located hotels just steps away from where you want to be
  • Make unforgettable memories at every turn: guided tours of Barcelona and Girona, special tickets for the Sagrada Familia and a hike in the Cap de Creus nature park
From the pulsating hustle and bustle of Barcelona to the windswept wilderness of the Cap de Creus peninsula, this eight-day getaway to Catalonia is all about combining culture and nature. Your adventure kicks off in Barcelona, where you’ll discover the city’s most iconic neighbourhoods with a local guide before having a day to soak in the Sagrada Familia. Then it’s time to answer the call of the wild. Your last five days are all about devouring the natural wonders of the Costa Brava: swimming in crystalline waters, strolling from village to village and hiking along the peninsula with an experienced guide. Round off your holiday with a day trip to Girona, a medieval city brimming with cultural and historic heritage.
Maison-musée Salvador Dalí - Port Lligat - Cadaquès - Espagne © Jérôme Galland
Maison-musée Salvador Dalí - Port Lligat - Cadaquès - Espagne © Jérôme Galland
Catalogne - Espagne © Droits reservés
Catalogne - Espagne © Droits reservés
La Casa Milà - Barcelone - Catalogne - Espagne © Gunnar Knechtel/LAIF-REA
La Casa Milà - Barcelone - Catalogne - Espagne © Gunnar Knechtel/LAIF-REA
Espagne © Droits reservés
Espagne © Droits reservés
Maison-musée Salvador Dalí - Port Lligat - Cadaquès - Espagne © Jérôme Galland
Maison-musée Salvador Dalí - Port Lligat - Cadaquès - Espagne © Jérôme Galland
Maison-musée Salvador Dalí - Port Lligat - Cadaquès - Espagne © Jérôme Galland
Maison-musée Salvador Dalí - Port Lligat - Cadaquès - Espagne © Jérôme Galland
Barcelone - Catalogne - Espagne © Gunnar Knechtel/LAIF-REA
Barcelone - Catalogne - Espagne © Gunnar Knechtel/LAIF-REA
Cadaquès - Espagne © Jérôme Galland
Cadaquès - Espagne © Jérôme Galland
Cadaques - Espagne © Droits réservés
Cadaques - Espagne © Droits réservés
Espagne © Faustine Poidevin
Espagne © Faustine Poidevin
Ibiza - Baléares - Espagne © Faustine Poidevin
Ibiza - Baléares - Espagne © Faustine Poidevin
Costa Brava - Begur - Espagne © Droits réservés
Costa Brava - Begur - Espagne © Droits réservés
Begur - Catalogne - Espagne © Getty Images/iStockphoto
Begur - Catalogne - Espagne © Getty Images/iStockphoto
Fundació Joan Miró - Barcelone - Espagne © Droits reservés
Fundació Joan Miró - Barcelone - Espagne © Droits reservés
Barcelone - Espagne © Nuria Val/Coke Bartrina
Barcelone - Espagne © Nuria Val/Coke Bartrina
Cadaquès - Espagne © Jérôme Galland
Cadaquès - Espagne © Jérôme Galland

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

Your coastal break to Spain’s vibrant eastern shores starts today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and enjoy some down time in the airport lounge with some nibbles and refreshments as you await departure. Flight time to Barcelona is just over two hours, enough time to brush up on your Spanish before touching down. A private driver will be waiting for you on arrival to whisk you off to your first accommodation: an intimate and stylish hotel in the heart of the city, where you’ll be staying for the next three nights. The rest of today is yours to play with. We recommend celebrating the first day of your holiday with an aperitif and cocktail in one of Barcelona’s many delightful rooftop bars. You’ll be armed with our coveted destination-specific Dossier, which is full of our tried-and-tested favourite spots, or you can contact our local Concierge to ask if there are any events worth knowing about for this evening.

It’s your first full day in Spain and what better way to spend it than by getting to know the timeless Catalan capital in the company of a clued-up local guide. Your guide will walk you through three of Barcelona’s must-visit neighbourhoods, each of which reveals a different side of the city. You’ll start on the Passeig de Gracia, a mind-bogglingly long avenue home to a host of luxury boutiques and fabulous Modernista architecture. The walk continues through the winding alleys of the old Gothic quarter before reaching the delightful Barrio el Born. This neighbourhood was long the city’s craftsmen's quarter and is now a bustling hub of fashionable shops and bars.

If there’s one site in Barcelona that deserves a whole morning dedicated to it, it’s the Sagrada Familia. Gaudí’s magical masterpiece has long dazzled locals and foreigners alike with its enchantingly-eclectic architecture and fascinating history. Gaudí’s construction of the basilica started way back 1882 and is yet to be completed, meaning it’s been under construction for over 140 years and isn’t set to be complete until the early 2030s. Despite its incompletion, it is undoubtably one of Europe’s most beautiful churches, both inside and out, and is a must for any culture buff visiting Barcelona. Today you’ll be armed with skip-the-queue tickets to the site to maximise the amount of time you get to spend exploring this historic wonder. The rest of today is yours to play with. You could wander over to Park Guell, an impressive park that features a range of Gaudí’s most famous buildings and sculptures as well as panoramic views across Barcelona’s skyline and the ocean beyond. We could also arrange for you to head into the heart of the Poblenou district in the company of a friendly local guide.

Today you’ll be switching things up, swapping the hustle and bustle of the city for the calm of the coast. After a hearty breakfast at the hotel this morning, collect your hire car and travel an hour and a half to Begur, a picturesque resort town on the shores of the azure Costa Brava. On arrival, check in for two nights in a delightful hotel in the heart of town, just a few steps from the beach. Spend the rest of today settling into your new surroundings. You could head out to the small nearby villages of Pals and Tamariu to enjoy a spot of walking along one of the many trails, or you could simply kick back and relax on a plush sun lounger at your nearby beach, a pretty cove bathed in crystal-clear water.

You only have one full day in Begur and there’s plenty to do, so make sure to wake up bright and early for a day of exploring. In terms of nature, there are beaches and hiking trails galore. There are also plenty of picturesque villages nearby, including Esclanya, which has a small Romanesque centre. From here you can stroll down to the idyllic Sa Tuna cove via the Sa Tuna road. When you’re ready for a dose of culture, head over to the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueras, which houses well-curated exhibitions in an extravagant building.

Today you’ll be continuing your adventure up the Costa Brava. After breakfast this morning, hop back into your hire car and travel an hour and a half up the coast to Cadaques, a classic white-washed town overlooking a peaceful bay in the heart of the Cap de Creus peninsula. On arrival, check in for two nights in an elegant hotel in the centre of the village. There’s nothing quite like getting your legs moving after a car journey, so once you’ve settled in and freshened up, you’ll be met by an experienced local guide who’ll be leading you on a hike through the Cap de Creus nature park. This is a great opportunity to discover the different geological features of the region. You’ll also learn about the peninsula’s historic relationship with the ancient Greeks and Romans, who sailed these seas and left their mark. Head back to the hotel this evening to enjoy a delicious meal based on local ingredients and regional specialities.

Your final day in Catalonia is all about discovering the rich cultural heritage of nearby Girona, a riverside city known for its beautiful medieval architecture and walled old town. You’ll be setting off with a private guide who is full of fascinating tales of the city. The centre of the old town is bursting with historic delights: the Gothic cathedral, the 12th-century Arab baths, the Call Jueu and the Jewish Quarter. The church of Sant Feliu and the monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants are also part of the local heritage not to be missed. If you fancy one last sliver of ocean life, then our team can also arrange for you to discover the idyllic Cadaqués coastline by boat.

Sadly, your magical escape to Barcelona and the Costa Brava had to come to a close at some point. After one last hearty Spanish breakfast at the hotel this morning, travel around two and a half hours back to the airport in Barcelona. Drop off your hire car, whizz through security and enjoy some snacks in the airport lounge or browse the shops for any last minute souvenirs before boarding a two-and-a-half-hour flight back to the UK.

Suggestions

Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included

DISCOVER BARCELONA’S EL POBLENOU DISTRICT



Head out today in the company of a clued-up local guide to explore one of the most dynamic neighbourhoods in the Catalan capital: El Poblenou. Formerly an industrial wasteland, the district now illustrates Barcelona's modern and creative momentum. The Encants flea market on Plaça de les Glories, dominated by an impressive gilded steel canopy, is a case in point. This is the gateway to 22@, a futuristic project combining architecture, digital art and new technologies. There is also Jean Nouvel's monumental Agbar Tower, the Design Museum, art galleries and showrooms combining cutting-edge antiques, Gaudí furniture and young Catalan artists’ creations. Round off the walk with a visit to the Can Framis Museum of Contemporary Art, or the Central Park in Poblenou, another of Jean Nouvel's projects.



BOAT TRIP ALONG THE CADAQUÉS COASTLINE



Cadaqués features no shortage of scenic delights: labyrinthine cobbled streets, white houses with blue doors and windows and tiny craft workshops. But crowning them all is the splendid Cadaqués coastline, home to small coves, crystal-clear waters and curious shapes reminiscent of lions, camels and dragons. There is also the sun-drenched Cap Creus, Spain's most easterly point. Exploring the coast by boat makes it possible to drop anchor wherever you fancy and to visit beaches inaccessible by road.

Why visit Spain with Original Travel

Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.

ENQUIRE NOW

A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Spain

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

You might also like

A rough idea of the price

Depending on the time of year, type of accommodation and activities

The estimated cost for this trip starts from £1,800 to £2,520 per person. The final cost of the trip depends on the way we tailor it especially for you. The final cost varies according to several factors, which include the level of service, length of trip and advance booking time. The exact price will be provided on your personalised quote. The average starting price for this trip is £2,170 per person.

100% tailor-made holidays

Understanding Your Needs

Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday

Personalisation

We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities

Our Services

All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges