Coastal Road Trip Through Catalonia: Barcelona and the Costa Brava

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.