Barcelona & the Costa Brava - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Barcelona, Explore

Welcome to Barcelona! 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. Take some time to settle in and get your bearings before heading out to explore this beautiful and inexhaustible city. You'll have many options on what to see and do on your first day—and plenty of company. The cosmopolitan and bustling heart of Spain's Catalonia region is popular with domestic and international travelers all year round. 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 down La Ramblas, a sequence of promenades that runs from Plaça de Catalunya down to the waterfront. Near the opera house is the vibrant public market called La Boquería, which dates back to 1217 for the ultimate foodie pilgrimage. Centuries later, this is still considered one of Europe's best food markets and provides a great introduction to Catalan cuisine.

Day 2: Private Tour of Barcelona & La Sagrada Família

After breakfast, you'll start your day with a private guided walking tour of Barcelona, which includes its greatest monument, La Sagrada Família, a spectacular Roman Catholic church, and UNESCO World Heritage Site designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. During this half-day excursion, you'll see some of the city's most emblematic spots and hidden corners while learning about Gaudí and his jaw-dropping masterpiece, which is still under construction.

Your guide will be on hand to answer all your questions, including where to go for lunch! In fact, he or she will take you to a recommended tapas bar or restaurant before parting ways leaving you to enjoy the afternoon exploring Barcelona at your own pace.

Day 3: Private Tour of Park Güell & the Picasso Museum

Today you'll meet your private guide in the hotel lobby, who will lead you to Park Güell, one of the largest public green spaces in Barcelona—and one of the most impressive parks in the world—with countless examples of Gaudí's genius touches in its design and creation. Follow your guide on foot as you experience the best, oldest, and most interesting parts of the park!

Then return to the central El Börn district to discover the creative genius of another prized master—this time the artist Pablo Picasso—at the museum dedicated to his life's work. Your guide will be on hand to answer all your questions before taking you to a recommended tapas bar or restaurant in the city center. From here, spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the city at your own leisure.

Day 4: Day Trip to Monserrat & Wine Tasting

After breakfast in Barcelona, you'll meet your guide for a trip to the Catalan countryside, starting with a visit to the impressive Monastery of Montserrat with its commanding views. The monastery is notable not only for its stunning mountainous setting but also for enshrining the image of the Virgin of Montserrat. Founded in the 11th century, it still functions to this day with over 70 monks in residence. You'll also have the chance to listen to a boys' choir, visit the Moreneta de Montserrat, and take a light walk to Santa Cova, where the black Madonna is said to have originally been found and rescued.

From here, you'll depart Montserrat and enjoy a fantastic lunch of rural Catalan cuisine in a traditional restaurant, followed by a guided tour of one of the region's premier boutique wineries. There will be a chance to taste some of their wines and cavas before returning to Barcelona in the late afternoon.

Day 5: Pick-Up Rental Car, Drive to Begur

This morning, you'll meet a driver in your hotel lobby and transfer to Barcelona train station. This is where you'll pick up your rental car and begin the drive north toward the Costa Brava—a beautiful stretch of Mediterranean coastline running just north of Barcelona all the way to the border of France. You'll first make your way to the city of Begur, where you'll check into your accommodations and settle in before enjoying the spectacular views and rural way of life. This pretty town, an hour north of Barcelona, offers fantastic restaurants and boutique hotels. In the last decade, the town has become popular with Barcelonians who have stylish holiday homes here.

If you're 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. For something close to Begur, try Platja Fonda—a 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 of Palafrugell to visit the Cap Roig Botanical Gardens, which are considered to be among some of the best in the Mediterranean. Terraced gardens cascade from the hilltop castle right down to the beach and feature plants from around the world as well as sculptures by international artists.

Day 6: Day Trip to Girona

Today, you'll meet your guide for the journey to Girona, where you'll explore the colorful history and medieval architecture by taking a stroll through the town's walkable old quarter filled with winding, cobbled streets, medieval architecture, and pretty gardens. Along the way, you'll visit Girona's stunning Gothic cathedral and the Jewish heritage center of Bonastruc Sa Porta.

As a former home to Greeks, Romans, Visigoths, and Franks, Girona has stood the test of time via countless attacks by armies from near and far, which you can discuss with your guide. The local Catalans who live here have tastefully respected the town's unique history in carrying out the artistic, architectural, and cultural traditions since its founding nearly 2,000 years ago.

Day 7: E-Bike Tour of the Baix Empordá

Today, after breakfast in Begur, your driver will pick you up for the short transfer to meet your guide in the heart of the Costa Brava. Upon arrival in Gualta—a small village in Baix Empordà—you'll get an introduction to your e-bike and begin an 'electric' ride through the region's breathtaking scenery while barely breaking a sweat.

The 18-mile (29 km) itinerary passes through several medieval villages, among the most representative of Baix Empordá. Most of the route passes along rural trails and farmlands, and the terrain is mostly flat and undulating and, therefore, suitable for all levels. There will be plenty of time to stop for photographs, and your guide will share local history along the way.

In the afternoon, you'll finish the trip with a ride back to Gualta through flower-filled fields and villages. Say farewell to your guide, and then transfer back to your accommodations in Begur to enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 8: Private Kayaking Excursion

Today, you'll get to discover the stunning coastline of the Costa Brava through its hidden coves, caves, and headlands on a fun kayaking tour with a private guide! During this half-day excursion, you'll visit idyllic corners of the coastline only accessible from the sea with your expert guide, who will show you a trick or two in your kayak. The excursion can be adapted to your fitness level and preferred distance, and all equipment is included.

At the end of the tour, you'll have the rest of the day to spend at leisure, perhaps heading to a pretty beach like Calella de Palafrugell.

Day 9: Wine Tasting in the Empordà Region

After breakfast in Begur, you'll be picked up for a fun and in-depth visit to a small local wine producer in the Costa Brava's Empordà region, which stretches from the town of Figueres in Catalonia, all the way to the French border. Historians say vineyards have been in this area since the fifth century BCE. Though it's not as big as other wine regions in Spain, Empordà is known to produce delicious wines, like White Grenache, Tempranillo, Macabeu, and syrah, at terrific prices.

This five-hour excursion includes private transport and a stop for lunch in a nearby town before you return to your hotel in Begur in the afternoon, where you'll have free time to relax and, if you so choose, head to the beach and go for a refreshing swim before dinner.

Day 10: Costa Brava Free Day

Today you'll have a full day to explore the Costa Brava any way you'd like! This Catalan area along the Mediterranean stretches from the French border down to the province of Barcelona and is renowned for its stunning villages and rugged coastline with countless coves, ports, and beaches offering a range of cultural and leisure activities. Not only is there plenty to see along the shore, but the Costa Brava also encompasses some beautiful interior villages and attractions, too.

You can create your own itinerary or sign up for a range of guided excursions and/or activities. There's the medieval town of Besalú, the beautiful hilltop town of Begur with its castle, and the artsy whitewashed town of Cadaqués. Also worth considering are the coastal villages of Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc, where you can stop for lunch in a beachside bar and take in the views of the quaint ports and quintessentially Spanish squares.

The Costa Brava is also home to some of the country's best (albeit smaller) beaches, often hidden by soaring clifftops and unusual rock formations. Many of these can only be reached on foot, making the journey part of the fun, and you'll be rewarded by turquoise blue water with lapping waves.

Day 11: Drive to Vic via Rupit

Today you'll take a day-trip excursion inland through the towns and villages surrounding Girona as you head into the Pre-Pyrenees (the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains) and its fabulous scenery. En route, you can stop by a water park for a refreshing dip! Upon arrival in Rupit, you'll have the day to explore this rustic, medieval town, which is perched on a hilly lookout point. The architecture dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries, with houses and streets made from stone as well as pretty gardens and vegetation for photographing. Look for the rock wall that surrounds the village made from a rock called "Rupes" in Latin, hence the name Rupit.

Those who aren't afraid of heights can cross the hanging suspension bridge in town made of wood, making it popular with visitors. Active travelers will have additional routes for trekking, cycling, and horseback riding in the surrounding mountains. For a half-day route, you can hike the GR-2 trail to Tavertet, where you'll pass through woods and rivers to experience natural Catalan scenery—bring a picnic and have lunch along the way.

At the end of the afternoon, you'll drive to Vic for the night. 

Day 12: Explore the Pre-Pyrenees Medieval Villages

Today is a free day to explore the charming and scenic Pre-Pyrenees route any way you'd like. This mountainous area not only offers a range of canyons, gorges, and rivers for outdoor activities but also medieval towns, Romanesque churches, and towers to check out—in other words, you'll have plenty of options to choose from. A few notable attractions include the Natural Park of the Mountains and Canyons of Guara, with more than seventy different river gorges, as well as the UNESCO-listed River Vero Cultural Park, which is famous for its rock art.

Other ideas include shopping for souvenirs in local markets, sampling local delicacies and delights in various villages, or for something more active, consider hiking, biking, or canyoning in the mountains. The adventurous might like to take to the treetops on a thrilling ropes course.

Day 13: Return to Barcelona

Today, you'll depart the tranquil, medieval villages of the Pre-Pyrenees and make the return drive to the bustling city of Barcelona. This is your final night in Spain, so make sure to take advantage of anything you may have missed in the city earlier in the trip! 

Day 14: Depart Barcelona

It's time to say farewell to Barcelona! Depending on the time of your flight or train reservation, squeeze in one more walk through the city, perhaps picking up some last-minute souvenirs. At the designated time, you'll be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport or rail station for your departure onward. Safe travels!

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