Hi. I’m planning a week long vacation to Spain. I need help planning an itinerary. I’d like to spend 3 nights in Barcelona. And renting a car a some point to explore as well. I need to begin and end my trip in Barcelona as that’s where Ill be flying in/out.
Since I don’t want a car while in Barcelona I’m thinking it makes most sense to grab the rental car at the airport when I arrive then heading to where driving is less stressful.
I can use suggestions of a route for 3 days. I was thinking Girona and Costa Brava; staying in Girona 1 night and some of the smaller towns on the coast en route back to Barcelona where I’d drop the car off. I’ll stay the last leg of my trip in the city.
Is this a good plan? And if so which towns would be recommended to stay? Also is driving/parking in these areas stressful? My husband has driven in many European countries but as we’ve gotten older it’s a bit more stressful.
If there are any other route suggestions ld love to hear them. Thanks!
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
1700 posts
In 2010 we spent a week in Barcelona and then went on a 3-night driving trip to Girona and along the Costa Brava. My husband did the driving, and it was easy. We did not have the car in Barcelona. We spent 1 night in Cadaques and 2 nights in Girona, and that worked very well for us. Tossa de Mar on the Costa Brava is also beautiful and could be another nice place to stay. I know that a lot of people stay in Begur but we did not go there so can't really comment. How many nights will you be in Spain? If you have the time, I recommend 3 nights in the Costa Brava and 4 nights in Barcelona instead of 3. But 3 is better than nothing. Barcelona has so many interesting historical and cultural sites (including Gaudi, of course), and many wonderful neighborhoods for wandering and exploring which is why I suggest 4 nights. You might be frustrated with only 3 nights.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6792 posts
What time of year is this trip? That (and your tolerance for heat) would greatly influence which direction i would head.
Your plan to avoid driving in Barcelona is a good one, except...fly overnight, arrive exhausted in a foreign country, jump in a car and drive off...risky and dangerous. Maybe land, spend one night, then drive away after you've got a good night's sleep. Getting back to the airport (or some other "easy" driving location) the next day for a car pickup may be a better option.
Posted by
OP
27 posts
We are going a Tuesday through Tuesday. So excluding those days which will be flying days, we'll be there 6 full days. Perhaps, 4 nights in Barcelona and 2 exploring?
We plan to travel late April. Im hoping to get Monserrate in as a day trip via public transportation from Barcelona as well. Maybe my itinerary is too ambitious?
And yes, I did consider the fatigue of travel and getting in a car. Maybe I should spend the first 3/4 nights in Barcelona then take a train to Girona where I can rent a car at the train station and work my way back to Barcelona on the last day to fly out.