Crazy but true—almost no plans for my trip next week! I’m heading to Catalonia, flying in and out of BCN. I’d like to spend about half a week in each France and Spain, and I have very few must-sees at this point: Montserrat, Tossa de Mar, and Collioure. Anticipate staying in the latter two locales, but nothing booked yet. I’ve been to Barcelona previously so I don’t need to spend time in the city. I’m also thinking of visiting Cadaques, Girona, and Perpignan. What are your favorites in this region? Any hidden gems? Hoping to use only public transportation, but I can rent a car if necessary. Is it possible to visit Montserrat on the same day I fly out (in the evening)? Is Carcassone worth a day trip? Thank you all!!
Posted by
Surrey, UK
1146 posts
It's in the wrong direction for France, but Tarragona is about 100 km sw of Barcelona. World heritage site with Roman ruins and walled medieval centre.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
4022 posts
Girona, Besalu and Tossa de Mar are the three places I highly recommend. Besalu is 23 miles from Girona and can be seen as a daytrip by bus or by car.
If all you have is one week for everything other than Barcelona and Montserrat, I would skip France on this trip. Otherwise, your head will be spinning trying to jam in too many different places to visit in not enough time. I would recommend renting a car to get between Girona and Tossa de Mar as bus schedules are very skeletal and very time-consuming. A car rental agency that will drop the car off at your first hotel and also pick it up at your second hotel is www.GANXORENT.com. They also will sell all the insurance coverage you need. Great company that we rented from and the car drop-off and pick-up service they offer saved hours of time & hassle. You could have them deliver the car to your hotel in Tossa de Mar and pick it up in Girona. Be sure to have an International Drivers Permit ( IDP) which is a translation of your U.S. drivers license and is required under Spanish law. They are available through any AAA office in the U.S. for about $30. Bring your state drivers license and the iDP to Spain ( along with your passport)!
With a car you could visit Cadaques or the little beachside towns of Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc.
You can reach Tossa de Mar on 75-minute Express buses departing from Barcelona’s Estacio de Nord ( Northern Bus Station). There also are Express buses departing from Barcelona’s airport. A couple hotels I can recommend are the “Hotel Capri” a family-owned beachfront hotel with oceanfront views from rooms on upper floors. The “Hotel Diana” is just steps away, more deluxe and is in a historic Modernista mansion converted to a hotel.
I’m not familiar with hotels in Girona, but there are many to choose from by searching Booking.com
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
12060 posts
Tossa de Mar and Collioure as bases is good, but you need a car.
The following is for art lovers, the Dali theatre museum in Figueres, a gem. Combined with Cadaques is a full day and can be seen on your way over the border to Collioure.
FYI near Collioure there is an Miro art exhibit in Perpignan and Dada Picabia in Ceret at his moment.
At the beginning of the week you need a good night’s sleep before picking up a car on arrival.
Where do you plan to sleep the last night before heading to Monserrat?
You have daylight until 7:30/8 pm right now.
Posted by
new york
1868 posts
I've been in Girona and the Costa Brava for the past two weeks. In Girona I highly recommend Restaurant NORMAL, and Rocambolesc for ice cream; both are gems. Girona may not be a hidden gem, but it is certainly a gem of a city.
For the coastal towns I would not go without a rented car. (We were near Begur)
Posted by
OP
northville
30 posts
Thank you all for your suggestions! Any restaurant tips in Tossa de Mar? Any thoughts on whether driving to Cadaques is too tricky? I’ve seen boat tours from Roses and am wondering if that’s preferable. Thanks again!