Travelisto destinations
The Grand Tour of Catalonia
A 2,119 km road trip around Catalonia in five sections — from Barcelona to the Pyrenees, the Ebro Delta and the Costa Brava. Tailor-made, self-drive, at your pace.
Overview
One loop, five road trips
The Grand Tour of Catalonia is a 2,119 km loop that starts and ends in Barcelona and travels clockwise around the whole region in 30 stages. It takes in Roman Tarragona and the Ebro Delta, Priorat’s vineyards, the high Pyrenees, the volcanoes of La Garrotxa, Dalí’s Empordà and the Costa Brava — with Romanesque churches, Cistercian monasteries and some of Spain’s best food along the way.
The route is split into five sections of five to seven stages each. Most travellers choose one section for a week’s holiday; some join two together; a few take a month and drive the full loop. Whichever you choose, we turn it into a tailor-made self-drive holiday: your dates, your hotels, car hire arranged, the visits that need booking booked, and a day-by-day route to follow.
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Which section suits you? Section 1 for art, Montserrat and Cava; Section 2 for wildlife, wine and quiet villages; Section 3 for mountains and walking; Section 4 for villages, volcanoes and a lake; Section 5 for Dalí, beaches and a Barcelona finale.
Our itineraries follow the official Grand Tour of Catalonia route created by the Catalan Tourist Board, tailored by our Travel Designers.
From the team
Why we love the Grand Tour
Don’t try to rush it. One section in a week, with a few long lunches, beats the whole loop at speed. Tell me what you love — mountains, wine, beaches — and I’ll point you to the right section.
Rossella Rossella, Luxury & Destination Specialist Meet our Travel DesignersChoose your section
The five sections
Each section is a tailor-made self-drive holiday on its own. The numbers match the map.
1 Section 1: Barcelona to Tarragona
Gaudí, a night on Montserrat, Cava cellars and Roman Tarragona.
Tailor-made self-drive — price on request View itinerary
2 Section 2: Tarragona to Lleida
The Ebro Delta, Picasso’s village, Priorat wine and Poblet.
Tailor-made self-drive — price on request View itinerary
3 Section 3: Lleida to La Seu d'Urgell
Mont-rebei gorge, Aigüestortes lakes and the Val d’Aran.
Tailor-made self-drive — price on request View itinerary
4 Section 4: La Seu d'Urgell to Figueres
Pyrenean villages, Núria, Garrotxa volcanoes and Besalú.
Tailor-made self-drive — price on request View itinerary
5 Section 5: Figueres to Barcelona
Dalí, Cadaqués, Costa Brava coves, Girona and Barcelona.
Tailor-made self-drive — price on request View itineraryFind your trip
How tailor-made works
Pick a holiday style — or combine two. Each section links straight to the next step.
Tailor-made
Everything you see above is a starting point — we'll shape any of these around how you actually want to travel.
Your dates and pace
Start any day, add rest days or cut a long stage in two.
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Hotels with character
Monastery lodgings, wine-country farmhouses and seaside boutiques.
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Car hire sorted
Collected and returned where it suits your route, one-way fees included.
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Flights optional
Add flights from your nearest UK airport, or book land only.
EnquireTravel guides
From our editorial team
Grand Tour of Catalonia: Which Section Is Right for You?
Grand Tour of Catalonia sections compared: art and Cava, the Ebro Delta, the high Pyrenees, volcanoes and villages,…
Read more
Self-Drive Catalonia: The Complete Guide to the Five-Section Grand Tour
Self-drive Catalonia guide: the five-section Grand Tour route, when to go, driving tips, tolls and tourist tax, where…
Read morePractical info
Knowing before you go
When to go
April to June and September to October are the best months for touring: warm days, quieter roads and good light. July and August are hot and busy on the coast but ideal in the Pyrenees, where the lakes, high passes and rafting are at their best. Winter brings skiing in the mountains and calçot season inland.
Flights & how to get there
Direct flights from many UK airports to Barcelona take about 2 hours; Girona and Reus airports are useful for the Costa Brava and the Costa Daurada. A full UK driving licence is valid for car hire, and traffic drives on the right.
Visa & passport
Spain is in the EU and the Schengen area. UK passport holders can visit without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and the EU’s Entry/Exit System records your fingerprints and photo at the border. For up-to-date entry requirements and safety advice, check the UK FCDO travel advice for Spain.
Currency & money
The euro (EUR). Cards are accepted almost everywhere. Catalonia charges a tourist tax per person per night, paid locally at the hotel; the rate depends on the hotel category and is higher in Barcelona.
Language & tipping
Catalan and Spanish are both official. English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants and the main sights.
Health & safety
No special vaccinations are needed. Carry your UK GHIC card and buy comprehensive travel insurance that covers driving abroad.
FAQs
Grand Tour of Catalonia: your questions
How long does the whole Grand Tour of Catalonia take?
The full loop is 2,119 km in 30 stages, so allow about a month. Most people choose one section, which takes five to seven nights.
Which section of the Grand Tour should I choose?
Section 1 for art, Montserrat and Cava; Section 2 for the Ebro Delta, Priorat wine and monasteries; Section 3 for the high Pyrenees; Section 4 for mountain villages, volcanoes and a lake; Section 5 for Dalí, the Costa Brava and Barcelona.
Can I do the Grand Tour without driving?
Yes. A private driver-guide is available on request for any section, or just for the mountain days.
Is the Grand Tour of Catalonia an organised group tour?
No. It is a self-drive route. We plan it as a tailor-made holiday for you: hotels, car hire, the visits that need booking, and a day-by-day route.
Are flights included?
Only if you want them. We can add flights from your nearest UK airport. When international flights are included, ATOL Protection is included.
Is the Grand Tour your own route?
The route was created by the Catalan Tourist Board. Our itineraries follow it and our Travel Designers tailor it to you.
Make this trip yours
Plan your Grand Tour with a Travel Designer
Pick from any of the options on this page or tell us what you have in mind — we'll build it around how you actually like to travel. ATOL protected, flights included, real humans available 9am–7pm.