The best landscapes of the Grand Tour of Catalonia in a motorhome
The Grand Tour of Catalonia is an itinerary of more than 2,000 kilometres inspired by the great journeys popular among young European nobility in the mid-19th century. It has been designed as a single thirteen-day itinerary or in five sections of between five and seven days. The fact that it is divided into stages allows you to plan short getaways and take advantage of however many days you have available. Below we propose three routes to travel by motorhome on which you can discover the best landscapes in the Barcelona region.
From Barcelona to Món Sant Benet
We begin with an itinerary on which you can discover some of our Modernist treasures and immerse yourself in the most spectacular natural landscapes of the Barcelona region. Are you ready to go?
Day 1
Not far from Barcelona, you’ll find one of the most impressive Modernist monuments in the province: the crypt of the Colònia Güell, a former textile colony that houses one of Gaudí's first works, the Gaudí Crypt. This was the first time the Modernist architect had tried out all his artistic innovations in a unified way. It is also one of the seven Gaudí-designed buildings declared World Heritage Sites and perhaps the least known of them. The next stop on your journey is Terrassa, another destination with a unique Modernist heritage. Your first stop is Masia Freixa, a Gaudí-inspired building by architect Lluís Muncunill that will amaze you with its rounded shapes and parabolic arches. Currently the headquarters of the city's tourist office, it is a good place to find out about everything Terrassa has to offer. We recommend making a second stop at the Museum of Science and Industry of Catalonia, one of the most important examples of Modernist industrial heritage in the country. Take the opportunity to have lunch in this 'City with Character' and, if you feel like it, in the afternoon you can visit the Seu d'Ègara, which has some of the most exceptional Visigothic churches in Europe. Next, head towards Bages and spend the night in the Monistrol de Montserrat motorhome area, at the foot of the magical Montserrat mountain.
Day 2:
Begin the day enjoying the exceptional views of Catalonia’s unique, spectacular mountain. Leave your motorhome in the car park and take the rack railway to Montserrat Abbey. From there, you can take one of the walking routes in the Montserrat Mountain Natural Park while admiring such emblematic silhouettes as Cavall Bernat or La Palomera. You could take a pleasant walk to La Creu or La Santa Cova, but if you are looking for a longer excursion, we suggest taking the Sant Joan funicular to reach the highest viewpoint in Montserrat. Once at the top, you can choose among hiking routes of varying difficulty and, if you prefer, you can walk back to the monastery. It’s all downhill from there! Don't leave Montserrat without visiting the famous Moreneta (Black Madonna) and trying the mató (curd cheese) you'll find on the daily market stalls. You can have lunch in the former monastery stables (16th-century), now occupied by the Abat Cisneros restaurant, which is also certified with the Biosphere sustainability seal. Afterwards, return to your motorhome and take the road that crosses the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park to Sant Fruitós del Bages, where the fantastic monastery of Món Sant Benet awaits you. This excellently-preserved medieval monastic complex houses the headquarters of the Alícia Foundation, which promotes the benefits of healthy eating. If you're visiting with children, check the Món Sant Benet agenda; they have a wide range of activities for the little ones that vary depending on the time of year. You can also take the opportunity to visit charming towns like Mura or the Pla de Bages vineyards. If you participate in some of the activities of the DO Bages Wine Route you’ll discover the delights of the region’s designation of origin wines. You can overnight in the Navarcles motorhome area, very close to the monastery.
Practical information: this proposal begins from Stage 1 of the Grand Tour of Catalonia ‘Vineyards with a Taste of the Sea’ and includes Stages 2 and 3.
From Gósol to Bagà
If you're more of a mountain person, this is the itinerary for you. Discover the wildest parts of the Berguedà region with its spectacular natural landscapes. This two-day route will take you from the foot of Pedraforca mountain to the fantastic medieval town of Bagà.
Day 1:
We suggest arriving the night before in Gósol, at the foot of Pedraforca, and waking up with the view of the colossal mountain in front of you. You can overnight at one of the campsites in the area, such as Repòs del Pedraforca and Mirador al Pedraforca, which offer plots for camper vans and motorhomes. Cadí Vacances also has a parking area for this type of vehicle at the entrance to the campsite and allows the use of all the facilities for a minimal fee. Spending the night at any of these campsites is ideal for dedicating the day to discovering this natural setting by following one of the recommended routes. To get a detailed idea of the surroundings of Pedraforca, one option is to take the Pedraforca 360 circular route, a 17-kilometre, 790-metre elevation gain walk around the perimeter of the mountain. In the afternoon, we recommend taking a stroll around Gósol, climbing up to its castle and discovering the Picasso Centre, where the painter spent the spring of 1906. You can overnight again in one of the campsites in the area.
Day 2:
The next morning, follow the Saldes road to the C-16 and drive towards Bagà. Enjoy the views with the imposing silhouette of Pedraforca constantly accompanying you on the way. You can stop in Guardiola de Berguedà and spend some time visiting the magnificent Benedictine monastery of Sant Llorenç. Guardiola is also a good place to discover local products: cheese, sausages and trumfos (potatoes), either bought in a shop or tasted in a restaurant. In the afternoon, follow the route to Bagà, where you can spend some time visiting the historic old town and the Medieval and Cathar Centre, to understand the close bond of the Cathars with Alt Berguedà, before returning home.
Practical information: this proposal begins from Stage 4 of Grand Tour of Catalonia ‘Ode to Nature’ and includes Stage 1.
From Rupit to Alella
Our third Grand Tour-inspired proposal is from Collsacabra to the vineyards of Alella, a two-day route that will take you from the beautiful landscapes of Osona to the attractive beaches of Maresme.
Day 1:
Wake up in the motorhome parking area in Rupit, in the heart of the Collsacabra region (if you want to find plenty of room and fewer people, we recommend avoiding the weekends). It is ideally situated for exploring this charming village with its cobbled streets and suspension bridge. Your next stop is Manlleu, to discover the town’s industrial past and its links with the Ter River. It is very interesting to visit the Ter Museum or take one of the guided tours organised once a month to the Rusiñol Colony and the Borgonyà Colony (you can check the schedules here). Continue the itinerary to Vic, where you can take a guided tour of the centre; walk across the Plaça Major, one of the most emblematic town squares in Catalonia, and taste the famous Vic llonganissa and fuet sausages. A good place to do this is at the century-old Casa Riera Ordreix, where they make the PGI Vic llonganissa and offer guided tours. If you prefer heritage, head to Vicpuntzero, where you can take an immersive tour to learn about the history of Vic from its origins. Your next stop in the afternoon is Viladrau, in the heart of the Montseny region, where you can delve into the legends of witches and bandits at the Espai Montseny or take a hiking route through the heart of the massif. Rest among the exuberant nature of this biosphere reserve by spending the night at the Viladrau motorhome area.
Day 2:
Cross the Montseny mountains to reach the fine-sand beaches of the Maresme coast. By the sea, visit the Calella lighthouse, stroll through charming Sant Pol de Mar or swim in one of the beaches. Continue driving to Canet de Mar, to discover the Domènech i Montaner Museum House, dedicated to one of the great Modernist architects. You can also visit Arenys de Mar, a fishing town on the Maresme coast that still holds a picturesque fish auction. Once in Mataró, the capital of the region, you can visit the Casa Coll i Regàs and the Nau Gaudí, two examples of the importance of Modernism on the Barcelona coast. On your way to Barcelona city, stop off in Alella, where you can visit a winery and discover the delights of the DO Alella wines.
Practical information: This route begins with Stage 5 of Grand Tour of Catalonia ‘From Surrealism to Modernism’ and includes Stages 4 and 5.
If you don't own a motorhome, you can always hire one. Companies such as Orson Rent offer several options. These vehicles allow you a freer way of travelling and make any getaway a true adventure!
More information:
Grand Tour of Catalunya Orson Rent
Osona Camper Territory
Bages motorhome areas
Campsites in Berguedà
Visita Terrassa
Colònia Güell
Montserrat Mountain Natural Park
Món Sant Benet
Gósol
Les Valls del Pedraforca
Osona Tourist Board
Costa de Barcelona Maresme Tourist Board
DO Alella