Places to take your tourer in Europe: Catalonia, Spain

Spain has long been a favourite for visitors from Britain. The country attracted more than 15 million British tourists in 2022 alone.

Beautiful and alluring as Spain might be, however, it is also a vast country. So, don’t even think about trying to cover huge distances or take into too wide an area during any single holiday. Concentrate instead on a specific region.

With just that advice in mind, let’s take a look at some choice destinations in one of the most accessible and popular Spanish regions – Catalonia.

While we suggest some of the likely sights along the way, remember that the rules of the road in Spain may differ from those you’re used to – so brush up on the local law and keep with you all the documents you might need to produce in any roadside check. Appropriate insurance cover for touring in Europe is also likely to be a prudent precaution. You might want to get some appropriate touring caravan insurance quotes before you depart.

Catalonia (Catalunya)

Formally styled an “autonomous community” under the Spanish constitution, Catalonia comprises four separate provinces – Barcelona, Gerona, Lleida, and Tarragona. These cover a large area of more than 11,583 square miles (30,000 square kilometres) and a population of over seven and a half million. Needless to say, perhaps, given its size and cultural diversity (it boasts three official languages – Catalan, Spanish and Aranese), Catalonia is distinct and quite different to practically any other part of Spain.

Barcelona

Undoubtedly the most immediately recognisable city in Catalonia is its capital Barcelona.

It is one of the world’s great cities and a marvellous place of culture and excitement and of course it also benefits from having the beautiful Mediterranean on its doorstep.

You must visit the old town, the cathedral and the stunning Sagrada Familia designed by Antoni Gaudi. The Picasso Museum is also a must if you like modern art.

Gerona (Girona)

The capital of the province of Girona goes by the same name and is an extremely attractive, ancient city characterised by its old town and some of the incredible buildings that lie alongside the main river.

The city itself is not well suited to towed caravans and even cars can be a bit of an issue in its older streets. So, where possible, use public transport to get into the centre.

Surrounding the city you’ll find some lovely countryside – often bypassed by tourists on their mad dash to the beaches or mountains. It’s where you’ll also get to savour some authentic Catalan cuisine.

Thanks to its proximity to the border with France and that country’s city of Perpignan, the province of Girona offers a tempting gateway into Catalonia, with an array of fascinating destinations that are not at all touristy or commercialised;

Cadaqués

  • not far over the French border, but still hugging the coast, you’ll come across the absolutely beautiful little fishing village of CadaquĂ©s;
  • comprising largely picturesque, whitewashed buildings overlooking the Mediterranean, it will show you a part of Spain that you might have thought had ceased to exist;
  • caution – access to the centre of the village can be difficult for cars and virtually impossible if you are towing a caravan;

Figueres

  • the pretty town of Figueres is also not far from the French border;
  • it is world-famous for the Salvador Dali museum – this was his home town;

Empuries

  • heading south from Figueres along the coast, you’ll find the important Roman town of Empuries, which has some very interesting ruins and remains to explore;
  • it overlooks the Mediterranean – showing once again, just how the ancient world shared our own preoccupation with location, location, location.

Lleida

Probably the least well-known of the Catalonian provinces is Lleida, located in the very northeast of the country. In the lee of the Pyrenees, it is one of the most mountainous regions of Spain.

Thanks to its location, Lleida attracts many winter sports enthusiasts to its ski slopes in and around the Aran and Boi Valleys – host to the highest altitude ski resort in the Pyrenees.

Beyond the winter’s skiing season, tourists continue to make the trek to Lleida for walking and adventure sports holidays throughout the remainder of the year.

Lleida also boasts a valued and well-respected wine industry.

Lleida City

The province also lends its name to its capital city, which sits on the banks of the river Segre and is overlooked by a magnificent cathedral on top of the neighbouring hills.

Lleida City plays an important regional role in Catalonia – known for its agricultural and textile industries.

Tarragona

Finally, when you’ve had your fill of the tourist hustle and bustle of Barcelona, why not visit the lesser-known but equally important Catalonian province of Tarragona and the capital city of the same name.

It is just 62 miles (100 km) or so south of Barcelona – and if you’re pitched nearby, you might want to make the hour-long journey by train.

The city itself stands on the Costa Dorada and has a population of just 133,545 permanent residents. Nearby are some iconic seaside resorts – such as Salou – and the biggest amusement park in the whole of Europe, Port Aventura.