Excellent service, speed, and courtesy
T.
Spain · Sep 2025
Trustpilot
With campervan hire in Catalonia, a few hours are enough to go from the coves of the Costa Brava to the valleys of the Pyrenees, then from the Penedès vineyards to the rice fields of the Ebro Delta. Our rental partners welcome you in Barcelona, Girona and Tarragona, with several depots on the outskirts of Barcelona and near the airport, from two-berth vans to family motorhomes for six.
Girona opens the road to the north and the French border, Tarragona to the beaches of the Costa Daurada and the hinterland. Lleida and Granollers, which have no depot, are easy to reach from these cities. Between sea, mountains and monasteries, Catalonia can be explored in a single week or on a three-week tour extended into Aragon or France.
Our partners
Our 8 rental partners in Catalonia
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Anywhere Campers
Rental company category:Standard
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Autocaravan Express
Rental company category:Standard
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Avis Explore
Rental company category:Standard
Public rating of the rental company:
4.1/5
(506 reviews)
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BlackSheep
Rental company category:Standard
Public rating of the rental company:
3.9/5
(411 reviews)
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Hostel On Wheels
Rental company category:Economy
Public rating of the rental company:
4.7/5
(83 reviews)
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McRent
Rental company category:Standard
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Motorhomes Italy
Rental company category:Standard
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Touring Cars
Rental company category:Standard
Catalonia
Where to pick up your motorhome in Catalonia?
Choose your departure city: the map shows where rental companies hand over their vehicles.
Return to another city
Road trip ideas
The best itineraries in Catalonia
1 The Costa Brava, from Barcelona to Girona
- Barcelona
- Tossa de Mar
- Calella de Palafrugell
- L'Escala
- Cadaqués
- Figueres
- Girona
North of Barcelona, the coast breaks up into coves and whitewashed villages: the ramparts of Tossa de Mar, the fishing boats of Calella de Palafrugell, the Greek and Roman ruins of Empúries near L'Escala, then Cadaqués and the cliffs of Cap de Creus. The return via Figueres lets you visit the Dalí Theatre-Museum before reaching Girona and its Jewish quarter.
Coastal villages often restrict motorhome access and parking, especially in summer: use the signposted car parks at the entrance and follow local signs. The narrow, winding road to Cadaqués is more relaxed in a van.
- Distance
- about 350 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Van or compact motorhome
2 The Catalan Pyrenees, from Girona to Tarragona
- Girona
- Besalú
- Olot
- Ripoll
- Puigcerdà
- La Seu d'Urgell
- Vall de Boí
- Lleida
- Tarragona
From Girona, the road climbs to the medieval village of Besalú and the extinct volcanoes of the Garrotxa around Olot, then crosses the passes to the Cerdanya and Puigcerdà. It continues to La Seu d'Urgell and the Boí Valley, whose Romanesque churches are a World Heritage Site, at the gateway to Aigüestortes National Park, before heading down via Lleida to Tarragona.
The passes can be snowbound from November to April: find out about road conditions and required equipment. Inside the national park, private vehicle access is restricted; authorised 4x4 taxis run up towards the lakes.
- Distance
- about 600 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Van or compact motorhome
3 Montserrat, the Cistercian monasteries and the Ebro Delta
- Barcelona
- Montserrat
- Santes Creus
- Poblet
- Tarragona
- Ebro Delta
- Tarragona
This southern loop leaves Barcelona for the jagged massif of Montserrat and its monastery, then crosses the Penedès vineyards to the Cistercian abbeys of Santes Creus and Poblet. Tarragona and its Roman remains facing the sea come before the Ebro Delta, with its rice fields, lagoons and flamingo colonies.
At Montserrat, you can leave the vehicle in Monistrol and ride the rack railway up. In the delta, the roads are flat but narrow, lined with irrigation channels.
- Distance
- about 400 km
- Recommended vehicle
- All types of motorhome
Weather and seasons
When to go in Catalonia?
Best time
April to June
April to June
highs 18 to 27 °C, lows 10 to 19 °C on the coast; highs 19 to 28 °C, lows 9 to 17 °C in Girona
The most pleasant time to combine coast and mountains: days bring ten to thirteen hours of sunshine on the coast as in Girona, Costa Brava campsites are not yet full and the Pyrenean meadows are in bloom. The sea stays cool, between 15 and 19 °C in April and May, before warming up in June.
High season
July and August
July to August
highs 29 to 30 °C, lows 21 to 22 °C on the coast; highs 31 °C, lows 20 °C in Girona
Peak season along the whole coastline: full campsites, crowded beaches and heavy traffic around Barcelona and on the Costa Brava, especially in August. The sea reaches 25 to 28 °C and Girona, slightly inland, tops 30 °C. The cooler Pyrenees then become the best refuge, even if mountain storms often break in the afternoon.
September and October
September to October
highs 22 to 27 °C, lows 15 to 18 °C on the coast; highs 22 to 26 °C, lows 13 to 16 °C in Girona
The sea holds at 22 to 25 °C and the crowds thin out, while the grape harvest livens up the Penedès and the Priorat. Yet these are the wettest months of the year, with up to about 100 mm a month in Barcelona, often falling in violent thunderstorms: watch the weather alerts and never park in a dry riverbed.
Winter
November to March
November to March
highs 14 to 18 °C, lows 5 to 10 °C on the coast; highs 13 to 17 °C, lows 3 to 8 °C in Girona
On the coast, winter stays mild and bright, with seven to ten hours of sunshine a day, and campsites open all year welcome travellers in peace; nights are cooler in Girona. In the mountains, snow covers the Cerdanya and the Val d'Aran: some passes then require special equipment and many high-altitude campsites close.
Step by step
Renting in Catalonia, step by step
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1
Choose your departure city
Barcelona and its surroundings for the widest choice and arrivals by air, Girona for the Costa Brava and the Pyrenees, Tarragona for the Costa Daurada and the Ebro Delta. Several Barcelona depots are located on the outskirts, from Martorell to Sallent.
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2
Compare offers
Look at manual or automatic transmission, the actual number of berths, the kitchen and bedding kit and the cancellation terms. Enter your exact dates in the search to get the real price, mandatory fees included.
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3
Book the summer stops
In July and August, book campsites on the Costa Brava and in the Ebro Delta as soon as your rental is confirmed; out of season, motorhome areas and campsites open all year round are usually enough without booking.
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4
Prepare for pick-up
Driving licence, ID and a credit card held by the main driver: check the documents required for a licence issued outside the European Union, the exact depot address and the handover time, especially if you are landing at Barcelona airport.
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Low-emission zones
Barcelona and several municipalities in its metropolitan area enforce a low-emission zone, and other Catalan cities are introducing their own. Access depends on the DGT environmental sticker displayed on the vehicle: ask the rental company which one it carries and check the rules in force on the municipal websites before driving into town.
Visiting Barcelona without the motorhome
Old-town alleys, scarce parking and break-ins at vehicles parked near tourist sights: Barcelona is far easier to explore on foot. Stay at a campsite or motorhome area on the outskirts served by train or metro, then reach the Sagrada Família and the Gothic Quarter by public transport.
The tramontana in the Empordà
In the Empordà and around Cap de Creus, the tramontana wind sometimes blows in violent gusts, especially in winter and spring. A tall, light motorhome becomes tricky to handle: slow down on exposed roads, avoid parking facing the wind and retract the awning as soon as it picks up.
Motorways and tolls
The AP-7, which runs along the coast from the French border, and the AP-2 towards Lleida have been toll-free in Catalonia since 2021. Some regional motorways and tunnels, such as the Cadí Tunnel towards the Cerdanya, are still tolled: check your route and the toll category for a motorhome before you go.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Catalonia
Where are the rental depots in Catalonia?
Our rental partners are based around Barcelona, in Girona and in Tarragona: Indie Campers in Martorell, McRent in Sallent, Barberà del Vallès, near the airport, in Quart and in Vila-seca, Touring Cars in Sant Boi de Llobregat and Viladecans, BlackSheep in Ripollet, plus Anywhere Campers, Autocaravan Express, Avis Explore, Hostel On Wheels and Motorhomes Italy. The exact address appears in your confirmation.
Can I set off from Lleida or Granollers?
None of our rental companies has a depot in these two towns, but both are quick to reach. Granollers is only 26 km from Barcelona as the crow flies, not far from the McRent depot in Barberà del Vallès. Lleida lies 76 km from Tarragona and 132 km from Barcelona: start from one of these cities and make it a stop on the way to the Pyrenees or Aragon.
Van or motorhome: which to choose?
A van such as the two-berth Carado CV-540 slips easily through Costa Brava villages and along mountain roads. For a couple with children, a four-berth Carado T-447 low-profile motorhome, with manual or automatic gearbox, or a five-berth Adria Matrix offers more space; the six-berth Family models suit groups, but their size makes narrow streets harder to negotiate.
Can I cross into France or Andorra?
The French border is close to Girona, and many travellers carry on into Roussillon or French Cerdanya. Rental companies generally allow neighbouring European Union countries, but conditions vary. Andorra, outside the European Union, may be excluded or subject to insurance conditions: check the authorised countries in your offer before planning the route.
How long should I spend in Catalonia?
One week is enough for the Costa Brava and a few days in Barcelona. With two weeks, you can add the Catalan Pyrenees or the Montserrat and Ebro Delta loop. Three weeks let you combine everything, or even push on to Zaragoza, 257 km from Barcelona as the crow flies, or Valencia, also departure cities for our rental companies.
Verified customer reviews
They travelled in Catalonia with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
EXCELLENT IN EVERY WAY. HIGH-QUALITY VEHICLE. FRIENDLY STAFF. NO PROBLEMS.
Isabelle L.
Spain · Jul 2025
Avis Vérifiés
Very good price and good service
Serge G.
Spain · Mar 2025
Avis Vérifiés
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan hire in Catalonia
Which licence for driving a motorhome in Catalonia?
A category B licence is enough for motorhomes with a maximum authorised mass of up to 3.5 tonnes, which covers most rental models; above that, a C1 licence is required. With a licence issued outside the European Union, find out whether an International Driving Permit or a translation is needed, and check each rental company's minimum age.
Where to sleep in a motorhome in Catalonia?
The coast has many campsites, often right by the water on the Costa Brava and the Costa Daurada, and many stay open out of season. Inland and in the Pyrenees, village áreas de autocaravanas provide water and waste disposal, sometimes electricity. Wild camping depends on the municipality and protected natural areas: check the rules before spending the night elsewhere.
Which road rules apply in Spain?
Traffic keeps to the right, and speed limits for motorhomes may differ from those for cars depending on weight: check them before you leave. A bike rack sticking out at the rear must carry the red-and-white striped V-20 panel. The reflective vest and breakdown warning device are part of the equipment: ask to be shown them at pick-up.
Is mileage unlimited?
Yes, for every offer we surveyed in the region, in Barcelona, Girona and Tarragona. Still, check it in the conditions of your chosen offer, as well as the insurance excess and the options to reduce it, which often matter more on a trip mixing narrow coastal lanes and mountain roads.
What language is spoken in Catalonia?
Catalan and Spanish are both official, and Catalan dominates on road signs, menus and place names: Lleida rather than Lérida, Girona rather than Gerona. In the Val d'Aran, Aranese, a form of Occitan, is also official. At rental depots and coastal campsites, English is widely spoken.
When to book a campervan in Catalonia?
For July and August, as well as Holy Week, book several months ahead: demand is high and the larger models go first. From October to May, outside public holidays, a few weeks are usually enough. Prices vary greatly with the season: run a search with your dates to find out.
About us
Why explore Catalonia by campervan
Few regions let you swim in a Costa Brava cove in the morning and sleep at the foot of a Pyrenean peak at night. Catalonia brings together, in a compact area, the Mediterranean, the volcanoes of the Garrotxa, the monasteries of Montserrat and Poblet, the Roman remains of Tarragona and the lagoons of the Ebro Delta. A campervan lets you follow this thread with no hotel to book, at the pace of local markets and grape harvests.
Departures are concentrated around Barcelona, with a wide choice of depots on the outskirts, complemented by Girona in the north and Tarragona in the south. Everyone can build their own loop: the coast in spring, the mountains in summer, the late season in the vineyards. And Catalonia opens naturally onto France, Aragon and the Valencia region to extend the journey.
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