Rent a motorhome in Catalonia

Catalonia is a region in Northeastern Spain that is unlike any other you will find in the country. Catalonians have a strong sense of identity and see themselves as Catalonian rather than Spanish, which makes for a distinctive region to visit. There are over 500 kilometres of Mediterranean coastline to explore, the remarkable city of Barcelona, and plenty of landmarks once you start heading inland.

Catalonia makes a wonderful destination for a camper hire holiday, which is why you will find motorhomebookers.com partners in the region. Keep reading to find out more about motorhome rental in Catalonia.

Top 5 facts about Catalonia

1. Barcelona is often mistaken to be the capital of Spain, which is incorrect, but it is the capital of Catalonia and one of the most visited cities in Europe.
2. One of the more notable features of this remarkable city is the beautiful Barceloneta Beach, which is artificial and needs to be periodically topped up with sand imported from around the world as weather and tide wash the sand away.
3. Tourism is a significant part of Catalonia’s economy: it makes up around 12% of the Catalan GDP. It represents a quarter of all tourism in Spain, which means the region is very accommodating to visitors from other countries.
4. Catalonians have a strong sense of identity to the point of campaigning to become independent from Spain, giving the region a distinctive feel compared to the rest of the country.
5. The region boasts around 580 kilometres of Mediterranean coastline, offering some of the most picture-perfect beaches in the world.

These highlights await you when you visit Catalonia with a motorhome

Though quite a small part of Spain, Catalonia packs a lot in. There are over 580 kilometres of coastline to explore, not to mention a shared border with France. The region also stretches towards the heart of the country, providing a little of everything Spain has to offer in one area.

Probably the best-known Catalonian highlight when visiting the region is the capital of the region, the city of Barcelona. The remarkable artificial beaches, the incredible works of Antoni Gaudí, including the Sagrada Família church, and the MUHBA history museum are important must-sees. Barcelona is also home to Camp Nou — FC Barcelona’s home stadium. At just under a hundred thousand capacity, Camp Nou is the largest stadium in Europe and the fourth-largest football stadium in the world.

Moving out of Barcelona and up the coast, the Costa Brava sits on the border with France and offers some of the most scenic locations in the country. The mix of picturesque Meditteranean coastline and authentic whitewashed towns will make you feel like you’re visiting the idyllic scene on a postcard rather than a real place.

Away from the coast, the Benedictine Monastery of Monsterrat sits atop a rocky crag amidst the breathtaking vista of some heavily eroded mountains. Not only is the monastery itself an interesting destination, but the location offers some unrivalled views of the Catalonian countryside. The monastery also dates back to 1025, making it almost a thousand years old!

In keeping with the historical theme, Girona is a medieval walled city that can be found a little over 100 kilometres from Barcelona. It is built on the bank of the Onyar River, with many buildings directly overlooking the river itself. The original outline of the city was founded by the Romans over 2,000 years ago, but the city's Medieval Quarter is still over 500 years old.

If you prefer to be a little more in touch with nature, the town of Banyoles is located near the La Garrotxa Nature Reserve, offering a panorama of luscious green hills, rivers and Lake Banyoles.

These camper routes through Catalonia are a must

One of the most popular routes to take around Catalonia is the Barcelona Round-Trip. This route starts in Barcelona and takes you north, a bit inland but following the line of the coast. With a stop-off at Girona, you will reach Figueres before turning inwards and heading for the city of Vic. The route brings you back to Barcelona for a total distance of 320 kilometres, though there is plenty along the way to extend that distance if you are in the mood for exploring.

Another option is to just take your campervan along the Catalonian coast, giving you a journey of at least 500 kilometres beside some of the most picturesque coastlines in the world.

Camper van hire: Useful information for a trip through Catalonia

If you want to hire a camper in Spain, you will need to be at least 21 years of age and have a valid credit card. It’s also worth taking a little time to familiarise yourself with the rules of the road, especially if you are visiting from outside Europe. For example, the maximum speed in urban areas for a motorhome is 50 kilometres per hour, which may be different from your country of origin. Additionally, if you are taking the family, be aware that children under 1.35 metres in height are not allowed to sit in the front of the vehicle.

Rent a motorhome now and discover Catalonia

If you are planning a camper hire holiday in Northeastern Spain and would like to explore the Costa Brava, the Pyrenees Mountains, Barcelona and more, head over to motorhomebookers.com and start your dream road trip!