Camping in Barcelona

Barcelona is a city of contrasts and attracts visitors with its historic neighbourhoods, modern architecture, manicured parks, exciting nightlife and beautiful beaches. The Catalan capital welcomes visitors to the north of the Spanish Mediterranean coast, south of the Pyrenees. On a holiday in Catalonia, a city trip can therefore be wonderfully combined with camping in Barcelona by the sea.

Special features of camping in Barcelona

There are a variety of campsites in the Barcelona area to suit all tastes. Most of them welcome their guests directly by the sea. What could be better than stepping out of your caravan in the morning and enjoying the view of the azure Mediterranean?

The beaches on the Costa Brava are generally sandy and safe, so families with children will feel right at home there. There is also a wide range of water sports on offer and if you like, you can go banana boating, sailing or water skiing in the waves.

Many of the campsites near Barcelona are easily accessible by public transport from the city centre, including night buses. This means that holidaymakers can explore the metropolis until late in the evening without having to rush.

How to get there

It's easy to get to Barcelona by motorhome, but you should allow some time for the journey. From Frankfurt am Main, the route to the Catalan capital is around 1,300 kilometres.

Drivers should first take the A6 motorway through southern Germany. The motorway crosses the border into France near Strasbourg and Mulhouse. The motorway leads steadily south, past Lyon and Valence, until finally reaching the Mediterranean at Montpellier. Montpellier is considered one of the most liveable cities in France and those who take a break here can linger in the oldest botanical garden in France and admire historic buildings such as St Pierre Cathedral.

The rest of the route offers some breathtaking views of the sea and invites you to stop off in picturesque French coastal towns such as Sète or Perpignan. Shortly before Figueres, you finally cross the Spanish border.

Figueres also offers a number of cultural attractions, such as the Dalí Theatre Museum, one of the most popular museums in the country. In neighbouring Girona, a stroll through the old town is highly recommended. It is dominated by the imposing Santa María Cathedral and the city walls date back to Roman times.

Top 5 sights

• La Rambla: The promenade La Rambla is the most famous street in Barcelona and runs from Plaça Catalunya to the harbour.
• Sagrada Familia: The impressive Sagrada Familia church is one of Barcelona's landmarks and was designed by Antonio Gaudí.
• Parque Güell: Another Gaudí masterpiece that enchants visitors with its colourful mosaics.
• Barri Gòtic: A stroll through the narrow streets of the Barri Gòtic gives travellers an exciting insight into Barcelona's past.
• Local mountain Montjuïc: The 173 metre high mountain Montjuïc is considered the green lung of the city. The 17th century fortress Castell de Montjuïc stands on the summit.

Top 2 insider tips

• Garden of Casa Ignacio Puig: After an exciting walk along the bustling La Rambla promenade, the charming garden of Casa Ignacio Puig offers a green oasis of relaxation. The idyllic, over 100-year-old park with its cosy seating areas in the shade can be accessed via the lobby of the Petite Palace Hotel.
• Parc del Laberint d'Horta: The Parc del Laberint d'Horta is located just outside the city centre. It was laid out in the 18th century for the aristocracy and is the oldest park in Barcelona. Inside is a hedge maze. The park was the setting for the film Perfume.

Activities and excursions

Barcelona offers holidaymakers a wide range of leisure activities. From water sports, hiking, cycling and horse riding to a hot air balloon ride, everything is possible here.

Water sports

Water sports enthusiasts get their money's worth on Barcelona's sun-drenched beaches. Jet ski tours along the coast are popular, allowing you to see Barcelona from a completely different perspective. Water sports enthusiasts also have a great view when kayaking and sailing. Surfing is also possible all year round. Wetsuits and surfboards are available for hire at La Barceloneta beach. If you want to get to know the underwater world of the Costa Brava, you can even admire sunken shipwrecks while diving.

Hiking

Nature lovers will find countless marvellous hiking trails around Barcelona. The Catalan Pyrenees promise a fantastic mountain landscape with peaks up to 3,000 metres high and hiking trails of all levels of difficulty. The sandstone mountains of Montserrat, a little further south, are also very attractive and offer a rich variety of species. Birdwatchers will love the Delta de Llobregat nature reserve, just 30 minutes from Barcelona. Every year, around 350 different bird species rest in the wetlands between the Garraf massif and the Serra de Collserola on their way from Europe to Africa. Many small hiking trails lead through the delta and guided ornithological tours are also offered.

events

5 January

• Procession of the Three Wise Men: Procession from the Old Harbour through the city.

First week of March

• Festes de Sant Medir de Gràcia: Popular parade in the Gràcia district, where lots of sweets are distributed.

March-April

• Semana Santa: Easter week is celebrated in Barcelona with various processions.

April-May

• Tamborinada: Festival for children in the Ciutadella park with music, theatre and dancing giants.

May

• Formula 1 at the Curcuit de Barcelona.

June

• Sónar: Festival with electronic music.
• Primavera Sound: music festival in the Parc del Fórum and other parts of the city.

End of June/beginning of July

• Rock Fest Barcelona at Parc Can Zam in Santa Coloma de Gramenet.

July

• Sala Montjuïc: Film and music festival at the Castell de Montjuïc.

15 to 21 August

• Festa Major de Gràcia: neighbourhood festival in Gràcia.

September

• Catalan National Day with many events.
• La Mercé: City festival with many free concerts.

End of October to mid-December

• Voll Damm International Jazz Festival.

Gastronomy

Barcelona's gastronomy is inspired by its location between the mountains and the sea. Travellers can feast on fresh fish and seafood from the Mediterranean. Many places offer paella with mussels and prawns. The mountainous hinterland, on the other hand, tends to offer dishes with game, lamb and wild mushrooms. All kinds of sausage and ham specialities are also on the menu.

A combination of these Mar i Muntanya dishes, sea and mountain dishes, is also very typical of Catalan cuisine. This includes, for example, the speciality of prawns with chicken. Tapas are an inseparable part of Barcelona's gastronomy. In the winding streets of the metropolis, numerous charming tapas bars invite you to try delicacies such as boquerones (anchovies in vinegar), patatas bravas (fried potatoes with spicy sauce) or chopitos (small squid).

Best time to visit

Barcelona is characterised by a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, humid winters. Even in the coldest months, temperatures rarely fall below 13 degrees. The spring and autumn months are considered the best time of year for sightseeing tours in the city of millions, as the temperatures are very pleasant. This period is also ideal for hiking tours in the Pyrenees.

However, camping in Barcelona is possible throughout the summer months. In July and August it can get very hot in the city. The sea and the pool at the campsite offer a welcome way to cool off. The water temperatures in the Mediterranean reach 22 degrees in July and even a warm 24 degrees in August.