A Real, Detailed 7-Day Costa Brava Motorhome Route (Pet Friendly) – Departing from and Returning to Barcelona
Introduction: The Costa Brava by motorhome, a unique and pet-friendly experience
Travelling through the Costa Brava by motorhome is much more than covering kilometres along the Mediterranean; it is immersing yourself in one of the most beautiful and diverse regions of Spain, where crystal-clear beaches, medieval villages and top-class cuisine combine to offer an unforgettable experience. For MesQcaravan customers, this 7-day route is designed with the comfort, safety and enjoyment of both people and their pets in mind. The itinerary starts and returns to Barcelona, taking in the most emblematic and authentic spots of the Costa Brava, with practical and realistic recommendations for each stage, selected overnight areas, driving and logistics tips, and special attention to those travelling with a dog, including dog beaches and green areas.
Throughout this blog you will find, day by day, the most recommended villages, beaches and activities, as well as precise information on service areas, water emptying and filling points, and suggestions for enjoying the route with your pet. It also includes safety, sustainability and environmental-respect tips, as well as useful digital resources for motorhomers. All with a clear, professional and pet-friendly approach.
Route overview: 7 days on the Costa Brava by motorhome
The proposed route travels the Costa Brava from south to north and back, letting you discover everything from Blanes to the wild landscapes of Cap de Creus, taking in charming villages, hidden coves and natural parks. Each day is designed to be enjoyed without rushing, with reasonable driving stages and enough time to explore, rest and savour the local essence.
Practical table: Recommended service and overnight areas
| Town | Area/Campsite | Address / Coordinates | Services (Emptying, Water, Electricity) | Approx. price | Pet Friendly | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blanes | Blanes Motorhome Area | Carrer d’Enric Morera, 17300 Blanes | Emptying, water, electricity | €12–18/night | Yes | Near the centre and beach |
| Lloret de Mar | Camping Sènia Tucan | Av. Vila de Tossa, 17310 Lloret de Mar | Full | €20–35/night | Yes | Pool, green areas |
| Sant Feliu de Guíxols | Parking Bourg de Peage, 45 | 41.7838, 3.0301 | Parking only | Free | Yes | Quiet, no full services |
| Palamós | Autocaravaning Palamós | 41.8561, 3.1356 | Full | €16–23/night | Yes | 8 min from La Fosca beach |
| Calella de Palafrugell | Camping Moby Dick | Ctra. Palafrugell a Calella, 17210 | Full | €20–35/night | Yes | Shade, near the beach |
| Empuriabrava | Autocaravaning Empuriabrava | 42.2592, 3.1136 | Full | €15–18/night | Yes | 10 min from La Rubina beach |
| Roses | Camping Joncar Mar | Av. de la Platja, 17480 Roses | Full | €18–30/night | Yes | Direct beach access |
| El Port de la Selva | Caravan parking | Ctra. Selva de Mar, 12, 17489 | Parking only | Free | Yes | Quiet, near the centre |
| Girona | Girona Motorhome Area | Carrer Bullidors, s/n, 17007 Girona | Emptying, water | Free | Yes | 3 km from the centre, green area |
| Figueres | Caravan Center Vilatenim | Plaça Camp de Futbol, 8, 17484 Figueres | Emptying, water | Free | Yes | Workshop and services during working hours |
Note: all accept pets, but it is best to check specific rules and seasonal prices.
Day 1: Barcelona – Tossa de Mar – Blanes
Initial stage and departure tips
- Approx. distance: 105 km
- Time: 1h 30min (Barcelona–Tossa) + 20 min to Blanes
Check oil, tyres, lights and tanks. Leave early to avoid traffic. Fast route: C-32. Coastal alternative: C-31.
First stop: Tossa de Mar (what to see + access)
Vila Vella (walled old town), cobbled streets, castle and views. Playa Gran and Mar Menuda for snorkelling.
Access tip: the GI-682 (Tossa–Lloret) is winding and narrow in places; take care and avoid peak hours in summer.
Second stop and overnight: Blanes
Marimurtra Botanical Garden, Sa Palomera (start of the Costa Brava), a walk along S’Abanell (best outside high season) and Sant Joan Castle.
Overnight: Blanes Motorhome Area (basic services). Alternatives: Camping El Pinar or Camping Bella Terra (pet friendly).
Logistics and services + travelling with a dog
- Emptying/filling: Blanes area or nearby campsites.
- Electricity: campsites and some areas.
- Dog: no official dog beach in Blanes; in low season some areas are usually tolerant. Green areas along the seafront promenade.
Day 2: Blanes – Lloret de Mar – Sant Feliu de Guíxols
Stage and driving
- Approx. distance: 40 km
- Time: ~1h (with stops)
Lloret de Mar (what to see + activities)
Santa Clotilde Gardens, Fenals and Cala Sa Boadella. Activities: kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkelling and the Caminos de Ronda coastal paths.
Dog: Cala Niu (set up for pets, limited capacity).
Sant Feliu de Guíxols (Camí de Ronda and culture)
Seafront promenade and monastery. Camí de Ronda towards S’Agaró (coves such as Maset or Cranc). Cultural option: Carmen Thyssen Space.
Overnight + services
Overnight: Parking Bourg de Peage, 45 (free, quiet, no full services). Alternatives with more services: Camping Sènia Tucan (Lloret) or Camping Sant Pol (S’Agaró).
Emptying/filling: campsites or the Llagostera area (full services, free).
Driving tip: panoramic GI-682 with bends; take care.
Day 3: Calella de Palafrugell – Llafranc – Tamariu – Begur
Stage
- Approx. distance: 30 km
- Time: ~1h (with stops)
Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc
Port Bo, a seafaring atmosphere, the Camí de Ronda to Llafranc, the Sant Sebastià lighthouse and kayaking options.
Overnight: Camping Moby Dick (shade, full services, family-friendly).
Tamariu and Begur
Tamariu for snorkelling and relaxing. Begur: medieval old town and coves (Aiguablava, Sa Riera, Sa Tuna). Activities: hiking, snorkelling and local gastronomy (Pals rice, fish).
Logistics + travelling with a dog
Emptying/filling and electricity: campsite or nearby areas (Palamós). Dog: no official dog beach on this stage; out of season dogs are usually allowed on the coves. Watch out for narrow accesses and gradients (Tamariu/Begur).
Day 4: Palamós – Palafrugell – Pals
Stage
- Approx. distance: 25 km
- Time: ~45 min (with stops)
Palamós (port and dog beach)
Fishing port, red prawn, Fishing Museum, fish market, La Fosca and Cala S’Alguer. Dog beach: Pere Grau (open all year).
Recommended overnight: Autocaravaning Palamós (full services, 24h security, 8 min from La Fosca beach).
Palafrugell and Pals (shopping and medieval village)
Palafrugell for the market and local produce. Pals: Torre de les Hores, cobbled streets and rice fields; ideal for a quiet afternoon and dinner.
Alternative overnight: Pals motorhome area (if you use it in your planning).
Logistics
Emptying/filling: Autocaravaning Palamós and (if applicable) the Pals area. Electricity: available. Tip: park in designated areas to avoid problems in old towns.
Day 5: Empuriabrava – Roses – Cadaqués
Stage
- Approx. distance: 60 km
- Time: 1h 30min (with stops)
Empuriabrava (top dog beach)
Navigable canals and a “Catalan Venice” atmosphere. Dog beach: La Rubina (wide, natural, pet-friendly beach bar).
Overnight: Autocaravaning Empuriabrava (full services, near La Rubina and the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà).
Roses (culture and bay)
Roses Citadel, Trinitat Castle, long beaches and campsite/area options.
Cadaqués (Dalí + demanding road)
Access via a mountain road with tight bends. Cadaqués: white houses, a bohemian atmosphere, Portlligat and the Dalí House-Museum (booking required).
Overnight: Portlligat car park (motorhomes; paid in high season and fills up). Alternative: Wecamp Cadaqués campsite (more services).
Services: in Cadaqués it is usually a car park with no full services; prioritise emptying/filling in Empuriabrava/Roses.
Day 6: El Port de la Selva – Cap de Creus – Llançà
Stage
- Approx. distance: 35 km
- Time: ~1h (with stops)
El Port de la Selva (tranquillity + dog beaches)
Port, seafront promenade and beaches. Dog areas: Ribera and Port de la Vall (over part of their extent). Cultural visit: Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery.
Overnight: caravan parking (simple and quiet) or Camping Port de la Vall (full services and beach).
Cap de Creus (wild nature + regulated access)
Natural Park with a lighthouse, routes and coves. In high season, access is regulated; check the rules and, if applicable, use the shuttle bus.
Activities: hiking (Paratge de Tudela), kayaking/boat trips, snorkelling (Cala Taballera, Cala Fornells).
Driving: narrow, winding mountain road. With tramontana wind, take extreme care.
Llançà (dog beach)
Coastal village with a port and promenade. Dog beach: Sant Jordi. There are nearby areas and campsites.
Logistics
Emptying/filling and electricity: Camping Port de la Vall or nearby areas. Dog: water, bags and local rules on dog beaches.
Day 7: Return via Girona – Figueres – back to Barcelona
Stage and return
- Approx. distance: 160 km (Llançà–Girona–Barcelona)
- Time: 2h 30min (without stops)
Return via the AP-7 or C-32 depending on traffic. Before handing back (if a rental), empty and clean.
Girona (visit + area)
Cathedral, Jewish quarter, the Onyar. A good spot for shopping, refuelling and emptying/filling.
Recommended area: Girona Motorhome Area (free, emptying/filling, green area, ~3 km from the centre).
Figueres (Dalí + services)
Dalí Theatre-Museum. Area/services: Caravan Center Vilatenim (emptying/water and workshop during working hours).
Travelling with a dog (last day)
In Girona, parks and green areas. In Figueres, the Parc Bosc for a final walk. Avoid peak hours.
Pet-friendly beaches and coves (official and recommended)
- La Rubina (Empuriabrava): wide, natural, beach bar, all year.
- Pere Grau (Palamós): open all year.
- Sant Jordi (Llançà): marked access for dogs.
- Rec del Molí (L’Escala): quiet, pine groves.
- Port de la Vall and Ribera (Port de la Selva): marked areas.
- Cala Niu (Sant Feliu de Guíxols): small, limited capacity.
- Playa de las Barcas (Colera): designated area.
Tips: water and bags; respect timetables/capacity; potentially dangerous breeds with muzzle/lead; control and coexistence; check the signage or tourist office.
Practical tips for travelling with a dog in a motorhome
- Record, microchip and vaccinations up to date (in Catalonia, municipal register).
- Safety harness or approved carrier.
- Don’t leave your dog alone in high temperatures.
- Towels and cleaning after the beach (salt/sand).
- Frequent hydration and avoiding the hottest hours.
- Local rules by municipality (beaches, transport, public spaces).
- Respect for the environment and control in protected areas.
Driving, access and logistics (Costa Brava)
- Plan routes and areas with Google Maps, Park4Night, Campercontact.
- Avoid peak hours and book campsites/areas in high season.
- Mountain accesses: Cadaqués, Cap de Creus (winding/narrow).
- Restrictions in old towns and coastal areas: park in designated areas.
- Distinguish parking vs. camping (do not set up elements outside).
- Emptying/filling only at authorised points.
- Sustainability: recycling, less plastic, saving water/energy.
Recommended daily activities
- Hiking: Caminos de Ronda and GR-92.
- Kayaking / paddleboarding: Calella, Tamariu, Llafranc, Roses, Cap de Creus.
- Snorkelling / diving: Palamós, L’Estartit (Medes Islands), Cap de Creus.
- Museums: Fishing Museum (Palamós), Dalí House (Portlligat), Dalí Theatre-Museum (Figueres), Citadel (Roses).
- Gastronomy: Palamós prawn, Pals rice, D.O. Empordà.
- Markets: Palafrugell and the area’s weekly markets.
Useful apps and resources
- Park4Night
- Campercontact
- Google Maps
- ÁreasAutocaravana.com
- Local tourism apps + groups/blogs
Safety, sustainability and respect for the environment
- Safety: don’t leave objects in view; in an emergency, 112.
- Sustainability: emptying/recycling, less water/energy, zero waste on beaches/coves.
- Rules: park/stay overnight only where permitted; respect signage and quiet.
- Coexistence: respect for neighbours and travellers; dog under control and waste always picked up.
- Environment: don’t disturb wildlife, don’t pull up plants, stay on trails, no fires.
Recommended campsites (pet friendly)
- Camping La Ballena Alegre (Sant Pere Pescador)
- Camping Las Dunas (Sant Pere Pescador)
- Camping Sènia Tucan (Lloret de Mar)
- Camping Nautic Almata (Castelló d’Empúries)
- El Delfín Verde (Torroella de Montgrí)
Tip: book in high season and confirm the pet policy.
Conclusion
Travelling the Costa Brava by motorhome combines freedom, nature, culture and gastronomy. This 7-day route, designed for MesQcaravan customers, prioritises safe overnight stays, accessible services and varied activities, with a pet-friendly approach. The key: planning, respect for the environment and responsible coexistence.
Check the apps, book in high season and follow the safety and sustainability tips for an unforgettable trip.
Have a great trip and enjoy the Costa Brava on wheels!