Cheap 5-Day Spain Road Trip from Barcelona traveling east to Girona

Your exciting road trip through Spain starts when you reach the incredible city of Barcelona, where you'll stay for 3 nights. You'll pick up your rental car in Barcelona and begin your adventure in Spain.

Barcelona is a popular cheap holiday destination in Spain with something to offer every traveler. When you're ready to explore the city, stop at some of the best places to visit in Barcelona and get this road trip adventure rolling.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best budget-friendly hotels or places to stay in the city.

When you're hungry and ready to take a break from your adventure, treat yourself to a delicious meal at one of the best restaurants in Barcelona. An excellent example is the popular Viana Barcelona. Serving a menu of mouthwatering dishes, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,578 customers.

Another restaurant you should check out during your cheap vacation in Spain is BORO Bar. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,248 customers, this famous restaurant is one of the city's most recommended places to eat.

If you wish to dine at a restaurant locals love, go to the wonderful RAO Restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 964 customers, and is an awesome place to satisfy your craving for good food and service.

Hemingway Gin & Cocktail Bar is a great bar to relax after a busy day. About 893 customers have given this spot an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, making it one of the most popular bars in the area.

Another bar in Barcelona we recommend is La Whiskeria - Whisky & Cocktail Bar, an excellent place to meet new friends. This bar offers customers plenty of snack and drink options and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 743 customers.

Cerveseria Catalana is also one of the best places to go to unwind and chat with locals. Over 14,751 bar-goers have rated it an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Enjoy toasting the start of a terrific road trip vacation and cheap holiday experience in Spain!

Day 2’s road trip itinerary introduces you to many popular attractions and activities in Barcelona, proving that cheap holidays in Spain can be extraordinary.

You'll begin sightseeing at the extraordinary Park Güell. This attraction is a sculpture garden that has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 181,403 travelers.

Another of the best travel destinations you can explore in this fun and cheap holiday destination is the spectacular Sagrada Família. This popular place of interest is a stunning minor basilica that boasts an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 226,955 visitors. With around 4,527,427 people visiting this attraction each year, it’s clear that the unforgettable Sagrada Família is one of the most famous sights in the area.

To make your trip to Barcelona more memorable, spend time at the fascinating Mercado de La Boqueria. With an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars in 160,835 traveler reviews, it’s not surprising that the fantastic Mercado de La Boqueria is often mentioned in Spain road trip itineraries.

The magnificent Magic Fountain of Montjuïc is another stop you might want to add to your sightseeing plans. This fountain and popular travel destination is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 85,986 reviews.

If you’re interested in seeing something else, make your way to the amazing Montjuïc Castle. More than 50,433 visitors have rated this castle and tourist destination an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Your discovery of Barcelona does not have to stop there. You can add a budget-friendly activity on your itinerary and get to know more about Barcelona on a personal level. Check out the fantastic selection of affordable tours and tickets offered on this leg of your journey across this top cheap holiday destination in Europe, Spain.

After exploring some of the most remarkable sights in Spain, you also have the chance to experience the country’s food culture. Eat at El Nacional, one of the best restaurants in Barcelona. This place is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 23,496 reviews.

You can also check out El Bosc de Les Fades. Offering appetizing foods and refreshing beverages at reasonable prices, this restaurant is an excellent choice for budget travelers in the city. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 14,606 diners.

Another great restaurant we recommend you go to after your road trip activities is Ciutat Comtal. With an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 12,951 customers, this restaurant is sure to provide you a memorable dining experience in Barcelona.

When you’ve finished your meal, head to some of the most popular bars in Barcelona for an after-dinner drink. Cap off your night in this cheap holiday destination at Ocaña and try some of its cocktails and snacks. This bar has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 8,052 customers.

Elsa y Fred is another great place to hang out in and relax after a busy day in the city. This bar offers various drinks at affordable prices and is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 4,884 customers.

If you want to have a drink or two with locals, you'll want to visit El Xampanyet. Rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 3,394 customers, this bar is one of the best places to unwind and socialize in Barcelona.

Savor the rest of the night and celebrate another incredible road trip adventure in the magical Barcelona!

On day 3 of your road trip through popular and cheap vacation spots across Spain, you’ll experience two places in one day. You’ll start your day in Barcelona and end your day in the city of Girona, where you'll stay for 1 night. How much time you’ll spend in each location is up to you.

One of the best places to visit in Barcelona is the amazing Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia. This travel destination is a catholic cathedral that has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 62,263 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Palau de la Música Catalana. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 40,217 travelers, a visit to this well-known concert hall and sightseeing spot in Barcelona is likely to make your vacation in Spain even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Barcelona is the outstanding Plaça de Catalunya. This square has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 175,036 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Spain, drop by the popular Casa Batlló. This attraction, an amazing tourist attraction, has been rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 125,060 travelers.

If you’re keen to explore more, you’ll enjoy the fantastic La Pedrera. This monument is a popular attraction rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 85,188 visitors from all over the globe.

Cheap, budget vacations are nothing but incredible, especially when you’re in Spain. To have the best affordable travel experience in Spain, make time for some unique, challenging, or inspiring activities. Adding a tour to your travel plan promises a one-of-a kind adventure that will make your cheap vacation in Spain unforgettable. Fortunately, you'll find plenty of budget-friendly tours and cheap holiday deals in Spain.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Girona. Girona is another cheap travel destination in Spain where you have access to hotels, restaurants, bars, and other conveniences.

After a long day of driving and exploring some of the best attractions a budget vacation in Spain can afford, treat yourself to a hearty meal. You’ll find many great restaurants in Girona that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Girona is El Celler de Can Roca. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 3,112 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Girona, Massana Restaurant is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 607 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is La Fabrica Girona. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Girona enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 2,135 customers.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Girona’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Spain. For example, you can visit La Pedra. Rated an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 1,060 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Bagels & Beers. This popular bar in Girona has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 257 bar-goers.

You can also go to Brots de Vi as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular Brots de Vi is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 1,192 customers have given this city bar an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure and cheap holiday experience in Spain!

Day 4 of your self-drive vacation in Spain gives you the opportunity to explore two popular cheap holiday destinations in one day. You’ll start your day in the city of Figueres and end your day in the hamlet of Sant Martí d'Empúries.

Today's agenda features plenty of popular stops and allows you to stay in Barcelona for 1 night. How much time you want to spend in each area or attraction is up to you. This way, you’ll have all the time you want to take in the unique atmosphere of each location and make the most of your affordable vacation in Spain.

While you’re in Figueres, it’s a good idea to visit the amazing Dalí Theatre and Museum. The fantastic Dalí Theatre and Museum is a popular museum and a sightseeing hotspot. This attraction boasts an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 39,341 travelers.

Once you’ve satisfied your wanderlust in Figueres, you’ll continue to your next road trip destination of the day, the hamlet of Sant Martí d'Empúries.

Make Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya - Empúries your first stop. This popular museum among locals and travelers alike has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 8,863 visitors.

Make the most of your time in the country by joining activities that let you discover more about Spain. Check out all of the affordable tours you can join this day of your cheap holiday in Spain and ensure the road trip experience of a lifetime.

You’ll also have your choice of the best budget accommodations in the city of Barcelona. So when it's time for a break from your adventures in Barcelona, relax and restore your energy at any of the following affordable places to stay.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try Paradiso, one of the best restaurants in Barcelona. This restaurant is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 3,403 customers.

CocoVail Beer Hall - Craft Beer Barcelona is yet another of the top places to eat in the city. CocoVail Beer Hall - Craft Beer Barcelona is known for serving a variety of delectable dishes and is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 3,235 diners.

Locals and travelers enjoy dining at Disfrutar, another well-loved restaurant in Barcelona. Rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 2,164 guests, this restaurant is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a memorable dining experience in Spain.

After dinner, visit one of the best bars in Barcelona, Bobby's Free. This famous bar offers snacks and drinks at different price points and is a popular hangout spot among locals. In addition, this bar has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,003 bar goers.

Restaurant El Foro is a great place for anyone who is into classic bar drinks. This bar is considered one of the best drinking spots in Barcelona, with its average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 2,552 customers.

Alternatively, you can drop by Dr Stravinsky, where you can have drinks, let loose, and socialize. This bar is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,837 customers.

Cherish every minute of your road trip vacation across Spain. Celebrate this opportunity to enjoy a cheap holiday in Spain!

It’s soon time to say goodbye to Spain as your road trip vacation is about to end. Day 5 is your departure day and your last chance to capture the beauty of Barcelona.

Depending on how much time you have before your flight back home, we recommend doing some last-minute shopping or sightseeing to make the most of your cheap holiday experience in Spain.

If you'd rather pass time visiting some attractions, this is your chance to go to places you may not have had the chance to explore yet.

One fantastic attraction you could visit on your last day in Barcelona is the remarkable Arc de Triomf. This triumphal arch and popular place of interest has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 77,887 visitors.

If you have an appetite for one last delicious meal in Barcelona, consider a top-rated restaurant like ARTiSA Barcelona. This restaurant has a menu of appetizing and affordable meals and is rated at an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,771 customers.

Vinitus is an excellent alternative if you feel like eating something else. This restaurant serves a variety of savory and budget-friendly dishes and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 2,462 customers.

You’ll then say farewell to Barcelona and begin your journey home. You’ll leave filled with unforgettable memories from your terrific and affordable travel experiences in Spain!