Here’s my ultimate itinerary for 7 days in the Spanish Pyrenees from Barcelona. In this article, I’ve crafted a one-week road trip from Barcelona, inspired by my many adventures in this stunning mountain range. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, this post will take you through some of the most breathtaking landscapes and charming towns in the Pyrenees.
- This post contains affiliate links from which I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you). For more info, please read my disclosure. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
One-week Pyrenees Itinerary from Barcelona
How to spend One Week in the Pyrenees?
Following the success of articles – A 10-Day Pyrenees Road Trip from Madrid and Two Weeks in the Pyrenees – I’ve crafted a new itinerary, this time starting from Barcelona. Many of my readers have asked for this, as Barcelona is a popular gateway for travelers arriving in Spain.
This 7-day Pyrenees itinerary is a completely different experience from the previous 10-day journey from Madrid, so having both options will allow you to create a customized route that suits your time frame and interests. Think of it as your personal passport to the Pyrenees, whether you’re planning a week-long adventure or a longer escape. You can even combine this itinerary with my 5-day Costa Brava Road Trip for a perfect blend of mountains and coastline. For more tips and hidden gems, check out the hashtag #Pyrenees!


Where are the Pyrenees?
The Pyrenees mountain range stretches majestically across three Spanish Autonomous Communities: Navarra, Aragón, and Catalonia. For this 7-day journey through the Pyrenees, I’ve curated an itinerary that explores the rugged beauty of Catalonia’s mountains, as it’s the closest region to Barcelona.
Nestled right on Catalonia’s border lies Andorra, one of Europe’s tiniest nations, tucked between Spain and France amidst the soaring peaks of the Pyrenees. Its serene landscapes make it an ideal stop on any week-long itinerary from Barcelona.
While driving through the Spanish Pyrenees in summer has always been a breeze for me, if you’re visiting Spain for the first time, you may find it useful to pick up the Driving in Spain Guide. With expert videos, 360-degree driving tours, and an on-the-go PDF, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate with confidence.
You can save this 7-day itinerary on Google Maps here.
7 Days in the Pyrenees of Spain
Day 1: From Barcelona to Olot
Although this 7-day road trip through the Pyrenees begins in Barcelona, you can easily adapt the route to start in Girona – or even make a stop there to immerse yourself in the magic of the Game of Thrones Tour or Small Group Walking Tour through its ancient streets.
Your first destination on this week-long adventure will take you to the renowned volcanic region of La Garrotxa, a captivating landscape where you can spend your days hiking and discovering hidden villages that few tourists know.
The heart of this area is the quaint town of Olot, but as shown on the map below, you’ll find plenty of other great accommodations nestled within the surrounding countryside, each offering its own unique charm.
On the way from Barcelona to Olot you can not miss Besalu, one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Spain. Alternatively, you can visit the famous Dali Theatre Museum in Figueres or the Lake of Banyoles.
If you are visiting Spain with kids or enjoy local legends, near Lake Banyoles, you can find Les Estunes – a beautiful natural setting, considered the hideaway of the Catalan fairies. It is a nice area to walk around or try to find the magical fairies with your kids.


Days 2-3: La Garrotxa
Visiting La Garrotxa
La Garrotxa is one of the most unique landscapes of the Iberian Peninsula. This Catalan region is considered to be one of the best-preserved volcanic areas in Europe, known for the 40 inactive volcanoes. You’ll need a minimum of 2 days to explore La Garrotxa.
Things to see and do in La Garrotxa
- Volcanology Center in Olot, a great place to learn more about the volcanoes of La Garrotxa (get your tickets now)
- Fageda d´en Jorda (often called one of the top magical forests in Spain)
- the ancient villages of Santa Pou, Sant Joan de les Fonts, and Sant Feliu de Pallerols – all of these are great for the fans of secret villages in Spain
- Hot Air Baloon Flight over the volcanoes (check availability)
- hiking the volcanoes: the most popular trail is this one on Wikiloc (from the parking of Fageda d´en Jorda or from Santa Margarida parking) – for more trails you can check the official web, unfortunately not available in English
- a waterfall Gorg de Moli dels Murris
- Alta Garrotxa Area of Natural interest (check the trails on the official web)
- the village of Rupit & Salt de Sallent waterfalls
Days 3-4: Andorra


From La Garrotxa to Andorra
After experiencing La Garrotxa, head to Andorra for a few days.
It is an easy stop for a one-week Pyrenees itinerary: many people even visit Andorra on a day trip from Barcelona (which is not enough, in my opinion). You can read more about Andorra in my Andorra Travel Guide and Romantic Weekend Ideas for Andorra.
On the way from La Garrotxa to Andorra, you can make a stop at one of these places:
- the ancient Iberian settlemnt Poblat ibèric de l’Esquerda
- Jardins Artigas
- Roman Temple of Vic
- Salt de Mir waterfall
- the monastery of Santa Maria de Ripoll
- Cercs Mine Museum
- fans of mysterious and haunted places in Spain can consider making a stop at Parador de Cardona (it is also relatively on the way)
One of the things I love about Andorra is its exceptional array of hotels (you can find something for every budget on the map below), offering a perfect blend of comfort and style. And, of course, there’s the renowned Caldea Spa. If you plan to visit, I highly recommend going first thing in the morning – it’s the best time to experience its serenity before the crowds arrive.
Top experiences to book in Andorra:
- Caldea Spa Entrance Ticket (check availability)
- Walking Tour of Canillo’s Best (check availability)
- Tour of the Old Town and Commercial Hub (check availability)
Days 5-6: Lleida (or Vielha)
Visiting Lleida
In the province of Lleida, there are two main regions to consider for your stay: Option 1 – Vielha, a charming town tucked in the heart of the stunning Vall d’Aran, and Option 2 – somewhere near the city of Lleida. Your decision for these 7 days in the Pyrenees will ultimately be guided by your personal preferences. For me, however, the first option holds a unique allure. If you’re curious, you can read more about my recent weekend in Vielha and the Vall d’Aran region in another story here.
The province of Lleida is renowned for being home to one of Spain’s most iconic hiking destinations – Congost de Montrebei. Accessed via the La Masieta parking lot (which requires prior booking, as it often fills up quickly), it’s an adventure worth dedicating an entire day to. You can read more about this incredible trek in this post. For another unforgettable experience, spend a day uncovering the hidden villages of Lleida, each one brimming with charm and history. For even more inspiration, check out my post about a weekend getaway in Lleida.



Things to see and do in the region of Lleida
- Cogost de Montrebei (check out the details in this post)
- La Seu Vella, the Cathedral of Lleida
- the graffiti village of Penelles (read the full story)
- Castell de Montsonis (one of the dreamy castles in Spain)
- the villages of Guimera, Balaguer, Montfalco Murallat, Cervera, and Solsona
- Aiguestortes National Park (one of the most unique National Parks in Spain)
Day 7: From Lleida to Barcelona
To finish this 7 days in the Pyrenees itinerary, you can drive back from Lleida city (or Vielha) to Barcelona. On the road from Lleida (or Vielha) to Barcelona, you can visit the graffiti village of Penelles, the castle Castell de Montsonis, or the village of Montfalco Murallat.

Important thing to know about driving near Girona
I feel it’s important to warn you about a scam currently happening on the road from Girona to Figueres (actually all the way from Barcelona towards France). Here’s how it works: a car will pass you, signaling that there’s an issue with one of your tires. As you pull over to check, one of the thieves engages you in conversation, while the accomplice quietly steals your handbag. They specifically target non-local cars, knowing tourists often don’t speak Spanish and may be carrying cash. Unfortunately, some friends of mine were recently victims of this scheme, so I accompanied them to the police station, only to discover it’s a well-known scam.
The police are actively pursuing this criminal group, but the problem lies in the fact that the thieves aren’t Spanish – they rent cars in France, making it easy for them to cross the border and evade capture before the authorities are even alerted. This scam tends to target the more tourist-heavy areas of Catalonia – such as Girona, Figueres, Cadaqués, and Barcelona. Once you venture into La Garrotxa and the Pyrenees, however, I’ve never heard of similar incidents. Still, I wanted to share these details with you, so you can be aware and avoid letting this ruin your incredible 7-day adventure through the Pyrenees right from the start.
If you have any questions about this 7 days in the Pyrenees itinerary, let me know in the comments below.
Read more about the Pyrenees:
- Top Adventurous Things to Do in the Pyrenees (read it)
- Beautiful Small Towns in the Spanish Pyrenees (read it)
- Exploring The Pre-Pyrenees of Spain: A weekend in Sierra de Guara (read it)
- Cogost de Montrebei: The Most Adventurous Hike in Spain (read it)
- 10-Day Pyrenees Itinerary: An Ultimate Road Trip from Madrid (read it)
- Hiking Trails in The Pyrenees You Can Not Miss (read it)
- Top Beautiful Places to Visit in the Spanish Pyrenees (read it)
- Exploring the Pyrenees of Catalonia (read it)
- 5 Epic Reasons to Visit the Pyrenees with Kids (read it)
- Top Romantic Things to do in Andorra (read it)
- The Spanish Pyrenees Road Trip 4-Day Itinerary (read it)
- Skiing in Spain: Our Baqueira Beret Family Getaway (read it)
- Top Things to Do in Andorra (read it)
- Best Foods in the Pyrenees of Spain (read it)
- 3 days in the Pyrenees of Aragon with Seniors & Kids (read it)
- One Day in Andorra: Why You Should Really Visit Andorra in Winter (read it)
- The Best eSIM for Andorra: Why you actually need one? (read it)
Pin it:

For more Spain travel tips check out my Pinterest board Spain Travel Collection and Flipboard Travel to Spain.

- Accommodation: For short stays, I usually book via Agoda, Booking, and Hotellook
- Tours&excursions: My favorites for guided tours are GetYourGuide and Viator
- Museums&attractions: Get mobile tickets for attractions via Tiqets (use ATC5 code for a 5% discount via this link)
- Semi-private & private tours: LivTours is my favorite place for unique & crafted experiences in Europe
- For Foodies: Eatwith is a unique platform for finding culinary experiences with locals around the world
- Audio guides: Book audio excursions & tours in 35+ countries via WeGoTrip
- Flights: Find the best deals with Skyscanner, WayAway, and Kiwi
- Driving in a new country? – Check out Tripiamo guides (do not miss Tripiamo Driving in Spain Guide)
- Train&bus tickets: Currently, I book via Trainline, Busbud, and Omio
- Car rental: To find the best deals, I use Rental Cars and Discover Cars
- Top E-Sim: To avoid roaming fees, I like Saily (use AtLifestyleCrossroads for for a 5% discount)
- Internet Security on the road: Connect safely to public Wi-Fi and bypass censorship with NordVPN
- Transfers: For individual transfer services, I like GetTransfer and Kiwitaxi
- Suitcases&Luggage: Discover where to store your luggage on the go with Radical Storage
- Travel Insurance: Find the best trip insurance plans via VisitorsCoverage and EKTA
- Compensation for delayed/canceled flights: Check out AirHelp and Compensair
- Renting Bikes: To find motorcycles, scooters, quads, and bicycles, I use BikesBooking
- Package Tours: Head to CheapOair and Expedia
- For Bloggers: To monetize my blog, I work with Travelpayouts and Stay22
- Website Owners: For hosting services, I work with and recommend Lyrical Host (get 10% off with my code ATC10)
Saving this itinerary for when I can plan a Spanish road trip. The combination of ancient villages with hiking and waterfalls sounds great!
Wonderful insights of local and historical road trip locations with hiking trails. Having visited Spain and walked the Camino de Santiago, I can truly appreciate the history and beauty of this region.
Amazing scenery and great spot for hiking in Spain, lovely photos too..
Great itinerary. I’ve been to Barcelona, but haven’t explored the surrounding area. Would love to visit the vulcanic area of La Garrotxa.
Parabéns pelo site e conteúdo. Muito completo.
Pretendo viajar aos pirineus no fim de março. Gosto de trilhas, mas li que é uma época ainda de neve e muito frio.
É uma viagem muito limitada, ou ainda consigo aproveitar nessa época?
Muito obrigado
Hello, thanks for your kind words! March can be a tricky month for the Pyrenees. Last year, there was very little snow even in December and January, making it a very bad season for skiing. So, while there is still a chance of snow in March, it’s less common nowadays, likely due to global warming. The higher you go in the Pyrenees, the greater the chances of snow. For example, this trip to the Pre-Pyrenees https://atlifestylecrossroads.com/pre-pyrenees-weekend-in-sierra-de-guara/ took place in April, and the weather was perfect for hiking.