Here’s an ultimate list of stops you can make on any Barcelona to Valencia Road Trip! Feel free to use it as an itinerary or pick a place to make a stop during your drive.

• 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.

Barcelona to Valencia Road Trip: All You Need to Know

Over my 15+ expat years in Spain, I was driving from Barcelona to Valencia hundreds of times. For anyone based in the region of Castellon, both Barcelona and Valencia are the closest Spanish capitals to reach by car. Well, technically Barcelona is a 3-hour drive from my home – but it is still relatively close to plan occasional weekend getaways in the Catalan capital.

How to get from Barcelona to Valencia

The most popular ways to reach Valencia from Barcelona (and vice versa) are by train and by car.

For the train tickets, you can find the best deals via Trainline.

As to the car, it is still my favorite way to move between Barcelona and Valencia (even though I often take the train too). Having your own vehicle gives you the freedom to turn a simple drive into a new road trip across Spain.

In this article, you can find the list of my favorite places conveniently set on the way from Barcelona to Valencia. You can easily visit all of them in one week (or even two weeks), or pick a few favorites to explore on the go.

On most of Spain’s travel itineraries, visitors end up on one of these popular highways, connecting the main capitals of the Iberian Peninsula:

• Madrid to Valencia Road Trop (check out this itinerary)
• Madrid to Barcelona Road Trip (check out this itinerary)
• Valencia to Alicante Road Trip (check out this itinerary)
• Barcelona to Valencia Road Trip

Therefore, it is really handy to know all the possible stops on the road. This way you can make the most of any drive and keep crossing new landmarks off your Spain Bucket List even on the move.

Driving in Spain

Driving in Spain for the first time? – You might find handy this Driving in Spain Guide, with Expert Videos, 360 Driving Tours and an On-The-Go PDF.

From Barcelona to Valencia: Need to know

While I have driven from Barcelona to Valencia hundreds of times and my personal experience has always been positive, this itinerary is very touristy and unfortunately full of scams. Check out my Costa Brava post, where I share the details of current tourist traps. Most likely, nothing will happen to you, but knowing the current situation on the road might help you to be prepared.

Barcelona to Valencia: Where to stay

On the map below, you can find hotels and rentals for any taste. If you want to visit 3-4 places on this Barcelona to Valencia Road Trip, a great area to stay halfway through is Tarragona and Costa Daurada.

However, you can easily spend a day at every place I mention in this article, and turn this Barcelona to Valencia Road Trip into a one-week itinerary.

Barcelona to Valencia Road Trip: Top Stops on the Go

Sitges

Visiting Sitges

While the small town of Sitges is a popular weekend getaway from Barcelona, I have actually visited it on a Barcelona to Valencia Road Trip.

Sitges is known for the Sitges Film Festival and its LGBT-friendly atmosphere. This coastal town is often called Saint-Tropez of Spain, thanks to its beach vibes and lively nightlife. However, I would disagree with this comparison. During my French Riviera road trip, Saint-Tropez felt way less vibrant than Sitges. On the weekends this town is bustling with life even in the off-season, thanks to its proximity to Barcelona.

While in Sitges, I especially enjoyed visiting Palau de Maricel, one of the lesser-known Spanish Museums. This place was once a custom-made mansion of the American millionaire and art collector Charles Deering (1852-1927). Even though Deering left his Sitges residence in 1921 (taking most of his lavish art collection back to the U.S.) this place is still such an eye candy for art lovers in Spain.

Note: Palau de Maricel is not open on a daily basis, you must check the visiting schedule at www.museusdesitges.cat before traveling.

Top activities not to miss in Sitges:

• 2 Wineries Sitges Wine Tour with Hotel Pick-up (check availability)
• Sitges Sailboat trip + walking tour and wine cellar tour (check availability)
• Sitges Tapas Walk – Food, Wine And History Tour (check availability)
• Sitges Self-Guided Audio Tour (check availability)
• From Sitges: Cycling Tour with Winery visit and Tasting (check availability)
• From Sitges: Paella Masterclass with Drink and Bike Ride (check availability)

Vilanova i la Geltru

The small town of Vilanova i la Geltru is a popular stop for watersports and is mostly known for housing the Railway Museum of Catalonia – Museu Del Ferrocarril. It will be a must-stop for all the fans of the vintage trains.

Also, another cool museum to visit nearby is Museu Romàntic Can Papiol, a 19th-century house of a wealthy local family. Do not miss a unique Pasífae Monument either.

Popular water activities in Vilanova i la Geltru:

• Vilanova i la Geltru: Guided Sitges Coast 3-Hour Kayak Tour (check availability)
• Vilanova i la Geltrú: 2-Hour Catamaran Guided Tour (check availability)

Tarragona

Tarragona is one of the most unique cities to visit on any Barcelona to Valencia Road Trip, known for some of the most iconic Roman Ruins in Spain.

For more details head to this post.

Reus

The small town of Reus is a must-stop on any Tarragona road trip. It is one of the most unique places in the Catalonia region ( since Reus was the birthplace of the iconic architect Antonio Gaudi, considered one of the most famous Spaniards ever).

Also, Reus is known as the Spanish capital of Vermouth. The city has a long-rooted tradition of drinking vermouth: back in the 19th century, Reus was one of its biggest producers in the world.

Last but not least, Reus is famous for the second-largest number of modernist buildings in Catalonia, after Barcelona. All of these unique locations form the route “Ruta del Modernismo de Reus” – you can get the route map at the Reus Tourist Office.

To read more about all the cool things to see and do in Reus, head to this post.

Salou

Salou is one of the top destinations for family holidays in Spain, known worldwide for its Portaventura Amusement Park and the golden-sand beaches of Costa Daurada.

Only 15 minutes away from Salou you will find another trendy vacation spot in the area – Cambrils. Even though my last trip to Cambrils was a bit stressful, it is still a great stop to spend a few days on any Barcelona to Valencia road trip.

Top experiences not to miss in Salou:

• Priorat Wine-Cellar Tour with Wine Tasting (check availability)
• Off-Road Guided Quad Safari with Hotel Pickup (check availability)
• Scuba Diving for Beginners (check availability)
• Canyoning Day Trip (check availability)
• Half-Day Bike Tour from Salou (check availability)
• Hermitage Montroig Red Hills Tour (check availability)
• Salou Kids Buggy (check availability)
• Siurana Medieval Village Guided Tour (check availability)

Top experiences to book in Cambrils:

• Catamaran Cruise with Food and Drinks (check availability)
• Costa Daurada Sail Catamaran Cruise (check availability)
• Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Drinks (check availability)

Tortosa

The city of Tortosa ended up as one of the biggest discoveries during my 2023 travels in Spain. You can check out all the unique landmarks in the area via my Tortosa Travel Guide.

Deltebre

Visiting Deltebre

Deltebre (or Ebro Delta Natural Park) is one of the most unique wetland landscapes of Spain, known as a top birdwatching destination on the Iberian Peninsula. It is also a great place for adventurous activities in Spain.

Top things to do in Deltebre

• Ebro Delta National Park: Guided Horseback Riding Tour (check availability)
• Ebro Delta: Guided Kayak Tour to Gracia Island (check availability)
• Flamingo-Birdwatching in the Ebro Delta at Sunset (check availability)
• Ebro Delta Cruise and Jeep Tour with Mussels Tasting (check availability)
• Ebro Delta National Park: Scenic Drive and Kayaking Tour (check availability)
• Scenic Drive and Kayaking Tour (check availability)

Peñiscola

Peñiscola is a charming coastal town, known for its stunning Castle of Pope Luna, one of the most iconic GOT filming locations in Spain.

You can read more about Peñiscola in this post.

If you are doing this Barcelona to Valencia road trip in February, do not miss the Artichoke Gastronomic weeks in the nearest small town of Benicarlo.

Also, those of you who love birds might enjoy visiting the nearest Jardin del Papagayo – it is still one of my kids’ all-time favorites in Spain.

Benicassim

Benicassim is a great idea for a relaxing beach getaway in Spain.

You can read the full story of our last family weekend in Benicassim in this article.

Vilafames

While Vilafames is not located exactly on the road from Barcelona to Valencia, it is a great off-the-beaten-path stop for the fans of secret Spanish villages. However, Vilafames is a trendy spot for the locals on any road trip across the Castellon region.

Built on a reddish rock, Vilafames is full of winding medieval streets, cute flower pots, and ancient ruins. Here, you can also visit a charming Modern Art Museum MACVAC, one of the secret Spanish museums.

On the top of the hill, you will find the remains of Vilafames Castle, conquered by Jaime I from the Moors in 1233 (during the famous Reconquista – learn more via my list of Spain documentaries).

Castellon

The city of Castellon is an easy stop on any Barcelona to Valencia road trip.

You can not miss the central square Plaza Mayor, the XVII-th century cathedral Santa Maria de Castellon, a 60-m tall bell tower El Fadri, and the Spanish Post Office building. The local museum Museo de Bellas Artes has a free entrance and a nice collection of traditional pottery for fans of Spanish Ceramics.

Vall D´Uixo

The most unique caves of the Valencia region are the Caves of San José (also called Sant Josep), which can be found in the small town of Vall DUxo. It is one of the popular adventurous day tours from Valencia and a unique spot for kayaking in Spain. These caves are known for housing the longest navigable underground river in Europe.

If planning this Barcelona to Valencia road trip in advance, you can book Espeleokayak Experience in Sant Josep Caves (check availability).

Sagunto

The town of Sagunto is a popular stop on any Barcelona to Valencia road trip for the fans of the Roman ruins in Spain. Besides the remains of the hilltop Roman Castle, this town is also known for the oldest traces of the Jewish presence in Spain (dating back to the 2nd century).

Manises

Manises is one of the most unique places to visit for the fans of the traditional Spanish Ceramic arts and crafts. You can read more about all the top local landmarks in this post.

Valencia

If you plan to spend a few days in Valencia, under the Valencia hashtag you can find tons of articles and itineraries. In particular, I recommend you check out One Day In Valencia, How to Spend a Weekend in Valencia, and One Week Itinerary for Valencia.

Barcelona to Valencia road trip on the map:

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, Viator, and Klook
• 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: GigSky helps me to avoid roaming fees and provides connectivity everywhere (even on a cruise ship)
• 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