Beautiful Spanish Mediterranean Coast: 2 Weeks Road Trip in Spain

Our comprehensive two-week itinerary for the Spanish Mediterranean Coast is a great way to uncover iconic small cities and villages on the Mediterranean Coast of Spain and stunning nature. It is perfect for those who don’t like being on the move and traveling with kids. Many classic highlights are not part of the itinerary, but we discovered Spanish architecture in the quiet villages and the warm culture in the coastal cities.   

Where we stayed

The first week we stayed at Vera Playa Club Hotel near Almeria. It was our third time to chose the Vera Playa Club Hotel for our trip to Almeria. The resort has a large and well-shaped swimming pool and a small indoor pool. Guests can also play chess and minigolf without paying an extra cost. We like the resort for two reasons: its restaurant terrace is right next to the beach, and a direct walkway from the hotel compound to the beach. While having diners, we could also enjoy the sea view and watch the sunsets. 

Vera Playa Club Hotel is the first naturist hotel in Spain. Guests must be nude in the pool area at all hours, but the rest area is optional. It was a different kind of holiday day in an authentic oasis. Nevertheless, we prefer it there because of its location, convenience, kid-friendly facilities, gourmet food, etc.

In the second week, we stayed in Hotel Cara Font near Salou. The Hotel is freshly renovated and is next to a public beach. It is a typical beach holiday hotel that targets families with kids. During the high seasons, frequent buses run to the city of Salou. From Hotel Cara Font to the main beach of Salou, the distance is about 4 kilometres, and a part of the hiking trail Camí de Ronda. 

Summary of the itinerary

The itinerary of the Road Trip along the Spanish Mediterranean Coast is as follow:

• 1^st Day: Arrival
• 2^ed Day: Beach of Vera Playa
• 3^rd Day: Mojácar Pueblo in Andalucía
• 4^th Day: Alcazaba of Almeria
• 5^th Day: Playa de los Cocedores, Aguilas
• 6^th Day: Very Playa beach
• 7^th Day: Drove to Cala Font near Salou
• 8^th Day: Camí de Ronda (from Hotel Cala Font to Punta del Cap de Salou)
• 9^th Day: Salou
• 10^th Day: Sitges
• 11^th Day: Tarragona
• 12^th Day: Camí de Ronda (from Hotel Cala Font to the beach of Salou)
• 13^th Day: Montblanc, Salou at night
• 14^th Day: Drive back to Frankfurt

The places we visited are all within one hour of driving distance. We still had plenty of time after excursions. Therefore, we did not miss out swimming in the sea and chilled out in the pool.

1^st & 2^ed Day

The places we visited are all within one hour of driving distance. We still had plenty of time after the excursions. Therefore, we did not miss out on swimming in the sea and chilled out in the pool.

Upon check in, we were also offered towels for the pool. It was already late afternoon, and we took the time to relax next to the pool.

The next day, we decided to relax next to the pool or swim in the sea. The Mediterranean Sea had a temperature of 28 degrees, even higher than the pool! On that day, because of the high waves, we had to take precautions when going into the water. The lifeguard was also highly alert and walked along the beach.

3^rd Day: Mojácar Pueblo in Andalucía

Mojácar Pueblo is a typical whitewashed village and one of the most charming places in Almeria. It is just a few kilometres away from our hotel. Mojácar Pueblo is small but full of surprises. Mudéjar architecture, winding narrow streets, beautiful corners, and whitewashed houses are the best objects for my photos.

4th Day: Alcazaba of Almería

Almeria is about one hour of driving time. Alcazaba of Almería is the largest fortress built by the Arabs in Spain and a relic of Spain’s fascinating history. We followed Google navigation but failed to reach the parking place. Therefore, we had to park on the street directly next to the palace and a garbage dumping place.

The newly renovated Alcazaba of Almería comprises three parts, living quarters and baths, the palace buildings, and the ruins of a castle built by Ferdinand and Isabella after they took the city in 1489.

5^th Day: Playa de los Cocedores, Aguilas

On the way to Aguilas, we stopped at Playa de los Cocedores, a beach famous for coves. The beach is small with a half-round bay. It is a perfect photographic spot.

Águilas is a delightful port city located on Costa Cálida. I like its characteristic black-and-white striped lighthouse, a windmill on top of the hill, graffiti stairways, and the castle-fortress of San Juan de Águilas, which are unique in the city. Restaurants offer various food at affordable prices. In one eatery near the waterfront, we tasted crispy fried eggplant fingers. I am not a fan of eggplant because of its vegetal bitterness, but its sweet crispy coating and golden brown have satisfied my appetite.

6^th Day: Very Playa beach

With another day to go, we decided to enjoy our last day on the beach and next to the hotel’s pool. The hotel also offers evening entertainment, with live music and dancing performance. The programs end at midnight. So, in the early morning, only a few guests joined us swimming. We spent some time in the pool and after lunch in the later afternoon, when most guests came into the pool, we went into the sea. Far out of the beach, we still got shoulder deep and stood on the sandy bottom. This is one of the best beaches along the Spanish Mediterranean Coast.

7th Day: Drove to Cala Font near Salou

It took us about six hours to drive to Salou. However, due to the lunch break, we were on the road the whole day. When we finally arrived at the Hotel Cala Font, we could not park in front of the hotel to unload luggage and check in, so we drove to a nearby free parking area.

Later, we noticed that tourists could park nearly everywhere along the streets or in some unpaved parking areas in the forests.

8^th Day: Camí de Ronda (from Hotel Cala Font to Punta del Cap de Salou)

The seaside path Camí de Ronda near Salou has a length of 6 kilometres. The trail runs along the beaches and coves and is a less touristy area. We went towards the Cap Salou but turned back shortly before the Cap Salou. It was sultry weather with an air temperature of 34°C. We neither carried enough water nor had proper shoes for the hiking because we underestimated the trail. The best thing to do was to cool down and refresh in the sea. 

So, we hurried to jump into the water or relax on the beach! 

9^th Day: Salou

In the early morning, Salou was silent. But starting from lunchtime, the beach was particularly full. The promenade is nicely arranged, with a palm tree alley, statues, fountains, etc. We wandered through the centre aimlessly and dropped in several souvenir shops to cool ourselves down since most shops had air conditioning.

Around lunchtime, all restaurants were open and occupied by only a few guests. Most restaurants with a sea view offered attractive menus but no air-conditioning. It’s like a furnace outside, so how would I enjoy the food on their outdoor seats then? 

A few streets from the waterfront, the KFC with air-conditioning was open. It was so full that we had to wait for quite a long to get our food.

10^th Day: Sitges

Sitges is a perfect day trip destination from Barcelona along the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Unlike the whitewashed Spanish villages, the Catalan town of Sitges is renowned for its LGBT-friendly community. Before entering the old town, I was already attracted by the views out along the picturesque coastline. The quaint old quarter has cobbled alleyways lined with several palaces.

The Church of San Bartolome and Santa Tecla (Església de Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla) is visible from far away and is reachable along the beach. From the old town, we walked to Ermita de la Trinitat de Sitges, a small chapel on the hill, and then back to the old quarter.

11^th Day: Tarragona

The historic quarter of Tarragona remains mainly untouched and features such as narrow alleys, the Roman Amphitheatre, a Cathedral built at the highest point of the capital, etc. It is a city full of surprises with thousands of years of civilization.

It was scorching hot on that day! Nevertheless, we took a long walk from the centre to the Balcony to the Mediterranean, a splendid viewpoint open to the sea over the beach. Around lunchtime, we could not bear the heat and dropped into a Japanese restaurant on the main street La Rambla Nova which had to be air-conditioned and offered an all-you-can-eat Sushi lunch buffet at 13,50 Euros per person!

12^th Day: Camí de Ronda (from Hotel Cala Font to the beach of Salou)

According to the map, the track from Cala Font to Salou should be easier to walk. Nevertheless, we still packed enough water and put hiking shoes on. While heavily sweating, we were pleased with the natural and scenic beauty of the beaches and coves along the way. Camí de Ronda is one of the best hiking trails on the Spanish Mediterranean Coast.

13^th Day: Montblanc, Salou at night

Montblanc is one of the best-preserved medieval walled towns in Cataluña. It is small but has several Romanesque and Gothic monuments to see. In the Spanish high summer, wandering around in such an old town is the best way to escape the sunshine and heat waves.

On the other two evenings, we drove to Salou but failed to find parking. In the evening, those sunbathers came out of the water and crowded the streets, restaurants, and shops. Tourists from the neighbouring village also came to join the evening activities. Therefore, on the third evening, we took the local bus and arrived in the centre of Salou instead.

14^th Day: Drive back to Frankfurt

On the way back to Germany, we stayed overnight at Ibis. And in the next day, we passed Nancy of France to have a quick lunch in the centre before heading back to Frankfurt.

Spanish Mediterranean Coast Travel tips

There are many beaches along the Mediterranean Coast of Spain. So, if possible, you should try different beaches during your holiday because they are beautiful and less crowded.

If you don’t have a car, you can rely on the local bus company BusPlana, which offers regular services from Ribarroja to Bellaterra, along Costa Dorada. The Bus company has information booths in several places, such as downtown Salou and Cala Font, providing maps and selling tickets. You should always check its timetable locally because the website might not have the latest information.