Barcelona to Cartagena Mediterranean Coast
Head south along Spain's east coast, connecting Gaudí, Roman ruins, the delta, paella, and Cartagena.
Following the Spanish Tourist Board's East Coast highway route, drive from Barcelona to the Region of Murcia, crossing three autonomous communities. The middle section passes through the Ebro Delta and Peñíscola, while the latter part covers the Costa Blanca to Cartagena and Cabo de Palos. Suitable for self-drivers with plenty of time; a one-way rental is required, skipping the Costa Brava and Almería sections.
In spring, the delta's rice paddies are flooded, creating a mirror-like effect; in July and August, the Murcia section is extremely hot and the beaches are crowded.
Day by day
Day 1 · Barcelona Old Town
Barcelona（Gothic Quarter & La Rambla、La Boqueria Market、Barcelona Cathedral、Santa Maria del Mar）
Walk all day from La Rambla through the Gothic Quarter to El Born. No driving in the city.
Stay: Eixample
Day 2 · Gaudí Architecture Day
Barcelona（Sagrada Família、Casa Batlló、Casa Milà (La Pedrera)、Park Güell）
Combine metro and walking. It takes about 15 minutes from Sagrada Família to Passeig de Gràcia, and another 30 minutes to Park Güell.
Sagrada Família and Park Güell require timed-entry tickets booked in advance.
Stay: Eixample
Day 3 · Sitges to Tarragona
Barcelona（Sitges） → Salou & Costa Daurada（Tarragona Amphitheatre、Tarragona Cathedral & Old Town）
Pick up your car in the morning and drive along the C-32 to Sitges (about 45 minutes), then to Tarragona (about 1 hour).
Stay: Tarragona Old Town
Day 4 · Waterbirds in the Ebro Delta
Salou & Costa Daurada（Ebro Delta Natural Park）
Drive from Tarragona to the Delta (about 1 hour) for a half-day tour, then to Peñíscola (about 1 hour).
Bring binoculars; there are many mosquitoes in summer evenings.
Stay: Peñíscola
Day 5 · Castle on the Sea to Valencia
Peñíscola → Valencia（Castle of Sagunto & Roman Theatre）
Visit Peñíscola in the morning, drive along the AP-7 to Sagunto (about 1 hour and 15 minutes), and then to Valencia (about 30 minutes).
Stay: Old Town (Cathedral and Central Market)
Day 6 · Valencia Old & New Town
Valencia（La Lonja de la Seda、Mercado Central、Valencia Cathedral & Micalet、Turia Gardens、City of Arts and Sciences）
Explore the Old Town on foot in the morning. In the afternoon, take a bus or cycle along the Turia Gardens to the City of Arts and Sciences.
Stay: Old Town (Cathedral and Central Market)
Day 7 · Albufera Lake to Dénia
Valencia（Albufera） → Dénia & Xàbia（Dénia Castle、Port of Dénia & Marqués de Campo）
Drive from Valencia to Albufera Lake (about 30 minutes), then to Dénia (about 1 hour and 15 minutes).
Stay: Dénia Centre and Port
Day 8 · Cape Nao, Ifach to Altea
Dénia & Xàbia（Cap de Sant Antoni Lighthouse & Viewpoint、Cap de la Nau） → Benidorm & Altea（Peñón de Ifach、Altea Old Town）
Drive from Dénia via Xàbia to Cape Nao (about 45 minutes), then to Calp (about 40 minutes), and on to Altea (about 20 minutes).
Stay: Altea Old Town
Day 9 · Inland Valley of Guadalest
Benidorm & Altea（Algar Waterfalls、Guadalest）
Drive from Altea to the Algar Waterfalls (about 25 minutes), then to Guadalest (about 30 minutes). Return to Altea in the evening.
Stay: Altea Old Town
Day 10 · Benidorm to Alicante
Benidorm & Altea（Benidorm & Balcón del Mediterráneo、Villajoyosa Colourful Houses） → Alicante City（Santa Bárbara Castle、Santa Cruz Quarter、Explanada de España）
Drive from Altea to Benidorm (about 20 minutes), then to Alicante (about 40 minutes). Park in the city center and explore on foot.
Stay: El Barrio (Old Town)
Day 11 · Elche Palm Grove to Murcia
Alicante City（Palmeral of Elche） → Murcia & Cartagena（Murcia Cathedral、Plaza del Cardenal Belluga、Real Casino de Murcia）
Drive from Alicante to Elche (about 35 minutes), then take the A-7 to Murcia (about 45 minutes).
Stay: Murcia Old Town
Day 12 · Cartagena Ancient Port
Murcia & Cartagena（Roman Theatre of Cartagena、Calle Mayor & Modernist Buildings、Roman Forum District (Molinete)、Castillo de la Concepción & Panoramic Lift、National Museum of Underwater Archaeology (ARQVA)）
Drive from Murcia to Cartagena (about 45 minutes). Explore the Old Town entirely on foot.
Stay: Cartagena Old Town and Harbour
Day 13 · Cabo de Palos & Departure
Murcia & Cartagena（Cabo de Palos、Mar Menor）
Drive from Cartagena to Cabo de Palos (about 30 minutes), then to Alicante-Elche Airport (about 1 hour and 15 minutes).
Schedule a late afternoon or evening flight to leave enough time for car return.