Getting Between Stops
The route uses one drive and one short flight. From Barcelona to the central Costa Brava is about an hour and a half to two hours by car on good highways. Collect the car on the morning you leave Barcelona rather than on arrival, since you will not want one in the city.
From the Costa Brava, drive back to Barcelona airport, which takes roughly the same time. Return the car there. Flights to Palma take under an hour and run many times a day in summer. Overnight ferries from Barcelona's port are another option, though they cost you a night of your trip.
On Mallorca, rent a second small car. The mountain roads, especially the Ma-10 through the Tramuntana, are narrow with tight hairpins, so allow more time than the map suggests. In Palma itself, walk or use taxis, since parking in the old town is difficult and much of it is restricted.
Where to Stay
In Barcelona, the Cotton House Hotel occupies the former headquarters of the textile guild near Passeig de Gràcia, with a rooftop pool. El Born and the Gothic Quarter put you among the bars, though you should ask for a room facing an inner courtyard.
On the Costa Brava, stay around Begur, Calella de Palafrugell, Llafranc or Tamariu. Hostal de La Gavina has old-world glamour and a saltwater pool over the bay. Cadaqués in the far north is the most atmospheric town but sits farther from everything.
On Mallorca, Deià is the classic honeymoon base. Belmond La Residencia is set in two old manor houses among olive groves there. Castell Son Claret sits on a large estate at the foot of the Tramuntana, about half an hour from Palma. For quieter swimming, look at country agroturismo hotels near Santanyí or Pollença.
When to Go
Late May, June and September are the best months for this route. The sea is warm enough for swimming from June, the days are long and the coves are busy rather than packed. September often has the warmest water of the year.
July and August bring heat, crowds and peak prices on both the Costa Brava and Mallorca. Parking near popular coves fills early and many hotels have minimum stays. If those are your only dates, book months ahead and plan beach time for early morning.
October is still pleasant for walking and eating, though the water cools and some Costa Brava hotels close for the season by the end of the month. From November to March, the Costa Brava and Mallorca's smaller villages go very quiet. Barcelona works year round, but this particular trip is built around swimming, so it shines from late spring to early fall.
What It Costs
Plan on about $350 to $900 a night for two in good boutique and luxury hotels across the route, as an approximate range, rising sharply in July and August. Barcelona's Cotton House Hotel starts around $400. On Mallorca, Belmond La Residencia and Cap Rocat start roughly in the $800 to $900 range in season, while country hotels and agroturismos cost much less.
Add two rental cars, fuel, tolls on the coastal highways and paid parking near beaches. The flight to Palma is usually inexpensive if booked early.
The experiences worth budgeting for are a sunset sail in Barcelona, a kayak or boat trip on the Costa Brava and a skippered boat day on Mallorca. Private boats are the biggest single splurge on this trip, but splitting a half day on a shared boat costs far less and still gets you into the coves.
Tips for the Two of You
Barcelona's pickpockets are concentrated in a few predictable places: Las Ramblas, the metro and the busiest beaches. Keep phones zipped away and never leave a bag on a café chair. Late-night taxis are safe and easy to find.
On the Costa Brava and Mallorca, pack water shoes for rocky coves and reef-safe sunscreen. Check the beach flags before swimming in rougher weather. Agree on who drives each day, since Spain's drink-driving limit is lower than in most US states and you will want wine at lunch.
Both partners will get something here. One of you can spend a morning on the Tramuntana trails while the other takes a cooking class or a spa treatment, then meet for lunch in Sóller. Churches, including the Sagrada Família, expect shoulders and knees covered for both of you, so carry a light layer on sightseeing days.
Make It Shorter or Longer
With nine or ten days, drop the Costa Brava and split your time between three nights in Barcelona and five or six in Mallorca. That gives you a single flight and one rental car, which keeps the trip very simple.
With two weeks, add Menorca, a short flight from Palma, for three nights of calm turquoise coves and fewer crowds. Another option is to add a night in Girona on the way to the coast, worth it if you have a reservation at one of its top restaurants.
Couples who prefer more city time could start in Madrid for two nights and take the fast train to Barcelona, which takes about two and a half to three hours. If you would rather swap Mallorca for something smaller, Ibiza's quiet north coast and Formentera make a different island finale, reached from Barcelona in about an hour by air.
