The Priorat is a small, mountainous district where Garnacha and Cariñena vines grow on terraces of llicorella, a dark slate that gives its wines their character. It is one of only two qualified appellations in Spain, the DOQ Priorat, surrounded by the DO Montsant. Above the villages rises the Serra del Montsant, a natural park of rock walls, and at one edge of the district Siurana sits on top of a cliff.
The route is designed for 4 rental nights: collect on day 1 in the afternoon and return on the morning of day 5. It covers about 450 km in total, within the 300 km a day included on 3 to 6 day rentals with Segimon Rental. In low season you can do it in 3 nights by visiting Escaladei and Siurana on the same day; from April to June and in September and October, the best time to go, the minimum is 4 days, and in July, August, Christmas and Easter it is 7. The roads are narrow and winding, and they set the pace.
Route plan
Route map
Tap a day or a stop to see it on the map, or press "Follow the route" to travel it stage by stage.
Approximate line between stops, not a navigation itinerary. Check road conditions and restrictions for large vehicles before you set off.
What you will see
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 · Pick-up and drive to Falset
Collect the motorhome between 16:00 and 19:00 in Les Franqueses del Vallès and head south on the AP-7 towards Reus, bypassing Barcelona, then climb to Falset: roughly 1 h 45 in all. It is the longest leg of the trip; if you collect late, you can sleep in the Camp de Tarragona and drive into the Priorat in the morning, in daylight and without hurrying. Sleep at a campsite or authorised area.
Day 2 · Falset, Porrera and Gratallops
Falset is the district's main town. Its modernista cooperative winery, designed by Cèsar Martinell, is one of the so-called wine cathedrals. From there a narrow road full of bends climbs to Porrera, a stone village tucked into a valley with several small producers. In the afternoon carry on to hilltop Gratallops, where in the late 1980s a group of winemakers started the revival of Priorat wines. Almost every winery is visited by advance booking, so arrange visits before you set off. If you are tasting, the driver does not drink: use the spittoon or choose a designated driver. Never drink and drive.
Day 3 · Escaladei and La Morera de Montsant
The Cartoixa d'Escaladei, founded in the late 12th century, was the first Carthusian monastery on the Iberian Peninsula and gave the district its name: Priorat comes from the prior who ran it. Today you can visit its ruins and a reconstructed monk's cell; check opening times and tickets. A few minutes away, La Morera de Montsant sits at the foot of the range's cliffs and is a good starting point for walks in the Serra del Montsant Natural Park. Choose a route that suits your level, carry water and follow the park rules. Spend another night at a campsite or authorised area in the district.
Day 4 · Cornudella de Montsant and Siurana
From Cornudella de Montsant a narrow, very winding road climbs to Siurana. In a 6.66 m vehicle it is fine taken slowly, ideally early on a weekday, when there are fewer visitors and climbers. The village is pedestrianised: park where indicated before the entrance and walk in. Siurana was the last Moorish stronghold in Catalonia, in the 12th century; it has a Romanesque church, the legend of the Moorish Queen's Leap and views over the reservoir and the Prades mountains. In the afternoon drive down to the Camp de Tarragona and spend the night there: on day 5 the AP-7 gets you to the Vallès in roughly 1 h 15 to return the motorhome between 9:00 and 12:00.
Where to sleep
Motorhome options in the Priorat are more limited than on the coast: there are a few campsites and only a handful of areas, often small. Check them first on Park4Night or Campercontact and book ahead for bank holidays and the grape harvest. For the last night, the Camp de Tarragona and the nearby coast have far more choice. More in our guide to where to sleep in a motorhome.
The Serra del Montsant is a natural park, and overnight stays are only allowed in authorised places; wild camping is generally not permitted in Catalonia. Parking wherever any vehicle may park is legal in Spain (DGT instruction 08/V-74), but without awning, chairs or levelling ramps, and without emptying any water.
Where to sleep with a motorhome in Catalonia
Practical tips
- Priorat roads and the climb to Siurana are narrow with tight bends: drive slowly, use low gears on descents and pull in where there is room to let others pass.
- Book winery visits in advance; many are small family estates without walk-in opening hours.
- Taste responsibly: whoever drives does not drink. Spit at tastings or choose a designated driver, and save the bottles for the evening, once parked at the campsite.
- Fill the 116-litre water tank before entering the district and empty grey water at campsites or service areas: there are few points inside the Priorat.
- Summers are very hot; spring and autumn are the best seasons, with the harvest in September and October.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for the Priorat by motorhome?
Three full days cover Falset, the wine villages, Escaladei and Siurana: 4 rental nights. In low season, with a 3-day minimum, you can do a shorter version by combining Escaladei and Siurana.
Can you drive a motorhome up to Siurana?
Yes, carefully: the road is narrow and winding and the village is pedestrianised. Go on a weekday or early and park where indicated before the entrance.
Do you need to book Priorat winery visits?
Generally, yes: most wineries, many of them small, only welcome visitors by appointment. And remember: if you drive, do not drink.
Is it a good route for couples?
Yes: wine, quiet villages and mountain scenery. Find more ideas in our guide to motorhome trips for couples or combine it with the Montserrat and Penedès route.
