In a relatively small territory that allows you to go from high in the Pyrenees mountains to the sea in just a few hours, the natural heritage of Catalonia stands out for its diversity. You can enjoy this wealth of ecotourism resources and their attractions in any season thanks to mild and pleasant temperatures, more than 300 days of sunshine per year Return and an offering of high quality tourist services.
The following pages contain a small selection of suggestions from all of the aforementioned categories, in month order and not in any particular season. Make sure to look up those that suit you best. It will be hard to choose.
In the following pages, you'll find dozens of proposals to help you enjoy Catalonia's wine and gastronomy. Experiences and activities to raise your glass to and experience the vibrant cuisine of this land, from north to south and from east to west. We'll uncork them, territory by territory, and serve them up in two large groups, depending on whether you are more interested in wine tourism or gastronomy. What's more, we have highlighted those experiences aimed at the more expert wine lovers and the die-hard gourmets.
Catalonia. Experience and Discover Art and Culture
Catalonia has a wide array of cultural activities which allow visitors to travel in the footsteps of mankind, from the Neanderthals to present day inhabitants, exploring the Iberian, Greek, or Roman periods and their respective architectural styles, up to the modern day, when architects have become symbols of the new Barcelona seeking a place in the world. To all of this, we must add a series of routes consolidated as tourist attractions like the Catalan portion of the Way of St James, the Cistercian Route, and the various routes related to cultural, industrial, and religious heritage, as well as the Ignatian Way. Furthermore, we cannot forget the infinite opportunities presented by the city of Barcelona or other unique cities like Tarragona, Girona, and Lleida (all connected by high-speed rail) or Reus, Terrassa, Tortosa, Vic, and Vilafranca del Penedès, which are ideal for urban tourism and combine attractions of cultural interest with various leisure activities. Don’t forget to explore the area’s world-renowned gastronomy and wine.
The last seven stages of the Ignatian Way pass through the Lleida and Central Catalonia regions, covering the comarques of Segrià, Pla d’Urgell, Urgell, Segarra, Anoia and Bages. The final 183 kilometres to Manresa and the Cave of Saint Ignatius offer a spiritual and introspective pilgrimage whilst we delight in the natural beauty of the open spaces as well as the towns and cities that we visit.
This is a country that is small in size yet immense in possibilities. Don’t miss out at any time of the year. There will certainly be something to please each and every member of the family, from the youngest to the oldest, and from the most active to the lovers of calm.
Catalonia is establishing itself as a global technological benchmark thanks to a strong and growing ICT industry, its digital infrastructures, talent and university and research centres.
From the Costa Brava to the Terres de l’Ebre region, and from the Penedès vineyards to the Val d'Aran, Catalonia offers an extensive and varied network of routes and paths ideal for enjoying mountain biking all year round. In this map-guide, you will find a carefully selected list of panoramic itineraries throughout Catalan territory, with different levels of difficulty. They invite you to pedal while you discover enchanting landscapes, visit little villages or taste local cuisine. For greater convenience, Catalonia has a network of mountain biking (MTB) centres with more than 300 routes and over 6,000 kilometres of signposted itineraries. Each of these centres offers information on excursions, accommodation, places of interest, etc.
Catalonia boasts top-level facilities for swimming practice. Many of the Olympic-sized pools offer all manner of complementary services which will facilitate your stay and provide you with a complete workout in both swimming and other sports.
This is the moment of a country. A country full of stories that have often left a souvenir in stone. You can be sure that there is no town or city without a monument to attract us. However, besides its vast heritage, Catalonia provides extensive, contrasting landscapes in a small area of land. On the following pages, you will get a good taste of it all.
Catalonia is a Mediterranean destination with an age-old history, a deep-rooted linguistic heritage and a great cultural and natural heritage. In its four regional capitals – Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona – you will find a combination of historic areas, medieval buildings, modernist architecture and a great variety of museums. Inland cities, such as Tortosa, Vic or Vilafranca del Penedès, have succeeded in preserving the heritage of their monuments extremely well. With its 580 kms of coastline, the Catalan Pyrenees, many natural parks and protected areas, Catalonia offers a touristic destination full of variety, for all tastes and ages, all year round: family tourism, culture, adventure, nature, business trips, and over 300 wineries open to visitors to delight in the pleasures of wine tourism.
The following six routes are only suggestions: come and experience the Catalan landscape and enjoy nature, culture, fine food and, above all, the journey. Step off the beaten track and try variations and additions which open up new possibilities and offer unmissable visits.
Biosphere reserves, Natural parks, singular countryside... Catalonia has a territory full of natural areas for ecotourism. In a small stretch of land where it is possible to go from one end to the other in a single day, lovers of nature can find an infinity of ecotourist activities, like watching wild animals living in freedom, snorkelling in a marine reserve and stargazing under a totally clear sky.
Would you like to travel all over the territory and discover the secrets shared by large and small towns? We propose twelve routes through Catalonia to get to know cities with character, marine villages and charming towns that are waiting to tell you their shared stories.
Cities you’ve never been to are waiting to show you their personalities. Escape for a few days and enjoy them. On the shores of the Mediterranean, the marine districts and villages have everything they need to seduce you. You will immerse yourself in their attractions and hesitate between returning once more or launching yourself into discovering another hidden beauty. The towns that we present in the following pages will enchant you, and you will want to let yourself fall in love with them. Don’t think twice: the places you’ve imagined exist, you just have to choose which one to start with.
Walking through nature and enjoying the landscape is very pleasant activity with deep roots in Catalonia -a country with a great walking tradition. While it is gratifying to enjoy forests, mountains, coasts and wetlands, it is even more enjoyable if you are able to identify the bird singing energetically in the hedgerow, the birds of prey swooping around the cliffs, or the birds swimming in the lagoon. Birdwatching requires little more than suitable optical equipment in order to see them up close, a guide book for identification purposes, and knowing when and where you can see them. Moreover, it is suitable for people of all ages and interests, including people with disabilities, reduced mobility or special needs.
Catalonia boasts a unique culinary richness, thanks to its diverse terrain and climate, which provide perfect conditions for a vast array of local products, from garden to sea, and from plains to mountains. Many producers welcome visitors to partake in memorable experiences, offering insights into the operations of their wineries, mills, and farms. You can embark on inspiring wine routes and delectable culinary journeys across Catalonia. Additionally, you’ll have the chance to dine at Michelinstarred restaurants, slow food venues, and culinary collectives committed to showcasing local produce, as well as stay in delightful gastronomic hotels. The calendar is packed with food and wine festivals throughout the year, making Catalonia a perpetual culinary magnet.
We are about to embark on a journey through the world of wine, a cultural adventure of aromas and emotions. The fi rst stop is the vineyard, where we will be able to learn about grape varieties and to immerse ourselves in the rural and agricultural life that makes the magic of wine a reality. On our visit to the winery we will explore the specifi c production and ageing methods for each wine. On this wine tourism journey, we will also discover some stunning cork oak woods, interesting wine cork factories and a complementary world of archaeological sites, mediaeval monasteries, and wine and cava interpretation centres. In Catalonia, the wine tourism experience goes hand in hand with typical products and local gastronomy, as well as walking along trails, cycling through the countryside and enjoying horseback rides among vineyards. Wine tourism for all, accessible and sustainable, for adults and children throughout the year.
Catalonia is an excellent holiday destination throughout the year. Here we present a wide variety of fun, surprising and interesting activities. There is something for all tastes and ages.
Catalonia boasts a unique culinary richness, thanks to its diverse terrain and climate, which provide perfect conditions for a vast array of local products, from garden to sea, and from plains to mountains. Many producers welcome visitors to partake in memorable experiences, offering insights into the operations of their wineries, mills, and farms. You can embark on inspiring wine routes and delectable culinary journeys across Catalonia. Additionally, you’ll have the chance to dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, slow food venues, and culinary collectives committed to showcasing local produce, as well as stay in delightful gastronomic hotels. The calendar is packed with food and wine festivals throughout the year, making Catalonia a perpetual culinary magnet. Catalonia is appetising.
