Located on the Costa Dorada, Sitges is wildly popular among the southern Europe resorts, particularly with gay tourists. It gets very crowded during the summer, and most of the tourists at this time are young swinging Europeans. Yet Sitges never gets tacky, as so many gay-oriented resorts do.
Category: Catalonia
Spain is a renowned tourist destination for a plethora of reasons: its stunningly well-preserved architecture and historical landmarks, Mediterranean atmosphere, diverse landscape, tasty food, and passionate culture. And within Spain, Catalonia is one of the most popular regions to visit.
Situated in the northeast corner of the country on the Iberian Peninsula, Catalonia is bordered by France and Andorra to the north and the Mediterranean Sea to the east.
The region has its own distinct culture and history, as well as a rich linguistic heritage; Catalan, a Romance language closely related to Occitan and French, is spoken alongside Spanish in Catalonia.
Whether you’re interested in spending your time exploring picturesque villages, relaxing on beaches, or discovering world-famous architecture and art, Catalonia has something to offer everyone.
Here are just a few of the many reasons why you should add this Spanish region to your travel list.
The city of Barcelona
Barcelona, the capital city of Catalonia, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain. And with good reason! This vibrant, cosmopolitan city has something to offer everyone, from world-renowned architecture and art to delicious food and lively nightlife. Plus, Barcelona is located right on the Mediterranean coast, so you can enjoy sunny days by the beach in between all your sightseeing.
Some of the must-see sights in Barcelona include the stunningly gothic La Sagrada Familia church, Antoni Gaudí’s unique Park Güell, and the imposing Mount Montjuïc castle.
Of course, you can’t come to Barcelona without doing a bit of shopping on Las Ramblas, the city’s famous shopping street, or enjoying a refreshing glass of sangria in one of its many pavement cafés.
The Costa Brava
Just a short drive from Barcelona lies the Costa Brava, Catalonia’s stunningly beautiful coastline. With its rocky cliffs, crystal-clear waters and sheltered coves, the Costa Brava is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing beach holiday.
The Costa Brava is also dotted with charming medieval villages, such as Cadaqués and Tossa de Mar, which are well worth a visit.
The Dalí Museum
No trip to Catalonia would be complete without a visit to the Dalí Museum in the town of Figueres. This fascinating museum, which is located in the former theatre where Dalí was born, houses the largest collection of the artist’s works in the world.
Visitors can see everything from early sketches to famous paintings such as ‘The Persistence of Memory’, as well as a range of sculptures, photographs and installations.
Montserrat
Just a short journey from Barcelona, the mountain of Montserrat is one of Catalonia’s most popular tourist destinations. This spectacular rocky peak, which is almost 4,000 feet high, can be reached by taking a cable car or the scenic Rack Railway from the town of Monistrol de Montserrat. Once at the top, you can explore the monastery, visit the Museum of Montserrat or simply enjoy the breathtaking views.
The Pyrenees
For those who love the outdoors, a trip to Catalonia wouldn’t be complete without exploring the stunning Pyrenees mountain range. This massive mountain range, which forms the border between France and Spain, is home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in Europe.
There are plenty of hiking and skiing trails to explore, as well as a number of charming mountain villages.
Girona
The city of Girona is often overshadowed by its larger neighbour Barcelona, but this historic city is well worth a visit.
Girona is home to a beautifully preserved medieval old town, which is located on top of a hill overlooking the River Onyar. The old town is filled with narrow streets and pretty squares, and is the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely stroll or grab a bite to eat in one of the many cafes and restaurants.
The Cathedral of Barcelona
The Cathedral of Barcelona, also known as the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, is one of the most iconic buildings in Catalonia. This massive and imposing cathedral, which was designed by Antoni Gaudí, is still unfinished more than 100 years after construction began. However, even in its incomplete state, the Sagrada Familia is an incredible sight, and a must-see for anyone visiting Barcelona.
The Ebro Delta
The Ebro Delta is a nature lover’s paradise. This huge wetland area, which is located at the mouth of the River Ebro, is home to a vast array of wildlife, including flamingos, storks, herons and otters. The delta is also a popular spot for birdwatching, and is a great place to enjoy some peace and tranquility.
Tarragona
The city of Tarragona is located on the Mediterranean coast, just south of Barcelona. This historic city was once the capital of the Roman province of Hispania Tarraconensis, and as such is home to a number of well-preserved Roman ruins. These include the amphi theatre, which is one of the largest in the world, and the aqueduct, which is still in use today.
The Costa Dorada
The Costa Dorada, or ‘Golden Coast’, is located south of Barcelona, in the province of Tarragona. This beautiful stretch of coastline gets its name from the colour of the sand, which is said to have a golden hue.
The Costa Dorada is home to a number of popular tourist resorts, such as Salou and Cambrils, and is the perfect place to enjoy some sun, sea and sand.
Tarragona – Steeped in history
Where the Francoli River spills into the Mediterranean, Tarragona sits on a high hill. It’s been a favored location for city building since prehistory, but the first time it’s mentioned is when the Roman generals Publius Scipio and Gnaeus conquered it in 218 BC. It became the first, and for a long time most important, Roman stronghold on the Iberian Peninsula. At one point, Julius Caesar renamed it Colonia Julia Victrix Triumphalis in celebration of his victories; fortunately, the name was changed to Tarragona again after the Romans left.