Catalonia is one of the 17 autonomous communities in Spain, and after Andalusia the second most populous one. You probably best know it from its capital city – the famous and always crowded Barcelona, brimming with architectural masterpieces by Antoni Gaudi. But there is so much more to discover in Catalonia!
Whether you’re looking for scenic landscapes with mighty mountains or lovely beaches, historic towns, sleepy villages, vibrant cities, outdoor adventures, delicious food, or unique festivals – in Catalonia you’ll find it all. Stay with us and we’ll show you the best places to visit in Catalonia. Vamos!
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Best places to visit in Catalonia
Girona
Girona is one of the most enchanting cities in Catalonia. It’s located inland, in the northern part of the region. Even if it’s a fairly big city, it isn’t as near crowded as for example Barcelona and can be a perfect place for a quiet escape.
Here, you’ll find one of the best preserved Jewish Quarters in the world, colorful houses hanging by the river, an old town full of charming streets and historic landmarks, and medieval walls with spectacular views over the city and its surroundings.
Oh! And there are many Game of Thrones filming locations that fans of the series will love. Girona is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places to visit in Catalonia.
Sitges
Sitges is a small coastal city, located about 40km southwest of Barcelona. If you’re looking for a spot with scenic beaches, a delightful old town perfect to wander, a relaxed vibe, lively festivals, or fierce all-night-long parties – Sitges will be a great choice for you.
No matter if you’re a party-seeker or just looking for one of the most picturesque places to visit in Catalonia – this city should satisfy all your interests and needs. Also, Sitges is one of the most liberal and open-minded cities in the world with an amazing LGBT-friendly atmosphere.
Siurana
Siurana is another amazing place to visit in Catalonia. This tiny, remote, and slightly forgotten village lies at the top of the high mountain, only about 50km inland from Tarragona. Siurana was the last Moorish stronghold in Catalonia that was unconquered for hundreds of years and witnessed many battles.
Nowadays, in Siurana you might not find many things to do, but those that the village can offer will take you on a fascinating journey back in time to the Middle Ages. Breathtaking viewpoints, old stone town, and castle ruins are waiting for you.
While in Siurana, you can also visit Cornudella de Montsant. It’s a small and charming town surrounded by vineyards, located at the foot of Siurana. There, you can stroll among its old town’s winding streets and enter one or two wine cellars to taste delicious local wines.
Tarragona
Tarragona is a real paradise for history buffs and those who want to escape the holidaymakers on the beaches or tourists on Barcelona streets. It’s a place where history comes to life at its best and surrounds you wherever you go.
Numerous Roman ruins and archeological sites, ravishing medieval old town, gripping festivals featuring human towers, and stunning beaches… Tarragona has it all and even more, and definitely will keep every traveler entertained. No one will deny that this charming coastal city is one of the best places to visit in Catalonia.
Figueres
Figueres is located inland in the northeast corner of Catalonia. The city itself might not be the most exciting place to visit in Catalonia, but thanks to the Dali Theatre-Museum, a mind-blowing museum where you can immerse yourself in the mind of one of the greatest surrealist artists, it’s definitely worth a visit.
Besides the museum, in town you’ll find the largest fortress in Europe, a gripping Toy Museum of Catalonia, and pleasant old town streets full of Modernist architecture. Particularly Dali fans and art lovers will be in heaven, but we’re sure that every traveler will find something perfect for themself in Figueres.
Montserrat
Montserrat is the most important mountain range in Catalonia. It has been a popular pilgrimage site for centuries and is home to a Benedictine Monastery that hosts the ancient wooden statue of the Virgin of Montserrat – La Moreneta, which apparently grants wishes to those who touch or kiss her orb.
But it’s not only a place for religious people, don’t worry! Besides spiritual experiences in Montserrat, you can find peaceful moments, fresh mountain air, great climbing and hiking routes with striking views, mesmerizing music, and tasty food. It’s truly one of the most interesting places to visit in Catalonia – don’t miss it.
Reus
Reus is an inconspicuous town, which is the birthplace of the famous Antoni Gaudi and nowadays a real heaven for modernist architecture lovers. If you’re one of them, prepare your jaw to drop not only once or twice. Reus is a town full of gorgeous architecture, history, and cozy streets perfect for lazy strolls.
But we are sure that not only history or architecture buffs will love it, and many will be surprised by its beauty and charm (like we were!). Oh, and Reus is also the best place to taste vermouth, a local aromatized, fortified wine flavored with various herbs.
Explore local attractions
Cambrils
If you’re looking for a small coastal town with a chilled vibe, without huge crowds, amazing beaches, and breathtaking views, Cambrils will be a perfect choice for you. During summer months it’s a popular holiday spot which can also be a great beach day trip. Oh, and if you’re a food lover, you’ll find yourself in heaven too as Cambrils is considered the gastronomy capital of Costa Dorada! We also recommend combining your visit to Cambrils with a visit to Salou, a fun coastal town located only 10km away.
Salou & PortAventura Park
Salou is best known for being one of the most popular holiday resorts on Costa Dorada that offers a wonderful blend of relaxation and excitement. Here, you’ll find scenic views, sandy beaches, exciting attractions, and lively nightlife.
If you’re looking for some thrill and adrenaline rush be sure to visit PortAventura World – a world-renowned theme park featuring a diverse array of attractions from heart-pounding roller coasters to captivating live shows. It’s one of the most exciting places to visit in Catalonia!
Penedes Wine Region
Penedes is a Spanish protected designation of origin (PDO) for wines in Catalonia. Its capital, Vilafranca del Penedes, is located about 55km from Barcelona and 20km from Sitges. Penedes wine region is considered one of the country’s best wine-producing areas and one of the most ancient viticultural regions in Europe.
It’s best known for Cava, a Spanish sparkling wine similar to French Champagne. There, you can visit as many wineries as you wish and take part in cellar tours and wine tasting. You can even follow the whole Penedes Wine Route! Without a doubt, it’s the best place to visit in Catalonia for wine lovers. Cheers!
How to move around Catalonia?
The best and fastest way of getting to all the mentioned places is by car, either yours or rented. If you don’t travel with your own car, you can easily rent the best one for your needs through the Rental Cars website.
Most of the places to visit in Catalonia are also accessible by public transport, by trains or buses. You can search for the connections that might interest you on the rome2rio website.
If you don’t want to put too much effort into planning, and you’ll stay in bigger cities like Barcelona or Girona, you can always take advantage of the guided tours and let someone else take care of all the details. For a wide selection and well-reviewed tour options be sure to visit GetYourGuide or Viator.
Best places to visit in Catalonia – Summing up
There are so many beautiful places to visit in Catalonia… Charming towns, sleepy medieval villages, lively cities, natural sites… If you’re staying longer in the area, or planning a whole road trip, you definitely won’t be bored. We hope this post was helpful, and now you’re one step closer to choosing great places to visit, best suited to your needs. Enjoy the time!
Our opinion & TOP3 places in Catalonia
So far, we’ve spent 2 months in Catalonia, living in Salou. While this region didn’t make it to our list of favorite regions in Spain, overall we really enjoyed our time there. And we really liked our trips during which we explored all the mentioned villages, towns, cities, and natural sites. We stayed in Catalonia in May and June, and during that time there were still no wild crowds and we explored most of the places in peace.
So what are our TOP3 places to visit in Catalonia? So far Girona, Sitges and Siurana!
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