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With Occitanie and Andorra to the north and the Mediterranean Sea to the east, Catalonia, or Catalunya as it is known amongst locals, bridges Central Europe to Spain and the rest of the Iberian Peninsula, making it an ideal starting point to any European excursion.

Located in the northeast corner of Spain, this autonomous community houses the major provinces of Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona, with the capital and the largest city found being Barcelona. Marked by its great geographical diversity, the region is bordered by 580 kilometers of jaw-dropping Mediterranean coast and the breathtaking Pyrenees mountain range.

How to Get There

Similar to other major tourist areas in the country, the Catalan region can easily be accessed by people all over the world by plane, boat, and train. Catalonia houses the Barcelona El Prat Airport, Girona-Costa Brava Airport, Reus Airport, Lleida-Alguaire Airport, Sabadell Airport, and La Seu d’Urgell Airport, with the 1st one located in the centre of Barcelona.

The region is also home to the ports of Barcelona, Tarragona, and Palamós. Lastly, FGC and RENFE serve the region’s commuter and regional railway services, with the latter providing long-distance and high-speed rail services to Madrid and Paris.

Getting Around

Getting around the region is easy and comfortable. 12,000 kilometres of road stretch throughout the whole of Catalonia, with highways AP-7 and A-7 connecting Barcelona to Valencia, Murcia, and Andalusia, while the AP-2 and A-2 connect the region to Madrid. Additionally, bus companies Estació de Sants and Passeig de Sant Joan connect principal Catalan cities, while also serving the region’s national and international routes.

Top Things to Do

Once there, travellers have plenty of cities to choose from. As mentioned earlier, the region is composed of 4 major cities, mainly Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona.

Barcelona acts as a world leader in tourism and is one of the most important cultural centres in southwestern Europe. It is also home to modernista architecture, boasting the likes of Park Güell, Palau Güell, Casa Vicens, Casa Batlló, Palau de la Música Catalana, Hospital de Sant Pau, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The most impressive of which is the Casa Milà and Gaudi’s unfinished opus, the Sagrada Familia. The Barri Gòtic is the city’s old city centre, and many of the buildings found here date back to the medieval times.

This is of course without saying that Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona are historical in their own rights. Girona and Lleida boast the likes of one of the world’s best-preserved Jewish quarters and the Girona Cathedral, and the awe-inspiring Romano-Gothic Cathedral of St. Mary of La Seu Vella, respectively. Meanwhile, the former Roman capital of Tarragona house two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, namely the Tarragona Amphitheatre and the aptly named Pont del Diable or the Devil’s Bridge aqueduct.

Other than the major cities, Catalunya is also home to Montserrat and Terres de l’Ebre, both ideal destinations for day trips from the Capital. On the one hand, Montserrat acts as both nature park and spiritual domain and often described as a monastery in the clouds, while the Terres de l’Ebre, on the other hand, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

What to Eat

While Spain, in general, is known for its amazing food, Catalan gastronomy is unlike any other, boasting a culinary tradition that spans for centuries. Similar to most cuisines found along the Mediterranean, however, Catalan food involves an intimate marriage of fish and seafood, a copious and intoxicating amount of the best olive oil, bread, and vegetables.

The region is also home to 400 unique wineries, with denominación de origen attached to Priorat, Montsant, Penedès, and Empordà, as well as the sparkling wine Cava. As for its fine dining offerings, foodies and non-foodie alike will recognize the likes of El Bulli and El Celler de Can Roca, both of which were ranked 1st in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.

Nightlife

The nightlife scene in Barcelona is diverse and very accommodating to different types of travellers. Places like Opium Barcelona, which is the city’s most famous party location, boasts extravagant bars. It is ideal for people looking to dance the night away. On the other hand, El Paraigu and Harlem Jazz Club are cozier, more intimate, and low key, with a focus on spending a great time amongst friends with the company of great music. Lastly, the likes of Sidecar Factory Club is bare and raw - the perfect place for those looking chasing after the more obscure indie rock scene.

Where to Stay

There is an abundance of hotels in Catalunya, ranging from the budget-friendly hostels to more intimate refurbished farmhouses to luxurious 5-star hotels. For those travelling on a tight budget, Xanascat is a 46-hostel strong network. On the other hand, Hotel Villa Retiro, Hotel Les Planes del Grau, and La Meridien Ra Beach are just some of the most extravagant hotels found in the region.

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