Catalonia

Catalonia, also known as Catalunya (or Cataluna in Castilian Spanish) is at the north-eastern tip of Spain. Its capital, Barcelona is a vibrant city with superb museums and art galeries, many examples of the architecture of Antoni Gaudi, attractive shopping   boulevards and a lively night life.

However whilst Barcelona is a must, the region as a whole is diverse and beautiful. With a beautiful coastline, mountains, plains and forests there is something for everyone.

The coastline ranges from long sandy beaches to small rocky coves. The Costa Brava to the north has some of the best beaches and beach towns and a more rugged coastline than the Costa Daurada to the south. 
 

Costa Brava ("wild coast")

The Costa Brava stretches 200km, starting at the French border and running to Blannes (60km north of Barcelona). This was the first coastal area in Spain to be developed for mass tourism but it is now changing direction and putting much more emphasis on the areas' cultural and natural heritage. The busiest resorts of Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar and La Platja d'Aro are to the South. Just north of these is the more fashionable Baix Emporda with some good stretches of coast and interesting villages to explore.

There is also a nature reserve, the Parc Natural dels Aiguamolls de l'Emporda. This Park has been designated as both a RAMSAR site and an Important Bird Area. The Park is built on marshy land and shelters predominantly aquatic birds. More than 300 different species have been sighted here.  At the northern end of the Costa Brava is the arty village of Cadaques. This village has in its time attracted Picasso, Man Ray, Thomas Mann and Salvador Dali. Salvador Dali and his wife lived nearby at Port Lligat where his house has been opened to the public. The Casa-Museu Salvador Dali is open from March to December.

South of the Costa Brava you get to the extraordinary coastal city of Barcelona.

Gaudi's Casa Batllo in Barcelona

Inland

Inland there is the beautiful mountain countryside of Catalonia's National Park the Parc Nacional d' Aigüestortes, various World Heritage Sites, several monasteries, many beautiful villages and several large towns and cities worth visiting;

 

Cities and Places to Visit in Catalonia

Barcelona, city with fabulous art museums, Gaudi architecture and lots more. Eixample district. Montjuic district.

Empuries, contains a Greek and Roman colony

Cadaqués, one of the most picturesque villages in Spain and home of the Casa-Museu Salvador Dali

Besalu, magnificent medieval town

Girona, ancient, walled city

Pubol, home of the Casa-Museu Castell Gala Dali

Figueres, Home of the Salvador Dali museum (Teatro-Museo Dali)

Blanes, a must for garden lovers with the Blanes' Botanical Garden, the Jardi Botanic Mar i Murtra, designed by Karl Faust in 1928

Cardona, the 13thCentury castle renovated in the 18th century is now one of the luxurious Paradors of Spain

Solsona, ancient town with remains of moated fortifications

Montblanc, beautiful, walled town

Peratallada - a medieval village, one of the most beautiful villages in Spain.

Sitges, highlight of the coastal towns south of Barcelona

Tarragona, the roman ruins here are now one of the World Heritage Sites in Catalonia 

Lleida, with a large ruined fort, La Suda, and an outstanding cathedral the Seu Vell

                                                

Museums

Salvador Dali Museum, Teatre-Museu Dali, in Figueres displays Dali artwork

Casa Museu Castell Gala Dali, in Pubol, a medieval castle Dali bought for his wife Gala and containing artworks and furniture Dali gave to Gala

Casa Museu Salvador Dali, near Cadaques, Dali and Gala's home created from a number of fishermen's huts

 

Monasteries

Monastery of Montserrat (Monestir de Montserrat)

Monastery of Poblet (Monestir de Poblet)

Monestir de Santa Maria, Ripoll

 

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Catalonia

Catelonia has a number of World Heritage sites:

• Archaeological Ensemble of Tarraco, Tarragona
• Catalan Romanesque Churches at Vall de Boí
• Poblet Monastery, Poblet, Tarragona province
• Palau de la Música Catalana and Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona
• Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin on the Iberian Peninsula
• Works of Antoni Gaudi:
  • Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
  • Parc Güell, Barcelona
  • Palau Güell, Barcelona
  • Casa Milà, Barcelona

Parks

Parc Nacional d'Aigüestortes

The National Park of Aiguestortes is the only National Park in Catalonia. It is a mountainous area in the Spannish Pyrenees and contains some of the most spectacular scenery to be seen in the Pyrenees.  The park covers an area of more than 100 square kilometres. Lakes, tarns, waterfalls and forest of fir, silver birch and beech can all be seen.

Parc Natural de la Zona Volcanica de la Garrotxa

This park contains cones of thirty extinct volcanoes and is a beautiful and interesting area.

 

Skiing in Catalonia

Vielha, modern ski resort in the Vall d'Aran

Baqueira Beret, one of the best ski resorts in Spain

La Masella and Boi-Taull for intermediates and advanced skiers

Nuria, Port-Aine and Super Espot are best for beginners and famillies

 

Paradors of Catalonia

Paradors offer an opportunity to explore Spain whilst staying in unique and interesting buildings converted into luxury hotels

Parador de Aiguablava, Aiguablave
Parador de Arties , in the Val d'Aran

Parador de Cardona , Cardona

Parador de La Seu D'Urgell , La Seu D'Urgell
Parador de Tortosa, Tortosa

Parador de Vic - Sau , Vic-Sau
Parador de Vielha , Vielha