Top places to visit in Catalonia… What do you prefer? Mountains or sea? Forests or old towns? National parks or cosy cafes near the beach? Don’t worry, you don’t need to make only one choice. Because Catalonia has everything. And now you will see it. Let’s start our online trip in Catalonia. 

Aigüestortes & Sant Maurici

We will begin our journey through Catalonia with a real diamond, a unique natural object — the only national park in Catalonia— Aigüestortes & Sant Maurici. Here you’ll find beautiful high mountains and fields, rivers, and peaks of up to 3,000 meters.

Do you need instructions on how to take stunning photos for Instagram there? Here it is. The most “instagrammable” place in the national park is the Lake of Sant Maurici with the Els Encantats mountains in the background. You will get millions of likes. 

Besalú

Another gem is Besalú. The name Besalú came from the Latin Bisuldunum, meaning a fort on a mountain between two rivers. In this old fort, you will be surrounded by a worldwide significant heritage.

Perhaps the best-known example is the magnificent and much-photographed Romanesque bridge, but it’s also worth paying a visit to the synagogue and the church-hospital of Sant Julià, the monastery of Sant Pere, the church of Sant Vicenç, and Casa Cornellà. Besalú’s El Miqvé, or ritual bathhouse, is, with Girona’s Miqvé, which we will talk about a bit later, the only example of its kind so far discovered on the Iberian Peninsula.

Vall de Boí

This is another must-visit for architecture lovers. Boí Valley is where the Romanesque style reached its peak of splendour, and you will not be surprised there that its ensemble of churches has been given World Heritage Site status by UNESCO. 

Ebre Delta

If you like nature more than the town’s spirit, I would recommend visiting the Ebre Delta. This is a paradise both for birds and rice farmers and as a consequence for people who want to be closer to nature. 

Embalse de Talarn

Аnother place for fans of a relaxing holiday in nature and bird-watching is Embalse de Talarn, a large lake formed by a dam that supplies a hydroelectric station. It is one of the largest reservoirs in Catalonia. The lake is surrounded by beautiful scenery, with many pine trees. That’s why you can practise bird-watching, boating, sailing, camping, and fishing here. 

Siurana (and Priorat in general)

Priorat is worth visiting, especially if you are a connoisseur of good wine. After all, here is where some of the best wines of Catalonia and Spain are produced. In this beautiful comarca (county) you will see vineyards interspersed with cherry trees and rivers flowing between mountains. 

Siurana is a very special spot in Priorat. It’s an isolated village, located practically on the edge of a cliff. It preserves its original stone houses and offers stunning views of the region. 

Benifallet caves

Let’s go down from the top of the cliff to the caves. Some of the Benifallet caves were inhabited during the Neolithic Age. The different caves are attractive in different ways.

For example, the Cueva de Culla contains a cave painting depicting two slim figures (greetings from the distant past!). In the Cueva de Aumidiella or Cova de l’Aumediella Gran a bell-shaped vase and numerous fragments of other pottery were found. Some of the caves are equipped with electricity, so the tour there is not only interesting but also comfortable. 

Sitges

If you have very little time, but the desire to explore Catalonia and discover new places drives you forward, I advise you to visit Sitges. There you will find a lot of interesting things: first of all the sea, which is much cleaner than in the area of Barcelona, a variety of museums, beautiful churches, restaurants, and cafes which are difficult to leave.

Do you need anything else for a nice weekend? I don’t! 

Tarragona

Also please add Tarragona to your travel list. Here you can combine beach leisure with visiting historical sights. Playa del Milagro beach is within walking distance from the historic town centre and it is magnificent. After getting tanned on the local beach you can visit the well-preserved Roman amphitheatre of the second century.

Also among the top attractions of Tarragona are a Romanesque-era cathedral and charming medieval streets. And be sure to visit the Barrio del Serrallo, a picturesque port area that was once a fishing village. The best seafood meals can be enjoyed at this neighbourhood’s waterfront restaurants.

Girona 

Colourful Girona has a rich cultural heritage with diverse influences from the ancient Romans, Moorish-era Arabs, and Jews. There are two especially interesting places to visit: The first one is the red bridge which offers a cool view of the houses located right by the river.

The second one is the Old Town which includes two areas: the original Roman city founded more than 2,000 years ago, and the Medieval Quarter, which was built when the city expanded in the 14th and 15th centuries.

This is an extremely atmospheric historic quarter filled with narrow pedestrian streets and impressive medieval buildings.

Figueres

In Girona province, there is also another famous town which is called Figueres. It is famous first of all for its association with Salvador Dalí, because the town’s main tourist attraction is the Salvador Dalí Theatre-Museum.

The artist didn’t live in this house, but the museum located in the 19th-century Municipal Theatre presents all sides of his art. Also, the museum hosts special events and festivals.

“And so on” — that’s how I could finish the list of my recommendations. Because honestly, it is very difficult to finish it. You can travel and travel and travel in Catalonia and constantly find new breath-taking places. Just pack your backpack and have a nice trip!

By Lilya  Syromiatnikova
@digidogs