villages Cities, towns and - ACTact.gencat.cat/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/MAPA_CVP_EN.pdf · cities...

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Cities, towns and villages Routes to discover Catalonia www.catalunya.com Partners Partners / ACT members Cities with Character Charming Towns Marine Villages For further information about Heritage Culture Department of the Regional Government of Catalonia http://patrimoni.gencat.cat Catalan Tourist Board www.catalunya.com www.facebook.com/catalunyaexperience @catalunyaexperience www.twitter.com/catexperience @catexperience www.instagram.com/catalunyaexperience www.youtube.com/user/CatalunyaExperience Published by © Catalan Tourist Board Passeig de Gràcia, 105, 3ª planta. 08008 Barcelona Published by: Ediciones Reunidas, SA www.grupozeta.es. All total or partial reproduction of this work by any procedure, including reprography and computerised treatment, and distribution of copies by rental or public lending are strictly forbidden without written authorisation from the copyright holders, and may be sanctioned by law. © Catalan Tourist Board B 22589-2019 Cover photo: L’Ametlla de Mar © Joan Puig. GZ Palau Robert (Centre for Tourist Information on Catalonia) Passeig de Gràcia, 107. 08008 Barcelona +34 93 238 80 91 / 92 / 93 www.gencat.cat/palaurobert Tourism promotion entities Tarragona Provincial Authority Tourist Board www.costadaurada.info www.terresdelebre.travel The Patronat de Turisme Costa Brava Girona www.en.costabrava.org The Patronat de Turisme (Regional Tourist Board) of the Diputació de Lleida www.aralleida.cat The Barcelona Provincial Council www.barcelonaesmoltmes.cat The Turisme de Barcelona Consortium www.barcelonaturisme.com More information R1 R1 R2 R3 R3 R4 R4 R6 R6 R7 R7 R8 R8 R9 R9 R5 R5 R10 R10 R11 R11 R12 R2 R12 La Seu d’Urgell les Borges Blanques Vielha el Pont de Suert Sort Puigcerdà ANDORRA Tremp Solsona Berga Ripoll Olot Figueres la Bisbal d’Empordà Santa Coloma de Farners Girona Vic Manresa Igualada Cervera Balaguer Lleida Mollerussa Tàrrega Mataró Granollers Sabadell Terrassa Vilafranca del Penedès Vilanova i la Geltrú el Vendrell Valls Montblanc Tarragona Reus Falset Móra d’Ebre Gandesa Tortosa Amposta Banyoles Barcelona Moià Sant Feliu de Llobregat Ponts Montsonís Alcanar Begur Pals Palamós Calella de Palafrugell Arenys de Mar Sant Pol de Mar Tossa de Mar Cardona Castellar de n’Hug Sant Joan de les Abadesses LA VALL D’EN BAS Cornudella de Montsant l’Ametlla de Mar la Pobla de Segur Llançà Sitges l’Escala Peratallada Sant Carles de la Ràpita Mura Montclar Sant Sadurní d’Anoia Rupit i Pruit Siurana Santa Pau Beget Camprodon Taüll Prades R7 R2 R3 R4 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R8 R2 R3 R4 R5 R7 R9 R11 R12 R9 R2 R4 R5 R7 R8 R10 R11 R12 R2 R6 R7 R9 R12 R2 R4 R7 R8 R9 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R1 INTERSECTS WITH R2 R3 R4 R5 R2 R1 R3 R4 R5 R7 R8 R9 R11 R12 R3 R2 R4 R5 R7 R8 R12 R4 R2 R3 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R11 R12 R5 R2 R3 R4 R8 R9 R12 R6 R2 R5 R7 R10 R12 R7 R9 R10 R11 R12 R1 R1 R1 R1 R1 R1 R10 R11 R12 R1 R1 R1 INTERSECTS WITH INTERSECTS WITH INTERSECTS WITH INTERSECTS WITH INTERSECTS WITH INTERSECTS WITH INTERSECTS WITH INTERSECTS WITH INTERSECTS WITH INTERSECTS WITH INTERSECTS WITH les Cases d’Alcanar Congost de Mont-rebei Pantà de Sant Llorenç de Montgai Illes Medes V a l l F o s c a MASSÍS DE LES GAVARRES Sant Miquel del Fai ELS PORTS NATURAL PARK AIGUAMOLLS DE L’EMPORDÀ NATURAL PARK MONTSENY NATURAL PARK MONTGRÍ, LES ILLES MEDES I EL BAIX TER NATURAL PARK MONTNEGRE I CORREDOR NATURAL PARK L’ALBERA NATURAL PARK ALT PIRINEU NATURAL PARK DELTA DE L’EBRE NATURAL PARK AIGÜESTORTES I ESTANY DE SANT MAURICI NATIONAL PARK CADÍ-MOIXERÓ NATURAL PARK MASSÍS DEL PEDRAFORCA PARK DELTA DEL LLOBREGAT NATURAL PARK COLLSEROLA NATURAL PARK MAS DE MELONS I SECANS DE LLEIDA NATURE RESERVE LA GARROTXA VOLCANIC ZONE NATURAL PARK POBLET NATURAL PARK SERRA DE MONTSANT NATURAL PARK SANT LLORENÇ DEL MUNT I L’OBAC NATURAL PARK LES CAPÇALERES DEL TER I EL FRESER NATURAL PARK C-59 N-141c B-431 C-154 N-340 N-II N-II N-II C-63 C-63 C-63 C-35 C-25 C-35 C-32 C-65 C-31 C-31 C-31 C-66 C-66 A-26 A-2 C-65 AP-7 AP-7 C-260 N-260 N-260 C-37 C-25D C-17 C-37 C-17 N-260 GI -402 C-153 C-38 C-16 N-260 N-154 N-260 C-16 C-26 C-55 C-55 A-2 C-16 C-58 C-60 C-61 N-340 B-224 B-24 A-2 AP-7 B-20 B-10 A-7 T-11 C-14 A-27 C-15 C-31 C-31 C-32 C-32 C-15 C-51 AP-2 AP-2 AP-2 A-22 A-14 C-12 C-45 C-12 C-14 C-14 C-37 C-25 C-14 C-14 C-26 C-26 C-15 C-13 C-13 C-26 C-12 N-230 N-240 C-241 C-1412 C-75 B-420 C-12 C-12 C-42 C-43 C-44 N-340 N-420 N-420 N-240 N-340 LL-12 A-2 A-2 C-53 C-26 N-230 N-260 N-230 TP-3311 A-7 C-242 AP-7 C-16 N-240 C-13 C-28 Aeroport de Barcelona Barcelona Reus Camp de Tarragona Sant Carles de la Ràpita Girona- Costa Brava Andorra - La Seu Lleida- Alguaire Vilanova i la Geltrú Palamós Núria N-230 L-500 The sky is the limit Would you like to travel all over the territory and discover the secrets shared by large and small towns? We propose twelve routes through Catalonia to get to know cities with character, marine villages and charming towns that are waiting to tell you their shared stories. Some routes draw a mental map in which art, gastronomy or traditions unite diverse populations. Places where an artist such as Joan Miró developed his work, where human towers take on special importance or where rice is the centrepiece of delicious dishes. The landscape tells us of adventurers who went to the Caribbean and returned with their minds filled with other colours, feeling nostalgia for what was left behind. The mountains are home to messages from artists who lived a thousand years ago, and who left their mark on the walls of charming churches. With the smell of salt in the air lingers the songs of the men and women who make a living from the sea and offer us its hidden treasures. Let the road become your travelling companion and take a trip around all the corners of Catalonia. You’ll experience surprise after surprise, and will end up discovering your own route that you’ll want to share with the rest of the world. Don't wait any longer: it’s time to set off! © INMEDIA SOLUTIONS. ACT Catalonia Km Barcelona 107 162 99 Girona 107 255 197 Lleida 162 255 101 Tarragona 99 197 101 Barcelona Girona Lleida Tarragona Distance between provincial capitals ºC Barcelona 11 12 14 17 20 24 26 26 24 20 16 12 Girona 9 10 13 15 19 23 26 25 23 18 13 10 Lleida 7 10 14 15 21 24 27 27 23 18 11 8 Tarragona 11 12 14 16 19 22 25 26 23 20 15 12 Average daytime temperatures January March May June July August September October November December February April Cities with Character Marine districts and villages Charming towns Capital of the region Other towns

Transcript of villages Cities, towns and - ACTact.gencat.cat/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/MAPA_CVP_EN.pdf · cities...

Page 1: villages Cities, towns and - ACTact.gencat.cat/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/MAPA_CVP_EN.pdf · cities with character, marine villages and charming towns that are waiting to tell you

Cities, towns and villages

Routes to discover Cataloniawww.catalunya.com

Partners

Partners / ACT members

Cities with Character Charming Towns Marine Villages

For further information about Heritage

Culture Department of the Regional Government of Cataloniahttp://patrimoni.gencat.cat

Catalan Tourist Boardwww.catalunya.com

www.facebook.com/catalunyaexperience@catalunyaexperience

www.twitter.com/catexperience@catexperience

www.instagram.com/catalunyaexperience

www.youtube.com/user/CatalunyaExperience

Published by © Catalan Tourist Board Passeig de Gràcia, 105, 3ª planta. 08008 Barcelona Published by: Ediciones Reunidas, SA www.grupozeta.es.

All total or partial reproduction of this work by any procedure, including reprography and computerised treatment, and distribution of copies by rental or public lending are strictly forbidden without written authorisation from the copyright holders, and may be sanctioned by law.

© Catalan Tourist Board B 22589-2019

Cover photo: L’Ametlla de Mar © Joan Puig. GZ

Palau Robert(Centre for Tourist Information on Catalonia)Passeig de Gràcia, 107. 08008 Barcelona+34 93 238 80 91 / 92 / 93www.gencat.cat/palaurobert

Tourism promotion entities

Tarragona Provincial Authority Tourist Boardwww.costadaurada.infowww.terresdelebre.travel

The Patronat de Turisme Costa Brava Gironawww.en.costabrava.org

The Patronat de Turisme (Regional Tourist Board) of the Diputació de Lleidawww.aralleida.cat

The Barcelona Provincial Councilwww.barcelonaesmoltmes.cat

The Turisme de Barcelona Consortiumwww.barcelonaturisme.com

More information

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La Seu d’Urgell

les Borges Blanques

Vielha

el Pontde Suert Sort

Puigcerdà

ANDORRA

Tremp

Solsona

Berga

RipollOlot

Figueres

la Bisbald’Empordà

Santa Colomade Farners

Girona

Vic

Manresa

Igualada

Cervera

Balaguer

Lleida MollerussaTàrrega

Mataró

Granollers

Sabadell

Terrassa

Vilafrancadel Penedès

Vilanova i la Geltrú

el Vendrell

Valls

Montblanc

Tarragona

ReusFalset

Móra d’EbreGandesa

Tortosa

Amposta

Banyoles

Barcelona

Moià

Sant Feliude Llobregat

Ponts

Montsonís

Alcanar

Begur

Pals

Palamós

Calella dePalafrugell

Arenys de Mar

Sant Pol de Mar

Tossa de Mar

Cardona

Castellar de n’Hug

Sant Joan deles Abadesses

LA VALLD’EN BAS

Cornudellade Montsant

l’Ametlla de Mar

la Pobla de Segur

Llançà

Sitges

l’Escala

Peratallada

Sant Carles de la Ràpita

Mura

Montclar

Sant Sadurníd’Anoia

Rupit i Pruit

Siurana

Santa Pau

BegetCamprodon

Taüll

Prades

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les Cases d’Alcanar

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MASSÍS DELES GAVARRES

Sant Miquel del Fai

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MONTGRÍ, LES ILLES MEDES I EL BAIX TER NATURAL PARK

MONTNEGRE I CORREDOR

NATURAL PARK

L’ALBERANATURAL PARK

ALT PIRINEUNATURAL PARK

DELTA DE L’EBRENATURAL PARK

AIGÜESTORTES I ESTANY DE

SANT MAURICINATIONAL PARK

CADÍ-MOIXERÓNATURAL PARK

MASSÍS DEL PEDRAFORCA

PARK

DELTA DEL LLOBREGATNATURAL PARK

COLLSEROLANATURAL PARK

MAS DE MELONS I SECANS DE LLEIDA

NATURE RESERVE

LA GARROTXAVOLCANIC ZONENATURAL PARK

POBLETNATURAL PARK

SERRA DE MONTSANTNATURAL PARK

SANT LLORENÇ DEL MUNT I L’OBACNATURAL PARK

LES CAPÇALERES DEL TER I EL FRESER

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Sant Carles de la Ràpita

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Vilanova i la Geltrú

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The sky is the limit Would you like to travel all over the territory and discover the secrets shared by large and small towns?

We propose twelve routes through Catalonia to get to know cities with character, marine villages and charming towns that are waiting to tell you their shared stories.

Some routes draw a mental map in which art, gastronomy or traditions unite diverse populations. Places where an artist such as Joan Miró developed his work, where human towers take on special importance or where rice is the centrepiece of delicious dishes. The landscape tells us of adventurers who went to the Caribbean and returned with their minds filled with other colours, feeling nostalgia for what was left behind. The mountains are home to messages from artists who lived a thousand years ago, and who left their mark on the walls of charming churches. With the smell of salt in the air lingers the songs of the men and women who make a living from the sea and offer us its hidden treasures.

Let the road become your travelling companion and take a trip around all the corners of Catalonia. You’ll experience surprise after surprise, and will end up discovering your own route that you’ll want to share with the rest of the world. Don't wait any longer: it’s time to set off!

© in

ME

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Catalonia

Km

Barcelona 107 162 99

Girona 107 255 197

Lleida 162 255 101

Tarragona 99 197 101

Barcelona

GironaLleida

Tarragona

Distance between provincial capitals

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Barcelona 11 12 14 17 20 24 26 26 24 20 16 12

Girona 9 10 13 15 19 23 26 25 23 18 13 10

Lleida 7 10 14 15 21 24 27 27 23 18 11 8

Tarragona 11 12 14 16 19 22 25 26 23 20 15 12

Average daytime temperaturesJanuary

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Cities with Character

Marine districts and villages

Charming towns

Capital of the region

Other towns

Page 2: villages Cities, towns and - ACTact.gencat.cat/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/MAPA_CVP_EN.pdf · cities with character, marine villages and charming towns that are waiting to tell you

pantocrator at Sant climent de taüll.© GZ

a capital of the Sant criStòfol church, Beget. © EnFo. WMC

Roman Tarragona was at its imperial height two thousand years ago and left behind the amphitheatre, the Palace of Augustus and the ‘circus’ (chariot racing track), which are now considered to be a unESCo World Heritage Site. From Tarragona, visit the town of Siurana, in El Priorat. This huddle of houses on top of a rocky crag, the ruins of the Arabic castle and the Romanesque church of Santa Maria will transport you back a thousand years. Did you know that in the Prades Mountains, there is fine collection of cave paintings that have also been awarded unESCo World Heritage status? To see them, you have to visit the different rock shelters that are home to these prehistoric treasures.

Amongst vineyards and volcanoes The trip will be even more pleasant if you stop off to taste a good wine. in Vilafranca del Penedès, you can visit the VinSEuM (Catalan Museum of Wine Culture). To complete the tour, head to the coast to visit Sant Pol de Mar and its Hotel-School, a launch pad for future Michelin stars. Go as far as La Bisbal d’Empordà to admire its ceramic creations, and save time for a visit to the picturesque village of Santa Pau, in the heart of the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone.

ROUTE 2

Retrace the footsteps of creativity

This route allows you to discover art in a prehistoric cave, in the traces of the Roman Empire, in a Romanesque church or in the bubbles of a glass of cava.

Modernism filled the Catalan towns with delightful buildings between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th. Follow this route to contemplate the jewels dating back to this period.

la farinera BY rafael maSÓ, in girona. © JoAn CASTRo. GZ

roman amphitheatre in tarragona.© LLuíS CARRo

interior of alegre de Sagrera houSe muSeum, in terraSSa. © LLuíS CASALS. GZ

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Messages from the Middle Ages

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in the village of Taüll, the church of Sant Climent de Taüll is the perfect introduction to the set of Romanesque churches in La Vall de Boí, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by unESCo. Towards the south-east, you can discover Montclar’s 12th century church and in Mura, in the lands of the Do Pla de Bages, the churches of Sant Martí and Sant Antoni. The Catalan Pyrenees is home to other Romanesque jewels, such as Castellar de n'Hug, where you can take a pleasurable stroll through the narrow cobbled streets in the centre and visit the hermitage of Sant Vicenç de Rus, from the 11th century.

An inspiring walk From Castellar de n’Hug head to Beget, where the church of Sant Cristòfol is tucked away, an example of rural Romanesque architecture. Travel south to Rupit and visit the Romanesque hermitage of Sant Joan de Fàbregas, a few kilometres outside the village. Head to La Bisbal d'Empordà and admire the Castell Palau of the Bishops of Girona, an excellent example of Catalan civil Romanesque. Go on to Peratallada and stroll among the town’s well-preserved examples of medieval architecture, before continuing on to Pals to see the Torre de les Hores, a vestige of the 12th century wall.

There are so many remnants left behind by the Romanesque period that you would need years to see them all. This route is a small introduction to this pure and sober art form.

A stroll through the centre of Girona will provide you with houses and industrial buildings to admire, by architects such as Rafael Masó, Joan Roca Pinet, Josep Martí Burch and Enric Catà i Catà. in Solsona, modernism can be seen in all its splendour in the Hotel Sant Roc, built in 1929 and work of Bernardí Martorell. in Terrassa, which was at the vanguard of the industrial revolution in the mid-19th century, modernism left its imprint in factories such as the spectacular Vapor Aymerich, Amat i Jover, which houses the Science and Technical Museum of Catalonia. The Arenys de Mar cemetery is an open-air museum of modernist sculpture. Vilanova i la Geltrú and Sitges are home to colonial-style treasures, such as the old market in Sitges or Can Pahissa in Vilanova.

Special mention in Reus, the birth town of the wonderful Antoni Gaudí, you can visit up to 80 modernist buildings. of particular note amongst these are Casa navàs, the Pere Mata institute, Casa Rull and Casa Gasull, work of Lluís Domènech i Montaner, considered to be one of Europe’s best modernist architects. The trail finishes in the town of Tortosa, where a walk through the centre will award you with spectacular works to contemplate.

ROUTE 1

On the trail of Antoni Gaudí

in Pals, you can wander through the narrow cobbled streets until you get to the Josep Pla Viewpoint, from where you can take in a view that Pla described in several of his works. Cross L’Empordà to reach Girona, where it is a pleasure to walk around the historical quarter, the cathedral, the walls, the Arab baths, the houses on the river onyar and the Pont de Pedra (Stone Bridge), which appear in texts by Josep Pla, Benito Pérez Galdós, Prudenci Bertrana, Joaquim Ruyra, George Steiner, Santiago Rusiñol and Miquel de Palol.

Scenes from novels in Vic, stroll around the magnificent Plaça Major, Carrer Verdaguer or the Episcopal Museum. This city also remembers the writer Maria Àngels Anglada in the market and Carrer de la Riera, important backdrops in her poems and novels. in Terrassa, you will admire factories and neighbourhoods from the beginning of the 20th century when you visit the scenery from the novel La teranyina by Jaume Cabré. Go as far as Sitges, as did Ana María Matute, Joan Maragall, Santiago Rusiñol and Emilia Pardo Bazán, and find out about their relationship with the town. Heading north, visit Arenys de Mar and discover the resounding echo of the great Salvador Espriu. Without leaving the coast, stop at Tossa de Mar, which was a holiday spot for great intellectuals in the 1930s, and be inspired by the atmosphere of this marine village.

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ROUTE 4

Pursue inspiration

A good book can transport you anywhere, but visiting the very cities and towns where the writers found their inspiration will take you full circle.

SitgeS from the Sea.© MiGuEL ánGEL áLVAREZ. ACT

The Camí de Sant Jaume is the part of the Way of Saint James that crosses Catalonia. it starts at Cap de Creus, to the north of the Costa Brava, and goes as far as Terres de Lleida. one of the cities crossed by the road is Girona, where you can walk through the historic centre, visit the cathedral, the Jewish quarter or the houses of the river onyar. From there, the Jacobean route goes to Vic, with its porticoed Plaça Major, the setting for one of the most important street markets in Catalonia, as well as the cathedral of Sant Pere and the Episcopal Museum of Vic. The Way continues to Manresa, where you can stroll through its medieval streets or visit the imposing basilica of Santa Maria de la Seu. The following stopovers pass through the mountains of Montserrat, igualada, Cervera and Lleida, on the banks of the river Segre. in this city, it is essential to visit La Seu Vella.

The Saint Ignatius route The ignatian Way recalls the pilgrimage made by Saint ignatius from the Basque Country to Manresa, where the cave of St. ignatius is located, and where the saint wrote his famous spiritual retreats.

cloiSter of la Seu Vella, lleida.© oRioL CLAVERA. ACT

a Stained-glaSS WindoW in the holY caVe of manreSa.© PMR MAEYAERT. WMC

ROUTE 5

Discover the path to your inner self

To rediscover the essentials of nature itself, follow the routes on roads that link cities and towns.

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Les Cases d'Alcanar, at the tip of Benifallim, was recorded as a territorial boundary in a document dated 1239. Further north, visit the castle of La Zuda in Tortosa, an Andalusian fortress on the hill of the old city. This citadel dates back to the Arab period and was a royal residence during the reign of Jaume i. Today, it is a Parador de Turismo and a magnificent viewpoint of the city. The route continues to Siurana, a charming village surrounded by spectacular cliffs, where the remains of the Arab castle are located, the scene of the final days of the Muslim kingdoms in Catalonia. Legend has it that their last princess, the beautiful Abdelazia, chose to throw herself to her death from one of the gorges to avoid capture.

The last bastion Lleida preserves the Muslim legacy in the Moreria neighbourhood, and the Jewish in the Cuirassa neighbourhood. The cathedral, La Seu Vella, was built over the old Mosque and the castle of El Rei or La Suda, refuge of the last Caliph of Cordoba. Afterwards, you can finish the route discovering some of the border castles in the area. in Montsonís, for example, you can enter the castle that defended the border between Catalunya nova (new Catalonia) and Vella (old Catalonia) for 125 years, until the definitive re-conquest of Lleida in 1149.

ROUTE 6

A walk along millenary borders

This route passes through corners where the legacy of islamic culture is preserved and visits border castles that guard the legacy of old cultures.

the Village of Siurana, on the reSerVoir of the Same name.© JoAn CAPDEViLA. GZ

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There are always excuses to visit the Costa Brava, and the lighthouses located on the outermost corners of the coastline are one of them.

toSSa de mar lighthouSe. © JoAn CASTRo. GZ

palamÓS lighthouSe. © MiGuEL ánGEL áLVAREZ. ACT

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They are usually located atop a cliff, on the periphery of a fishing village or at the highest point of a solitary island. These reference towers for sailors are also an attraction to discover the landscapes of the coast. This route links four lighthouses on the Costa Brava. it starts in Llançà, where you can find the S'Arenella lighthouse, built in 1913. it can be reached via the camí de ronda (coast path) between Llançà and El Port de la Selva. Further south, you can visit the Sant Sebastià lighthouse in Palafrugell, which can be found between Calella de Palafrugell and Tamariu. it is an impressive lighthouse perched atop a cliff. Right next door you will find a hermitage, a lookout point, a hotel and a restaurant. in the town of Palamós, you can see the Punta del Molí lighthouse, which has a tower with a characteristic hexagonal viewpoint.

A flash within the walls To finish, you can visit the Tossa de Mar lighthouse, located in the highest part of the Vila Vella. it is a building from the beginning of the 20th century that has been transformed into an interpretation Centre for maritime signals.

ROUTE 8

The paths of light

Very close to the expansive beaches along the Costa Daurada, there are mountains and valleys where you can enjoy nature.

foreStS in the muntanYeS de pradeS. © XAVi MoLinER. GZ

VieW of montBlanc from Santa maria. © MiGuEL RAuRiCH. ACT

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in the morning, sunbathe and take a dip in the Mediterranean waters, and, in the afternoon, enjoy an excursion through the forest and bathe in a river pool. in Catalonia, there is no need to choose between the sea and the mountains. You can have both, as the mountains of Prades, for example, are very close to the sea. This route starts at the beaches of L'Ametlla de Mar and its fishing port. From L'Ametlla, it is easy to reach Reus, famous for its modernist buildings and typical products such as vermouth and hazelnuts. Continue inland and, already in the mountains, enjoy the picturesque village of Siurana, literally perched on top of a cliff.

So close, yet so unexploredHeading north, it is worth visiting Prades, also known as the vila vermella (red town), for the colour of the stones of its church and most of its houses. in and around this town, you will be able to go on excursions and practise adventure sports. Finally, continue to the town of Montblanc, declared a historical and artistic ensemble, where you can walk along the medieval wall and enjoy the historic centre from the shelter of the majestic Santa Maria Church.

ROUTE 10

Between the sea and the mountains

Catalonia is a natural paradise. From volcanoes to marshes, forests or cliffs, there are landscapes to amaze all visitors.

aigüeStorteS i eStanY de Sant maurici national park. © JoSé LuiS RoDRiGuEZ. ACT

Sant llorenç del munt i l’oBac natural park. © KiM CASTELLS. GZ

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You will visit places ideal for adventure sports, discovering flora and fauna or simply enjoying nature. Follow this route to discover the Delta de l’Ebre natural Park from Sant Carles de la Ràpita, a paradise for bird watching. inland, in Prades and Siurana, the park of Les Muntanyes de Prades offers forests, impressive cliffs and rivers. in the heart of Catalonia, Mura will show you the way to the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’obac natural park, with La Mola and the old monastery at the highest point of the massif. Continue north to Rupit to explore the Guilleries-Savassona natural Area.

Fiery landscapesin Santa Pau, visit the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone natural Park, with hundreds of volcanoes and beech forests such as La Fageda d'en Jordà. in Beget, explore the Alta Garrotxa natural interest Area, wilder and less explored. From L’Escala, immerse yourself in the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà natural Park, and, from Llançà, go deep into the Cap de Creus natural Park. Finally, in the west, Taüll and La Vall de Boí are gateways to the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici national Park, which is full of impressive high mountain landscapes.

ROUTE 12

Protected Natural Areas

You will visit fishing villages and fish markets with their own brotherhoods. Begin the route in L'Escala and taste its anchovies, which have a protected designation of origin. in Begur, you can’t pass up tasting rockfish and, in Palamós, a visit to the fishing harbour and the Fishing Museum is a must, as is tasting the prawns. Another town famous for its fish is Vilanova i la Geltrú: its port holds two auctions a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, from Monday to Friday. The Espai Far museums are well worth a visit, in the Sant Cristòfol lighthouse enclosure.

Discover the Terres de l’Ebre coastlineFollowing the route towards the south, make a stop at L'Ametlla de Mar. The hectic life on the fishermen's dock and the seafood dishes served in its restaurants are a testament to its seafaring authenticity. To finish, there is nothing better than visiting Sant Carles de la Ràpita, which has an important fishing harbour, and Les Cases d’Alcanar, where highlights include the colourful boats in the port and its seafood restaurants.

ROUTE 7

Giving thanks to the sea

This itinerary along the Catalan coastline allows you to visit the most picturesque spots and enjoy the country's rich seafaring culture.

the port at l'ametlla de mar.© AJunTAMEnT DE L’AMETLLA DE MAR

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Established to link villages, lighthouses and beaches, the camins de ronda also helped the authorities control smuggling on the coast. now, these routes are ideal for discovering attractive marine landscapes. From north to south, and following the GR 92 trail, you can cover the entire coast, and there are also some sections that are particularly worth a trip. one of these can be found at Llançà, in the north of the Costa Brava, from which you can reach El Port de la Selva, crossing coves and cliffs in an impressive landscape. in L’Escala, it is worth walking along the camí de ronda for 2.5 km to Sant Martí d'Empúries. in Calella de Palafrugell, the path that leads to Palamós is a highlight, crossing places such as Cala S'Alguer, with its vibrant fishermen's huts. Further south, between Begur and Pals, you will discover coves with crystal-clear waters and, in Tossa de Mar, don't miss the path to Lloret de Mar.

Beyond the Costa Bravain El Maresme, the Sant Pol de Mar camí de ronda, which passes through beaches and rocky coves, stands out for its beauty. Finally, remember to follow the Costa Daurada's quintessential camí de ronda, which runs from L'Ametlla de Mar to L'Ampolla.

ROUTE 9

The most beautiful cliffs

The camins de ronda (coast paths) reveal the secrets of the coastline. Coves, cliffs and small fishing villages await you with every step.

cliff on the coSta BraVa.© GZ

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There are many coastal municipalities with an ‘indiano’ or American past. Many towns saw the departure of adventurers to different places in America to trade products from here and there. Many returned to their homes rich and erected buildings that were a testament both to their fortune and the architecture of that time. These were constructions that mixed the neoclassical style with the neogothic, modernism and colonial architecture. A walk through Begur allows you to visit large ‘indiano’ houses with colonial aesthetics and curious galleries with mural paintings.

Nostalgia for Americain Calella de Palafrugell, you can admire buildings built by the ‘indianos’ who made their fortune in countries such as Cuba, Argentina, Chile or the united States, particularly in new York City. Towards the south, and already entering El Maresme, it is a good idea to stop off at Arenys de Mar to visit the architectural wonders of this period, such as the Xifré building. To finish, and with the El Garraf massif as a backdrop, don’t miss the routes of the ‘indianos’ in Sitges and Vilanova i la Geltrú.

ROUTE 11

Caribbean air

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the ‘indianos’ departed from various points of the coast to seek fortune in America. Discover their legacy.

Xifré Building in arenYS de mar.© ALBERTo-G-RoVi. WMC

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tarragona montblanc prades Siurana Vilafranca del penedès Sant pol de mar la Bisbal d’empordà Santa pau

34 Km

30 Km

21 Km

102 Km

101 Km

73 Km

60 Km

girona Solsona terrassa arenys de mar Sitges Vilanova i la geltrú reus tortosa

164 Km

81 Km

61 Km

100 Km

10 Km

60 Km

77 Km

taüll montclar mura castellar de n’hug Beget rupit la Bisbal d’empordà peratallada pals

211 Km

65 Km

99 Km

65 Km

93 Km

92 Km

78 Km

65 Km

pals girona Vic terrassa Sitges arenys de mar tossa de mar

44 Km

69 Km

71 Km

60 Km

110 Km

46 Km

les cases d’alcanar tortosa Siurana lleida montsonís

38 Km

97 Km

70 Km

50 Km

the Way of Saint James 494Km

the ignatian Way 160 Km

l’escala Begur palamós Vilanova i la geltrú l’ametlla de mar Sant carles de la ràpita les cases d’alcanar

28 Km

17 Km

169 Km

105 Km

41 Km

18 Km

llançà calella de palafrugell palamós tossa de mar

79 Km

13 Km

46 Km

llançà l’escala calella de palafrugell tossa de mar Sant pol de mar l’ametlla de mar

47 Km

33 Km

55 Km

40 Km

103 Km

l’ametlla de mar reus Siuranaprades montblanc

49 Km

40 Km

21 Km

32 Km

Begur calella de palafrugell arenys de mar Sitges Vilanova i la geltrú

10 Km

87 Km

85 Km

9 Km

Sant carles de la ràpita prades mura rupit Santa pau Beget l’escala llançà taüll

133 Km

148 Km

96 Km

38 Km

46 Km

90 Km

42 Km

371 Km

llançà girona Vic manresa lleida

68 Km

70 Km

50 Km

114 Km