5 towns in Catalonia that you can't miss
We put ourselves in a situation: you have come to Barcelona to spend a stage of your life working, or studying. We know that Barcelona is a very beautiful city, with a very wide variety of plans. You can visit tourist places with a very interesting cultural offer and a great gastronomic variety.
But today we want to propose something different. Taking advantage of weekends or long weekends, we want to recommend some towns throughout Catalonia that we love. You can get lost in its historic streets, admire its architecture or taste typical foods of the area. Keep reading if you want to know these fantastic places!
Cadaqués
This village is located in the region of Empordà. For many it is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Catalonia and they call it the seafaring jewel of the Costa Brava. If something characterizes this place is the white of its houses or the style of cobbled street surrounded by art, with its galleries and the great influence of Salvador Dalí.
You can not miss the views from the Church of Santa Maria, which is located at the top of the old town, from which you can see the town with the Mediterranean Sea in the background. To get to this church, you will have to go through the old town, where we recommend that you let yourself be carried away by its streets and discover all its corners. Also take the opportunity to taste the "taps de Cadaqués", the most typical sweet of this town on the Costa Brava.
If you are a person who likes contact with nature and also enjoys hiking, Cadaqués is also ideal for you. It is located next to the Cap de Creus Natural Park, an area of great biological, geological and landscape importance, where you can find many trekking routes or visit iconic places such as the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes.
Begur
Continuing with Costa Brava, there is another town that we recommend you visit while you are in Catalonia: Begur. This coastal town has a great historical heritage, as well as beaches and coves considered the best in Spain.
Once in the village, we recommend that you make the journey to its castle. This historic place has been standing since the eleventh century and offers wonderful views of the town and the sea thanks to its height.
If you are more into spending the day at the beach, in Begur you have a wide range of coves to choose from. You can start with Cala de Aiguafreda, a small cove with a boat dock located in the middle of nature. It is one of our favorites to relax and disconnect.
Another option that we like a lot is Platja Fonda. This beach is characterized by having a lot of depth and crystal clear waters. Finally, we recommend that you visit the beach of Illa Roja, a sandy beach known internationally.
Prades
This time we move to Tarragona to introduce you to the town of Prades. You will recognize it by its reddish appearance due to the sandstone that many of its buildings have.
Within the village we recommend you visit the Church of Santa Maria la Mayor, dated from the year 1.194. It shows the transition from Roman to Gothic and, on its façade, has Renaissance elements. The next stop is the hermitage of La Abellera. The particularity of this hermitage is the layout it presents, since it is located inside a cave.
For mountaineering lovers, Prades is home to two Long Distance (GR) trails. The first covers more than 300 kilometers passing through the Montblanc and the Prades Mountains. The second is a variant of the Camino de Santiago that has its origin in Tarragona and reaches Aragon.
Miravet
Continuing in Tarragona, this town is located on the route of the Ebro River and is known for its incredible castle. One of the most original options to access the town is through the passage of a boat, where you can embark your car and reach the town by the river.
Once there, you can't miss Miravet Castle. Located in the highest part of the village, it is a great example of the architecture of the Templars. Built in the ninth century, it was in the hands of the Arabs until 1.153, when it was conquered by King Ramón Berenguer IV.
To get to the castle, you will have to go through the old town. We recommend that you take a walk around the area, as you will find several places of interest such as the Portal del Motxi or the Old Mill.
Before leaving, do not forget to stop by the Mirador de la Sanaqueta, where you will have a panoramic view of the Ebro River.
Taüll
Today's tour ends in Lleida, more specifically in the town of Taüll. It is located in Vall de Boí and is the ideal epicenter for mountain activities.
Taüll will welcome you with the Church of Sant Climent de Taüll, where you can admire its pantocrator reconstructed through mapping. Even so, do not forget to see the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria. These two belong to a set of nine Romanesque churches in the Vall de Boí that are considered World Heritage by Unesco.
If you go in summer you will find several hiking trails through the Aigüestortes i Sant Maurici National Park. On the other hand, if you go in winter, we recommend that you go to enjoy the ski slopes of Boí Taüll.
We know that these experiences are better shared and, therefore, we recommend coliving as a good option to move to Barcelona and be part of a community. We invite you to discover the Viu experience!
