Catalonia: the Best Plan for Your Summer Holidays

The long summer days mean an abundance of adventures and family activities in Catalonia . When the weather is good there is nothing better than a trip to the beach or the mountains. Take part in a grape harvest, swim among sharks or take a trip in an ornitokayak... the plans for summer are endless!

An aquatic universe to explore If you like sailing, the Costa Daurada i Terres de l’Ebre Nautical Park offers a family day full of adventure and sport: Explorers Soul Salou. The experience begins with a choice of two activities: a kayak or paddle surf trip where you can appreciate Salou from the sea. Afterwards, you can choose between sailing on a mini-cruiser or on a catamaran. Your day of nautical adventure ends with a lunch, which is included in the activity, at the club’s restaurant.

If you want to enjoy the sea off the Costa Brava, you can climb aboard Don Pancho’s underwater observation boats, which leave from the Bay of Roses and sail around Cap de Creus . On this excursion you will observe all the richness of the seabed through its underwater port holes. The route will take you to the Tamariu cave and the cliffs of Cap de Norfeu which you’ll see from the water. You can also include a snorkelling session in Cala Murtra or Cala Montjoi.

The river is life Lo Sirgador allows you to discover Tortosa from the Ebro river, on board a llagut , a traditional wooden boat. A guide will join you to explain the monuments of the city that you will see during this river excursion. You will also pass by the forest on the shore of the Xiquina island and children will be able to see the oxen grazing on Vinallop island, also called Oxen Island. If you choose the evening tour, you will enjoy a beautiful sunset that includes cava, soft drinks and cake.

Another river adventure is the ornitokayak route in Sant Pere Pescador. SK Kayak organises this excursion through the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park, where you can enjoy observing migratory birds while paddling in your kayak. You will leave from the Sant Pere Pescador Nautical Club along the final stretch of the Fluvià river, passing through the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Integral Nature Reserve and the island of Caramany until you reach the mouth of the river. Along the route you will discover the species of birds in the area and maybe even see an otter.

The most panoramic and wild Pyrenees The Vallter2000 mountain resort in Vall de Camprodon invites you to enjoy a trip on its 4-seater Panoramic chairlift. During the journey you will see the source of the Ter river and you will enter the landscapes of the Capçaleres del Ter i del Freser Natural Park. The trip also includes a visit to the old refuge of Ull de Ter. At the end of the journey, take the opportunity to enjoy the views offered by the Mirador-Balcó of the Costa Brava, the highest point of the resort, at 2,535 meters above sea level. The chairlift is open from mid-July to mid-September.

Vall de Camprodon hides 10 hectares of forests and meadows, which are home to up to 31 species of native animals. Molló Parc is a magical space where you will get close to the enclosures where bears, chamois and other animals can be found, and you will see how they feed and relate to each other. One of the activities it offers is to become a carer and join the workers in their day-to-day life in the park, in a personalised visit. You will enter the enclosures of some animals and for a few hours can discover many interesting things about them while you are part of the park team.

Family grape harvest, adventure in the trees and biodiversity At the end of summer, Calonge i Sant Antoni celebrates the family grape harvest, an event which helps bring families closer to wine culture. Over one weekend, activities are organised such as grape picking for the D.O. Empordà wine and you will be able to experience the famous grape stomping. There are also visits to wineries with wine tastings and concerts for the whole family. You can also enjoy a yoga session among the vineyards in the Clos d’Agon pine forest.

In Santa Susanna you have the chance to Go do Tarzan! at Activ Natura Outdoor Adventure Park . In this adventure park there are routes with ziplines, bridges, nets and cables to swing safely between the trees without touching the ground for even a second. There are circuits for all levels and an expert instructor will give you instructions before starting the adventure. You will have fun and enhance your skills and abilities, such as balancing and decision-making.

The biodiversity of the Sèquia Major in Vila-Seca-La Pineda Platja will leave you speechless. Many plant and animal species in danger of extinction are found in this protected natural space. Here, children can camp by the lagoon, discover a half-camouflaged water turtle and cross wooden walkways to reach a beach with towers to observe the migratory birds that land there. Guided tours are offered where you can study animal tracks and you can also take part in bird watching. These are just some of the outstanding activities you can enjoy in this natural space.

Dive in a cage among the sharks L’Aquàrium de Barcelona offers a unique and exciting experience: diving in a cage among the sharks. This activity will allow you to meet these magnificent animals face to face. Joined by an instructor and equipped with a wetsuit and oxygen cylinder, you will be able to see sharks, rays, moray eels and thousands of fish swimming alongside you. The activity is for children over 10 years old and with a diving license. L’Aquàrium also organises family craft workshops and treasure hunts at weekends.