Catalan Cities and Villages with Character
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Cities that breath history
øDo you like to remember historical facts? These cities are a great bank of memories where you can take a trip to the past. History and culture are two of the features that define their personality. They boast a significant number of Cultural Assets of National Interest, as well as relevant traditions and festivals that fly the flag for their historical and cultural character. They organise activities for everyone, and make an effort to raise awareness of themselves, as well as flying the flag for the most beautiful corners of the municipality. Some of them combine a marked historical footprint with two more ingredients: quality Catalan cuisine and a strong wine-growing tradition.
A good dish on the table
If you are one of those people who are moved by the taste of good food or the taste of a good wine, you must not miss the opportunity to visit to the places where the raison d'Ítre is to produce food and wine. The offer of accommodation and catering is dynamic, and, above all, it opens the doors to traditional Catalan cuisine by putting on the table typical dishes produced with local products and products from the land. All washed down with wines made in the denominations of origin of the region.
Very creative
They have a restless creative spirit. They are welcoming, inspiring cities that love and encourage artistic creation and strive to make the most creative people feel at home. In addition to their creative personality, they are cities committed to respecting the environment, and they have put in place policies designed to promote recycling and the responsible use of natural resources.
Come and visit; their character will impress you.
If you want to discover the essence of Catalonia, its culture, its tradition, and its people, you have to note down in your route some of its cities and towns with a special character.
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Girona
The city still preserves an old Medieval district that extends up to the impressive cathedral, through the dark, narrow streets of the Old quarter, while more modern and organised part is at the other side of the river. Above the bank of the river Onyar is Girona's most famous image, formed by the pleasant colourful houses.
The Gothic cathedral of Santa Maria (11th-13th centuries) is Girona's most relevant architectural feature, though it is by no means the only one. There are many other examples of religious architecture, such as the monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants (13th century), the convents of Sant Domènec (13th century) and Sant Josep (16th-17th centuries) or the churches of Sant Feliu (12th-16th centuries), Sant Nicolau (12th century) or Sant Daniel (11th century), among other buildings.
There are also examples of civilian architecture from other periods, such as the Turkish baths (12th-13th centuries), the Agullana house (14th-17th centuries), the old palace of Caramany (16th-18th centuries) or the Modernista Teixidor house (1918).
But Girona's attractiveness is not only limited to history or architecture. The Devesa Park is one of the most pleasant green urban spaces in Catalonia. The city's many museums complete a very comprehensive cultural offering.
Tarragona
The main architectural attractions in the World Heritage Site city are Roman: the walls, the amphitheatre, the theatre, the hippodrome, the Pretorio tower, the pre-Christian necropolis and local and provincial forums, all in the historic town centre. What's more, on the outskirts, it is possible to see the Mèdol quarry, the aqueduct on the Devil's bridge and the Escipiones mausoleum.
On the other hand, don't miss the chance to visit the cathedral of Santa María and the Canals and Castellarnau houses.
The municipality's nineteen kilometres of coastline boast fabulous beaches such as la Llarga, la Rabassada or l'Arboçar, as well as natural spaces such as the mouth of the Gaià and Tamarit-Punta de la Mora, location of Tamarit castle and the Mora tower.
Vilafranca del Penedès
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Reus
A city decidedly focused on culture, Reus is also the city of birth of personalities from the world of letters, such as the poet Gabriel Ferrater or the theatre director Lluís Pasqual.
Whoever visits it cannot miss some of the most outstanding intitutions, such as the Bartrina and Fortuny theatres, nor forget the smell of gunpowder caused by the "tronada", the main event of the patron saint celebrations, which takes place in the beautiful Mercadal square.
Tortosa
Its location close to the mouth of the river Ebro probably helped bring about all this splendour. Now the city opens up to the Delta and to the surrounding natural landscape, with three protected areas: the islands of the Ebro (Audí, Vinallop and Xiquina), the Ports and the mountain ranges of Cardó and el Boix.
The municipality includes the villages of Bítem, Campredó, Jesús, los Reguers and Vinallop.
Vic
The city still preserves an old Medieval district that extends up to the impressive cathedral, through the dark, narrow streets of the Old quarter, while more modern and organised part is at the other side of the river. Above the bank of the river Onyar is Girona's most famous image, formed by the pleasant colourful houses.
The Gothic cathedral of Santa Maria (11th-13th centuries) is Girona's most relevant architectural feature, though it is by no means the only one. There are many other examples of religious architecture, such as the monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants (13th century), the convents of Sant Domènec (13th century) and Sant Josep (16th-17th centuries) or the churches of Sant Feliu (12th-16th centuries), Sant Nicolau (12th century) or Sant Daniel (11th century), among other buildings.
There are also examples of civilian architecture from other periods, such as the Turkish baths (12th-13th centuries), the Agullana house (14th-17th centuries), the old palace of Caramany (16th-18th centuries) or the Modernista Teixidor house (1918).
But Girona's attractiveness is not only limited to history or architecture. The Devesa Park is one of the most pleasant green urban spaces in Catalonia. The city's many museums complete a very comprehensive cultural offering.
As corresponds to a city with deep historic roots, Lleida has many interesting buildings. The Hill of la Seu Vella (13th century) or the remains of the old Muslim Suda, offer the best views of the city.
In the old quarter do not miss the palace of la Paería, the Seu Nova or the old hospital of Santa María, in addition to the extensive variety of museums, starting with the Diocesan and Regional Lleida Museum, the Jaume Morera Art Museum, the Water Museum and the La Panera Art Centre.
This ingrained past has crystallised in the popular Medieval Week, the origins of which lie in the legend of saint Jordi and the dragon, situated by the costumbrist Joan Amades in the capital of Conca de Barberà. Completing this extraordinary variety of heritage are its archaeological sites, from palaeolithic cave paintings to remains of Iberian settlements.
A city decidedly focused on culture, Reus is also the city of birth of personalities from the world of letters, such as the poet Gabriel Ferrater or the theatre director Lluís Pasqual.
Whoever visits it cannot miss some of the most outstanding intitutions, such as the Bartrina and Fortuny theatres, nor forget the smell of gunpowder caused by the "tronada", the main event of the patron saint celebrations, which takes place in the beautiful Mercadal square.
An important commercial centre, Solsona has a rich architectural and artistic heritage, in addition to the tranquillity and balanced pace of a small but dynamic city. The capital of Solsonès has, in addition, an unbeatable calendar of festivals and cultural events, as it is the city with the most giants and bestiary figures in Catalonia.
The old quarter, with its narrow streets and squares, is the main location of interest of the municipality. Worth mentioning is the cathedral of Santa Maria, the region’s most relevant architectural reference.
Its inhabitants are called «mata-rucs» (donkey-killers) as, according to legend, they brought a donkey up to the bell tower so it would eat the weeds that grew among the stones.
The main architectural attractions in the World Heritage Site city are Roman: the walls, the amphitheatre, the theatre, the hippodrome, the Pretorio tower, the pre-Christian necropolis and local and provincial forums, all in the historic town centre. What's more, on the outskirts, it is possible to see the Mèdol quarry, the aqueduct on the Devil's bridge and the Escipiones mausoleum.
On the other hand, don't miss the chance to visit the cathedral of Santa María and the Canals and Castellarnau houses.
The municipality's nineteen kilometres of coastline boast fabulous beaches such as la Llarga, la Rabassada or l'Arboçar, as well as natural spaces such as the mouth of the Gaià and Tamarit-Punta de la Mora, location of Tamarit castle and the Mora tower.
Its location close to the mouth of the river Ebro probably helped bring about all this splendour. Now the city opens up to the Delta and to the surrounding natural landscape, with three protected areas: the islands of the Ebro (Audí, Vinallop and Xiquina), the Ports and the mountain ranges of Cardó and el Boix.
The municipality includes the villages of Bítem, Campredó, Jesús, los Reguers and Vinallop.