Forget Barcelona -Come to Tarragona!
Chances are that if you’ve been to Catalonia you went to either to Barcelona or perhaps the Spanish Pyrenees. Now don’t get me wrong -I love Barcelona and the Pyrenees! But, their popularity tends to overshadow the rest of Catalonia which is a pity because the Province of Tarragona in the Southern part of Catalonia is well worth visiting. It is only about an hour south of Barcelona and it has a lot to offer. It has stunning scenery, there’s plenty to see and do and there are less crowds! Let me take you on a quick tour…
To start with there is the capital of the Province – the city of Tarragona itself. Like big brother Barcelona it is located right on the coast with some good beaches, a busy port and fishing harbour. Tarragona is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on account of the exceptional Roman excavations found throughout the city but in spite of that tourism here seems very low key. The city centre has a wide avenue, La Rambla, which is lined with shops and pavement cafes and leads you to the Balcon del Mediterraneo – a lookout point with panoramic views over the beach and mediterranean. It also has excellent museums, a Gothic quarter, stylish shops and good restaurants. Then there is Reus, a small city only twenty minutes or so from Tarragona. The architect Gaudi -often called “Barcelona’s favorite son” was actually born either in or very near Reus. There is now a fascinating Gaudi Museum and a Modernist Architecture Trail which intertwines with the narrow streets of the main shopping area.
Roman Amphitheatre Tarragona
Away from the cities now. If you want off the beaten track with wildlife, nature, birds, walking trails,mountain climbing and stunning scenery you can’t go wrong in Tarragona. There are 3 Natural Parks. The most well-known is possibly the Ebro Delta with it’s lagoons and rice paddies – a hotspot for keen birdwatchers. The other two Parks are mountainous areas – Parc Natural Els Ports in Terra Alta and Parc Natural del Montsant in the Priorat area. Both are fantastic areas for walking and mountain climbing whilst The Priorat is also renowned internationally for its fine wines. In the North East of Priorat are more mountain ranges – Conca de Barbera and Prades where the town most worthy of note is the medieval, walled-town of Montblanc.
Then there is the mighty River Ebro which cuts through Tarragona on the last part of its journey to the sea. The Ebro Valley is green and fertile and grows oranges and mandarines, peaches, pears, nectarines, and almonds. It is a delight to see in Spring when the trees are in blossom. Dotted along the valley are medieval villages such as Miravet, Tivissa and Rasquera and the city of Tortosa. The River Ebro itself and the dams at Riba Roja and Mequinenza are a magnet for anglers who come for the challenge of hauling in a giant catfish or specimen sized carp.
View Province of Tarragona in a larger map
Moving down to the Costa Dorada: on the edge of the Ebro Delta you will find the pretty fishing ports of Sant Carles de la Rapita, and l’Ampolla. Travelling North small resorts such as l’Ametlla del Mar, l’Hospitalet de l’Infant, Miami Playa and Cambrils. They are not well known to the British but are popular with the Spanish, Dutch, French and German. Better known to the Brits is Salou – one of the earliest package holiday resorts. After falling out of favour it has resurrected itself as a popular family holiday destination thanks to the thrills and spills of Port Aventura Theme Park and the development of Reus Airport.
Well that’s a very quick overview of Tarragona. Beaches, mountains, a magnificent river and everything from Roman remains to white-knuckle rides! A relatively undiscovered gem which is a perfect place for a weekend city break or rural retreat.
