GENERAL INFORMATION

Although Barcelona is the main draw for visitors to eastern Spain , the rest of the region is well worth visiting and offers tremendous diversity . Visitors can trek or partake in mountain sports , relax on the beach and visit historic towns and cities all within the space of a few days . Catalonia itself is a unique region which provided inspiration for a number of famous artists such as Dali and Picasso , and retains a strong regional identity which is evident in its language , distinctive cuisine and lively local festivals .

LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS

Barcelona ’ s Gothic quarter , a maze of narrow streets and plazas which is home to historic buildings including La Seu Cathedral . Modernist architecture throughout the region , particularly in Barcelona where Gaudí designed works including the Sagrada Familia cathedral and Park Guell . Green spaces within Barcelona such as Montjuic , a fortress-topped hill , and Parc de la Ciutatella , a popular park with a zoo and several museums . The City of Arts and Sciences and the Fine Arts Museum in Valencia . Historic monuments within Valencia including a 15th Century silk exchange and a Cathedral , home to a Holy Chalice which is said to be the Holy Grail . The Monastery of Montserrat , a religious complex in a spectacular setting atop craggy mountains with chapels , hermits ’ caves and numerous nature trails . Wineries in towns such as Sant Sadurní d ’ Anoia and Vilafranca del Penedès . Tarragona , a port city with fascinating Roman remains . The ancient walled city of Girona . Vic , a quintessentially Catalan town with an outstanding market . Cardona , a picturesque town with an impressive fortress . The renowned Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres . Charming towns along the Costa Brava such as Cadaques , as well as those further inland such as the colourful town of Begur . Pretty villages in the Pyrenees , where visitors can also hike and partake in mountain activities . Wildlife in the wetlands of the Albufera Natural Park .

LOCAL EVENTS

March : Las Fallas festival of fire ( Valencia ), 23 April : Celebration of Catalonia ’ s patron saint , April : Barcelona April Fair , May : Girona flower fair , 23 June : Midsummer ’ s Eve Festival , July : Valencia July Fair , July / August : Begur Music Festival , August : La Tomatina tomato throwing festival ( Buñol ), 11 September : National day of Catalonia , September : Celebration of Barcelona ’ s patron saint , September / October : Human tower festivals ( near Tarragona ).

GASTRONOMY

Cuisine in eastern Spain takes inspiration from both nearby France and from central Spain whilst making use of local ingredients available including seafood , fresh vegetables , meat and game . Paella , the rice dish which is known the world over originated in Valencia . Barcelona is home to some of Spain ’ s best restaurants , with gastronomic chefs creating innovative cuisine and over 20 boasting at least one Michelin star . Typical dishes include unusual ‘ sea and mountain ’ combinations which use both meat and seafood , ‘ Pa amb tomàquet ’ ( bread with tomato , oil and garlic ), ‘ Fideuá ’ ( a variant of Paella with pasta ), ‘ Zarzuela ’ ( a seafood stew ), ‘ Escudella ’ ( a stew containing vegetables , meat , rice and pasta ) and ‘ Crema Catalana ’ ( a Catalan version of a Crème Brûlée ).

MULTI-CENTRE SUGGESTIONS

Barcelona can be used as a starting point for any holiday in Catalonia . Take a few days to explore the city before moving on to a beach resort on the Costa Brava or a hillside retreat in the Pyrenees . Driving distances are not too long , allowing visitors to easily travel between places of interest .

Catalan village

Miro floor Barcelona

Catalan fish dish

Aiguablava , Costa Brava

TRAVEL

By air : Barcelona-El Prat Airport is served by a huge number of flights to the UK and other destinations around the world . There are a number of daily flights from London airports with British Airways , as well as flights with low-cost airlines to regional airports . The airport is easily accessible from the city centre by train and bus . Valencia , Girona , Reus and Lleida airports are all served by low-cost airlines , whilst British Airways also operates flights to Alicante airport which gives access to the south of the region . By rail : Rail is a convenient mode of transport within most parts of eastern Spain as many towns and cities have train stations with convenient connections . High-speed trains run between Barcelona and other cities throughout Spain including Madrid , Seville and Bilbao . There is also a highspeed service from Paris which stops at Figueres and Girona en route to Barcelona , allowing visitors to travel all the way from the UK in one day . Hire-car : It is possible to travel between the region ’ s main cities by train , but a hire-car is recommended for holidays which include the Costa Brava and the Pyrenees .

CLIMATE

Eastern Spain enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate , although mountainous areas are somewhat cooler . Late spring and early autumn are great times to visit coastal areas as the weather is warm with temperatures of around 20 degrees centigrade , although some rainfall can be expected . Summer in the cities can be unbearably hot , but the coastline is cooled by sea breezes . Winter is generally mild with occasional rain and average temperatures of 10 degrees , whilst temperatures regularly drop below freezing in the Pyrenees and snow often falls .

Walking in the mountains

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