Serrat sang in front of the sunsets of the Catalan Mediterranean, a unique landscape that, in summer, makes this tourist destination one of the most popular on the peninsula. But inland there is much more: popular festivals, long night parties, mountains, gastronomy and countless projects to enjoy with family, as a couple or alone.
Enjoying tourism in Catalonia during the summer banishes the eternal question of “sea or mountains” from our holidays. The diversity of the Catalan territory extends from the idyllic beaches of the Mediterranean coast to the green mountains of the Pyrenees, with activities and experiences for all tastes. Sun, sand and sea or countless rural landscapes of the interior, rich in particular flora and fauna, and surrounded by a unique cultural and gastronomic wealth. Discover what to do in Catalonia and immerse yourself in a journey that will leave its mark on you.
Beaches full of light and scents
The sea level plans also offer a wide variety of choices in the Catalan region: from the small coves of the Costa Brava, with wild nature, cliffs and charming villages, to the long sandy beaches of the Costa Daurada, in a territory of vineyards and olive groves, mixing tradition and historical wealth with modernity. In addition, on the Catalan coast you can practice all kinds of sports, from golf to scuba diving, through a wide range of water activities such as sailing, kayaking or paddle surfing.
The Aiguamolls de l’Empordá Natural Park, on the Costa Brava, is a wetland area of great biodiversity and an ideal place to observe more than 300 different species of birds that live temporarily or permanently in the area. In addition, on this coast of cliffs, we also find the Cap de Creus Natural Park, at the foot of the Pyrenees, a mountain range that plunges into the sea, full of legends and history and with the seabed of the Medes, an unforgettable experience. visit
But the natural spectacle that the Costa Brava offers does not stop at the coast. Inland we find the Banyoles lake, walking or cycling routes through the peaks of Montgrí, Las Gavarres or Las Cadiretes, and a unique walk along the coast following the coastal paths. And a look into the past, in Empúries, one of the most important Greek and Roman archaeological remains of the Iberian Peninsula, or the medieval complexes of Pals, Peratallada or Tossa de Mar, as well as the monumental Romanesque legacy of San Pere de Rodas.
The Costa Daurada, for its part. It is a land full of stories and traditions transformed into a space of leisure and fun, tranquility and adventure. The Paisatge dels Genis route, which includes stops in El Vendrell de Pau Casals, Reus by Antoni Gaudí or Mont-roig del Campo by Joan Miró, is a plan to enjoy at every stage of life. The lush forests of the Sierra del Montsant and the Sierras de Prades are environments of admirable natural beauty, such as the Priorat or the Conca de Barberà, with their vineyards and olive groves.
This natural environment is perfect for walks, on foot or by bike, during which we can travel through the picturesque villages of the area to discover the most rural essence of a traditional Catalonia in which we can live the castles, one of the most international brands. These human constructions of up to ten floors will leave you speechless, like the rest of the traditions and popular festivals: the fire of the devils, traditional dances and nights of music until dawn, or until sunrise.
The Pyrenees: a unique natural environment in the world
The Pyrenees mountain range is the wall that separates Catalonia from the rest of Europe, but it is also the cultural heritage and gastronomy that live today fused with the ancestral traditions of its inhabitants. A land full of trails to explore on foot or by bike, peaks where you can contemplate night skies that will leave you speechless, valleys full of wild flora and fauna, and an architecture with stone walls, slate roofs and wooden finishes, surrounded by landscapes. in which you can get lost and find yourself, such as the Natural Park of the Volcanic Zone of La Garrotxa, with more than forty volcanic cones.
In the Pyrenees, you have more than a thousand kilometres of marked trails to travel from one end of the mountain range to the other, between valleys and hidden corners where you can enjoy the most spectacular natural landscapes, such as the Vall de Núria, one of the most mystical and symbolic places of Catalan hiking – or the Vall de Boí, a jewel of medieval art, recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Gastronomy, festivals and traditions
In a natural environment as privileged as the Pyrenees, it is essential to take advantage of all the resources available to prepare exquisite and refined dishes that delight the palate, and which can also be accompanied by high-altitude wines, produced with DO Costers del Segre and DO Emporà, a culinary experience that helps us to better understand the customs of the region.
In addition, to know its inhabitants, we can take advantage of the festivals, in which fire is a primordial element. Berga Patum or the Fallas of the Pyrenees, recognized by UNESCO, are ancient traditions transformed into a unique and different spectacle. And in such a privileged environment, we can also enjoy leisure activities for the most daring: canyoning, paragliding, or even rafting among others.
Catalonia offers us a connection with ourselves, during months where the temperate climate allows us to enjoy long hours of sun and tranquility, getting to know an ancient culture accompanied by the Mediterranean diet, the healthiest and most varied in the world.
