Catalonia knocked my socks off. One day I’m standing in front of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, watching the sunset turn Gaudí’s masterpiece into a glowing jewel box, and the next I’m hiking through the Pyrenees with views that make my photos look like badly done Photoshop. The variety here is absolutely insane.
These are the most beautiful places in Catalonia, and they’ll blow your mind. From watching waves crash against the cliffs in Costa Brava (that water is so clear you can count the fish!) to wandering the medieval streets of Girona, where Game of Thrones literally came to life, here are 13 spots that showed me why this corner of Spain is completely next level. Get ready to fall in love.
Best Things to Do in Catalonia
Visiting Catalonia? Spend the day exploring the coastal beauty of Altafulla, immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Barcelona, or step back in time in the medieval town of Besalú. Relax by the sea in the picturesque village of Cadaqués, stroll through historic streets, or savor delicious Catalan cuisine. Whether you’re into history, outdoor adventures, or coastal charm, Catalonia has plenty to offer.
1. Altafulla
- 📍 Location: Coastal Catalonia, 90 km southwest of Barcelona in the province of Tarragona
- 🏆 Best For: Beach lovers 🏖️, history enthusiasts 🏰, food connoisseurs 🍽️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Relaxing on Altafulla Beach, exploring the medieval old town, visiting the Villa Romana dels Munts
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-June or September-October for perfect beach weather without the crowds 🌞
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Gran Claustre – Centuries-old stone walls meet modern comforts in the heart of the historic center
Golden sands meet medieval charm in this Costa Daurada gem that flies under most tourists’ radar. The winding cobblestone paths of Barri Antic lead uphill to Altafulla Castle, where Mediterranean views reward your climb. The impressive Villa Romana dels Munts contains original mosaics that bring Roman life vividly into focus right at your feet.
I’ve spent perfect afternoons watching fishermen return while sipping vermouth at beachfront cafés. Local restaurants serve paella with rice cooked to perfection and seafood caught the same morning. The medieval quarter transforms during the Night of Candles each August, when thousands of flickering lights create an atmosphere that feels genuinely magical rather than touristy. Don’t miss it.
2. Barcelona
- 📍 Location: Northeastern Spain, capital of Catalonia on the Mediterranean coast
- 🏆 Best For: Architecture lovers 🏛️, foodies 🍴, art enthusiasts 🎨, urban explorers 🏙️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Marveling at Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia, strolling Las Ramblas, exploring the Gothic Quarter, relaxing on Barceloneta Beach
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April-June or September-October for pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists 🌤️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Casa Camper – Soundproof rooms with a 24-hour free snack bar in a prime central location
Barcelona bursts with architectural wonders that stop you in your tracks. The soaring columns and rainbow light inside Sagrada Familia create an otherworldly experience unlike any other church in Europe. Park Güell showcases Gaudí’s playful vision with colorful mosaics and organic forms that seem to grow from the hillside.
The ancient streets of the Gothic Quarter hide trendy bars and boutiques between medieval walls. Wander through the sensory playground of La Boqueria Market before sampling tapas in El Born, where each tiny bar specializes in distinct regional flavors. For the ultimate Barcelona experience, I recommend heading to the bunkers of Carmel Hill at sunset, where locals gather with wine and guitars as the city lights begin to twinkle below.
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3. Besalú
- 📍 Location: Interior Catalonia, 130 km northeast of Barcelona in the province of Girona
- 🏆 Best For: Medieval history buffs 🏰, photography enthusiasts 📸, architecture admirers 🧱
- 📸 Top Experiences: Walking across the iconic 12th-century bridge, exploring the Jewish Quarter, visiting the Monastery of Sant Pere
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for comfortable temperatures and magical morning mist over the river 🌫️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Casa Marcial – Nestled in a restored Catalan townhouse, this charming stay features stone walls, local wines, and easy access to the Costa Brava coast
Step across the magnificent Romanesque bridge and enter one of Spain’s most perfectly preserved medieval towns. Amber-hued buildings glow golden at sunset, creating a photographer’s dream setting that feels authentically medieval. The remarkably preserved Jewish Quarter houses one of Europe’s few remaining medieval mikvehs, providing a rare glimpse into pre-1492 Jewish life in Spain.
Every stone in Sant Pere Monastery tells a story through its Romanesque architecture and striking circular ambulatory. Duck into small stone-walled restaurants for rustic Catalan cuisine that tastes even better in this atmospheric setting. Artisans still craft leather goods using traditional techniques, making for meaningful souvenirs with genuine local connections. Besalú offers a rare chance to experience medieval Catalonia without the crowds that plague more famous sites.
4. Cadaqués
- 📍 Location: Northeastern coast of Catalonia, tucked away on the Cap de Creus peninsula 170 km northeast of Barcelona
- 🏆 Best For: Art lovers 🎨, coastal hikers 🥾, bohemian souls 🧘
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting Salvador Dalí’s home in Port Lligat, wandering the whitewashed old town, exploring Cap de Creus Natural Park
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-June or September for Mediterranean warmth without the summer crowds 🌊
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Playa Sol – Fall asleep to Mediterranean waves on a private terrace overlooking the picturesque bay
White buildings cascade down hillsides to meet impossibly blue Mediterranean waters in this artists’ haven. Winding streets lead to the Church of Santa Maria, where weathered stones frame perfect harbor views worth a thousand photos. Port Lligat houses Dalí’s wonderfully bizarre home, complete with the famous egg on its roof and rooms arranged to maximize creative inspiration.
The lunar landscape of Cap de Creus Natural Park offers hiking trails through wind-sculpted rocks where twisted olive trees cling to life amid wild herbs. Fresh seafood tastes transcendent here, with anchovies that melt on your tongue and rice dishes that capture the essence of the Mediterranean. Join locals for the evening paseo along the waterfront, where I’ve had some of my most memorable conversations while watching fishing boats return at sunset.
5. Calella
- 📍 Location: Costa del Maresme, 50 km northeast of Barcelona in Catalonia
- 🏆 Best For: Beach vacationers 🏄♀️, family travelers 👨👩👧👦, nightlife seekers 🎭
- 📸 Top Experiences: Relaxing on the 3 km Blue Flag beach, climbing the Calella Lighthouse, exploring the historic center
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: June or September for perfect beach weather without July-August crowds 🌞
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Kaktus Playa – Modern rooms with a rooftop pool offering panoramic sea views just steps from the sand
Calella combines three kilometers of pristine Blue Flag beach with authentic Catalan culture beyond the sand. The Calella Lighthouse perches dramatically on coastal cliffs, rewarding hikers with sweeping Mediterranean panoramas stretching to Barcelona on clear days. Pedestrianized Carrer de l’Església buzzes with local shops selling everything from handmade espadrilles to fresh pastries.
Explore the network of Civil War air raid shelters for a fascinating glimpse into the region’s turbulent history. As night falls, the town transforms with restaurant terraces spilling onto plazas and locals sharing bottles of cava. The annual Festa Major brings traditional Catalan culture alive with human towers, fire runs, and sardana dancing that welcomes visitor participation. Calella strikes the perfect balance between beach relaxation and cultural immersion.
6. Ebro River Delta
- 📍 Location: Southern Catalonia, 200 km southwest of Barcelona where Spain’s longest river meets the Mediterranean
- 🏆 Best For: Birdwatchers 🦩, nature photographers 📸, cyclists 🚲, rice connoisseurs 🍚
- 📸 Top Experiences: Bird watching in Parc Natural del Delta de l’Ebre, cycling flat delta paths, boat trips through rice fields, sampling delta cuisine
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Spring for wildflowers and bird migration, autumn for rice harvest and fewer mosquitoes 🦟
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel L’Algadir del Delta – Eco-friendly rooms surrounded by rice fields with delta ingredients featured in every meal
Flamingos stride through gleaming rice paddies in this stunning biosphere reserve where river meets sea. Flat cycling paths provide access to panoramic wetland views where serious birdwatchers can spot over 330 species throughout the year. The observation tower at Mirador del Zigurat offers prime viewing of herons, egrets, and the delta’s famous flamingo colonies.
Rice cultivation has shaped both landscape and cuisine here since the 14th century. Local chefs transform simple grains into masterpieces like black rice with squid ink and seafood that far surpasses ordinary paella. Visit during April planting to see fields transformed into mirror-like water expanses, or September harvest when everything turns golden. The endless beaches offer spectacular sunsets I’ve watched in perfect solitude, with only shifting sand dunes and seabirds for company.
7. Figueres
- 📍 Location: Northeast Catalonia, 140 km north of Barcelona and 40 km from the French border
- 🏆 Best For: Art enthusiasts 🎨, culture seekers 🏛️, foodies 🍽️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Exploring the Salvador Dalí Theatre-Museum, wandering the historic center, visiting Castell de Sant Ferran
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Spring (April-June) and fall (September-October) for pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds 🌞
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Duran – A characterful stone-walled hideaway where Dalí often dined, with the owner still proudly showing off the artist’s favorite table.
Dalí’s hometown bursts with surreal charm beyond just its famous museum. The Dalí Theatre-Museum stands as his greatest masterpiece, a red building topped with giant eggs and golden figurines housing his mind-bending collection. Wander the sun-soaked plazas afterward, where local cafés serve spectacular pa amb tomàquet and Empordà wines that I still dream months after visiting.
For a break from art, climb to Castell de Sant Ferran, Europe’s largest fortress by area. From these massive ramparts, the views stretch from the snowcapped Pyrenees to the Mediterranean on clear days. Perfectly positioned for exploring the region, Figueres gives easy access to Costa Brava beaches and French border towns while offering its own distinct Catalan character away from Barcelona’s crowds.
8. Girona
- 📍 Location: Northeastern Catalonia, 100 km northeast of Barcelona and 40 km inland from the Costa Brava
- 🏆 Best For: History buffs 🏰, photographers 📸, Game of Thrones fans 📺
- 📸 Top Experiences: Walking the ancient city walls, exploring the Jewish Quarter, visiting the striking Cathedral
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-June for the famous “Temps de Flors” flower festival 🌸, or September-October for pleasant weather and fewer tourists
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Històric – Sleep inside medieval walls in this family-run gem where the owner Joan serves freshly baked pastries each morning.
Medieval Girona packs more breathtaking scenery into its compact center than cities triple its size. The Cathedral’s imposing 91 steps lead to the world’s second-widest Gothic nave, while the labyrinthine Jewish Quarter contains some of Europe’s best-preserved medieval streets. Game of Thrones fans will recognize several filming locations that required almost no set dressing to transport viewers back in time.
Crossing the iron Eiffel Bridge reveals the city’s most iconic view: colorful houses reflected in the Onyar River. The local food scene punches well above its weight, from tiny family-owned vermuterías to El Celler de Can Roca, repeatedly ranked among the world’s best restaurants. My evening walk along the ancient Passeig de la Muralla city walls, with their panoramic views of floodlit monuments, remains one of my favorite Spanish travel memories.
9. Montseny Natural Park
- 📍 Location: 50 km northeast of Barcelona, straddling the provinces of Barcelona and Girona
- 🏆 Best For: Nature lovers 🌿, hikers 🥾, wildlife watchers 🦊
- 📸 Top Experiences: Hiking to the peaks, exploring diverse ecosystems, visiting charming mountain villages
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Spring for wildflowers and waterfalls 🌸, fall for spectacular foliage and mushroom hunting 🍄
- 🏨 Where to Stay: El Montanyà Resort & Spa – A converted farmhouse with crackling fireplaces and balconies overlooking pristine valleys where you might spot wild boar at dawn.
Three distinct ecosystems collide in this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, creating a hiker’s paradise just an hour from Barcelona. Trails on Turó de l’Home (1,706m) pass through Mediterranean scrub that transforms into misty beech forests more typical of northern Europe, finally reaching alpine meadows with panoramic views. The biodiversity here astounds even veteran nature enthusiasts, with over 1,500 plant species and elusive wildlife like genets and eagles.
Stone villages throughout the park offer perfect lunch stops after morning hikes. In Viladrau, traditional restaurants serve homemade ratafia liqueur and seasonal dishes featuring wild mushrooms gathered that morning. The autumn colors rival New England’s famous foliage, while spring brings cascading waterfalls and wildflower carpets. I’ve hiked mountains worldwide but found Montseny uniquely varied for its relatively compact size.
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10. Lloret de Mar
- 📍 Location: Southern Costa Brava, 75 km northeast of Barcelona and 40 km south of Girona
- 🏆 Best For: Beach lovers 🏖️, nightlife enthusiasts 🕺, water sports adventurers 🏄♀️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Relaxing on the beautiful beaches, exploring the Castell d’en Plaja, enjoying water activities
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-June or September for warm weather and fewer crowds, July-August for peak beach season and nightlife 🌞
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Santa Marta – A tranquil hideaway on its own private cove, where you’ll wake to nothing but waves and birdsong far from the party scene.
Lloret has the Costa Brava’s best beaches alongside surprising cultural riches often overlooked by summer visitors. While Platja de Lloret draws crowds with golden sand and amenities, savvy travelers head to Sa Caleta cove, where crystal-clear waters reveal colorful fish darting between your feet. Red-roofed villas and ancient pine trees cling to rocky headlands above the Mediterranean, creating postcard views at every turn.
Night transforms the town completely as seafood restaurants fill with hungry visitors and clubs prepare for late-night revelry. The illuminated Castell d’en Plaja creates a magical backdrop for evening beach walks. For a different experience, explore the Santa Clotilde Gardens, where Italian-inspired landscaping offers shaded respite from beach crowds. Water sports enthusiasts find paradise here, with everything from paddleboarding to parasailing available along the coastline.
11. Montserrat
- 📍 Location: 50 km northwest of Barcelona in the Catalonian Pre-Coastal Range
- 🏆 Best For: Spiritual seekers 🙏, hikers 🥾, geology enthusiasts 🏔️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, seeing the Black Madonna, hiking the unique mountain formations
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April-May or September-October for ideal hiking weather and fewer crowds 🍂
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Abat Cisneros Hotel – Built right into the monastery complex with simple rooms and extraordinary views of the sunrise illuminating those impossible stone formations.
Gravity-defying rock pillars make Montserrat look like a film set created by fantasy artists rather than actual geology. Inside Santa Maria Abbey, the revered Black Madonna draws pilgrims who wait patiently to touch her orb while the world-famous boys’ choir fills the basilica with ethereal harmonies. The combination of natural wonder and spiritual significance creates an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Catalonia.
Hiking trails range from easy walks to challenging climbs up Sant Jeroni peak (1,236m). The atmospheric Santa Cova chapel clings to the mountainside where shepherds allegedly saw visions centuries ago. Morning mist often shrouds the lower slopes, breaking dramatically as sunlight strikes the highest points. I arrived skeptical about Montserrat’s reputation but left understanding why it has drawn seekers for over a thousand years.
12. Sitges
- 📍 Location: Mediterranean coast, 35 km southwest of Barcelona
- 🏆 Best For: Beach enthusiasts 🏖️, LGBTQ+ travelers 🌈, culture lovers 🎭
- 📸 Top Experiences: Relaxing on beautiful beaches, exploring the picturesque old town, visiting the Cau Ferrat Museum
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-June or September for pleasant beach weather without crowds, February for the famous Carnival celebrations 🎭
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Casa Vilella – A converted modernist mansion with quirky original details and ocean-facing terraces perfectly positioned for sunset cocktails.
Sitges blends sophisticated beach culture with authentic Catalan charm just 35 minutes from Barcelona. Seventeen distinct beaches range from lively urban stretches to hidden coves, with several designated as LGBTQ+-friendly. The blindingly white old town houses boutiques showcasing local designers rather than tourist trinkets, all crowned by the Church of Sant Bartomeu standing sentinel against the Mediterranean blue.
The town’s artistic heritage shines at the Cau Ferrat Museum, once home to modernist painter Santiago Rusiñol and now showcasing his eclectic collection. During Carnival, Sitges erupts with Europe’s most flamboyant celebration this side of Rio. The dining scene rivals much larger cities, from beachfront seafood spots to innovative fusion restaurants. Few places in Spain match Sitges’ unique combination of beautiful architecture, cultural richness, and welcoming atmosphere.
13. Tossa de Mar
- 📍 Location: Southern Costa Brava, 100 km northeast of Barcelona and 40 km south of Girona
- 🏆 Best For: History enthusiasts 🏰, beach lovers 🏖️, photographers 📸
- 📸 Top Experiences: Exploring the medieval walled town, relaxing on Platja Gran, hiking coastal paths
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-June or September for warm seas without summer crowds 🌊
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Diana – The grand old dame of Tossa hotels where Ava Gardner once slept, with sea-facing balconies that have hosted artists for generations.
The only fortified medieval town still standing on the Catalan coast creates Spain’s most photogenic beach scene. Golden Platja Gran curves beneath the 12th-century walls of Vila Vella, where flower-draped balconies hang above narrow cobblestone streets. Inside the ancient fortifications, craft shops and small restaurants occupy buildings that have stood for centuries while offering modern Catalan cuisine.
The scenic Camí de Ronda coastal path connects Tossa to hidden coves like Cala Pola, where the water transitions from transparent to sapphire within a few meters. Ava Gardner put Tossa on the international map while filming here in 1951, beginning the town’s love affair with cinema. The Municipal Museum inside Vila Vella houses Roman artifacts discovered nearby, adding archaeological interest to Tossa’s perfect blend of history and Mediterranean beauty.
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