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
Altafulla is honestly one of those Costa Daurada spots that most people skip, but I’m telling you that’s a mistake. This coastal town has this perfect mix of golden beaches and medieval streets that doesn’t feel overdone. I spent an afternoon here just wandering up to the castle and couldn’t believe how pristine everything was – no crowds, just locals heading to the market.
The Vila Romana dels Munts is actually pretty incredible if you’re into history. It’s got some of the best-preserved Roman mosaics I’ve seen, and at €4 for adults (free for kids under 7), it’s totally worth the hour you’ll spend there. The beach itself is Blue Flag certified, which means the water quality is legit, and I’ve swum in some questionable Mediterranean waters before.
What really got me was the Night of Candles festival in August – thousands of actual candles lighting up the medieval quarter. It’s not some tourist trap either; locals have been doing this for decades. The narrow streets transform into something that looks straight out of a fairy tale. Plus, the seafood here is caught daily, and I had the best paella of my life at a tiny place overlooking the water. Trust me, Altafulla delivers on that authentic Catalan experience without the Barcelona prices.
2. Barcelona
Barcelona will blow your mind, period. I’ve been back probably fifteen times and still find new stuff every trip. The Sagrada Familia tickets now cost €26 for basic entry with the audio guide app (totally worth downloading), and if you want to go up the towers, you’re looking at €36. Book online because showing up without tickets is basically impossible – they get 4.5 million visitors a year.
The thing about Barcelona is that everyone hits the same spots, but the real magic happens in neighborhoods like El Born and Gràcia. I’ve spent entire afternoons just bar-hopping through tiny streets, trying different vermuts and watching locals play dominoes. Park Güell requires timed entry now (€10 basic ticket), but honestly, the views from Bunkers del Carmel are better and it’s completely free.
Las Ramblas gets a bad rap for being touristy, and yeah, it can be overwhelming, but early morning walks there are actually pretty great. The real food scene happens in Gràcia and Poble Sec – skip the overpriced tapas near the cathedral and head to Cal Pep or any place where you hear more Catalan than English. I’ve lived in big cities, but Barcelona’s energy is just different. It’s got this Mediterranean laid-back vibe mixed with serious cultural depth that keeps pulling me back.
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3. Besalú
Besalú is like stepping through a time machine, except everything actually functions and there’s great wine. That 12th-century Romanesque bridge is the first thing you’ll see, and honestly, it sets the bar pretty high for the rest of the town. It’s got this angular design that photographers go crazy for, especially during golden hour.
The Jewish Quarter here is legit – you can visit the restored mikveh (ritual bath) from the 1100s, which is one of only three surviving ones in Europe. The tourist office opens it up for small groups, and it’s pretty mind-blowing to see something that intact from medieval times. Walking through those narrow streets, I kept thinking about how this place was thriving when most of Europe was struggling.
What I really love about Besalú is that it doesn’t feel like a theme park. People actually live here, kids play in the squares, and the restaurants serve proper Catalan food instead of tourist menus. I spent way longer than planned just sitting in Plaça Llibertat with a glass of local wine, watching daily life happen around 800-year-old buildings. The Sant Pere Monastery is worth seeing too, especially if you’re into Romanesque architecture. It’s the kind of place that makes you realize medieval doesn’t have to mean boring.
4. Cadaqués
Cadaqués has this white-washed, Greek island vibe that somehow works perfectly on the Spanish coast. The drive here is absolutely insane – winding mountain roads that make you question your life choices, but then you arrive and understand why Dalí never wanted to leave. The whole town cascades down to this incredibly blue bay that looks like someone cranked up the saturation.
Dalí’s House in Port Lligat is the main draw, and you absolutely need to book ahead (€19 for a 30-minute guided tour). It’s weird and wonderful, exactly what you’d expect from Dalí, with that famous egg on the roof and rooms designed to maximize creative chaos. The summer schedule runs 9:30am-7:50pm daily from mid-June to mid-September, but honestly, shoulder season is better anyway.
The Cap de Creus Natural Park right next door has hiking trails through landscapes that look like Mars. I spent a morning scrambling over wind-carved rocks and twisted olive trees, feeling like I was in some surreal painting myself. The seafood here is incredible – we’re talking anchovies that melt in your mouth and rice dishes that capture everything good about Mediterranean cooking. Evening walks along the waterfront are pure magic, especially when the fishing boats come back and the whole bay glows orange.
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5. Calella
Calella gets overlooked because it’s not as flashy as other Costa Brava towns, but that’s exactly why I like it. Three kilometers of Blue Flag beach means you can actually find space to spread out, even in summer. The water’s clean, the sand is proper golden, and there are enough beach bars that you won’t go thirsty.
The historic center has this great pedestrian zone where locals actually shop and hang out. I spent an afternoon browsing shops that sell real stuff instead of tourist junk, and the Calella Lighthouse hike gives you killer views back toward Barcelona on clear days. It’s maybe a 20-minute walk uphill, totally manageable.
What surprised me was the Civil War air raid shelters – they’re open for visits and give you this sobering look at what life was like during the Spanish Civil War. The Festa Major in July brings out traditional Catalan culture with human towers and fire runs that locals will actually teach you to do. I joined a sardana dance circle without knowing what I was doing, and everyone was super welcoming. Calella hits that sweet spot of beach town without the pretension, plus it’s only an hour from Barcelona by train if you want to escape the city chaos.
6. Ebro River Delta
The Ebro Delta is basically Spain’s version of the Camargue, and it’s absolutely spectacular for anyone who loves wide-open spaces and birds. We’re talking flamingos in rice paddies, over 330 bird species, and flat cycling paths that go on forever. I rented a bike in Deltebre and spent the whole day riding through landscapes that change from wetlands to beaches to rice fields.
The Parc Natural del Delta de l’Ebre has this observation tower at Mirador del Zigurat where you can spot herons, egrets, and those famous flamingo colonies. Spring migration is insane here – I counted at least 50 different species in one morning. The rice cultivation dates back to the 14th century, and local chefs know exactly what to do with it. Black rice with squid ink tastes completely different when it’s made with rice grown in salt-influenced soil.
The beaches here are wild and undeveloped, perfect for sunset walks where your only company is seabirds and shifting sand dunes. September is ideal timing – rice harvest season when everything turns golden, plus way fewer mosquitoes than summer. I stayed at a farmhouse near Sant Jaume d’Enveja and watched the sunrise over rice fields that stretched to the horizon. It’s the kind of place that reminds you how big and quiet the world can be.
7. Figueres
Figueres is all about Dalí, obviously, but the town itself has this great energy that goes beyond just the museum. The Dalí Theatre-Museum (€16 entry, €20 with guided tour) is completely bonkers in the best way – it’s his final masterpiece and burial place all rolled into one red building topped with giant eggs. You need about 2 hours minimum to take it all in.
The historic center around Plaça de la Vila has proper Catalan atmosphere with outdoor cafes where locals argue about football over coffee and brandy. I had lunch at Hotel Duran, where Dalí used to eat regularly, and they still show off his favorite table. The Castell de Sant Ferran is Europe’s largest fortress and gives you views that stretch from the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean on clear days.
What I love about Figueres is its location – you’re 30 minutes from amazing Costa Brava beaches and 40 minutes from the French border. It makes a perfect base for exploring the region, plus the restaurant scene is way better than you’d expect for a town this size. Spring and fall are ideal for visiting; summer can get pretty hectic with tour groups, but early morning or late afternoon visits to the museum avoid the worst crowds.
8. Girona
Girona absolutely nailed it when Game of Thrones filmed here – those medieval streets didn’t need any movie magic to look incredible. But honestly, the city’s been amazing long before HBO showed up. Walking the ancient city walls gives you this perfect overview of colorful houses reflected in the Onyar River, plus views to the Pyrenees on clear days.
The Cathedral with its 91 steps (yeah, I counted) leads to the world’s second-widest Gothic nave. Game of Thrones tours run on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30am for €28, but you can easily do a self-guided tour with all the filming locations. The Jewish Quarter contains some of Europe’s best-preserved medieval streets – the Museu d’Història dels Jueus gives you context for what life was like here before 1492.
El Celler de Can Roca keeps getting ranked among the world’s best restaurants, but even casual spots here serve incredible food. I had dinner at a tiny place near Sant Feliu Church where the owner explained each dish while his wife cooked everything to order. The Temps de Flors flower festival in May transforms the entire old town into an art installation, but September is perfect for avoiding crowds while still having great weather. Girona manages to feel both touristy and authentically lived-in, which is pretty rare these days.
9. Montseny Natural Park
Montseny blew me away with how different ecosystems can exist within an hour of each other. You start hiking through Mediterranean scrub, then you’re in misty beech forests that feel more like northern Europe, and finally you hit alpine meadows with panoramic views. It’s a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that actually deserves the designation.
The Turó de l’Home trail (1,706m) is challenging but totally doable, and the biodiversity is insane – over 1,500 plant species plus wildlife like genets and golden eagles. I did the hike in autumn when the colors rival anything I’ve seen in New England. The stone villages throughout the park serve as perfect lunch stops; in Viladrau, I had wild mushrooms that were literally gathered that morning.
Spring brings cascading waterfalls and wildflower carpets, while autumn adds this amazing color palette plus better visibility from the peaks. I stayed at a converted farmhouse near Montseny village and woke up to mist rolling through the valleys. It’s the kind of place where you can hike all morning, have a proper Catalan lunch, and still be back in Barcelona for dinner. Perfect for when you need nature without the full commitment of the Pyrenees.
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10. Lloret de Mar
Lloret de Mar gets a bad rap for being too party-focused, but that’s missing the point entirely. Yeah, the nightlife is legendary, but Platja de Lloret is genuinely beautiful golden sand, and Sa Caleta cove has water so clear you can count fish swimming around your feet. The Costa Brava coastline here is absolutely stunning.
Santa Clotilde Gardens offer this Italian-inspired escape from beach crowds, with perfectly manicured lawns overlooking the Mediterranean. The Castell d’en Plaja looks incredible when it’s lit up at night, creating this fairy-tale backdrop for evening walks. Water sports here are next level – everything from paddleboarding to parasailing, and the companies actually know what they’re doing.
What surprised me was how good the food scene has become. Beyond the obvious beachfront spots, there are restaurants doing serious modern Catalan cuisine. I had dinner at a place inland that was serving tasting menus that wouldn’t be out of place in Barcelona. May-June and September give you warm water without the peak season madness, though July-August is when the town really comes alive if you’re into that energy. Lloret delivers exactly what it promises – beautiful beaches, great nightlife, and that classic Mediterranean summer vibe.
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11. Montserrat
Montserrat looks like someone dropped an alien mountain range an hour from Barcelona. Those jagged rock formations are so dramatic they seem computer-generated, but you can touch them, climb them, and get completely lost among them. The Santa Maria Abbey houses the famous Black Madonna, and hearing the boys’ choir sing in that setting is genuinely moving.
The hiking trails range from easy walks to serious climbs up Sant Jeroni peak (1,236m). I did the Santa Cova trail, which winds down to a chapel where shepherds allegedly saw visions centuries ago. Morning mist often shrouds the lower slopes before burning off to reveal those impossible rock pillars catching golden light. The cable car up saves energy, but honestly, the approach by road gives you better photo opportunities.
The Abat Cisneros Hotel lets you stay right in the monastery complex, which means you get the mountain to yourself after day-trippers leave. Watching sunrise hit those rock formations from my room was worth the slightly institutional accommodations. April-May and September-October offer perfect hiking weather without summer crowds. I came here skeptical about all the spiritual talk, but there’s definitely something powerful about the combination of natural wonder and centuries of devotion that hits you regardless of your beliefs.
12. Sitges
Sitges has this sophisticated beach town vibe that feels more Riviera than Costa Brava. Seventeen different beaches mean you can find your perfect spot, whether that’s the lively central strip or hidden coves where clothing is optional. The LGBTQ+ scene here is legendary and welcoming, making it one of Europe’s top queer destinations.
The old town cascades down white buildings to the sea, crowned by the Church of Sant Bartomeu that looks incredible against that Mediterranean blue backdrop. Cau Ferrat Museum showcases the eclectic collection of modernist painter Santiago Rusiñol, plus you get amazing views from the building itself. The Carnival in February is basically Spanish Mardi Gras with even more sequins and definitely more nudity.
The restaurant scene here rivals much bigger cities – from beachfront chiringuitos serving grilled seafood to innovative fusion places that would fit right into Barcelona’s foodie scene. I had dinner at a tiny place near the church where the chef was doing these incredible small plates that changed daily based on what looked good at the market. Sitges nails that balance of beautiful beach town with enough cultural depth to keep you interested beyond the sand and sangria.
13. Tossa de Mar
Tossa de Mar is the only fortified medieval town still standing on the Catalan coast, and walking through those 12th-century walls feels like entering a fairytale. Platja Gran curves beneath the ancient fortifications in this perfect golden crescent that’s been photographed a million times but somehow still takes your breath away in person.
The Vila Vella (old town) contains craft shops and restaurants inside buildings that have been continuously occupied for centuries. Ava Gardner filmed here in 1951 and basically put Tossa on the international map – there’s a statue of her near the lighthouse, and locals still talk about those days with pride. The Municipal Museum houses Roman artifacts discovered right here, adding archaeological layers to the medieval atmosphere.
The Camí de Ronda coastal path connects Tossa to hidden coves like Cala Pola, where the water transitions from transparent to sapphire within swimming distance. I spent an afternoon scrambling over rocks to reach beaches accessible only on foot, finding spots where I was the only person for miles. The combination of pristine medieval architecture and natural Mediterranean beauty makes Tossa feel like it was designed specifically for Instagram, except it’s all completely real and unfiltered.
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