Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Barcelona is the capital of the wider province known as Catalunya, which stretches
from the Mediterranean coast to the mountains of the Pyrenees. The region's excellent
public transport links mean that even on a short trip you can easily see a contrasting
set of destinations, from historic Catalan cities to rolling vineyards, and from ancient
churches to seaside resorts. Most lie within an hour's journey from Barcelona by train
- it really isn't worth renting a car unless you want to see a lot of Catalunya in a short
time.Theaccountsinthischapteraregearedtowardsday-trips,thoughyoucanalways
check with the local tourist offices about accommodation in their area and consult
catalunya.com
,
the region's official tourism website. You might also arrive at the re-
gionalairportsofGironaorReusonyourvisittoBarcelona,inwhichcaseyoucanvisit
some of the destinations en route to the city.
Although there are plenty of traditional coastal bolt-holes close to Barcelona, like Castellde-
fels to the south or the small towns of the Costa Maresme to the north, unquestionably the
bestlocalseasidedestinationis
Sitges
,halfanhourtothesouthalongtheCostaDaurada.It's
a charming resort with an international reputation, extremely popular with gay visitors and
chiccity-dwellers.Otherwise,theoneessentialexcursionisto
Montserrat
,theextraordinary
mountain andmonastery 40kmnorthwestofBarcelona, reached byaprecipitous cable-car or
mountain railway ride. However short your trip to the city, this is worth making time for, as
it's a site of great significance for Catalans, not to mention being a terrific place for a hike in
the hills.
If you enjoy Barcelona's varied church architecture, there's more to come, starting with
Gaudí's inspired work at the
Colònia Güell
, a late nineteenth-century idealistic community
established by the architect's patron Eusebi Güell. This is a half-day's outing, while a second
half-day can be spent visiting the Benedictine monastery at
Sant Cugat del Vallès
and the
complex of early medieval churches at
Terrassa
, all of them largely unsung and utterly fas-
cinating. Another route out of the city, due west, leads through the wine-producing towns of
Sant Sadurní d'Anoia
and
Vilafranca del Penedès
, both of which can be seen in a day's
excursion with enough time for a wine-tasting tour.
It'salsostraightforwardtoseesomethingofBarcelona'sneighbouringcities,allverydiffer-
ent from the Catalan capital. To the south of Barcelona, beyond Sitges, lies
Tarragona
, with
a compact old town and an amazing series of Roman remains. Nearby
Reus
was the birth-
place of Antoni Gaudí and features an interpretative museum that's the last word on the man
and his work. To the north, inland from the coast, sits medieval
Girona
, perhaps the most
beautiful of all Catalan cities, with its river, fortified walls and golden buildings. These three
destinations are all an hour or so from Barcelona, and it's only the extreme northern town
of
Figueres
that requires any lengthier a journey - entirely justified for anyone interested in
seeing Catalunya's most extraordinary museum, the renowned
Museu Dalí
.
