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Provinz Tarragona
The Tarragona region in southern Catalonia is very diverse, with the Costa Daurada, the Ebro delta and the quiet hinterland with its mountain ranges and vineyards. In addition to impressive natural areas, where both peace seekers and active sports enthusiasts feel at home, there is also a wide range of offers for culture lovers: Tarragona looks back on an rich history, which has left its mark from the Romans through the Middle Ages to the present day.
Activities in Provinz Tarragona
Attractions in Provinz Tarragona
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Highlights
The Siurana reservoir is located directly below the rock plateau.
The ruins of the fortress in the medieval village of Siurana
Discover the region
Between golden coast, vineyards and rugged mountains
The landscape of Tarragona is versatile - there is something for every taste. Beach vacations are just as possible here as hiking with fantastic backdrops.
The Costa Daurada, the "Golden Coast", joins the Costa Barcelona and extends to the Ebro delta in the south of Catalonia. Fine sandy, golden shimmering beaches over a length of about 100km provide a perfect beach experience. Numerous water sports activities are accommodated for on the Mediterranean coast, but a relaxing walk in the sand or a leisurely sunbath are also possible.
The quiet hinterland of the Costa Daurada, on the other hand, presents itself quite differently. Mountain ranges such as Montsant, Muntanyes de Prades and la Mussara border the area cultivated with olives, almonds, grain and wine. The Muntanyes de Prades Nature Reserve is also characterized by a great biodiversity. The different landscapes are characterized by the rivers Brugent and Glorieta. Ancient forests, fascinating limestone formations, thundering waterfalls and enchanted caves invite you to explore the area at your leisure.
In the hinterland of the Costa Daurada is also the Priorat wine region at the foot of the Montsant Mountains. The wine culture has its roots in the Carthusian monastery of Escaladei, and viticulture characterizes the landscape here more than in almost any other region. The winegrowers had to wrest meter after meter of the curved wine terraces from the rugged mountain landscape by hand - machine work facilitation can hardly be used here.
Photo: Agència Catalana de Turisme
In the Ebro Delta you will find mostly untouched nature - the landscape is protected in large parts as a biosphere area. Within the Els Ports Nature Park, the mountain ranges of Montsià, Pàndols, Cavalls and Cardó, as well as several wetlands, small bays and wide beaches, nature lovers will find varied nature to explore. The area is characterized by the Spanish Civil War, which left clear traces in the region with the famous Battle of the Ebro, which today is mainly characterized by rice cultivation.
The Els Ports mountain range in the natural park of the same name, with its bizarre rock formations, stands out particularly clearly against the wide, flat expanse of the delta. From the highest point, Monte Caro, you can see the Pyrenees and Balearic Islands on clear days. Numerous caves, currents and gorges crisscross the massif, attracting hikers and (amateur) cavers. Art lovers will know that the young Picasso spent some time here and was significantly influenced by nature in his painting style.
From the Romans through the Middle Ages to the Modern Age
The Roman period
The city of Tarragona is the most Roman of all Catalan cities and in times past was considered the "Rome of the Iberian Peninsula". Formerly called Tarraco, the city is located directly on the Mediterranean Sea and is now a UNESCO World Heritage City. With numerous sights of Roman origin, such as the ancient walls, the theater, the circus, the Preotorio Tower, the Paleo-Christian necropolis and the forum, it is an attraction for history and culture lovers. Particularly worth seeing is the Roman amphitheater, built in the 2nd century, which was the scene of gladiator fights, animal hunts, athletic competitions, public executions and other spectacles. The Tarraco Viva and Història Viva festivals bring Roman history back to life.
The Middle Ages
Perched on a mighty limestone cliff 737 meters above the river of the same name is the last Moorish fortress in Catalonia: Siurana. The exposed location made the castle an impregnable fortress for centuries. In 1153, however, the fortress fell. Today it is a peaceful village with breathtaking views of the valley below with the river and the hinterland of the Tarragona region.
Photo: Patronat de Turisme de la Diputació de Tarragona – Terres de l'Ebre
Miravet Castle stands on the remains of an Iberian settlement from the 2nd century BC, but the origin of the current castle dates back to the Moors from Al-Andalus in the 11th century. Situated on a hill on the Ebro River with a wide view over the countryside and the mighty river, the fortress was much sought after over time and was managed by different lords who expanded, strengthened and modernized the structure. Between the years 1153 and 1307 Miravet received the decisive imprint under the rule of the Templars: to this day it is considered the most impressive Templar fortress in Catalonia.
Another impressive medieval building is the Charterhouse of Escaladei. It was given to the Carthusians in 1194 to repopulate the lands, becoming the first monastery of the Order of Sant Bru in the Iberian Peninsula. Designed in the style of the transition period from Romanticism to Gothic, the monastery received a touch of Classicism and Baroque from the 16th to the 18th century, before being abandoned in 1835. Mainly due to the monks' viticulture, there was a strong growth of culture and agriculture in the region. Today you can walk around the grounds and visit the remains of the church and the main cloister, as well as the newly built monastery cells.
Modern Times
In the city of Reus you can find traces of the recent past. About 80 impressive buildings of modernism can be admired here. Some of them are accessible on the Modernisme Route. Famous architects such as Domènech i Montaner, Pere Casalles and Joan Rubió i Bellver have immortalized themselves with their buildings in Reus. However, the most famous son of the city left nothing behind: Antoni Gaudí. The Catalan architect, who shaped Barcelona like no one else, can only be found in Reus at the Gaudí Center, an interpretation center that has honored him here since 2007.
If you take a closer look, you can also trace the history of vermouth in Reus. In the 18th century, the city was one of the most important centers of European liquor production and became the leading producer of vermouth in the following century. This is not only a drink in Reus, but a way of life. In the Museum of Vermouth and on the Route of Vermouth you can learn more about this culinary tradition.
Active vacations in Tarragona
In the varied natural landscape of Tarragona, of course, there are also plenty of outdoor sports enthusiasts. From a leisurely stroll along the beach or a guided culinary hike through the extensive vineyards and olive groves, to challenging routes in the mountains of Montsant, Muntanyes de Prades and la Mussara, there is something for everyone. The GR99 long-distance hiking trail, 1150 km long in total, runs through the Ebro Delta in three stages.
The Tarragona region is also very popular with cyclists. A well-developed network of racing bike routes leads from the coastline inland and into the mountainous landscape. Along the way, you can visit historic cities such as Tarragona, Reus or Tortosa, or give yourself over to the energy-sapping steep climbs.
