Catalonia Tours & Trips

What our customers ask about Catalonia Tours & Trips

• What cultural experiences can you really get into when visiting Catalonia?

  You'll find this amazing mix of old and new traditions all over Catalonia. Head to El Tablao de Carmen in Poble Espanyol or duck into Palau Dalmases in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter to catch some incredible flamenco shows. If you're around in July don't miss the Cantada de Habaneras in Calella de Palafrugell where these beautiful Cuban-influenced songs from local fishermen fill the white-walled streets. Want to get hands-on? Jump into cooking workshops at La Boqueria Market where you'll learn to make perfect pa amb tomàquet. History buffs will love Besalú's 12th-century Jewish baths especially during the medieval fair in August and up in Garrotxa you can join workshops cooking traditional volcanic cuisine with local fesols beans and botifarra sausage.

• Where can you find Catalonia's best natural areas and how do you get to them?

  Catalonia's got some incredible protected landscapes waiting to be explored. The dramatic peaks of Aigüestortes National Park are easy to reach by 4x4 taxi from Espot or you can hit the walking trails from Sort. Over in Garrotxa there's this amazing collection of 40 dormant volcanoes best explored on The Carrilet a 57km converted railway that's perfect for cycling. Along the Costa Brava you've got to check out Cap de Creus where Dalí found his inspiration either hike from Cadaqués or catch a boat tour from Roses. The Montseny Biosphere Reserve is just an hour from Barcelona by train and takes you through everything from Mediterranean to alpine landscapes.

• What are some of the hidden routes around Catalonia that locals love?

  Look beyond the usual tourist spots and you'll find some really authentic experiences. The Carrilet cycle route winds through volcanic Garrotxa connecting beautiful medieval villages from Olot to Girona. Wine lovers should definitely drive the DO Penedès route there's 185 wineries with some amazing organic producers in Vilafranca del Penedès. For coastal views nothing beats hiking the Camins de Ronda from Tamariu to Llafranc you'll discover hidden coves and old smugglers' paths. Around Montseny there's this great circular route linking traditional stone villages like Viladrau and Seva where you can experience local chestnut harvesting and herb gathering traditions.

• Which places in Catalonia are really special but still under the radar?

  There are some incredible spots that most tourists never see. Check out Ullastret it's got the biggest pre-Roman ruins in the region dating back to the 6th century BC. Pals is this gorgeous town with award-winning restored medieval buildings. In Palafrugell you'll find this fascinating cork museum showing off a 200-year-old tradition. Art lovers should head to Horta de Sant Joan where Picasso developed Cubism there's now this amazing research center there. The Priorat wine region makes world-class wines in these dramatic terraced vineyards but gets way fewer visitors than you'd expect.

• What local dishes should you definitely try in Catalonia and where's the best place to find them?

  Catalan food culture runs really deep here. From January to March head to Valls for calçots these amazing grilled spring onions served at traditional calçotades. For the best suquet de peix fish stew look for family-run restaurants in Cadaqués. Sitges does this fantastic xató cod and endive salad especially during their February xatonada festival. Want the best crema catalana in Barcelona? Go to Granja La Pallaresa in the Gothic Quarter. Near Olot you'll find restaurants serving volcanic cuisine using ingredients from the mineral-rich soil and if you're after something really special El Celler de Can Roca in Girona does these incredible modern takes on traditional recipes.