The region of Catalonia, with its independent identity, is full of rich contrasts embracing modernity and ancient tradition in equal measure. It has its own style of cuisine, which displays Iberian, Italian and Arab influences.
Occupying a neat triangle of northeast Spain, Catalonia holds a unique place within Europe. A region of contrasts, it is defined by its fiery spirit yet remains very much part of Spain. It embraces modernity and ancient tradition at the same time and has a character all of its own.
A Region of Contrasts
Park Guell
Take a look at a map, and you begin to get the idea. Bordered by the snowy Pyrenees, the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean and, in the hinterland, a mass of hilltop villages, monasteries and vineyards which provide an almost medieval character, it immediately invites closer inspection.
With a proud and strong identity of its own, unique culture and language, it really is a country within a country, distinct from the rest of Spain. As for the big ‘draws’ of this exciting region, the headline grabbers of Catalonia are the usual suspects: artistic Barcelona and the golden beaches of the Costas in particular. They, too, have their contrasts.
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The Cities
Cities of Catalonia
Sagrada Familia
Of course, Barcelona has its historic Ramblas, but it is essentially a contemporary, vibrant world city. Even Gaudí’s iconic cathedral seems funky and modern, despite being constructed (mostly – it is famously unfinished) over a century ago. Then there is the dazzling Park Güell with its fluid curves and bright colours, the Museu Picasso with its collection of the artist’s early work and the labyrinthine Gothic Quarter.
While Barcelona epitomises the progressive, international ‘destination city’, Girona to the north is more traditional: here you’ll find venerable buildings, cobbled streets, peaceful squares, a roman wall and Arab baths.
Tarragona’s inhabitants celebrate their rich history at the Tarraco Viva festival, held in May, and the Tarragona Historia Viva, which takes place during the summer months. It’s not just their Roman heritage that is honoured, however – the tradition of building castells (human towers) was declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2010.
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The Costas
The Costas of Catalonia
Cadaques - Costa Brava
Costa Brava
As for those Costas, the Costa Brava runs 200 km down from the French border to the north of Barcelona and manages to retain plenty of wild beauty and rocky headlands while remaining a mecca for beach-seeking tourists.
Popular towns: Girona, Cadaqués, Tossa de Mar Popular beaches: Platja de Pals Beach, Tamariu Beach, Llafanc Beach, Playa de Sant Pere Pescador Nearest Airport: Girona Airport.
Illa Roja - Costa Dorada
Costa Dorada
The Costa Dorada runs south of Barcelona and, as its name (Gold Coast) suggests, adds more options for the serious beach seeker. As with any beach location, there are watersports schools all along the coastline, offering active holidaymakers a chance to windsurf, sail and dive.
Popular towns: Tarragona, Salou, Cambrils. Popular beaches: Llevant Beach, Llenguadets Beach Nearest Airport: Reus Airport.
Cuisine
Catalan Cuisine
Tapas
The Catalan kitchen, too, is a mix of traditional and modern, a hotchpotch of different influences. A large part of many menus is based around all the familiar Mediterranean ingredients – fresh vegetables, pasta, fish and olive oils – alongside various versions of paella and simmering pots which seem to fuse ingredients and influences from all quarters.
A must-try dessert is crema catalana, a sweet similar to crème brulée, but flavoured with citrus peel and cinnamon. It dates back to medieval Spain and is the national dessert of Catalonia, a perfect dessert for a summer evening.
Crema Catalana Recipe
Crema Catalana
Ingredients
500 ml whole milk
½ an orange - zest
½ a lemon - zest
½ a stick of cinnamon
1 vanilla pod- split lengthwise
7 large free-range egg yolks
95 g sugar, plus extra to serve
1 heaped teaspoon of cornflour
Instructions
Place the milk, orange zest, lemon zest and cinnamon in a saucepan along with the vanilla pod, and gently bring to a boil.
Once you reach a gentle boil, remove the pan from the heat and allow the flavours to infuse for 15 minutes.
In the meantime, whisk the 7 egg yolks along with the sugar and cornflour until pale and creamy.
Pass the milk through a sieve, return it to the pan and place it over a medium heat.
Just before boiling point is reached, add the egg mixture slowly, whilst whisking continuously until it begins to thicken and can coat the back of a wooden spoon.
Remove the mixture from the heat and pour it into ramekins.
Cover each ramekin with greaseproof paper to stop a skin from forming, and allow each portion to cool before placing them in the fridge.
Remove the greaseproof paper prior to serving, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar on each portion and use a blow torch to caramelise. If you don't have a blowtorch, you can place the sugared cremas under a preheated gas grill, until the sugar turns dark brown. Allow the sugar to harden, then serve immediately.
Aside from this intense variety and colour lie modern restaurants like Jordi Artal's two Michelin star restaurant, Cinc Sentits, embodying a new breed of gastronomy. Dining is a multi-sense experience, with beautifully presented food, heavenly smells and delicious tastes, and opting for a meal with wine matching enhances the flavours even further.
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The Art
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Catalan Art
Culturally the Catalan instinct seems to challenge and see things differently (after the Canary Islands, Catalonia was next to ban bullfighting). Inventiveness is no stranger to the Catalan mindset: the flamboyance of Gaudí and the surrealism of Dalí and Míro bear witness to that.
Joan Miró - Surrealism, Dada Born: 20 April 1893 - Barcelona Died: 25 December 1983 - Palma Famous Work: Dona i Ocell, The Tilled Field, The Farm
Antoni Gaudí - Art Nouveau, Modernisme Born: 25 June 1852 - Baix Camp Died: 10 June 1926 - Barcelona Famous Work: Park Güell, Church of Colònia Güell, Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, Casa Batlló
Salvador Dalí - Surrealism, Expressionism, Post-Impressionism Born: 11 May 1904 - Figueres Died: 23 January 1989 - Figueres Famous Work: The Persistence of Memory, Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee Around a Pomegranate a Second Before Awakening, Galatea of the Spheres
Antoni Tàpies - Tachisme, Surrealism, Informalism, Abstract expressionism Born: 13 December 1923 - Barcelona Died: 6 February 2012 - Barcelona Famous Work: Grey and Green Painting, Head and varnish, Skeleton on material, Llibertat, No doors or windows
The Appeal
Tourism in Catalonia
Theme parks like Port Aventura and Aquapolis are well-conceived and integrated into the region’s tourism system. In short, the Catalan instinct, perhaps a nod to its industrial boom of a century ago, is to invest, build and improve, all in a dynamic, ‘can-do’ style.
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Return to the map, it perhaps explains the fantastic diversity of this region. Historically it is a blend of peoples from France, Italy, Africa and southern Spain, not to mention influences from Sicily, Sardinia and the Arab world. No wonder Catalonia is so uniquely rich in culture, language and tradition; no wonder there is such contrast and no wonder that the old and the new are embraced in equal measure.
Highlights Map
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Camping in Catalonia
Catalan Campsites
Tourism is hugely important to Catalonia (the region accounts for around 25% of all visitors to Spain), and camping and caravanning are a vital parts of this mix. British visitors come all this way for the sun, of course, but also for the high-quality infrastructure and impressive world-class facilities. Many campsites in the region represent the modern breed of progressive site: holiday villages certainly, but among the finest equipped campsites in Europe.
Las Dunas is an extremely large, impressive and well-organised resort-style site with many on-site activities and an ongoing programme of improvements. The site has direct...
This spacious, friendly site is run by Michelle, Josep and their daughter and is always a popular destination. It is spotlessly clean and well-maintained, and...
This beautiful terraced site has been developed on a hillside around the beautiful gardens of a large, spectacular estate house which is close to the...
Rob is the General Manager at Alan Rogers Travel Group, he is responsible for the ongoing development of the Alan Rogers website and publication of the Alan Rogers Guides.
He has been involved in the leisure industry since completing a BTEC in Travel & Tourism in 1993. Previous roles have included the promotion of tourism in Yorkshire and running a motorcycle touring company in the Australian Outback.
As of 2021, there are 43 UNESCO sites in Spain, four of which are located in the Canary Islands, one in Ibiza and one in Mallorca (we've only included mainland sites). Spain joined the 8th Session in 1984 and inscribed five sites; Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, Córdoba, The Alhambra and the Generalife, Granada, Burgos Cathedral, Monastery and Site of the Escorial, Madrid and Park Güell, Palau Güell and Casa Milà, Barcelona.
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