From Barcelona take the AP7 motorway until exit 4, then take the C260 to Cadaqués. The journey should take about two and a half hours in all. Just before dropping down to the town, stop at the viewpoint and take in the azure coastline and the whitewashed houses of this former fishing village. Once in Cadaqués, now one of Catalonia’s trendiest beach towns, wander the quaint boutique-filled streets. After a splash in the sea and a coffee on one of the chic terrace cafés, take the road leaving Port Lligat and head for the Cap de Creus lighthouse. Drive through the desolately beautiful landscape of this rocky headland before doubling back and heading off to Port de la Selva. The road twists and winds interminably, but the picture-perfect scenery will leave you speechless.
Stop in the tiny, mountain-enclosed Port de la Selva for an excellent seafood lunch at the Cala Herminda. Then drive to the neighbouring village of Selva del Mar with its tiny river and have a post-prandial coffee on the terrace of the Bar Stop before continuing up to the Monestir Sant Pere de Rodes . You’ll be tempted to stop several times on the way up to take in the views. Don’t, because the best is to be had from the monastery, which offers an incredible sweeping vista of the whole area. There are plenty of well-signposted walks around the mountain top here and it is worth staying put to see the sun set slowly over the bay.
Monestir de Montserrat
Catalonia’s holiest place is the region’s most visited monastery. It boasts some Romanesque art and a statue of the “Black Virgin” (see Montserrat).
93 877 77 77
Adm
DA to Basilica
Monestir de Poblet
This busy, working monastery contains the Gothic Capella de Sant Jordi, a Romanesque church, and the Porta Daurada, a doorway that was gilded for Felipe II’s visit in 1564.
off N240, 10 km W of Montblanc
97 787 02 54
Monestir de Ripoll
The west portal of this monastery (879) has reputedly the finest Romanesque carvings in Spain. Of the original buildings, only the doorway and cloister remain.
972 70 23 51
Monestir de Santes Creus
The cloister at this Gothic treasure (1150) is notable for the beautifully sculpted capitals by English artist Reinard Funoll.
Santes Creus, 25 km NW of Montblanc
977 63 83 29
Closed Mon
Tue free
Monestir de Sant Pere de Rodes
The dilapidated charm of this UNESCO World Heritage Site may have dwindled since its face-lift, but nothing detracts from the views it offers over Cap de Creus and Port de la Selva.
22 km E of Figueres
972 38 75 59
Sant Climent i Santa Maria de Taüll
These two churches are perfect examples of the Romanesque churches that pepper the Pyrenees. Dating from 1123, most of the original frescoes are now in the MNAC in Barcelona.
138 km N of Lleida
973 69 40 00
Catedral de La Seu d’Urgell
Dating from around 1040, this cathedral is one of the most elegant in Catalonia.
973 35 32 42
DA
Catedral de Santa Maria
This cathedral is remarkable for possessing the widest Gothic nave anywhere in Europe and the second widest of any type after the Basilica in the Vatican.
972 21 58 14
Sun free
Catedral de Santa Tecla
At 104-m (340-ft) long, Tarragona’s cathedral is the largest in the region. Its architecture is a mixture of Gothic and Romanesque, and it is crowned by a huge octagonal bell tower.
977 23 86 85
Closed Sun except for 11am mass
Sant Joan de les Abadesses
This pretty French Romanesque-style monastery in the Pyrenees harbours a prestigious collection of Romanesque sculpture.
972 72 05 99
www.santjoandelesabadesses.com
Usual opening hours for monasteries and churches are 10am–1pm & 3–7pm Mon–Sat, 10am–1pm Sun. Call to confirm seasonal times.
Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici
The magnificent peaks of Catalonia’s only national park are accessible from the resort of Espot. You’ll find ponds and lakes 2,000 m (6,560 ft) up.
148 km N of Lleida
Delta de l’Ebre
This giant delta is a patch-work of paddy fields. The wide expanse of the River Ebre is a nature reserve for migratory birds and has scores of bird-watching stations.
28 km SE of Tortosa
Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa
It is 10,000 years since La Garrotxa last erupted and the volcanoes are long since extinct. The largest crater is the Santa Margalida, at 500 m (1,640 ft) wide. It is magical here in spring when thousands of butterflies emerge.
40 km NW of Girona
Cap de Creus
As the Pyrenees tumble into the Mediterranean, they create a rocky headland, which juts out 10 km (6.25 miles). It forms Catalonia’s most easterly point and offers spectacular views of the craggy coastline.
36 km E of Figueres
Parc Natural del Cadí-Moixeró
Covered in a carpet of conifers and oaks, this mountain range has surprisingly lush vegetation. Several peaks are over 2,000 m (6,560 ft) high.
20 km E of La Seu d’Urgell
Parc Natural del Montseny
Forming Catalonia’s most accessible natural park, these woodland hills are well-equipped for walkers and mountain bikers, with a huge network of trails. Climb the well-signposted and popular Turó de l’Home, which is the highest peak.
48 km NW of Barcelona
Massis de Pedraforca
A nature reserve surrounds this huge outcrop of mountains, a favourite of rock climbers with peaks rising to 2,500 m (8,200 ft).
64 km N of Manresa
Serra de l’Albera
On the eastern part of the border between Spain and France, the tree-covered slopes of Albera are speckled with interesting ruins.
15 km N of Figueres
Parc Natural dels Aiguamolls de l’Empordà
This nature reserve hides birdwatching towers. Those in the Laguna de Vilalt and La Bassa de Gall Mari allow bird-lovers to observe herons, moorhens and other bird species nesting in spring.
15 km E of Figueres
Parc Natural de Sant Llorenç del Munt
Surrounded by industry and within easy reach of Barcelona, this is a surprisingly untamed park inhabited by large numbers of wild boar. Walk up Cerro de la Mola to see the Romanesque monastery.
12 km E of Manresa
For more information call Turisme de Catalunya on 012.
