Tarragona y Costa Daurada

Roman Amphitheater of Tarragona

· Tarragona

A 2nd-century CE amphitheatre right on the sea in “Tarraco”, capital of Roman Hispania, part of the World Heritage. The Muslims knew it as “Tarragona”, and it was a frontier outpost between al-Andalus and the Franks.

Circ Romà de Tarragona

· Tarragona

One of the best-preserved Roman chariot-racing circuses in Europe (1st century CE), with tiers that could hold about 30,000 spectators, and long vaulted cellars that run beneath the houses of the old town. It connects to the Pretori Tower, from whose top you look out over the Roman amphitheatre and the sea.

Castell de Miravet

· Miravet

A huge fortress on a cliff above the Ebro. It began as an Islamic castle, then the Knights Templar rebuilt it after taking it in 1153 CE, making it one of Europe's great Romanesque castles. The white village below it is one of the most beautiful views of the Ebro.

Moderate effort · needs a car

One hour from Tarragona by car. Stairs and slopes; two hours.

The Ferreres Aqueduct

· Tarragona

A Roman aqueduct 217 m long in a pine forest north of Tarragona, where you can walk on top of the water channel itself.

Castell de la Suda (Tortosa)

· Tortosa

The citadel of Tortosa on a hill above the Ebro, where Abd al-Rahman III established a naval dockyard in 944 CE. Today it houses the Parador hotel, walls and a small Islamic cemetery.

Easy to reach

In Tortosa (by train); a road climbs by car up to the Parador, or a 15-minute uphill walk. Café at the Parador.

Torre del Pretori (Castell del Rei)

· Tarragona

A huge Roman tower that was part of the seat of the council of the province of Hispania Tarraconensis, later used as a royal palace in the Middle Ages. Its roof is the best viewpoint over the old town, the amphitheatre and the sea.

Siurana – Mirador

· Siurana (Cornudella de Montsant)

A small village on the edge of a sheer cliff above a turquoise reservoir in the Priorat mountains. It was the last Muslim stronghold in Catalonia until 1153. Legend says its Muslim queen leapt from the cliff on her horse (“the Muslim Queen's Leap”) rather than surrender.

Easy to reach · needs a car

By car along a narrow, winding mountain road from Cornudella; paid parking at the top, then a 5–10 minute walk. The cliff edges have no railings — watch the children. The path down to the reservoir is steep. Very few restaurants in the small village.

Platja del Miracle

· Tarragona

The city beach right below the Roman amphitheatre, with golden sand, calm water and a seafront promenade for walking and running. Ideal after a tour of the ruins.

Platja Llarga (Tarragona)

· Tarragona

A long, quiet beach east of the city, surrounded by pine forest. The water is shallow and very suitable for children, and it is visited more by locals than by tourists.

Calaceite – Plaza de España

· Calaceite

A stone town in the Matarraña region, with streets of noble stone houses and arches, and a square with a town hall with arcades. Writers loved it, and Latin American novelists lived there in the 1970s.

Easy to reach · needs a car

Two hours from Zaragoza or an hour and a half from Tarragona. Paved and slightly sloping; an hour and a half.

Horta de Sant Joan (Centre Picasso)

· Horta de Sant Joan

A stone village in the Els Ports mountains, of which Picasso said, “Everything I know I learned in Horta”, where he spent months as a young man. The rocky Santa Bàrbara mountain overlooks it, and pine forests surround it.

Easy to reach · needs a car

An hour and a half from Tarragona by car. Slightly sloping alleys; an hour and a half.

Mas Passamaner

· La Selva del Camp

A luxurious modernist estate in the countryside about 20 km from Tarragona, with gorgeous gardens, a spa and a good restaurant. Suits families and couples.

Recinto amurallado de Montblanc

· Montblanc

One of the most complete walled towns in Catalonia: a 14th-century wall a kilometre and a half long with dozens of towers, enclosing a medieval town of palaces and churches. A local legend says that Saint George slew the dragon at one of its gates.

Easy to reach · needs a car

An hour and 20 minutes from Barcelona or 30 minutes from Tarragona, and a regional train. Gentle slopes; two hours.

Santa Maria de Poblet Monastery

· Vimbodí i Poblet

A royal Cistercian monastery from the 12th century, with the burial place of the kings of Aragon, including Jaime I, conqueror of Mallorca and Valencia; part of the World Heritage.

How to get there

Train to L'Espluga de Francolí, then a walk of ≈3 km — by car ≈45 min

Easy to reach · needs a car

By car in practice (Espluga train station is about 3 km away). Parking beside the monastery on level ground; mostly accessible by pushchair. Restaurant and café near the entrance. Lunch break 12:30–15:00.

Parc Natural del Delta de l'Ebre

· Deltebre

The largest wetland in Catalonia: rice fields stretching to the horizon, lagoons where pink flamingos and hundreds of bird species live, and wild sandy beaches. The river itself is the “Wadi Ebro”, whose key was Islamic Tortosa.

How to get there

Train to L'Aldea-Amposta, then a bus to Deltebre — by car ≈1 h

Easy to reach · needs a car

The Delta is flat and wide; you visit by car between the viewpoints and beaches (distances of 20–30 km). Little shade, and mosquitoes in summer. Services in Deltebre and Sant Jaume. No practical public transport within the Delta.

Camí de Ronda de Salou (Cap de Salou)

· Salou

A coastal path linking the beaches of Salou with small rocky coves and clear water, all the way to the Cap de Salou lighthouse, through wooden walkways and pine forests. A quiet, beautiful alternative to the noise of Salou's main beach.

PortAventura Park

· Salou / Vila-seca

Spain's largest theme park, with six worlds (Mediterranean, Wild West, Mexico, China, Polynesia, Sésamo) and some of the strongest roller coasters in Europe.

Ferrari Land

· Salou / Vila-seca

Ferrari Land, next to PortAventura, has “Red Force”, the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Europe (112 m, 180 km/h), and Formula 1 driving simulators.

La Casa Museu de la Mel

· Alcover (Ctra. de Valls)

A family museum on the Valls road near Tarragona, offering a “Bee Safari” to view the hives up close with a passionate explanation from the beekeeper, followed by a tour of the museum. It has an elegant shop selling honey products.

Easy to reach · needs a car

By car only, on the Valls road. Services in Alcover.

Caribe Aquatic Park (PortAventura)

· Vila-seca (Salou)

The water park of the PortAventura resort: slides, a wave pool and a children's area, open in summer only. It rounds out the PortAventura and Ferrari Land days.

PortAventura Hotel Colorado Creek

· Vila-seca (Salou)

A hotel in a Wild West style, five minutes' walk from the entrance to PortAventura Park, with wooden family cabins in a pine forest, each with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Your stay includes unlimited park entry for the duration of your booking, and large pools for the little ones.

Mesquita de Cambrils

· Cambrils

A large mosque with a courtyard and parking near the motorway, most suitable for those holidaying in Salou and Cambrils.

Centro Cultural Islámico Arrahma

· Tarragona

A small prayer hall in Tarragona that holds Friday prayer.

H10 Imperial Tarraco

· Tarragona

• One of the city's best hotels

Above the Roman amphitheatre, with terraces overlooking the sea and the ruins; the best location in Tarragona.

La Boella

· La Canonja

• One of the city's best hotels
• Romantic

An old olive press converted into a boutique country hotel among the fields, with a Michelin-starred restaurant.

PortAventura Hotel Lucy's Mansion

· Vila-seca

A small five-star hotel inside the PortAventura resort, about 10 km from Tarragona, steps from the entrance to the theme park. Includes entry and unlimited fast-lane access.

Làpety Boutique Hotel

· Tarragona

• Boutique

A historic house with well-kept gardens in a quiet district east of the city, near Arrabassada beach and a short walk to the old quarter. Refined personal service.

Hostal 977

· Tarragona

• Boutique

A small boutique hotel in the heart of the historic quarter, near the cathedral and the Roman walls. Its owner gives detailed guidance on the city.

PortAventura Hotel Colorado Creek

· Vila-seca

A four-star hotel in a Wild West style, five minutes' walk from the PortAventura gate. It has family cabins with two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Rambla Nova de Tarragona

· Tarragona

The main boulevard of modern Tarragona, a wide tree-lined promenade between shops and cafés, running from Plaça de l'Imperi to the Balcó del Mediterrani. It has a statue of the “castellers” (human towers), a symbol of Catalonia.

Mercat Central de Tarragona

· Tarragona

A modernist iron market (1915), fully restored: fresh vegetables, fruit, fish, cheeses and bakeries, and a large supermarket on its lower floor. A good place to buy fruit and pastries and put together a picnic.

Balcó del Mediterrani

· Tarragona

At the end of Rambla Nova: an iron balcony above the cliff overlooking Platja del Miracle, the Roman amphitheatre and the port. The local custom is “touching the iron” for luck, and it is most beautiful at sunset.