Baix Penedès and beyond. Recommendatios for a great stay south of Barcelona
Active summer days out
Spectacular slides, a giant-wave pool, a long tube, straight slides, river rapids, twist-twist and children's pool.
Other facilities - mini zoo, nature school, beach volleyball, a la carte and self service restaurants, cafés and souvenir shops.
You can take a picnic and eat it outside the park itself, in a special picnic spot (we recommend this option) if you don’t want to eat basic fast food which is what they offer.
68 locals recommend
Aqualeon
s/n Finca les BassesSpectacular slides, a giant-wave pool, a long tube, straight slides, river rapids, twist-twist and children's pool.
Other facilities - mini zoo, nature school, beach volleyball, a la carte and self service restaurants, cafés and souvenir shops.
You can take a picnic and eat it outside the park itself, in a special picnic spot (we recommend this option) if you don’t want to eat basic fast food which is what they offer.
A fun attraction with a bar and picnic area.
Have a go on the toboggan-style slide, then enjoy your picnic with the family. Check opening times!
20 locals recommend
Calafell Slide
A fun attraction with a bar and picnic area.
Have a go on the toboggan-style slide, then enjoy your picnic with the family. Check opening times!
Watch out for busy summer periods, when youngsters love to flock to this beautiful 'secluded' spot! The pool can get rather full at times, detracting from its natural beauty.
At other times of year, it is a really pleasant walk with a reward at the end of it.
16 locals recommend
Niu de l'Àliga
Watch out for busy summer periods, when youngsters love to flock to this beautiful 'secluded' spot! The pool can get rather full at times, detracting from its natural beauty.
At other times of year, it is a really pleasant walk with a reward at the end of it.
Be aware of discounts available throughout the year, and the opportunity to come back the next day for a reduced price.
PortAventura Park
Be aware of discounts available throughout the year, and the opportunity to come back the next day for a reduced price.
Fun day out for families and friends with a zipline tour close to the fantastic beach of Tamarit with its castle and secluded cove.
10 locals recommend
Jungle Trek
2a Av. BlauetFun day out for families and friends with a zipline tour close to the fantastic beach of Tamarit with its castle and secluded cove.
Fun for the younger members of the family - a petting zoo. Combine with a trip to Parc Samà for some gentle rowing on the lake.
La Mascota i el Jardí
Fun for the younger members of the family - a petting zoo. Combine with a trip to Parc Samà for some gentle rowing on the lake.
Sightseeing
A local museum which takes the visitor through the life history of the famous cellist Pau (Pablo) Casals, created within the holiday home where he used to spend his summers.
An all-year-round visit. Worth a trip to enjoy the audiovisual tour and if it's beach weather, you can always have a dip in the sea afterwards.
65 locals recommend
Pau Casals Museum
67 Av. PalfurianaA local museum which takes the visitor through the life history of the famous cellist Pau (Pablo) Casals, created within the holiday home where he used to spend his summers.
An all-year-round visit. Worth a trip to enjoy the audiovisual tour and if it's beach weather, you can always have a dip in the sea afterwards.
Check visiting times to coincide with the audiovisual presentation in your language which is unmissable! A lovely cool place to explore on a hot summer's day.
Combine with a visit to the Vila-rodona Cooperativa and the Chapel at Montferri for a pleasant day out close to home.
40 locals recommend
Santes Creus
s/n Plaça de Jaume el JustCheck visiting times to coincide with the audiovisual presentation in your language which is unmissable! A lovely cool place to explore on a hot summer's day.
Combine with a visit to the Vila-rodona Cooperativa and the Chapel at Montferri for a pleasant day out close to home.
The sanctuary opens only on Saturdays and Sundays from 10.30-13.30. Call the following number to enquire about guided tours: 621223815. Fascinating building.
11 locals recommend
Mare de Deu de Montserrat
s/n Partida CorralotThe sanctuary opens only on Saturdays and Sundays from 10.30-13.30. Call the following number to enquire about guided tours: 621223815. Fascinating building.
Part of a series of Roman ruins in the centre of Tarragona. You can hardly move for history in this lovely city. Plan a day trip and even combine with a swim at the Arrabassada beach afterwards if the going gets tough.
227 locals recommend
Tarragona Amphitheatre
s/n Parc de l'amfiteatrePart of a series of Roman ruins in the centre of Tarragona. You can hardly move for history in this lovely city. Plan a day trip and even combine with a swim at the Arrabassada beach afterwards if the going gets tough.
Sama Park
Check out the website for discounts and opening times.
One of the region's Cistercian monasteries set within beautiful countryside and close to Montblanc.
118 locals recommend
Monasterio de Santa María de Poblet
One of the region's Cistercian monasteries set within beautiful countryside and close to Montblanc.
Check opening times - a small museum with a good art collection where you can enjoy the work of local Catalan artists among others.
16 locals recommend
Biblioteca Museo Victor Balaguer
s/n Av. de Víctor BalaguerCheck opening times - a small museum with a good art collection where you can enjoy the work of local Catalan artists among others.
Beautiful coastal town of Sitges which is packed with interesting bars and eateries as well as this cultural highlight.
99 locals recommend
Cau Ferrat Museum
Carrer de FonollarBeautiful coastal town of Sitges which is packed with interesting bars and eateries as well as this cultural highlight.
Modernista gem in the very centre of Reus, an undiscovered bustling town which comes alive in the evenings and is the perfect destination for shopping or for some tapas.
13 locals recommend
Casa Navas
5-7 Plaça del MercadalModernista gem in the very centre of Reus, an undiscovered bustling town which comes alive in the evenings and is the perfect destination for shopping or for some tapas.
Wine tourism
Highly recommended local cava. When you arrive, ask for a tour of the installations and you will receive a personal guided tour which takes you around this family bodega.
Up close and personal with the local wine trade.
Bodega Vinos y Cava Vives Ambrós
39 Carrer MajorHighly recommended local cava. When you arrive, ask for a tour of the installations and you will receive a personal guided tour which takes you around this family bodega.
Up close and personal with the local wine trade.
Tours are available but check when you arrive.
Good local wine produced in a beautiful modernista-style building, so typical of the local agro-industrial heritage of this wine region. Buy wine and organic local produce in the shop.
Celler Cooperatiu i Seccio de Crèdit de Vila-rodona S.C.C.L.
4 Carretera Santes CreusTours are available but check when you arrive.
Good local wine produced in a beautiful modernista-style building, so typical of the local agro-industrial heritage of this wine region. Buy wine and organic local produce in the shop.
Jané Ventura
2 Carretera de CalafellCeller Mas Vicenç
WIne tasting and tours of the bodega.
A popular experience with guests.
Book early for guided tours in your language. Highly recommended - involves tasting 5 vermouth varieties.
Casa Vermouth Padro
17 Carrer d'AvallBook early for guided tours in your language. Highly recommended - involves tasting 5 vermouth varieties.
A superb tour through a fascinating cava manufacturer on the route to Barcelona.
44 locals recommend
Caves Codorniu
A superb tour through a fascinating cava manufacturer on the route to Barcelona.
Visit the Mastinell bodega and its curious wine rack-shaped headquarters, all tinged with a hint of luxury, boutique style decadence. Restaurant is recommended.
Cava & Hotel Mastinell
Visit the Mastinell bodega and its curious wine rack-shaped headquarters, all tinged with a hint of luxury, boutique style decadence. Restaurant is recommended.
Food scene
A lovely patio and freshly grilled food at weekends.
Not cheap, but very local and good food.
Bar L'era
2 Carretera del vendrellA lovely patio and freshly grilled food at weekends.
Not cheap, but very local and good food.
Only open Saturday and Sunday.
Specialises in Catalan cuisine, so it's the place to go to get the most authentic local flavours.
Check out lunchtime menus.
Cosy, rustic atmosphere.
Restaurant el Vinyet
Only open Saturday and Sunday.
Specialises in Catalan cuisine, so it's the place to go to get the most authentic local flavours.
Check out lunchtime menus.
Cosy, rustic atmosphere.
Good inexpensive local food, with standout value for money for weekday lunchtime menus.
Restaurant Les Fonts
82 Carrer de la FontGood inexpensive local food, with standout value for money for weekday lunchtime menus.
This place has vegetarian and vegan options - not always easy to find in this area.
La Tertúlia-Menjant amb alternatives
12 Carrer TransversalThis place has vegetarian and vegan options - not always easy to find in this area.
Gourmet tapas.
The terrace is very popular in the summer: reservation is recommended.
9 locals recommend
Portal 22
22 Plaça del Portal - NouGourmet tapas.
The terrace is very popular in the summer: reservation is recommended.
Look out for Tuesday night 'happy hour' 2-for-the-price-of-one' pizza deals. Great night out with the family. Combine with a walk around Valls town centre. Otherwise, there is not a lot to do/see in this town!
Pizzeria Restaurant Julià Mallol
37 Carrer Sant FrancescLook out for Tuesday night 'happy hour' 2-for-the-price-of-one' pizza deals. Great night out with the family. Combine with a walk around Valls town centre. Otherwise, there is not a lot to do/see in this town!
Visit Reus in the evening and stop here for a vermouth and tapas. The restaurant is in a beautifully converted modernista building. Very contemporary and with a great atmosphere. Unlike most bars in the area, this place has real style. Combine with an evening stroll around Reus' many other bars and restaurants. It has a vibrant nightlife, especially in the summer months.
22 locals recommend
Museu del vermut
7 Carrer de VallroquetesVisit Reus in the evening and stop here for a vermouth and tapas. The restaurant is in a beautifully converted modernista building. Very contemporary and with a great atmosphere. Unlike most bars in the area, this place has real style. Combine with an evening stroll around Reus' many other bars and restaurants. It has a vibrant nightlife, especially in the summer months.
Reservation is a must during summer months. Paella is their speciality and they do it in style, with beachside ambience.
30 locals recommend
Casinet
11 Passeig Marítim Joan ReventósReservation is a must during summer months. Paella is their speciality and they do it in style, with beachside ambience.
Night life
Unique live music venue in the area. Consult the schedule of performances, which are usually on weekends only. Small and intimate, with a great atmosphere. All genres of music from rock to country to heavy metal. Not recommended for younger children.
9 locals recommend
La Traviesa
Unique live music venue in the area. Consult the schedule of performances, which are usually on weekends only. Small and intimate, with a great atmosphere. All genres of music from rock to country to heavy metal. Not recommended for younger children.
Interesting districts
A former fishing village transformed in Andaluz style to create a touristic hub wth a prize-winning ice cream parlour, restaurants and gift shops. Gorgeous landscaping and a coastal path from which to admire this pretty strip of the Costa Daurada.
129 locals recommend
Roc de Sant Gaietà
A former fishing village transformed in Andaluz style to create a touristic hub wth a prize-winning ice cream parlour, restaurants and gift shops. Gorgeous landscaping and a coastal path from which to admire this pretty strip of the Costa Daurada.
Cities and towns
A walled town with a medieval past and strong links to the legend of Sant Jordi who slayed the dragon, and became Catalunya's patron. Walk around the walls and combine with a visit to the monastery of Poblet.
14 locals recommend
Montblanc Medieval
56 Muralla de Sta. TeclaA walled town with a medieval past and strong links to the legend of Sant Jordi who slayed the dragon, and became Catalunya's patron. Walk around the walls and combine with a visit to the monastery of Poblet.