Catalonia

Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, comprising four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida i TarragonaBordered by France and Andorra to the north, Aragon to the west, and Valencia to the south, it opens wide to the Mediterranean Sea to the east. This location offers an impressive variety of landscapes: from the jagged Costa Brava, through the golden beaches of the Costa Daurada and the Maresme region, to the rocky peaks of the Pyrenees, the volcanic hills of Garrotxa, and the rugged massifs of Montserrat.

read: full guide with a map of attractions in Catalonia – [click]

Over the centuries, Roman, medieval Catalan-Aragonese, and modern influences have blended here, and in the 19th and 20th centuries, Modernism exploded, led by Gaudí (Sagrada Familia, Park Güell) and his colorful companions. Catalan identity is distinct: the Catalan language, the tradition of castells (human towers), the sardana dance, and festivals like Sant Jordi and La Merce create an atmosphere that's hard to confuse with anything else. Add to that a gallery of world-class artists: Salvador Dalí (Dali's Triangle), Joan Miro, and Pau Casals—and it's clear why so many sparks spark the region's culture.

Climate? Mostly Mediterranean on the coast (mild winters, warm summers) and mountainous in the Pyrenees (winter can be snowy and ski-friendly). Spring and autumn are the best times to visit – pleasant sunshine, fewer crowds, and sparkling wine. Cava from Penedes somehow tastes suspiciously better. In winter, it's worth hiding in the mountains, in summer, escaping to the cooler coves of the Costa Brava or the shade of modernist facades (the architecture also provides shade... who would have thought!).

Kitchen is a separate chapter: calçots with romesco (long onions roasted over the fire with romesco sauce), crema catalana (a classic, silky cream based on milk and egg yolks), fresh seafood and wines (the aforementioned Penedes, but also Priorat) – everything that turns the plan of "just a quick dinner" into "maybe a small appetizer?".

Below you will find a list of all the guides that will help you discover the most interesting places in Catalonia: