'From the sweeping scenery of the Pyrenees Mountains, to flower filled valleys, to eye-poppingly beautiful beaches – Catalonia is a captivating holiday hotspot.'
The minute you touchdown in the colourful region of Catalonia, you'll be enchanted by its unique culture. Independently minded, it has its own ancient language, fascinating traditions and a vibrant atmosphere that instantly grabs your attention and doesn't let go. It's also home to the breathtaking city of Barcelona, an absolute must on your tick list. A hot bed for innovation, diversity and all that's avant-garde, it's every inch a cosmopolitan city with its finger on the pulse. We're talking bustling tree-lined boulevards and stylish modern streets. We're talking sophisticated pavement cafes and cutting-edge bars. And, of course, a reputation for being at the forefront of radical design and outrageous architecture, which punctuates the city at every turn. So what else is on offer here? Well, sun seekers are in for a treat, with the rugged Costa Brava and the sandy coastlines of the Costa Dorada and Costa Maresme, both right on your doorstep. Spend dreamy days basking on pristine beaches and cooling off in lazily lapping, crystal clear waters. Head to the northern coastal areas and you'll come across dramatic cliffs, sheltered coves and tiny fishing villages, while further south, sophisticated seaside towns are sprinkled along the shores. Inland, you'll find authentic Spain at its best, with hosts of historical sights, medieval hilltop hamlets and gorgeous, unspoilt countryside to explore. And if you make your way up into the mountains you can spend some time skiing in Baqueira-Beret. In a nutshell, Catalonia has it all. So what are you waiting for?
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Great Catalonia holidays
Recommended resorts for Catalonia
Catalonia holiday resorts
Resorts in Catalonia include Barcelona, La Bisbal D'emporda, Pals, Peralada, Sant Feliu De Guixols, Santa Cristina D'aro and Torroella De Montgri.
More Spain holiday destinations
Looking for holidays in Spain? Our Spain holiday destinations include Andalucia, Catalonia, Costa Blanca, Costa Brava, Costa De La Luz, Costa Del Sol, Costa Dorada, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Ibiza, La Gomera, La Palma, Lanzarote, Majorca, Menorca and Tenerife.
Beaches
Famous for its sun-soaked summers, you can't go wrong on Catalonia's beaches. Washed by the warm, clear waters of the Mediterranean, you'll be spoilt for choice here, whether you head for a secluded cove like sandy Cap Salou or sweeping shores such as Tossa de Mar, shimmering as far as the eyes can see. Roses lies at the head of a sprawling bay and is the longest beach in the north of the region, so there's plenty of room to spread out and there's always somewhere to claim a patch of sand around Salou in the south, with eight beaches to choose from plus a peppering of picturesque coves. Among the most popular are Platja de Llevant and Platja de Ponent where sugary sands shelve gently into the glistening sea, offering safe swimming and plenty of water sports to keep you entertained. And if you want to explore the glittering underwater world while you're here, the northern shores around the Medes Island Reserve are particularly good.
Eating out
From ice cream parlours and international restaurants, to tapas bars and Spanish specialities, Catalonia has them all. Every resort has its fair share of cafes and elegant eateries, and the seafronts are full of opportunities for al fresco dining. Part of the pleasure in staying here is the lip-smackingly good Catalonian food. Sample traditional seafood dishes that use ingredients fresh from the sea such as sarsuela, a spicy fish stew, or mouth-watering paella made with aromatic saffron rice. Another tasty concoction worth trying is Tarragona's romesco sauce, a combination of simmered red peppers, hazelnuts, garlic and toasted almonds. If you have a sweet tooth, don't leave without trying crema catalana, a dish similar to creme caramel made from rich egg custard, topped with grilled brown sugar and served chilled - you'll definitely be back for seconds. You'll also find tarts, flans and puddings crammed full of succulent fruits including oranges, lemons, peaches and cherries. Complement the cuisine with a glass of robust Rioja red wine, or one of the whites from the Penedes region.Of course, you could go for sangria, a refreshing cocktail of lemonade, wine, brandy and fresh fruit – a must for that uniquely Spanish holiday sensation. Or stay on the soft stuff with horchata, a sweet drink similar to an almond milkshake often served with fartons, long, sugar-dusted strips of bread which you dip into your drink. Delicious!
Nightlife
Imagine balmy nights spent savouring the local cuisine and sipping sangria in a waterfront bar as the sun dips down beneath the waves. A popular evening pastime is simply sitting in a vibrant bar with a glass of cava, the sparkling Spanish version of champagne, or tinto de verano, a refreshing tipple comprising red wine and lemonade that's particularly popular during the summer. Dining out also becomes very much part of the nightlife, with meals starting late and stretching into the evening in true Mediterranean style. If you want to get your groove on however, you only need head for one of the larger resorts for lively nightspots where you can dance the night away, such as Lloret de Mar on the Costa Brava and Salou on the Costa Dorada. Or why not treat yourself to a night on the tiles in bustling Barcelona, which has a legendary nightlife and is crammed full of trendy bars and seriously cool clubs?
Shopping
If shopping is your forte, you'll find a delightful selection of shops across Catalonia, from dinky souvenir curios and stylish boutiques, to wonderfully chaotic street markets, often open well into the evening for some late night browsing. Ceramics and leather goods are a Spanish speciality and you won't have to look hard to find them wherever you head - bright modern shops, traditional family-run stores and colourful stalls are all dripping with traditional goods in all shapes, sizes and shades. Popular local wines such as Penedes and Priorat also make great gifts to take home. If you're in need of some serious retail therapy however – Barcelona is the place to do it. All the big names in fashion are here as well as kitsch trendy vintage stores and sleek one-off boutiques for that special something no one will have back at home and. Make sure you include a leisurely stroll along the famous Las Ramblas into your itinerary. Buzzing with flowers stalls selling exotic blooms, souvenir shops brimming with miniature versions of Gaudi's architecture and human statues in vivid costumes, it also houses Spain's largest food market, La Boqueria – an indoor explosion of colour, texture and personality where crates of bright orange peppers and polished aubergines are piled high.
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