Do you know the most beautiful villages near Tarragona?
Picturesque sea and mountain scenery, villages of medieval legends, walking and cycling routes, quality gastronomy… Do you need to disconnect and enjoy a good rural weekend? Well, pay attention, because in Willy’s Plan we have condensed all the charm of the southern regions of Catalonia in this selection of the most charming villages of Tarragona. Don’t miss them!
Montblanc
Montblanc is the capital of the Conca del Barberà, one of the Catalan regions with the most monumental and natural heritage. This beautiful medieval village, populated since prehistoric times, is part of the Cistercian Gothic route and preserves one of the most important walled enclosures in Catalonia.
The Wall of Montblanc is formed by a set of walls, towers and gates that surround the historic center of the town. Today these towers can be visited, stroll along the pass and enjoy a tremendous panoramic view in a visit that transports you through 850 years of history and is ideal for a getaway with children in Catalonia.
The entire architectural layout of the historic center is perfectly restored and it is a delight to stroll through its medieval streets. Another highly recommended excursion is a visit to the cave paintings of Montblanc, with more than 8000 years of history, or the cave paintings of Mas de Ramon de Bessó, declared World Heritage by UNESCO. In the same region of Conca de Barberà, surrounded by beautiful vineyards and not far from Montblanc, there is also the Monastery of Poblet, one of the largest monasteries in Europe.
Every year during the month of April, on the occasion of the Setmana Medieval Sant Jordi de Montblanc, you can also enjoy its medieval market, one of the most authentic in Catalonia. Stalls of sausages, cheeses, sweets, crafts, shows and works of the time flood its old town while the whole village dresses and recreates the medieval atmosphere. You’ll think you’ve traveled to the Middle Ages for real!
Be sure to visit Montblanc, one of the most charming villages of Tarragona.
Siurana
Siurana, in Priorat, besides being one of the best viewpoints of the peninsula, is considered one of the most beautiful medieval villages not only in Tarragona, but in Spain. With spectacular views of the Siurana Reservoir, the Sierra de Montsant, and the Prades Mountains, it could be said that Siurana is a spectacle to behold no matter where you look, but above all it is an ideal place for sports lovers.
Climbers from all over Europe come every year to Siurana and its surroundings to climb the limestone walls of hundreds of meters high, and its beautiful reservoir is also one of the most visited in summer, as its calm and crystal clear waters are perfect for enjoying a refreshing swim and for water sports. If you like outdoor exercise, do not hesitate to consult our post about the best mountain routes in Barcelona or the best trekking routes in Catalonia.
In addition to its spectacular viewpoint, of authentic beauty, you should visit the Romanesque church of Santa Maria, which is preserved almost intact, and the castle, an important defensive fortress and control center of the Andalusian kingdom.
Siurana was a town of great importance in the time of the Saracens. Its privileged location made it very difficult to besiege and it was an impregnable place. So much so that it became the last stronghold of Al-Andalus in Catalan territory conquered between 1153 and 1154. The Salto de la Reina Mora is the cliff where, according to legend, Abdelazia’s horse tried to stop by sticking its hooves before plunging into the void. Today, the animal’s horseshoe mark can be seen in the rock.
In short, Siurana is another of the charming villages of Tarragona that you can not miss.
3. Miravet
Perched on a rock on the banks of the Ebro, is the village of Miravet, This small village of the Ribera d’Ebre is well known for the Templar castle located on top of the hill and the old quarter, built just below, anchored to the rock. During the Battle of the Ebro, the bloodiest and longest of the battles of the Spanish Civil War, Miravet represented a strategic position, being one of the points where the popular army crossed the Ebro at the beginning of the offensive.
In addition to stroll through the streets of Cap de la Vila, visit the Vella Church or look out the spectacular viewpoint of the Plaça Sanaqueta, do not leave without trying to make a piece of clay, as Miravet has a tradition of pottery and you can find different artisans in the Raval dels Canterers .Another highly recommended activity, as long as the weather is good, is a canoe trip down the river Ebro or Pas de la Barca, the passage of the boat by car to cross to the other side of the river, an experience that is worth the investment in local economy and not to lose this traditional means of transport of the municipality.
In the surroundings there are fields full of cherry trees, a tradition that the second weekend of June is celebrated the Festa de la Cirera i dels Canterers, where cherry varieties are tasted, showcocking, cherry liqueur tastings, a popular paella, dancing and even a cherry stone throwing contest. If you go on those dates you can’t miss it!
4. Corbera d'Ebre
Corbera d’Ebre is a quiet agricultural and farming town in the region of Terra Alta with an important historical memory, as it has suffered the onslaught of war several times over the decades. The first time in 1463 during the war against the archbishop of Tarragona. This was followed by the Guerra dels Segadors (1614) and the War of Succession (1707), but the worst disaster was the Civil War (1936-39). During the Battle of the Ebro the Poble Vell was destroyed by mortar bombardment, Italian aircraft and the Condor Legion. This caused the surviving inhabitants to move to the lower part of the town where it had to be rebuilt from scratch.
A visit to the Poble vell is a must. Not only because with the entrance fee you help in the conservation of this historic space, but also so that it does not remain in oblivion. This group of ruined houses is a primary source of all that was Corbera d’Ebre until 1938. Also during the visit you can find l’Abecedari de la Llibertat, the Monument to the International Bridagists or enter the imposing Church of Sant Pere. In the Interpretation Center you can learn how combatants and civilians lived during the Civil War in this area.
The Parliament of Catalonia declared the town of Corbera d’Ebre, “Place of historical interest” and because of the disaster, today has become a symbol for peace, besides being undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Tarragona.
5. Poblenou del Delta
This population of the Ebro Delta belonging to Amposta is a small village of white houses and narrow streets full of flower pots that make up a postcard story.Poble Nou del Delta due created by the National Colonization Institute to house the farmers of the rice fields in the area and almost a hundred families of settlers. Initially called Villafranco del Delta, it kept that name until 2003, when the Generalitat de Catalunya, applying the Law of Historical Memory, changed the original Francoist name to Poble Nou del Delta.
It is the perfect place to get to know the natural surroundings of the Ebro Delta Natural Park, as it is located in the heart of the delta, surrounded by rice fields and in a privileged environment between the Ebro Delta and the Ebro Delta. Encanyissada Lagoon and the The gastronomy of the Ebro Delta is as rich as it is varied. The culinary richness of the area is full of fresh and local products. Rice dishes, fish and seafood are the center of attention. Among all of them, stands out the arrossejat or rossejat, a simple typical dish of the territory that fishermen used to prepare in their boats to take advantage of the fish that was not sold.
You have the opportunity to check if we are telling the truth at its Sunday flea market, where you will be able to buy top quality products Another great plan is to eat a delicious plate of first quality seafood at the Xiringuito de la Costa, located on the beach of the delta. Punta de la Banya, in the interior of the Bahia dels Alfacs, totally integrated into the natural ecosystem of the delta in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.
5. Aiguamúrcia
This small village of about 800 inhabitants is located in the Tarragona region of Alt Camp, in a mountainous area on one of the banks of the river Gaia, surrounded by beautiful fields of vineyards.
It would be an unknown village if it were not for the Monastery of Santes Creus, one of the most important works of Catalan medieval art. Founded in the 12th century, this monastery is one of the three that form part of the Cistercian Route, along with Poblet and Vallbona de les Monges, with an imposing Gothic cloister and the royal tombs of the kings Peter the Great and James II the Just and his wife Blanche d’Anjou.
The monastery owes its name to the numerous luminous crosses that once filled the meadows with light during the darkness of the night. At present, it is the only monastery on the Route of the Royal Monasteries of Catalonia where monastic life is not practiced, which allows visitors to discover each of its corners at their leisure and learn about the various stories and legends of the place.
On the other hand, in this town you can also find a wide range of rural and gastronomic tourism, as well as the attractions of wine tourism, with cooperatives and wineries of the Denomination of Origin Penedès.
7. La Vilella Baixa
In his book ‘Viatge al Priorat’, Josep Maria Espinàs described La Vilella Baixa as the New York of the Priorat, because of the six or seven-storey buildings on one side of the village.
This charming village is full of idyllic corners and other very surprising, as the high things built on the Escalade ravine, the stone bridge over the Montsant river or the church of San Juan Bautista and its square.
If you like nature, it is an ideal place for lovers of hiking trails and excursions in Catalonia, either on foot or by bicycle, since it has several trails to explore to enjoy its impressive natural heritage. If you are passionate about these outdoor plans you should read our post about the best bike routes in Barcelona.
You have to visit the old town, with narrow and steep streets and points of great interest such as the ‘street that does not pass’, the Romanesque bridge over the Montsant river and the houses over the Escaladei ravine. It is also a good option to hire a guided tour of the wineries and mills in the village and taste their excellent wines and oils. You can’t leave there without trying the traditional sweetened cokes with “saliandra” and “matafulga”.
