• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Barcelona Airport Logo Image

Barcelona Airport

Main navigation

  • Home
  • At the Airport
    • Coffee Shops
    • Shopping
    • Restaurants
    • Check-In
    • Disabled Facilities
    • VIP Lounges
    • Wi-Fi Internet
  • Flights
    • Arrivals
    • Departures
  • Car Hire
  • Hotels
  • Parking
  • Transfers
  • Transportation
  • Area Guides
    • Barcelona City
    • Sitges
    • Region of Cataluña
  • Map
  • News

Region of Cataluña

You are here: Home / Area Guides / Region of Cataluña
Barcelona skyline at night
Photo by David Sola on Unsplash

When it comes to Cataluña’s international projection (politics aside), many people tend to conjure up an image of iconic Barcelona city — and not much further afield. The reality, however, is that the greater Barcelona area is just one of four provinces in the Catalan region.

The other three – Lérida (inland), Tarragona (to the south) and Girona (north) – all have their own distinctive charm and diverse attractions for travellers.

The region of Cataluña (or Catalunya in Aranese) – officially designated a “nationality” – extends from beaches along the Mediterranean to ski pistes in the Pyrenees, from classic fishing towns to mediaeval villages, and from luxury resorts to UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The sovereign micro-state (or principality) of Andorra is also on its northern border with France.

Cataluña has a magnificently sun-blessed coastline (including ultra-popular Costa Brava and Costa Dorada) and picturesque mountain havens, is celebrated for its cuisine, offers a veritable treasure trove of cultural attractions, and is a nature lover’s paradise.

Benedictine Monastery of Montserrat
Photo by DmytroTs from FreeImages

Barcelona

Located in the centre of Cataluña, Barcelona province’s Mediterranean coastline includes such popular holiday resorts as Sitges, Castelldefels, Sant Pol de Mar, Calella and Arenys de Mar; and there are three stunning nature parks in the interior, Sierra de Collserola, Garraf and Sant Lorenç del Munt i l’Oban.

Barcelona is home to the works of such internationally renowned artists as Antoni Gaudí; and its gastronomy ranges from Michelin-star restaurants serving avant-garde cuisine to traditional dishes such as pa amb tomàquet (country bread with tomato and olive oil).

Congost de Mon Rebei cliff in Lérida
Photo by jesus bosch from FreeImages

Lérida

Cataluña’s only completely landlocked province, Lérida is known for its Catalan Romanesque churches in the Vall de Boi (awarded a World Heritage Site designation by UNESCO) and natural surroundings that are ideal for adventure sports, including Aigüestortes y Estany de Sant Maurici national park.

Its Pyrenean and pre-Pyrenean landscapes are especially popular with snow sports enthusiasts, and the province also offers excellent opportunities for birdwatching and rural tourism. Local culinary specialities bearing the Designation of Origin label include olive oil, cheese and pears.

Roman aquaduct in Tarragona
Photo by bnbn from FreeImages

Tarragona

The coastline of Tarragona province is closely identified with the Costa Dorada tourist brand, while the actual capital city is home to another one of Cataluña’s stunning UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Tárraco archaeological ensemble – the oldest Roman settlement on the Iberian Peninsula.

Tarragona’s gastronomic attractions are highlighted by a range of wine-related activities, especially along the Penedés Wine and Cava Route. At numerous culinary festivals throughout the year, visitors can enjoy specialities such as calçotada (grilled spring onions) and xató (cod and escarole salad).

Cala S'Alguer on the Costa Brava
Photo by Marc Garrido i Puig from FreeImages

Girona

Girona province’s exceptional beaches are part of the Costa Brava, including such internationally renowned resorts as Tossa de Mar, Cadaqués and Portlligat. The coastal landscape is also highlighted by Aigüamolls de L’Empordà and Cap de Creus nature reserves and the La Garrotxa volcanic area. Its northern borders are in the Catalan Pyrenees, with top ski resorts for snow tourism.

The province has three of surrealist painter Salvador Dalí’s most representative museums: Portlligat House-Museum, Púbol Castle and Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres. Main features of the local gastronomy include produce from fertile farmlands in the Empordá region and seafood from towns such as Palamós.

Primary Sidebar

Bargain car hire - Best value car hire at Barcelona Airport

We have the best selection of great-value car hire optiond at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport. Find your ideal car hire deal today:



Compare car hire at Barcelona Airport - Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar and more

Search for more Barcelona Airport Car Hire options.

Need to hire a car?

Our car hire search engine finds you the best deals at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport.

Search for cars now...

Footer

Passenger Information

Arrivals
Departures
Check-In
Transfers
Transportation

Airport Information

Coffee Shops
Restaurants
Shopping
Disabled Facilities
Parking
Map

Site Information

Contact Us
Car Hire
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Advertise With Us

Copyright © 2023 · Business Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in