Reus is the capital of Baix Camp in the province of Catalonia, and its train station is the perfect starting point for a tour of Catalonia, with easy train links to Barcelona, Girona and Tarragona. Being one of the largest and most populous regions of Spain, Catalonia is a cultural treasure trove with countless places to go and things to see – from the beautiful golden coast to the huge city of Barcelona.
Here’s a list of places below that we think are unmissable when planning your trip to the region, which we think are some of the top things to do in Catalonia in general.
10 Places To Visit – In And Around Reus / Catalonia
Gaudi Centre
Reus is perhaps most famous for being the birthplace of modernist architect Antoni Gaudi, a pioneer of the Modernista movement and architect of the iconic La Sagrada Familia. The Gaudi Centre, officially opened back in 2007, is an interactive museum that exhibits many of Gaudi’s artworks and also many of his models and drafts detailing his architectural process.
Basilica de la Sagrada Familia (Barcelona)
Initially designed as a standard Gothic building, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona was taken over by Gaudi as the lead architect when the original, Francisco de Paula del Villar, died partway through construction. Gaudi then transformed the construction into an imposing cathedral, blending the Gothic style with Art Nouveau influences to create a hybrid unlike anything seen before. Truly a sight to behold, the Sagrada Familia is widely considered as Gaudi’s magnum opus, and Gaudi himself is actually buried within the tomb there that he designed. Despite construction starting almost a century and a half ago, the Sagrada Familia still remains unfinished today, with ten more spires due to be constructed within the next couple decades, each representing an important Biblical figure.
PortAventura World
PortAventura World is a huge entertainment resort and theme park in Salou, with very easy transport links from both Reus and Barcelona. Being the largest theme park in Spain, and the biggest resort in the south of Europe, you could spend an entire week there and not run out of things to do. The main PortAventura park offers the bulk of attractions, and features six themed areas based on civilizations – the Mediterranean, the Wild West, Mexico, China, Polynesia, and the decidedly non-civilization based Sesame Street, with each area offering their own plethora of rides and attractions. Other parks though include the Caribe Aquatic Park, PortAventura’s adjacent water park, and also Ferrari Land, which opened quite recently in 2017.
Pyrenees and Andorra
A great spot for skiing, the Pyrenees mountain range straddles the border between Spain and France, blocking the Iberian peninsula from the rest of mainland Europe, with the historic microstate of Andorra nestled between the borders. There are too many ski resorts to name on either side of the border, with Andorra specifically home to a lot of more gentle slopes which are ideal for families and amateurs. You also can’t discount Andorra’s duty free status, which itself attracts a lot of people as you may imagine!
If you’re looking for specialist car hire services in Andorra, we offer ski car hire in Andorra for the adventurous among you.
Tibidabo Amusement Centre
Located on top of a mountain on the outskirts of Barcelona, the Tibidabo Amusement Park is a small fairground attraction boasting magnificent views of the city – particularly from the top of the ferris wheel! A far cry from the thrills of PortAventura World, Tibidabo offers a much more relaxing and charming experience – beginning with a quaint tram ride to the top of the mountain, with glimpses of the sprawling city below along the way. Built in 1889, this is one of Europe’s oldest amusement parks and offers an enjoyable day out for all ages.
Girona Cathedral
Girona Cathedral strikes an imposing figure over the city over the city of Girona, with a very recognisable Baroque façade that has appeared in countless films and tv shows – one of the most recent ones being in Game of Thrones. Originally built in the 11th century on the site of a rudimentary church, the cathedral has since seen many additions and alterations incorporating many different building styles. It still retains the original Romanesque tower and cloister from the 11th century, it has the largest Gothic nave in the world from the 15th century, and of course the iconic Baroque facade from the 17th century.
The Roman ruins of Tarragona
Tarragona, known originally as Tarraco to the ancient Romans, is home to a whole host of ancient Roman ruins to visit, and is the oldest Roman settlement on the Iberian Peninsula. Most famously is the ancient Tarragona Amphitheatre on a beautiful spot overlooking the Mediterranean, originally used for public executions and gladiatorial combat, eventually becoming a Visigothic church and even a prison before being unearthed again back in the 50’s. Also worth a visit is the Praetorium, the Roman Circus, the ancient walls and the Arch of Sura – to name just a few of the 13 protected World Heritage sites.
Levante Beach – Benidorm
Levante Beach is possibly the best-known beach in Europe – if you haven’t heard of it you’d certainly recognise it by the photos! Stretching 2km of golden sand along the coastline of Benidorm, Levant Beach is the perfect spot for sunbathing, facing the sun all day due to its orientation. And if that’s not your style there’s also the promenade full of bars, restaurants and amusements for entertainment too.
The Lake of Banyoles
The Lake of Banyoles, named after the nearby town, is the largest natural lake in Catalonia and a great day out for those looking for a more rustic experience. There’s a surprising amount to do – lots of local trails for hiking, the lake itself is well stocked for fishing, and you could even spend the afternoon on a boat cruise around the lake! It’s also a famous spot for rowing – hosting multiple rowing championships, including the ’92 Barcelona Olympics. Be careful though – there’s a local legend of a cryptid known as the Banyoles Monster, said to be a dragon that lives in the lake!
The Dali Theatre and Museum
The Dali Theatre and Museum is a museum dedicated to and designed by Salvador Dali, and is a work of surrealism itself – with the building crowned by a number of giant eggs. Situated in his hometown of Figueres, the museum is built around the town theatre that Dali loved as a child, and was also the site of his very first exhibitions. There’s a huge collection here to see, including many of his personal works, sculptures and even a few interactive exhibits.
Of course this list is far from exhaustive – this could’ve been quite easily have been 20 places! And if you need any help getting around we have plenty of car rental options available for travelling from Reus Train Station – just contact us at [email protected] or call us on +44 (0) 113 880 0748.
If you’re coming into Reus by plane then we can also assist you with car hire at Reus Airport so don’t miss out on that too.
The post Travelling from Reus Train Station? Here are 10 Places to Visit in Catalonia appeared first on Indigo Car Hire.
