The Grand Tour experience in Spain takes a traveller through some of Catalonia’s most stunning spots on a journey that passes through its mountainous interior and along its lush coastal shores, stopping off to enjoy tasty treats that’s made this region famous.
Catalonia provides stunning settings throughout this epic road trip and is home to some of the country’s best gastronomic offerings.
The region of Catalonia is even set to become the first territory in Europe to hold the World Region of Gastronomy award in 2025, further highlighting the impressive and rich variety the holiday hotspot also offers.
For the ultimate gastronomic Grand Tour thrill seekers, the journey begins in Barcelona – the Catalan capital and the culinary heart of the region.
The journey takes you inland as you head west towards Catalonia’s largest wine region, the Penedès with a journey west to the city of Valls.
Here is where the Castell Museum belongs offering travellers a rare insight into yesteryear with the area’s famous castells, which are human towers that have been declared a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The first stage of the Grand Tour experience is in the historic city of Tarragona or Reus – the birthplace of the architect Antoni Gaudí who is known as the greatest exponent of Catalan Modernism.
From Reus, a journey north west is next on the agenda to the next wine region of Priorat, a region recognised internationally for its mouth-watering full-bodied reds.
There are a number of options at this spot with either following the route south to drive to Costa Daurada offering golden beaches along the strip of Mediterranean coastline with a visit at the Delta de l’Ebre nature reserve also available.
The northern city of Lleida is next on the travel agenda featuring a Gothic-Romanesque cathedral with covered markets scattered throughout selling local produce that’s been awarded a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) label – including the region’s olive oil and sweet pears.
Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici is found after a northwards drive and is Catalonia’s only national park offering views of its numerous stunning lakes and rivers.
The village of La Seu d’Urgell is highly recommended, particularly among cheese lovers as the region is famed for its PDO Pyrenean cheeses.
An eastern drive then takes you towards the Costa Brava and Figueres – the hometown of the famous surrealist painter Salvador Dalí’.
The journey then takes you along the coast, passing through the wine region of Empordà before reaching Roses.
Here in this coastal village you can find a plethora of Michelin-starred and fine-dining hot spots, offering only the best with a number of wineries nearby too.
The region of Costa Brava is like being in an Italian postcard featuring fishing ports, apple orchards and picturesque botanical gardens.
The final leg on this one of a kind gastronomical journey is in the medieval town of Vic, home to some of the most delicious sausages around before heading back to the original spot of Barcelona.