1st March 2022 | Cork Talk | 5 minute read
Tapas, a glass of wine in hand, and the Spanish sun on your face – nothing screams ‘holiday mode’ quite like it! Whether you’re drawn to the pretty pastel mosaics and grandiose architecture of Barcelona, or you prefer a peaceful meander along the coast, the northeast corner of Spain (known as Catalunya) has breath-taking views aplenty, along with exceptionable wine and cuisine.
Catalunya (also known as Catalonia) is the wine region that surrounds Barcelona and runs along the popular stretch of Mediterranean coastline us Brits love to visit. It is also where 95% of all of Spain’s Cava is produced – so it’s a big player on the wine scene too. With a little help from our friends at Canvas Holidays, we’ve put together the ultimate wine destinations in Catalunya for wine lovers to visit, with tips on beautiful sites to check out and luxury camping spots that are just a stone’s throw away.
There’s nothing quite like staying in the heart of Spain’s most colourful city. Barcelona is full of character, awesome architecture and vibrant scenery to explore – from the distinctive Gaudí buildings dotted throughout the city, to the enchanting Gothic Quarter, the glorious palm tree-lined beach, the glamourous harbour and the craggy Montserrat mountains that overlook the city.
A wine lover in Barcelona is never short of opportunities to sample incredible local vino! A great place to start is by heading into the cobbled streets of the Gothic Quarter to enjoy tapas and wine in one of the many fabulous restaurants. On the beach, you have plenty of bars and restaurants where you can explore new wines by the sea, while up in the mountains you can visit vineyards and wineries that offer wine tasting tours overlooking the breath-taking Barcelona province from above.
Based in Sitges, only a short drive away from Barcelona city centre, is Campsite Garrofer, where you can unwind by an outdoor pool surrounded by pine forests and palm trees. An oasis of calm that’s not too far from the bright lights of the city.
Just southwest of Barcelona we have the blissful coastal region of Costa Dorada – which means ‘Golden Coast’ in English. This strip of Mediterranean coastline is a truly dreamy destination for sun-seekers, home to spacious sandy beaches and stunning natural beauty spots such as the Mont Rebei Canyon that holidaymakers can explore at their leisure. This part of Catalunya is a great area to stay, for its wonderful scenery alone – plus, it’s less than a couple of hours from Barcelona, so you’re never too far from the delights of the big city either.
The wine scene in Costa Dorada is thriving, and (as you can imagine) the sun-soaked vineyards are just as beautiful as the wines! The area is known for its outstanding white wine and Cava, and you can easily find wine tours and sparkling wine tastings to indulge in while you holiday here. Wineries along the Golden Coast are often called Wine Cathedrals, so you know you’re in for a real treat when you embark on one of these tours!
For Costa Dorado, our top pick is Campsite Playa Montroig for its wealth of amenities including a wellness centre that offers massages and beauty treatments, and its close proximity to Barcelona and the ancient port city of Tarragona. The idea of a beach side massage followed by a dip in the sea sounds like absolute bliss!
If you like the idea of staying in a city but you’ve done Barcelona before, then consider the ancient port city of Tarragona. Offering awe-inspiring Roman remains and sensational Spanish cuisine, this is a great city to base yourself in if you love your history as much as you love your wine and food. Here you’ll find ruins from the Roman colony of Tarraco, including remains of the old city wall that once surrounded the Old Town, a Necropolis containing Roman tombs and a 2nd century Roman arena overlooking the aqua blue Mediterranean Sea.
Being a Spanish DOP (Denominaciones de Origen Protegida), Tarragona is obviously big on wine, producing crisp Cava and refreshing rosado (Spanish rosé) that pairs wonderfully with local freshly caught seafood, as well as producing many impressive reds. With plenty of nice bars serving local vino and a thriving culinary scene, this historic gem has so much to offer any wine lover who visits.
The five star Campsite Park Playa Bara resort is a 15 minute bus journey from the old town of Tarragona. It’s very well connected, and is our top pick for its high rating. You’ll find everything you need and more, including an open air amphitheatre where entertainment is put on for guests until midnight.
Sunny Costa Brava is another coastal region of Catalunya, and hugely popular holiday destination. Stretching 160 kilometres of rugged coastline, it boasts small peaceful beaches, stony cliffs, hidden coves and tranquil ocean views. Also known as the ‘Wild Rugged Coast’, Costa Brava feels untouched and quiet, with a charming fishing village feel despite its vast size. So, if a relaxing break with daily beach trips is more your kind of thing than sightseeing, then Costa Brava is the area for you.
With over 400 winemakers based in the Empordà DOP area where Costa Brava is located, you’re sure to find plenty of wineries offering wine tastings and vineyard tours. In this pocket of Spain, wine is enjoyed with most meals, so it’s no surprise that food pairing wine experiences are popular here too.
For Costa Brava, it’s got to be Campsite Bella Terra, which offers multiple swimming pools and is only a few metres away from the warm waters of the Mediterranean. Another bonus is that this luxury campsite is only an hour from Barcelona, so a day trip to the famous city is easily doable from this relaxing resort.
