The charming capital of Catalonia is a true tourist paradise. One of the most impressive places in Europe, falling in love at first sight, remains forever in the hearts of admiring tourists. Romantic, daring, headstrong, Barcelona is a holiday city with a great vibe.
However, the suburbs, located a few hours away, are of great interest to travelers seeking to get to know as many sights as possible. And the beauty of the picturesque landscapes of unexplored surroundings, where you can get out for a few days, freezes the spirit.
A paradise on the Costa del Maresme
Delightful Alella, tucked away among olive groves and fragrant vineyards, is an elite suburb of Barcelona. Peaceful resort on the Costadel Maresme, is a democratic town that is ideal for fans of both relaxing and active holidays. Alella will appeal to those people who dream of living in a quiet place. Located a few hours drive from the Catalan capital, this paradise is famous for its mild Mediterranean climate, stunningly beautiful bays, and delicious white wine of the same brand. Centuries ago, a small settlement provided the Roman Empire with olive oil, seafood and grapes.
The verdant city of approximately 10,000 people provides plenty of opportunities to relax on luxurious beaches that have received international awards for water quality. A tiny and incredibly cozy resort, which has become very attractive for European tourists, boasts not only amazing landscapes. The main architectural attraction is the ancient church of Sant Feliu, built in the 12th century. A visit to the Wine Museum, where every visitor can taste the best wines of Catalonia, is a must-see in the tourist program.
Colorful Girona
Wonderful Girona, allowing you to get to know Catalonia more closely outside its administrative center, is located 100 kilometers from Barcelona. The suburb, which is the capital of the province of the same name, is a colorful resort where time seems to have stopped. The city stone walls seem to be saturated with the spirit of the Middle Ages, and walks along the narrowcobbled streets that form intricate labyrinths - this is a fascinating journey into past eras.
Little Girona is best explored on foot, because that's how you can enjoy its romance and discover a lot of new things. Girona (Gerona), nicknamed the "immortal city" for having successfully withstood many enemy sieges, is a transit base for vacationers hurrying to the Costa Brava resorts. It is from the international airport of the city that you can get on a Schengen visa to France.
Historical and architectural monuments
For a long time was under the rule of different empires famous for its rich history suburb of Barcelona. The sights reflecting its political, cultural and religious life arouse genuine interest of foreign guests. The main monuments of antiquity are located in the Old part of Girona, where you can see the majestic Gothic cathedral, ancient Arab baths, the chapel of St. Nicholas, a powerful fortress built by the Romans, the Jewish quarter. Well-preserved fortress walls, which are not forbidden to walk along, are recognized as a symbol of the ancient settlement, and from their height a breathtaking view of the resort opens up.
The most picturesque place, according to vacationers, is the embankment of the Onyar River, which divides the city into historical and modern parts. Multi-colored facades of multi-storey buildings, literally breaking off to the river, are one big wall, which is recognized as the hallmark of Girona.
Interesting placesthere is a lot here, and tourists, slowly strolling around the city, appreciate its amazing flavor. It is best to come here at least for a week, because in a short stay in one of the best suburbs of Barcelona, vacationers will not get the full impression of the cultural and economic center of Catalonia.
Trendy resort of Sitges
A bustling, top 10 resort in Europe was once a quiet fishing village that sprang up on the Costa del Garraf. However, already in the middle of the last century, an unremarkable place turned into the "Spanish Saint-Tropez", the prices in which are much higher than in the capital itself. In the famous suburb of Barcelona, located 40 kilometers from the Catalan capital, life is in full swing. Sitges, which has managed to retain the charm of a Catalan village, welcomes we althy tourists from all over the world all year round.
Relaxed holidays on the beaches
With more than 300 days of sunshine a year and temperatures of 28 oC, Sitges is a wonderful beach destination. The suburb of Barcelona has become famous all over the world for its beautiful sandy beaches, which are kept in perfect cleanliness and comply with environmental standards. Above them flutter blue flags - a kind of certificate of quality, marking the corners suitable for safe swimming.
The most popular is St. Sebastian beach, suitable for the whole family and has a peaceful atmosphere. Playa de la Ribera is big and livelywhere there is always a lot of people, Playa de Terramar will appeal to those who seek solitude, and the most beautiful is considered to be Playa d'Aiguadols, located against the backdrop of the majestic mountains.
A fun town
For tourists who have enjoyed a lot of beach holidays, fun outdoor activities are organized. One after another, colorful carnivals take place, flower, folklore, music festivals are replaced by theme parties, and the music does not stop at the discos held on the beaches. Although Sitges is a lively city, it is easy to find secluded places where you can spend a romantic evening or enjoy contemplation of wonderful views.
It is worth noting that holidays in Sitges are popular among people of non-traditional sexual orientation, and this fact must be taken into account when planning a future trip. Many clubs are labeled gay, and it's up to tourists to decide whether to avoid or go to these clubs.
Popular resorts around the Catalan capital
Those who dream of a beach holiday in the suburbs of Barcelona can be advised to go to Tarragona. At the famous resort, considered the best place for a family vacation, the coastline stretches for 15 kilometers. And even in summer, at the height of the season, guests will find secluded corners. Sandy beaches with a gentle entrance to the sea and a clean coastline are the main advantages of the tourist center.
Santa Susanna, standing on a high hill, will also delight lovers of sunbathingand swim. The three-kilometer fine sand beach will pleasantly surprise even discerning tourists who want to experience the spirit of authentic Spain.
According to vacationers, the most beautiful on the coast is the resort of Tossa de Mar, immersed in emerald greenery and sung by poets. From the windows of the comfortable rooms of numerous hotels offer a wonderful view of the sea. The suburb of Barcelona is located in a cozy bay, where the cliffs form mysterious grottoes. This is a real haven for all romantics and lovers. A lot of vacationers gather on three sandy beaches, but lovers of loneliness can hire glass-bottomed boats and go towards the sea bays to enjoy their amazing beauty.
Catalan pearl
Another former fishing village turned little gem of Catalonia is the sunny resort of Sant Pol de Mar. The settlement, founded in the Middle Ages, began to grow and develop rapidly, and now travelers flock here to combine relaxation on the beach with exploring local attractions. The best place to stay for a few days to get to know all the monuments, the suburb of Barcelona is so small that its inhabitants know each other by sight. A delightful corner with clean air seems to be created for relaxation and peace away from the noise of megacities.
Located in the hills, next to the monastery of the same name, San Pol de Mar is located on the coast of the Mediterraneanseas. Colorful fishing boats on the beach, snow-white houses decorated with intricate Gaudi-style mosaics evoke a feeling of quiet happiness.
Architectural Monuments
The curious sights of the resort, part of the province of Barcelona, leave no one indifferent. What to see in the suburbs of Barcelona? The main religious monument is one of the oldest Christian churches in Europe, which looks very unusual due to the fact that over the course of several centuries changes were made to its architecture. The Church of St. Pablo, distinguished by the imposition of one style on another, is recognized as the official symbol of Sant Pol de Mar and is included in the list of cultural heritage not only of Catalonia, but of all of Spain.
No less curious for tourists is the Catholic Cathedral of St. Jaume, which keeps a wooden statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary. Appeared in the 16th century, it is made in the Gothic style.
Next to the monastery founded by the Benedictines and giving the name to the settlement, there is a stone hut of St. Pablo, in which hermit monks still live.
Cultural Treasure of Spain
A small town, which can be reached by car from the administrative center of Catalonia in just an hour, tourists will bypass in one day. Once a defensive fortress, Spain's medieval treasure is now a veritable open-air museum. Besalu, which has retained its unusual medieval beauty, was founded by the courageous Romans, but the exact date of the founding of the suburb of Barcelona is still unknown. City,having grown from a powerful citadel that protected the borders of the reclaimed lands, it makes an indelible impression on travelers. Narrow streets, gray houses, ancient stone bridges look like colorful scenery for the film.
The historic center of Besalu houses a rich collection of Romanesque buildings. The modern layout is significantly different from the original, but the most important sights are perfectly preserved. Descendants can see the ancient church of the monastic order of St. Peter and St. Julius, a hospital for pilgrims founded by monks and Jewish baths. True, guests of the city will get into the ritual baths only by prior order. The cultural heritage of the country is included in the excursion route "The Road of the Romanesque Art of Catalonia".
Textile Center of Spain
Tarras, an industrial suburb of Barcelona, is located 16 kilometers from the capital. This is a major textile center of the country, where about 150 thousand people live. It is known that the settlement was founded by Roman soldiers, and it has always had an important political significance. The main evidence of medieval power is the castle of Vallparadis, which now houses the city museum. And the amazing architectural ensemble, consisting of three Catholic churches dedicated to St. Peter, is admired by travelers.
The Church of St. Michael surprises with an unusual synthesis of ancient Gothic architecture and Spanish Gothic,and his frescoes, which have not lost their brightness, are legendary. Tarrasa is famous for its beautiful terrace with an openwork dome, a snow-white house with high arches, a monument to K. Malevich, a high medieval bridge, and an unfinished castle, where you can see elements of all architectural styles.
Barcelona suburbs: where is the best place to live?
Catalonia is a developed region of Spain, which is distinguished not only by its rich historical and cultural heritage, but also by a high level of security and service. It is no coincidence that many Russians dream of real estate in an industrial region. Those who prefer to lead a measured and calm life can buy a house in the suburbs, 20-50 kilometers from Barcelona for a rather modest amount. The outskirts of the Catalan capital are distinguished by a developed infrastructure, and you can get to it in just one hour.
Property prices in the vicinity of the administrative center are much lower than in the city, so buyers will have money to design and design future housing. Houses on the Costa del Garraf are in high demand and not available to everyone, but the coastal area of the Costa del Maresme is an ideal place for those who want to buy land here. Suggestions include eco-friendly suburbs such as Ruby, which is a fusion of ancient and modern, the tiny tourist center of Mataro, the beach town of Castelldefels, the family paradise of San Cugat del Vallès, Hospitalet de Llobregat, suitable for people on a modest budget, Manresa and Badalona with very low real estate prices.
Reviews from vacationers
Howsay tourists, the suburbs of Barcelona are not much inferior in importance to the Catalan capital. There are many places worth visiting in its vicinity, where you can get out for a pleasant pastime on the beaches or sightseeing.
Most of the time, guests swim and sunbathe, not forgetting the monuments that reflect the rich history of settlements and cities. Cozy little pieces of Catalonia have a unique atmosphere, leaving a lasting impression. And it is not surprising that among the travelers who have visited the metropolitan suburbs, there are many who decide to stay here forever.
