Located in Catalonia, Costa Daurada is a 216-kilometre long coastal strip that borders the Mediterranean Sea. It is a privileged place for many holidaymakers who wish to enjoy its beautiful beaches and mild climate. It is also a region animated by dynamic cities and the vast natural landscape located between the coast and the mountains is full of charming villages and farms surrounded by olive trees and vineyards. It is also necessary to count on a large number of establishments that offer to recharge their batteries and take care of themselves, especially since the region is crossed by medicinal mineral waters. Shopping, culture, wine tourism and fitness await travellers who wish to travel to the region in the mild autumn.

Costa Daurada for culture and shopping

On the Costa Daurada, there are two cities that are worth a visit, both for their architectural heritage and dense cultural programme, as well as for the opportunity to indulge in joyful moments of shopping. In Tarragona, you have to start by experiencing the experience of getting lost in the colourful alleys of the old city. There are a large number of designer shops where it is pleasant to stop. Then we give way to a visit to an exceptional monument: Tarragona Cathedral. It is the largest cathedral in Catalonia and perfectly marks the transition from Romanesque to Gothic art. We also take the opportunity to venture out to the cloister and the diocesan museum once on site. Place to the Roman archaeological complex of Tarragona. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is an opportunity to see the walls surrounding the old town, the ruins of the Roman circus, the archaeological passage, the Pretorium Tower and the high point, and the amphitheatre overlooking the sea. Among the other places to stroll around the city, Rambla Nova, a lively place from morning to night where you can shop, stop in front of the giant sculpture of the Castellers and finish with a good meal in a restaurant. To digest, what could be better than to then join the Balcony of the Mediterranean, which offers an unobstructed view of the sea and the beautiful beach of Le Miracle

Located only 15 minutes by car from Tarragona, Reus is a picturesque Catalan city, another jewel to be discovered. You can visit ancient monuments such as the 16th century Saint-Pierre priory, Bofarull Palace and the Fortuny Theatre. What also appeals to Reus is the way in which it is marked by modernist architecture, with more than 80 buildings built by famous artists. It is thus necessary to pass through Casa Rull, Casa Gasull or Casa Navas. Antoni Gaudí, certainly the most famous of Catalan architects, was born in Reus. So it goes without saying that when passing through the city, it is recommended to follow the itinerary dedicated to this great character. We discover his native house, the church where he was baptized and the Gaudí Centre, a museum entirely dedicated to his works. In addition to its cultural visits, Reus is also a renowned place for shopping, with a large pedestrian zone in the city centre where you can find traditional century-old Catalan shops and shops of famous brands from all over the world. This will make you want to stop in a small café to enjoy Reus' famous vermouth.

A remarkable territory for wine tourism

The Costa Daurada has a wide variety of vineyard landscapes, a territory that is ideal for wine tourism. It contains 7 PDOs, with a large part of its territory included in the Cava appellation of origin. The vines found in the plains of Penedès and Camp de Tarragona contrast sharply with those, almost a century old, grown on the sloping slopes of the Sierra de Montsant or the Priorat terraces. It is in the heart of a real agricultural mosaic that we stroll around since we must also add the more hilly landscapes of the Conca de Barberà and the Terra Alta. In the middle of this nature dedicated to wine culture, there are millenary and silent villages where it is good to stop. Then, for the tastings, we head towards the Cathedrals of Wine, small wonders of wine architecture, modernists, which were created at the beginning of the 20th century. One example is the agricultural cooperative in Nulles, built by the architect Cèsar Martinell, a disciple of Gaudí. This imposing building, made of bricks and stones, reveals the desire that has developed over time to transform the cellars into a space worthy of admiration for those interested in this field

A region conducive to fitness

At that time, the Romans understood that Catalonia, bordered by the sea and sunny region for a large part of the year, was favourable to the development of thermalism. There were thermal baths everywhere. Today, this ancestral translation continues and Costa Daurada has become a welcoming place for all those who wish to recharge their batteries and take care of themselves, with a large number of establishments dedicated to thalassotherapy. In the village of El Vendrell, the thermal waters of the Coma-ruga pond, which originate in the limestone rocks of the Bonastres massif, have stimulating and analgesic properties. This space is open to the public and offers a relaxing experience in a water that gushes out at the surface at a constant temperature between 18°C and 21°C. There are two interesting establishments dedicated to thalasso in the area: Le Méridien Ra Beach Hotel & Spa, which uses medicinal mineral spring water directly, and Balneario Playa de Coma-Ruga, which uses a mixture of thermal water and seawater in its fitness practices. Close to El Vendrell and between two treatments, you can also enjoy a cultural escape in the wonderful Villa Casals Museum, an incredible place to immerse yourself in the life and work of Pau Casals, one of the greatest cellists of all time

Many other municipalities in the area are home to great fitness spots. In Vila-seca, you shouldn't miss the Grand Palas Experience or the Aquum Spa & Wellness, exceptional establishments with large Spa areas and a whole range of treatments designed to relieve the body and mind

Further inland, why not join the Aquatonic Termes Montbrió to stay in the middle of an exceptional setting, surrounded by century-old trees and a soothing garden. Not far away, in Mont-roig del Camp, there is a cultural place not to be missed under any pretext and which delights art lovers: the Mas Miró Foundation, the imposing house that served as the artist's studio for the creation of some of his most beautiful works. In the municipality, the itinerary called "Miró's Emotional Landscape" takes you to different points of view that have served as a model for the creation of several paintings.

Finally, it is worth mentioning two other remarkable establishments, each of which offers a unique atmosphere. Hotel Mas Passamaner de la Selva del Camp, which offers an exceptional setting, with rooms and a Spa located in a 5-star location inspired by modernist architecture so prevalent in Catalonia, as in Reus. And Hotel Balneari in Vallfogona de Riucorb, a beautiful building dating from 1901 located in the middle of a large park, which also uses medicinal waters for the well-being of each visitor.

For more information, visit the official Costa Daurada website, Facebook and Instagram