Coastal comarques
Baix Penedès. The Baix Penedès is the first county to be encountered on arriving from Barcelona: it borders the Mediterranean for 12 km and is made up of 14 municipalities spread over 264 km² of territory dotted with dwarf palm and carob trees, as well as vineyards. Its capital is the town of El Vendrell, which, like Cunit and Calafell, has long had a tradition of fishing and trade, now replaced by construction and services. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/TurismeBaixPenedes
Tarragonès. Formed by 22 municipalities, Tarragonès refers to a geographical area of 345 km² between the Baix Penedès in the north and the Baix Camp in the south, surrounding the city of Tarragona, which is the capital along with the province of Tarragona. Heavily industrialized since the 1960s, spearheaded by a petrochemical complex, it derives much of its income from tourism: the ancient Tarraco, but also the villages of Altafulla, Salou and PortAventura World are the main attractions. More information at www.tarragonaturisme.cat and www.costadaurada.inf
Baix Camp. Located south of Tarragona and covering an area of 695 km², Baix Camp is the largest county on the Costa Daurada and is home to 28 municipalities. Its capital is Reus, a tourist center of the first order due to its architectural wealth. Other towns of tourist interest include Cambrils, L'Hospitalet de l'Infant and Montroig. More information on www.muntanyescostadaurada.cat
Baix Ebre. The Baix Ebre county covers more than 900 km² of territory with striking contrasts, and is made up of 14 towns. In the heart of this territory, the Ebro, the most powerful river in the Iberian Peninsula, curves from north to south to flow into the Mediterranean Sea, forming one of the most important aquatic habitats in the Western Mediterranean. The area is therefore ideal for kayaking, a popular activity in the region. The Natural Park of the Ebro Delta and its endless rice fields offers visitors amazing landscapes suitable for many activities. Between the coastal plain and the singular reliefs of the Els Ports mountain range, Tortosa, capital of the Baix Ebre county, preserves a breathtaking architectural ensemble. More information at www.baixebre.cat.
Montsià. Between the sea and the mountains, Montsià is located in the southernmost part of Catalonia, in the southernmost part of the Terres de L'Ebre, in a territory of 735 km² divided into 12 municipalities. To the north, the region shares its borders with the Baix Ebre. Amposta, capital of the county, lies at the gateway to the rice fields of the Ebro Delta, a wetland with exceptional flora and fauna. The Montsià mountain range borders the coast of the delta as far as Alcanar, a charming fishing village. The interior offers superb views of agricultural plains dotted with olive, almond and citrus trees, reflecting this deeply agricultural region. More information on www.montsia.cat
Inland counties
Alt Camp. The Alt Camp, which spreads its 548 km² between the Conca de Barbera and the Baix Penedès, is formed by 23 municipalities. For a long time it was exclusively agricultural, but its economy has gradually diversified due to the establishment of industrial areas around Valls, the capital of the county and the cradle of the world of castles, where you will discover many architectural curiosities. Not far from the river Gaià stands the Cistercian monastery of Santes Creus, a must-see. More information at www.facebook.com/turismealtcam
Conca de Barberà. The 501 square kilometers of the Conca de Barberà county are located inland, north of Tarragona, and include 22 municipalities. The area is deeply agricultural and is famous for its wines, oil and cereals, but also for its long tradition of metalworking. Its main tourist attraction is without a doubt the monumental complex of Montblanc, the county's capital, surrounded by medieval walls. Also worth mentioning is the Cistercian monastery of Poblet, classified by Unesco. More information on www.concaturisme.cat
Priorat. Priorat, with a surface area of 517 km² and 23 municipalities, is the most southern county of the Costa Daurada, located in a natural basin surrounded by mountainous massifs. It covers two renowned wine regions and its main resources are the production and trade of wine. We will certainly visit Falset, capital of the Priorat, for its medieval buildings, the Carthusian monastery of Escaladei, the aerial village of Siurana, not forgetting to make stops in the many picturesque villages of the area. More information on www.turismepriorat.org
Ribera d'Ebre. At the northern end of Terres de l'Ebre, the county of Ribera d'Ebre, a haven for green tourism, stretches over an area of 826 km² of diverse landscapes dotted with 14 towns. The Ebro River, which offers numerous possibilities for activities, cuts through this territory from north to south, from Riba-Roja to Miravet, famous for its Templar remains. Móra d'Ebre, capital of the county, crystallizes the history and legends of this strategic enclave. With a tradition of agriculture, the region made it one of the pillars of its economy before turning to the energy industry at the beginning of the 20th century. But the cultivation of fruit trees still shapes the horizons of the Ebro, while vineyards and olive groves cover the more arid lands of the interior. More information on www.turismeriberaebre.org
Terra Alta. Composed of 12 municipalities, Terra Alta is spread over 743 km² of territory, on the borders of the community of Aragon. This agricultural region is dominated by the mountainous massifs of Els Ports, declared a natural park, a popular playground for nature lovers. The county capital, Gandesa, preserves one of the most beautiful examples of "wine cathedral", which, together with that of El Pinell de Brai, illustrates the richness of this wine-producing land, producer of excellent wines. At the entrance to Els Ports, the picturesque landscapes of Horta were made famous by Picasso, who stayed there twice. More information on www.terra-alta.org
