“A country’s cuisine is its landscape in a pot,” goes the quote attributed to Catalan, Josep Pla. With that in mind, it’s no wonder that the food of the Costa Dorada, with its long, golden coastline, is so intrinsically linked to the bounty of the Mediterranean Sea. However, this cuisine is much more than a coastal one, it’s a Catalan one, and Catalonia extends far beyond the shorelines of towns like Tarragona and Salou.
Although the region has 350km of coastline, it extends out towards the Pyrenees Mountains and France in the north, which hem in a vast agricultural interior and wide stretches of farmland creating a style of cooking that is distinctly Catalan: The mar i muntanya (sea and mountains) or the dolç i salat (sweet and savory) cooked together in one recipe. This manifests in unique local dishes such as cuttlefish and meatballs, squid stuffed with pork, or chicken and langoustine served on the same plate.
There’s every reason for Catalonia to have a cuisine that sets it apart from the rest of Spain because this isn’t Spain. Although many people recognise the language as the thing that sets Catalonia apart, this is a region of 7.5 million inhabitants that has had its own history, culture, and traditions for almost a thousand years.
Since the 12th century, when the principality of Catalunya had been in a union with the medieval kingdom of Aragon, its identity was shaped by the people that came and went. At the time, they controlled a vast swath of the western Mediterranean and as such, the cuisine has long been rooted in elements of its Greek, Roman, and Arab past.
Although the Catalans suffered stringent cultural repression during the dictatorship of Francisco Franco (1939-1975), food was always a constant, even when other aspects of the people’s heritage were prohibited, such as using their language in public spaces. After Franco died in 1975, the region’s culture began to reemerge and has continued to evolve, taking on the influence of immigrants from as far-reaching places as South America, Africa, and other parts of Europe, adding new layers to Catalan food.
Hearty, traditional Catalan dishes of stews, Cargols a la llauna (often cooked with a rich tomato sauce or stewed with rabbit), Mongetes amb botifarra, or Canelons de carn can be found all over the Costa Dorada, but there is no denying that in this region, seafood is king.
Many of the most traditional seafood dishes were popularised by the fishermen who earned their trade off the coast of towns such as Cambrils and Tarragona; In the old days, when the boats arrived in port, the fishermen would start cooking on deck, throwing some leftover fish on the cooker to turn it into a rossejat (seafood rice simmered in fish stock), a suquet (stew) or a romesco. In fact, it is thought that the famed romesco originated with the fisherman of Tarragona’s El Sarillo neighbourhood.
It was a poor person’s dish. The fishermen spent many hours at sea, without a fridge and they had to make the most of the food they carried with them; Dried bread, a handful of dried fruit that preserved well, wrinkled romesco peppers, and a piece of fish that could not be sold.
Even the luxurious-looking, jet-black arròs negre that is found on menus up and down the coast comes from fisherman aiming to eke out every last bit of worth from their catch, not even wasting the ink from cuttlefish.
The Costa Daurada’s burgeoning culinary scene still embraces these age-old seafood dishes, in both seaside taverns and Michelin-starred restaurants. At the same time, you will find wonderful and unique takes on food from all over Catalonia, from the coast to the mountains via the countryside. The focus is always on using the finest ingredients as a flavorful foundation on which countless dishes are built, Whether that is the fish, vegetables, picada – a paste pounded in a mortar from garlic, parsley, and almonds or hazelnut – or the cheese, oil and stunning Priorat wine that is served alongside the main meal.
Here I have compiled a list of some of the best places to eat traditional dishes on the Costa Dorada, from the coastal towns of Tarragona and Cambrils to the hills of Montsant. While it is not comprehensive, it’s a good starting point for anyone looking to sample Catalan’s rich gastronomical heritage.
Where to Eat & Drink in Tarragona
A vibrant and effervescent port city, Tarragona has a long history that is deeply connected to the Mediterranean Sea. First settled by the Iberians and then Carthaginians, it was later used as an outpost for the Roman Empire as it conquered the peninsula.
Many of the Roman ruins remain. They are visible in the streets and plazas with the modern city built around and on top of them. The seaside amphitheatre and a wonderful museum packed full of mosaics may draw in history buffs, but the atmosphere of the winding, restaurant-lined streets and the smell of fried seafood filling the air means you are likely to stay for longer, just to experience the city’s foodie scene in all its glory.
Barquet Tarragona
In a building that started life as a coal yard, then a siphon bottle filling factory situated next to the gas factory that gave the street it sits on its name – Carrer del Gasòmetre – it eventually was transformed into a bar, Bar Quet, by a woman known as grandmother Angeleta.
Despite being told by a Fisherman early on that her business would go down the drain, it is still running strong. In 1992, Angeleta’s two grandsons took over, converting the bar that, as well as selling coffee and drinks, was also the headquarters of the Tarragona Billiards Club and the Tarragona Gymnastics Club, into one of the city’s finest restaurants.
For three generations, the family have faithfully reproduced Traditional Catalan dishes and under the guidance of current head chef David Solé i Torné, it has earned a coveted place in the Michelin Guide.
Where: Carrer del Gasòmetre, 16, 43001 Tarragona
When: Monday to Saturday 1pm – 3.30pm
El Llagut
Ramon Martí spent much of the 80s and 90s trained in the shadow of some of the finest Michelin-starred chefs in Spain and Germany; first with Jean Louis Neichel (2 Michelin stars) in Barcelona, and then with Jean Claude Bourgueil (3 Michelin stars) in Düsseldorf.
With that kind of prestigious culinary heritage, you may expect his own restaurant – El Llagut, which he opened with his partner Astrid in the Part Alta neighbourhood of Tarragona – to be flamboyant and boundary-pushing. It is anything but that, which it turns out, is a good thing.
Sitting in one of the city’s most traditional squares with tables and parasols filling the pavement, El Llagut gives the impression of a quintessential seafood tavern with dishes to match. The menu consists of traditional, Catalan cuisine such as Arròs negre, a typical dish of black rice and squid, fried whitebait and Arròs mariner.
While the dishes may be simple, Ramon’s craftsmanship shines through. He is a strong proponent of the slow food movement, using only organic, high-quality, local products, with a menu that evolves along with the seasons and his cooking skills manage to take the standard masquetes, zarzuelas and romesco to a culinary pinnacle.
Where: Carrer de Natzaret, 10, 43003 Tarragona
When: Tuesday to Saturday 1pm – 3.30pm & 8.30pm – 10.30pm; Sunday 1pm – 3.30pm
La Xarxa
Featuring in the Michelin Guide for 4 years running, La Xarxa has come a long way since its humble beginnings 20 years ago. What started out as a simple fisherman’s bar in the port district of El Serrallo, just a few metres from the boat-filled harbour, it gained a new lease of life when it was passed from the original owners to their children.
While the restaurant retains much of its original essence, current chef Òscar Donato elevated the menu from traditional Catalan suquets, romescos, and rice dishes to create a modern and innovative à la carte that nods towards Asia with plates containing dumplings and Thai sauces, although the rice remains. One thing to note is that you can always expect quality fish here, as Òscar’s father is a fisherman who will go out each day to bring back a fresh catch.
Where: Carrer de Sant Pere, 38, 43004 Tarragona
When: Tuesday to Saturday 12.45pm – 3.30pm & 7.45pm – 10.45pm; Sunday 12.45pm – 3.30pm
El Pòsit
Sitting by the waterfront in the historic port neighbourhood of El Serrallo, El Posit offers a classic menu of fish, seafood and rice dishes with a strong focus on sustainable, local ingredients. We sampled a selection of starters which included anchovies in homemade hazelnut oil with hazelnuts from Reus P.D.O, candied artichokes with Iberian shavings, and a whole host of fried fish, from calamari to whitebait.
While shellfish and seafood are the focus, I opted for the Roasted Duroc pork ribs with Mediterranean herbs for my main cause: tender, delicious, and a welcome break after 4 days of mostly eating fish.
Where: Moll de Pescadors, 25, 43004 Tarragona
When: Daily 1pm – 4pm & 8pm – 11pm
El Terrat
Tarragona’s best example of modern, fine dining, chef Moha Quach combines his humble Moroccan roots- his father was a fisherman and his grandparents were shepherds – with a love of Catalan cuisine to create dishes that exude Mediterranean multi-culturalism.
There are two tasting menus available (Olivus and Mare Nostrum), plus another called Essencia which is only available for lunch midweek. These include an interesting mix of dishes, from marinated sea bass with liquid leek gnocchi or squid ink ravioli with slow-cooked Iberian cheek to quirky desserts such as Tangerine textures with ginger ice cream and orange blossom water.
Where: Carrer de Pons d’Icart, 19, 43004 Tarragona
When: Sunday to Thursday 1.15pm – 5pm; Friday and Saturday 1.15pm – 5pm and 8.15pm – 10.30pm
Casa Balcells
Nestled up against Tarragona’s stunning Cathedral and partly occupying a medieval palace that gives the restaurant its name, Casa Balcells immerses you in the city’s history while you dine; The basement houses archaeological remains from the Roman period and the dining hall sits within a 17th Century extension of the palace.
Like many other restaurants listed here, the menu is typical of Catalan fare but is done exceptionally well. We enjoyed plates of bravas aubergine with miso mayonnaise and chipotle sauce, Iberian ham croquettes, Andalucian squid and panko-crusted chicken, all complemented by a wonderful view of the Cathedral’s facade from our table on the first floor.
Where: Pla de la Seu, 5, 43003 Tarragona
When: Daily 12pm – 12am
Where to Eat & Drink in Reus
For such a small city, Reus has a thriving gastronomic scene with a rich heritage that is closely linked to tradition and local produce. This can be seen by taking a quick stroll through the municipal markets, such as the Mercat Central and Mercat del Carrilet, where you will see stalls stocked with Reus vermouth, DOP Reus hazelnuts, DOP Siurana olive oil and Reus menjablanc.
However, it’s in the local restaurants that Reus’ gastronomic chops show. From unfussy bars serving up tapas and beers to haute cuisine fine dining, many of the city’s establishments focus on contemporary Catalan cuisine and Mediterranean dishes using seasonal ingredients.
L'Alkimista
With a menu firmly rooted in Mediterranean tradition using the freshest of locally sourced ingredients, Pola Hany William’s blends cultures and cuisines to skillfully create dishes full of idiosyncratic flavours and textures, creatively presented. Alongside the à la carte menu, you will find the two tasting menus, Phi and Omega.
Where: Carnisseries Velles 3, Reus, 43201
When: Sunday, Monday and Thursday 1.30pm – 3.30pm & 8.30pm – 10pm; Saturday and Sunday 1.30pm – 3.30pm & 8.30pm – 10.30pm
El Cafè de Reus
Originally opening in 1889 as Merceria Totosaus before being reimagined in 1981 as Cafè de Reus, this relaxed and intimate spot has been a constant in the city for over a century, surviving two world wars and the bombardment of the Spanish Civil War.
Where: Carrer del Metge Fortuny, 3, 43201 Reus
When: Tues to Thurs 6pm – 12am; Friday & Saturday 12pm – 1am; Sunday 12pm – 4pm
VÍTRIC Taverna Gastronòmica
Under the watchful eye of chef Xavier De Juan, who has spent 12 years honing his craft at some of Catalonia’s finest restaurants, The VÍTRIC Taverna Gastronòmica prides itself on timeless Catalan cooking, seen through the lens of haute cuisine, all showcased in an à la carte menu that combines sharing plates, a daily menu, plus a separate tasting option which, at just €55, won’t break the bank.
Where: Carrer de Santa Anna, 24, 43201 Reus
When: Wednesday to Saturday 12.15pm – 3.15pm & 8.30pm – 10.30pm
Ferran Cerro
The eponymous chef of Ferran Cerro, a native of Reus, honed his craft at some of the best restaurants in the country, such as Rincón de Diego and La Grava, before opening his own on C/San Juan de Reus. He soon outgrew the premises and his new establishment on Pl. del Castell has featured prominently in the Michelin Guide thanks to his creative, contemporary cuisine that can be ordered à la carte, or from a selection of set menus named after clothing sizes, coming in S, M or L.
Where: Plaça del Castell, 2, 43201 Reus
When: Tues to Thurs 6pm – 12am; Friday & Saturday 12pm – 1am; Sunday 12pm – 4pm
Where to Eat & Drink in Salou
Stretching along 9km of the golden coast, Salou is the Costa Daurada’s most popular resort, attracting throngs of sun-seekers that flock here for the beaches, theme-parks, and energetic nightlife scene that vibrates through the streets after dark.
While much of the seafront real estate is taken up by the typical beach bars and cookie cutter pubs that are designed to draw in thirsty Brits and part them with their cash, there are plenty of dining spots serving up freshly prepared seafood and typical Catalan dishes.
4R Casablanca Restaurant
During our time in Salou, we enjoyed two lunchtimes in the town. The first was spent at 4R Casablanca Playa, a beachfront property that dishes up a range of fairly typical Spanish and Catalan dishes.
While we had a whole host of different tapas dishes, from wonderful patatas bravas to calamari and a refreshing tuna salad, the highlight was a traditional clam fideos made with vermicelli pasta.
Where: Passeig de Miramar, 12, 43840 Salou
When: Daily 1pm – 3.30pm & 8pm – 10pm
Deliranto
The marketing material on the Michelin-starred Dilantro’s website reads “Welcome to Deliranto, another crazy idea from Josep Moreno” which already tells you that you are not signing up for a regular dining experience when booking a table here.
Moreno wants to create a spectacle with his unique and often surreal dishes, where each tasting menu transports the diner to another world through its connections to literature, operas and classic stories. Past menus have been based around The Little Prince, The Fable of Orpheus, Carmen, The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland.
A meal here is a real adventure, with Josep Moreno starting proceedings in the Cook & Travel gastro-bar, before continuing with more appetisers in the renovated kitchen. Eventually guests can take their place at the dining table where they will be delivered a spectacular tasting menu (short and long versions are both available) packed with dramatic, theatrical courses. The theme of the menu changes twice a year, so you may have to make multiple visits.
Where: Carrer de Llevant, 7, 43840 Salou
When: Wednesday to Saturday 1.30pm – 2.30pm & 8.30pm – 9.30pm
La Morera de Pablo & Ester
Hidden down one of Salou’s quieter backstreets, this Michelin guide featured restaurant helmed by a welcoming couple – who I assume are the eponymous Pablo and Ester – focusses on beautifully plated dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Make sure to sample the cod fritters on roasted tartare and the roast wild duck with turnips and apples in herb butter.
Where: Carrer de Berenguer de Palou, 10, 43840 Salou
When: Sunday 2pm – 5pm; Tuesday to Friday 1.30pm – 5pm & 8.30pm – 12am; Saturday 2pm – 5pm & 9pm – 12am
108 Restaurant & Chill Out
Hotel restaurants aren’t always the best choice in terms of dining experience, but our second lunch in Salou was spent at 108 Restaurant & Chill Out, part of Hotel Best Terramarina in La Pineda. While the main of steak wasn’t the finest meal I consumed on this trip to the Costa Daurada, the calamari, patatas bravas and other tapas options were all perfectly good and the beachfront location with views out across the sand of Platja de La Pineda makes it a lovely place to stop for a snack or drink while walking the Salou coastal path.
Where: Passeig de Pau Casals, 108, 43481 Platja de la Pineda
When: Daily 10am – 1am
Where to Eat & Drink in Cambrils
Despite sitting just a few miles along the coast from Salou, Cambrils sets itself apart by offering a slightly more upmarket experience. Here you will find two Michelin-starred restaurants and a handful more that have all been featured in the Michelin Guide.
The town’s coastal location means that its gastronomic tradition is deeply rooted in its fishing heritage, helped by its bustling fish market and port that ensures only the freshest catch makes its way to the kitchens of Cambrils’ skilled and innovative chefs.
Bresca
Located in the heart of Cambrils, Bresca restaurant has long been the benchmark for local Seafood. With a menu based on traditional Catalan fare, its chef, Xavier Ferraté, has not been afraid to experiment and play with ingredients and flavors from other cuisines of the world, all enhanced by an impressive selection of herbal teas and dessert wines.
Where: Carrer del Doctor Alexander Fleming, 4, 43850 Cambrils
When: Wednesday to Saturday 1pm – 3.30pm & 8pm – 10.30pm; Sunday & Tuesday 1pm – 3.30pm
La Selva Street Food
The dining experience at La Selva Street Food can best be described as quirky, if not a little surreal. The first thing that hits you is the interior design; a far cry from the traditional tavernas and upmarket, minimalist eateries that otherwise fill Cambril’s old town, here you will find the walls adorned with murals of jungle cats and masses of foliage that give the impression you are seated in the middle of a rainforest rather than somewhere on the Spanish coast.
The menu is just as eclectic as the decor. It’s classic Iberian fare by way of Asia and the jungle. The patatas bravas or doused in lashings of curry sauce while the ceviche is served in the ceramic head of a chimpanzee, reminiscent of a certain scene from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. It’s all very playful and fun, especially when the beef gua bao is balanced on the stomach of a sumo wrestler to look like sumptuous rolls of flesh.
The cocktail list is just as quirky. Alongside the usual drinks menu, there is an array of showstopping specials that are served in smoking goblets, ape-shaped glasses, or even alongside a waiter with a blowtorch that insists on performing a fire show before you can take your first sip.
While this may sound a little gimmicky, the flavours lived up to the spectacle and the place was packed with locals and tourists alike who spilt out onto the small outdoor terrace. Booking is a must.
Where: Carrer de les Barques, 6, 43850 Cambrils
When: Thursday 6pm – 1.30am; Friday to Tuesday 11.30am – 1.30am
Rincón de Diego
The first of Cambril’s two Michelin-starred restaurants to feature here is Rincón de Diego, found beside Regueral Beach, just a few steps from the Club Nàutic de Cambrils.
Chef Diego Campos, one of the bastions behind the resurgence of local gastronomy, and his son Rubén, bring an Asian touch to local seafood dishes, inspired by Rubén’s travels to southeast Asia, China, and Japan. The à la carte here is supported by three menus (Del Cava, Gastronómico and Súmmum), all of which feature updated takes on local seafood and rice dishes.
Where: Carrer de les Drassanes, 19, 43850 Cambrils
When: Wednesday 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Heladería Antonio Sirvent
You can’t spend any amount of time in a sunny, coastal resort without stopping for a refreshing ice cream and we were told by our walking tour guide that Antonio Sirvent is the place to go in Cambrils if you want to sample the best gelato.
The flavour list is varied and eclectic, offering the most delectable Crema Catalana, alongside tastes such as tiramisú, pineapple with lime and honey, Kinder Bueno, black liquorice as well as typical and traditional flavours like vanilla, pistachio, and a lavish chocolate option. If you need any further convincing of this ice cream’s quality, Antonio Sirvent recently placed second in a worldwide gelato competition, only losing out to a gelataria from Italy.
Where: Carrer del Consolat de Mar, 44, 43850 Cambrils
When: Daily 10.30am – 8pm
Can Bosch
Run by Father and son duo Joan and Arnau Bosch, Can Bosch is the other of Cambril’s two Michelin Star holders. The restaurant has been in action since 1969 and has become renowned for its rice dishes, all prepared using the Carnaroli del “Molí de Rafelet” variety of rice from the Ebro delta and top-quality local fish and seafood sourced from Cambrils’ fish auction.
The true sign of quality is that Can Bosch has managed to maintain its Michelin star since 1985 thanks to an à la carte that is heavily focused on the finest ingredients, two set menus (Tradición and Degustación), and a section of the menu entirely dedicated to lobster dishes.
Where: Rambla de Jaume I, 19, 43850 Cambrils
When: Daily 1.30pm to 3.30pm & 8.30pm to 10.30pm
Miramar
Nestled beside Torre del Port on Cambril’s waterfront, Miramar has been in the same family for 3 generations. Each recipe that adorns the menu has been passed down from generation to generation, reinvented along the way to mean that even the most typical seafood or rice dish has a modern touch to satisfy even the most demanding palates.
They’re particularly known for their desserts and sweet creations that combine traditional techniques with an innovative twist, adding a perfect finishing touch to your culinary experience.
Where: Passeig de Miramar, 30, 43850 Cambrils
When: Thursday to Tuesday 1pm to 4pm & 8pm to 11pm
Where to Eat and Drink in Montsant
It’s an area famed for its wine, but there is also a rich history of olive oil manufacturing and farms producing fantastic, fresh produce. As such, the region is brimming with restaurants – many of which occupy charmingly rustic stone properties in remote villages – dishing out fantastic traditional cuisine. It’s also the perfect place to learn about, and sample, the wonderful wines of the Priorat.
La Morera
Along the road along the south side of the Serra de Montsant lies the quaint, stone village of La Morera de Montsant. While it may seem typically quiet and non-descript – albeit beautiful – as these rural Spanish settlements often are, it hides a culinary gem in the form of Restaurant La Morera.
This family-run restaurant exudes an atmosphere of rustic, old worldly charm as the interior of exposed brickwork and antique wooden furniture is filled with trinkets and knick-knacks, giving it a warm an inviting appearance that makes you feel like you are dining in a relative’s living room rather than a typical taverna. The menu lives up to this antique mien; the seasonal menu is packed with simple, traditional Catalan dishes with a home-cooked feel. Many of the recipes have been passed down through generations of the owner’s family.
We began our meal with a mix of starters; stewed snails, cured meats served with shots of local, potent liqueur, croquettes, and mouth-watering a mouth-watering strawberry salad with candied tomato, candied onion, cottage cheese and romesco sauce, with a strawberry vinaigrette. The main took things to another level, as my plate of beef cheek stewed in Priorat red wine with potato, apple, onion and asparagus arrived in front of me. It was one of the best meals I ate during a week on the Costa Daurada.
Three causes may seem a little extravagant for a mid-week lunch, but I could pass up on a dish of traditional Menjablanc de Priorat, a creamy, liquid almond pudding that, while looking like a bowl of gloopy, white liquid, was utterly divine.
Where: Carrer de la Bassa, 10, 43361 La Morera de Montsant
el Palauet del Priorat
If you’re looking for a luxurious stay in Montsant, you can’t do much better than El Palauet del Priorat. This luxurious 130-year-old house in Cornudella de Montsant, surrounded by idyllic surroundings and landscapes in the Priorat region, offers 5 exquisitely decorated suites and 2 double rooms that all offer charm and personality.
However, it is worth heading here for their basement restaurant, Aura, for the food alone. The space is beautiful, with exposed stonework and colourful tiled floors sitting beneath a vaulted ceiling. They have several pairing and tasting menus to choose from that can be combined with an extensive selection of the best Priorat and Montsant wines.
Menu highlights include Iberian pork with cured cheese sauce and candied figs, smoked eel with confit leek and parmentier sauce, or artichoke confit with foie gras. I opted for the Black Angus meat fricanto with mushrooms but I would recommend the salted cod, as it comes with the theatrical flair of a smoke–filled, transparent cloche. The dessert and cheese courses looked wonderful too, but with a full belly, I had to settle for just a starter and main, both of which were delicious.
Where: Carrer de les Eres, 9, 43360 Cornudella de Montsant
Getting to the Costa Daurada
You’ll find the Costa Daurada in the south of Catalonia, around 100km south of Barcelona. Aeropuerto de Reus serves the region and is the best arrival point for the major tourist towns of Salou, Cambrils, Reus and Tarragona with regular flights from most major UK airports.
Catalonia’s cosmopolitan capital is a popular day trip from the Costa Daurada, but the towns of Reus and Tarragona are also the perfect, quiet escape from Barcelona. There are frequent buses and trains between the two regions, with Monbus buses leaving Sants Bus Station twice a day, once mid-morning and again in the early evening.
Trains are a little more frequent, leaving every hour or so and taking approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.
Where to Stay on the Costa Daurada
The vast majority of visitors to the Costa Daurada gravitate towards the family-friendly resort town of Salou, but if you look a little further afield, the surrounding towns, cities, and villages can offer the seasoned traveller a more satisfying experience.
Those seeking culture and history should opt for either Reus, the birthplace of Antoni Gaudí and home to some beautiful Modernist architecture, or Tarragona, a city built on Roman ruins that are still ripe for exploring.
Reus
Hotel Gaudí
While it may not offer the most luxurious lodgings when compared to some of the sprawling resorts found elsewhere on the Costa Dorada, the 3-star Gaudi hotel is centrally located and has the city’s modernism route on its doorstep.
Tarragona
H10 Imperial Tarraco
Sleek, Elegent and modern, the H10 Imperial Tarragona exudes contemporary Meditterenean charm thanks to its stripped back wooden, terracota and whitewashed details. The laidback lobby and bar area are reminiscent of 1920s art deco grandeur, albeit a littlemore subdued, while the rooms are airy and spacious with all the amenities you could need.
However, the real appeal of the H10 Imperial is the serene rooftop terrace which offers panoramic views of Tarragona; from the intimidating outline of the grand cathedral which dominates the skyline, to the ancient Roman Ampitheatre that nestles close to the city’s shore. It’s the perfect place to catch some rays beside the pool or unwind with a cocktail while soaking up the sights and sounds that unfurl in the city below.
Altafulla
Hotel Gran Claustre
Located less than half an hour from Tarragonna, the walled, hilltop village of Altafulla is not particularly well-known beyond the Costa Dourada, but this makes is the perfect escape from the bustle of the city.
Hotel Gran Claustre occupies a converted 18th-century mansion atop a hill overlooking Altafulla’s medieval centre. The hotel and spa, which also hosts a fine-dining restaurant is just a 15-minute drive from the beaches of Altafulla and Tamari.
