Tarragona Province Guide
| fast facts |
Population:
707,029 (2005)
Provincial Capital:
Tarragona
Airports:
Reus
Area:
6303km²
Official languages:
Catalan & Spanish (Castellano)
Government:
Generalitat de Catalunya - an autonomous community within Spain
Comarcas (Regions):
l’Alt Camp, el Baix Camp, el Baix Ebre, el Baix Penedès, la Conca de Barberà, el Montsià, el Priorat, la Ribera d’Ebre, el Tarragonès, la Terra Alta
Orientation:
The most southerly of the provinces with Lleida and Barcelona to the north and Castelló (Comunidad Valenciana) to the south.
Hotels in Tarragona province
General Overview
This province is becoming increasingly popular with tourists and it’s easy to see why with the world heritage city of Tarragona as it’s capital, its beautiful, generally unspoilt coastline, its abundance of spectacular countryside and the longest river in Spain, The Ebro, cutting through the province to reach the sea at the second biggest delta (after The Nile) in the Mediterranean. If arriving from further north this is where you’ll really start to notice the appearance of olive trees, often mixed with Carobs, and in addition to many other fruit crops the start of the Orange groves that are so famous in the Comunidad Valenciana to the south.
Tarragona province highlights
Tarragona
Check out our city guide to Tarragona for more information.
Reus
Check out our spotlight on Reus for more information.
Poblet Natural Park
The Cistercian monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet is an exceptional example of religious architecture in Catalunya. It dates from the 12th century and was also used as a royal residence. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1991, and some years earlier the Poblet Natural park was designated to protect the natural landcapes around the monastery and the Prades mountains rising beyond. The Park is fairly small - only 2500 hectares, and has lovely views across the Conca de Barbara region. The slopes around the monastery are covered by oak and pine forests, and there are over 50 natural springs in the area. There are large numbers of wild boar here, and roe deer have recently been introduced. Beyond the boundaries of the Park are large vineyards owned by the major local wine producers, the Torres family. Tours of the vineyards and Milmanda castle (medieval farmstead) are available; about 8kms away, and well worth a visit is the medieval walled town of Montblanc.
El Priorat
The ancient county of El Priorat is an area of dramatic mountain scenery, hillside villages, vineyards, and groves of olive and almonds. Wine producing has been important here for centuries - Carthusian monks brought new techniques to the area in the 12th century and the ruins of their monastery can be found at Cartoixa d'Escaladei. There are many pretty hillside villages, La Bisbal de Falset, Ulldemolins and, perhaps most notably, Siurana. Built on a craggy mountainside and surrounded by spectacular rock formations, the village has become a haven for climbers and walkers. The last 20 years has seen a revival in the wine industry across the Priorat, and new producers have moved into the area making internationally-renowned wines - Gratallops alone has around 24 vineyards. The fruity tasting olive oil from around Suirana is also known for its superior quality - and tours of the vineyards and olive oil co-operatives are a great way to sample the local produce.
Els Ports Natural Park
The Natural Park covers an area of over 35,000 hectares and crosses the borders into Valencia and Aragon. It's limestone mountains, with cliffs and gorges shaped by the two rivers Matarranya and Ulldemo make it a haven for nature lovers, walkers and climbers. The mountains rise to a high point at Mount Caro (1447m), while you'll find spectacular rock formations at the Roques de Benet. On the lower slopes are beech and oak woods, and places where you can take a dip in river pools - Toll de Vidre, near Arnes is popular. There is a comprehensive network of walking trails as well as the Via Verde cycling route through the Park. If you're lucky you might spot Spanish Ibex, wild boar, Roe Deer, and the more elusive otter and wilcat. Look up and see vultures and golden eagles circling overhead, and at ground level an abundance of alpine plants on the northwestern slopes, and mediterranean vegetation to the south. There are many pretty villages in and around the Park, Horta Sant Joan with its small Picasso museum, Pauls, and to the south Mas de Barbarans, close to the beechwoods. The Park Offices, with information about the park and its activities are in Roquetes.
The Ebro Delta
The Ebro Delta covers 320 square kilometres and is the second largest delta in the Mediterranean after the Nile with a wetland area that is not only of huge importance to agriculture, principally rice, but also a magnet for wildlife especially birds. Species of birds not seen anywhere else in Catalunya include the white heron, the glossy ibis, the kingfisher, the squacco heron, and the flamingo. Being so flat the Ebro delta is an ideal place to explore by bike and there are also boat trips available from the town of Amposta.
Cities and Towns of interest
Natural Parks
The Ebro Delta, Poblet Natural Park, Serra del Monsant, Ports Natural Park
