Planning a trip to the Tarragona region in Spain? Check out the details of my recent Tarragona road trip to discover the best places to visit in this Catalan province – often overshadowed by the Costa Brava or Costa del Sol, but no less unique or impressive.

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Best Places to Visit on a Tarragona Road Trip

Planning a Tarragona Itinerary

The region of Tarragona is located in eastern Spain, in the southern part of the autonomous community of Catalonia. While many of its highlights can be visited on a weekend trip from Barcelona, the province is rich in history, culture, and natural beauty – making it well worth exploring over several days.

From ancient Roman ruins and medieval villages to stunning Mediterranean beaches and scenic inland routes, Tarragona offers enough unique landmarks and experiences to plan a memorable road trip itinerary through one of Catalonia’s most underrated regions. You can find more planning resources and free downloadable PDFs in this post.

How to get to Tarragona

The nearest airports to Tarragona are Reus (about 15 minutes away), Barcelona-El Prat (around 1 hour by car or train), and Castellón (approximately 1,5 hours away). For international travelers, Barcelona-El Prat is usually the easiest entry point. From Barcelona-El Prat or the city center you can catch a direct train to Tarragona. If you want to explore the wider province and its hidden gems, I recommend renting a car for maximum flexibility (I often use DiscoverCars). If driving in Spain for the first time, you might want to purchase this complete Driving in Spain Guide, with Expert Videos, 360 Driving Tours and an On-The-Go PDF.

Where to Stay in Tarragona

The best way to discover all the top places to visit in Tarragona is to plan a road trip across the region. Another alternative is to book a hotel in Tarragona or Reus and explore only the landmarks you’re interested in via day trips.

Last time, for the road trip we stayed at Breas Hotel, close to Reus Airport. It was convenient for traveling across the Tarragona region since we didn’t need to enter major cities or search for parking. Plus, there was enough space to leave a car overnight for free right in front of the hotel. I also like H10 Imperial Tarraco and Hotel Mas La Boella. Also, there are a few popular camping villages in Tarragona, like Camping Torre de la Móra. You can find more options on the map below.

Best Places to Visit on a Tarragona Road Trip

Here are the top places to visit on a Tarragona road trip. At the end of this article, you’ll find them all marked on a map. For a longer itinerary, you can combine this trip with my Castellon Road Trip, Weekend in Matarranya, a 5-day Costa Brava Road Trip Itinerary, or a Barcelona-to-Valencia road trip.

1. The city of Tarragona

Tarragona is renowned for its exceptional Roman heritage, with the Archaeological Ensemble of Tárraco being a UNESCO World Heritage site.  You can check the full list of places and photos in my post about Tarragona. Also, right near Tarragona, you will find Les Ferreres Roman Aqueduct, also called Pont del Diable (or the Devil‘s Bridge in English), which is one of the most unique places to visit in Tarragona.

2. Reus

Reus is an easy stop on any Tarragona road trip since the city is located right near the airport. It is mostly known as the birthplace of Antonio Gaudi and the Spanish capital of Vermouth.

You can not miss a visit to the Gaudi Center of Reus, where one can learn a lot about the unique style and approach of the famous architect. The Tourist Office is also located within the same building, so you can ask for a map of local landmarks and walk towards the tiny house where Gaudi lived (even though you can not visit it since it is a private property).

Also, Reus is known for the second-largest number of modernist buildings in Catalonia (after Barcelona). The most important of them form a local route “Ruta del Modernismo de Reus” (you can get the route map in the tourist office of Reus). The most emblematic modernist buildings in Reus are Casa Navas, Casa Bartolí, Casa Querol, Casa Rull, and Casa Munné. Outside the city center of Reus, you will find Instituto Pere Mata – a psychiatric facility built in 1898, which is full of beautiful modernist elements. I recommend you book your tickets to Casa Navas a few days in advance since they offer guided visits only.

The last thing you can not miss in Reus is its iconic local drink Vermouth (or vermut in Spanish). The city has a long-rooted tradition of drinking Vermouth: back in the XIXth century, Reus was one of the biggest producers in the world. These days you can visit the Rofes Vermut factory or simply enjoy a few original drinks at El Museu del Vermut.

You can read more details about my weekend in Reus here.

3. Cambrils

While the nearest small town of Salou is considered the touristy capital of Costa Daurada, I picked the small town of Cambrils for one of our first family getaways.

While that trip did not go entirely smoothly, I was still lucky to discover a few gems of the Catalonia region on that trip. I especially enjoyed the nearest Parc Sama, one of the most unique gardens in Spain. This place is the legacy of Marquis de Marianao.

The famous Port Aventura Amusement Park is located close to both Cambrils and Salou.

4. Montblanc

Montblanc is one the the lesser-known medieval towns in Spain. It was founded as Ducado de Montblanc in 1387. Back then this small town was the 7th most important settlement in the autonomous community of Catalonia. However, the years of splendor were soon replaced by years of decadence due to wars and bad local harvests.

Only in the 18th century, did the small town of Montblanc resurrect thanks to the vine industry in the region. One of the most unique attributes of Montblanc is its well-preserved medieval walls (1700m long and 6m high). You’ll enjoy a walk through its ancient streets (like Calle Mayor and Calle dels Jueus). Once there, don’t miss Sant Miguel Church, Sant Francesc Monastery, and Pont Vell Bridge.

5. The monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet

El Real Monasterio Santa Maria de Poblet is one of the most beautiful monasteries in Spain. The current building dates back to the 14th century. Although it was originally founded earlier – back in 1129 by the order of Ramon Berenguer IV, the Count of Barcelona.

Aside from unique artworks and ancient documents, the Santa Maria de Poblet Monastery is full of stunning decorations, altarpieces, carvings, and doorways, influenced by both Gothic and Baroque architectural styles. The most valuable artworks can be found in the monastery´s museum.

You can also visit two other nearest monasteries – Vallbona de les Monges and Reial Monestir de Santes Creus. These three Catalan monasteries form a unique itinerary La Ruta del Cister. To read more about the other monasteries of Ruta del Cister check out my article about a weekend in Lleida.

6. Tortosa

Tortosa is one of the most underrated Spanish towns, and I’ve fallen in love with it during my visit. You can check all the amazing landmarks of Tortosa in this post.

7. Deltebre

Deltebre (or Ebro Delta National Park) is a unique natural setting in Spain, located close to the city of Tortosa. Ebro Delta National Park is known for its unmatched wetland landscapes, birdwatching experiences, and some of the most adventurous activities in Spain (since the Ebro River is an epic water-sports destination for SUP, kayaking, and jet skiing).

Top activities to pre-book in Deltebre:

• Ebro Delta National Park: Guided Horseback Riding Tour (check availability)
• Ebro Delta: Guided Kayak Tour to Gracia Island (check availability)
• Flamingo-Birdwatching in the Ebro Delta at Sunset (check availability)
• Ebro Delta Cruise and Jeep Tour with Mussels Tasting (check availability)

8. Horta de Sant Joan

Horta de Sant Joan is one of the secret Spanish villages, that has inspired numerous works of Pablo Picasso. The famous Spanish painter spent in this tiny village one year of his life, but the landscapes of Horta de Sant Joan have inspired his numerous artworks. Back in 1898, Picasso was going through a personal crisis. So his friend Manuel Pallarés invited the painter to stay for a while in his rural home in Horta de Sant Joan.

These days you can visit a small local museum Centro Picasso, which is full of world-famous paintings dedicated to or inspired by the landscapes of Horta de Sant Joan. While all of the artworks of the center are copies, it´s an interesting place to follow the evolution of Picasso’s style over the years.

After gaining his international fame, Picasso returned to Horta de Sant Joan ten years later in the company of his girlfriend Fernande Olivier (curiously enough, I got to visit a temporary exposition in her honor only a few months before my Tarragona road trip, during my solo weekend in Paris).

Also, you can easily combine your visit to Horta de Sant Joan with a trip to the nearest region of Matarranya in Teruel.

9. Siurana

Siurana is one of the most picturesque small towns in the province of Tarragona. Years ago, it attracted international attention when, according to the media, local authorities declined the title of “Spain’s Most Beautiful Village,” citing concerns over increasing tourism and its potential impact on the village.

I was initially surprised by the media coverage, as it stemmed from a translation error – Siurana is by no means the most beautiful village in Spain (with places like Albarracín, colorful towns, and even villages in the Pyrenees offering strong competition) – I assume, it may have declined the official title of “One of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain”. In any case, it remains a stunning destination. The town’s hilltop location offers breathtaking views, and its medieval charm is undeniable.

Visiting Siurana during your Tarragona road trip is a must. Its serene atmosphere, combined with its historical and natural attractions, offers a unique experience that captures the essence of Catalonia’s countryside.

10. Miravet

The small town of Miravet is mostly known for its picture-perfect location. While there is not much to see around, the fortress on the hill is one of the finest examples of Templar architecture in Europe. If you are short on time, you can make Miravet a brief stop on your Tarragona Road Trip (on the way to Horta de Sant Joan, Tortosa, or Deltebre).

11. Escalardei

Known as the first Carthusian monastery on the Iberian Peninsula, Cartoixa d’Escaladei is a remarkable stop on any Tarragona road trip. Nestled in a quiet valley beneath the Montsant hills, it was where Carthusian monks led a life of silence and prayer.

The charter house was founded in 1194, thanks to a concession from Alfonso the Chaste, to establish a settlement in recently conquered lands. Escaladei flourished between the 16th and 17th centuries, undergoing significant architectural renovations and becoming an important regional center for religious art. However, in the first half of the 19th century, the confiscation of church lands and subsequent looting led to the abandonment and severe deterioration of the complex.

Recently, Cartoixa d’Escaladei has undergone extensive restoration work, which has helped recover part of its former splendor and preserved its original buildings for future generations

12. Priorat Wineries

While Tarragona can hardly compete with the Rioja wineries in terms of international fame, the region of Priorat houses almost 100 bodegas. You should not miss Adernats Vinícola de Nulles a unique modernist cellar, often called “the cathedral of wine”

• Priorat tour to 3 small wineries and hotel pick-up (check availability)

What is Tarragona known for

Landmarks in Tarragona Region

The capital of the Tarragona region is the city of Tarragona. It is an important UNESCO World Heritage Site with some of the most unique Roman ruins in Spain. Tarragona is also known for its Priorat wineries and the Port Aventura Amusement Park.

Nature in Tarragona

The coastal area of Tarragona holds the name of Costa Daurada and is known for its golden sands and beautiful calas. Therefore, the region is a trendy destination for the beach holidays in Spain. The ultimate travel hub of Tarragona is the small town of Salou.

The fans of Spanish national parks will also find some unique locations for walks with nature in Tarragona: Parque Natural del Delta del Ebro, Parque Natural dels Ports, Parque Natural de las Montañas de Prades, and Parque Natural de la Sierra del Montsant. Each of the following natural parks is known for some unique hiking trails.

Famous people of Tarragona

The region of Tarragona was once home to two of the most Famous Spaniards ever – Antonio Gaudi and Joan Miro. While the name of Antonio Gaudi is deeply attached to his vibrant buildings in Barcelona, the region of Tarragona was the actual birthplace of the architect.

As for Joan Miro, the painter used to spend lots of time in his father’s Spanish Masia in the village of Montroig del Camp in the region of Tarragona.

Hiking in the Tarragona region:

If you enjoy occasional walks with nature and love testing new Spanish hikes, here are a few unique trails you can enjoy in the Tarragona region:

• Reus: Castellvell de Santa Anna (check the details on Wikiloc)
• Salou: Cami de Ronda (check the details on Wikiloc)
• Poblet: Cisterian Route GR-175 (check the details on Wikiloc) and the Route of Poblet Forest (check the details on Wikiloc)
• Deltebre: from Ampolla to l’Ametlla de Mar (check the details on Wikiloc)
• Tamarit: Torre de la Mora – Punta Creueta (check the details on Wikiloc)

The most unique experiences in Tarragona region

• Tarragona Roman Heritage Guided Walking Tour (check availability)
• PortAventura Theme Park Entry Ticket (check availability)
• Cambrils Costa Daurada Sail Catamaran Cruise (check availability)
• Tarragona – Paraglide Over the Mussara Mountains (check availability)
• Cycling in Beautiful Scenery with Wine Tasting (check availability)
• Canyoning in Salou (check availability)
• Full Day Tour Siurana and Escala Dei (check availability)
• The caves Coves de l’Espluga (check availability)
• 2 hours Quad Safari Salou (check availability)

Map of the best places to see in Tarragona

You can save my Tarragona map via Google maps here.

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