The charming capital of Catalonia is a true tourist paradise. One of the most impressive places in Europe, falling in love at first sight, will forever remain in the heart of admiring tourists. Romantic, daring, masterful Barcelona is a holiday city with an amazing atmosphere.
However, the suburbs, located a few hours drive from it, are of great interest to travelers seeking to get acquainted with as many attractions as possible. And from the beauty of the picturesque landscapes of unexplored surroundings, where you can get out for a few days, the spirit stops.
Paradise on the Costa del Maresme
Amazing Alella, hidden among olive groves and fragrant vineyards, is an elite suburb of Barcelona. The calm resort, located on the Costa del Maresme, is a democratic village, which is ideal for fans of both relaxed and active holidays. Alella will appeal to those people who dream of living in a quiet place. Located a few hours drive from the Catalan capital, the paradise is famous for its mild Mediterranean climate, stunningly beautiful bays, delicious white wine of the same name brand. Many centuries ago, a small settlement provided the Roman Empire with olive oil, seafood and grapes.
A city surrounded by greenery, with a population of approximately 10 thousand people, provides many opportunities for relaxation on the luxurious beaches, marked by international awards for high quality water. Tiny and incredibly cozy resort, which has become very attractive for European tourists, can boast not only amazing landscapes. The main architectural attraction is the ancient church of Sant Feliu, built in the XII century. A visit to the Wine Museum, where every visitor will be able to taste the best wines of Catalonia, is an obligatory point of the tourist program.
Colorful Girona
The wondrous Girona, allowing you to get to know Catalonia better outside its administrative center, is located 100 kilometers from Barcelona. The suburb, which is the capital of the province of the same name, is a picturesque resort where time seemed to stop. The city stone walls seem to be saturated with the spirit of the Middle Ages, and walking along the narrow cobblestone streets forming intricate labyrinths is a fascinating journey into past eras.
Small Girona is best viewed on foot, because this is how you can enjoy its romance and discover a lot of new things. Girona (Gerona), nicknamed the "immortal city" because it successfully withstood many enemy sieges, is a transshipment base for vacationers hurrying to the resorts of the Costa Brava. It is from the international airport of the city that you can get on a Schengen visa to France.
Historical and architectural monuments
For a long time, a suburb of Barcelona, famous for its rich history, was ruled by different empires. Sights reflecting his political, cultural and religious life arouse genuine interest of foreign guests. The main monuments are located in the Old part of Girona, where you can see the majestic Gothic cathedral, ancient Arab baths, the chapel of St. Nicholas, a powerful fortress built by the Romans, the Jewish quarter. The well-preserved fortress walls, which are not forbidden to walk on foot, are recognized as a symbol of the ancient settlement, and from their height a breathtaking view of the resort opens.
The most picturesque place, according to vacationers, is the embankment of the Onyar River, dividing the city into historical and modern parts. The multi-colored facades of multi-storey buildings, literally breaking off to the river, represent one large wall, which is recognized as the hallmark of Girona.
There are a lot of interesting places here, and tourists, slowly strolling around the city, appreciate its amazing color. It is best to come here for at least a week, since for a short time in one of the best suburbs of Barcelona, vacationers will not have the full impression of the cultural and economic center of Catalonia.
Sitges Fashion Resort
The lively resort, one of the top ten in Europe, was once a quiet fishing village that appeared on the Costa del Garraf. However, already in the middle of the last century, an unremarkable place turned into the "Spanish Saint-Tropez", the prices of which are much higher than in the capital itself. In the famous suburb of Barcelona, located 40 kilometers from the Catalan capital, life is in full swing. Sitges, managed to maintain the charm of the Catalan village, receives wealthy tourists from all over the world all year round.
Relaxed beaches
Here the sun shines for more than 300 days a year, and the temperature is 28 ° C, which makes Sitges a wonderful place for a beach holiday. The suburb of Barcelona has gained worldwide fame for its beautiful sandy beaches, which are kept in perfect cleanliness and comply with environmental standards. Blue flags are flying above them - a kind of quality certificate that marks the corners suitable for safe swimming.
The most popular is St. Sebastian's beach, suitable for the whole family and with a peaceful atmosphere. Playa de la Ribera - large and lively, where there are always a lot of people, Playa de Terramar will appeal to those who seek solitude, and the most beautiful is located on the background of the majestic Playa d'Aiguadols mountains.
Fun-made town
For plenty of tourists enjoying a beach holiday, fun events are organized in the fresh air. One after another, colorful carnivals, flower, folklore, music festivals are replaced by theme parties, and music discovers at discos held on the beaches. Despite the fact that Sitges is a busy city, it is easy to find secluded places where you can spend a romantic evening or enjoy the contemplation of wonderful views.
It is worth noting that holidays in Sitges are popular among people of non-traditional sexual orientation, and this fact must be taken into account when planning a future trip. Many clubs have a note that they are intended for representatives of sexual minorities, and tourists decide for themselves whether to avoid establishments of this kind or visit them.
Popular resorts around the Catalan capital
Those who dream of a beach holiday in the suburbs of Barcelona can be advised to go to Tarragona. At the famous resort, considered the best place for families, the coastline stretches for 15 kilometers. And even in the summer, at the height of the season, guests will find secluded corners. Sandy beaches with a gentle entrance to the sea and a clean coast are the main advantages of the tourist center.
Santa Susanna, standing on a high hill, will also delight lovers of sunbathing and swimming. A three-kilometer beach with fine sand will pleasantly surprise even discerning tourists who want to feel the spirit of genuine Spain.
According to vacationers, the most beautiful on the coast is considered to be the resort of Tossa de Mar, drowning in emerald greenery and sung by poets. From the windows of the comfortable rooms of numerous hotels offer wonderful views of the sea. A suburb of Barcelona is located in a cozy bay where cliffs form mysterious grottoes. This is a real haven for all romantics and lovers. A lot of vacationers gather on three sandy beaches, but lovers of solitude can hire boats with a transparent bottom and go to the side of the sea bays to enjoy their amazing beauty.
Catalan pearl
Another former fishing village that has turned into a small pearl of Catalonia is the sunny resort of San Pol de Mar. The settlement, founded in the Middle Ages, began to grow and develop rapidly, and now travelers are rushing here who want to combine relaxing on the beach with exploring local attractions. The suburb of Barcelona, where it is best to stay for a few days to get to know all the monuments, is so small that its inhabitants know each other in person. A delightful corner with clean air as if created to relax and pacify away from the noise of megacities.
Situated in the hills, next to the monastery of the same name, San Pol de Mar is located on the Mediterranean coast. Colored fishing boats on the beach, snow-white houses decorated with fancy Gaudi-style mosaics evoke a feeling of quiet happiness.
Architectural monuments
The curious sights of the resort, which is part of the province of Barcelona, do not leave anyone indifferent. What to see in the suburbs of Barcelona? The main religious monument is one of the oldest Christian churches in Europe, which looks very unusual due to the fact that over the course of several centuries its architecture was changed. The Church of St. Pablo, distinguished by the imposition of one style on another, is recognized as the official symbol of San Pol de Mar and is included in the list of cultural heritage not only of Catalonia, but of the whole of Spain.
No less interesting for tourists is the St. Haume Catholic Cathedral, which stores a wooden statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary. Appeared in the 16th century, it is made in the Gothic style.
Next to the monastery, founded by the Benedictines and giving the name to the settlement, there is a stone hut of St. Pablo, in which hermit monks still live.
Cultural heritage of Spain
A small town, which can be reached from the administrative center of Catalonia by car in just an hour, tourists will get around in one day. The medieval treasure of Spain was once a defensive fortress, but now it is a real open-air museum. Besalu, preserving an unusual medieval beauty, was founded by courageous Romans, but the exact date of the founding of the suburb of Barcelona is still unknown. The city, which grew out of a powerful citadel that protected the borders of conquered lands, makes a lasting impression on travelers. Narrow streets, gray houses, ancient bridges made of stone look colorful scenery for the film.
The historic center of Besalu contains a rich collection of buildings made in the Romanesque style. The modern layout is significantly different from the original, but the most important attractions are perfectly preserved. Descendants can see the ancient church of the monastery order of St. Peter and St. Julius, founded by the monks, a hospital for pilgrims and Jewish baths. True, guests of the city will get to ritual baths only by reservation. The cultural heritage of the country is included in the excursion route "The road of Romanesque art of Catalonia."
Textile center of Spain
At 16 kilometers from the capital is the industrial suburb of Barcelona - Tarras. This is a major textile center of the country, where about 150 thousand people live. It is known that the settlement was founded by Roman warriors, and it always had important political significance. The main evidence of medieval power is the castle of Vallparadis, which now houses the city museum. And the amazing architectural ensemble, consisting of three Catholic churches dedicated to St. Peter, is admired by travelers.
The Church of St. Michael surprises with an unusual synthesis of ancient Gothic architecture and Spanish Gothic, and legends go about its frescoes that have not lost their brightness. Tarrasa is famous for its beautiful terrace with an openwork dome, a snow-white house with high arches, a monument to K. Malevich, a high medieval bridge, and an unfinished castle where you can see elements of all architectural styles.
Barcelona suburbs: where is better to live?
Catalonia is a developed region of Spain, which is not only rich in historical and cultural heritage, but also with a high level of security and service. It is no coincidence that many Russians dream of real estate in the industrial region. Those who prefer to lead a measured and calm life can buy a house in the suburbs, 20-50 kilometers from Barcelona for a fairly modest amount. The outskirts of the Catalan capital have a developed infrastructure, and you can get to it in just one hour.
Real estate prices in the vicinity of the administrative center are much lower than in the city, so buyers will have money left for the design and design of future housing. Houses on the Costa del Garraf are in high demand and not accessible to everyone, but the coastal zone of the Costa del Maresme is an ideal place for those who want to buy land here. You can recommend such environmentally friendly suburbs as Ruby, which is an alloy of antiquity and modernity, the tiny tourist center of Mataró, the beach town of Castelldefels, the family paradise of San Cugat del Valles, the Hospitalet de Llobregat, suitable for people with a modest budget, Manresa and Badalona with very low real estate prices.
Guest reviews
Tourists say that the suburbs of Barcelona are not much inferior in importance to the Catalan capital. In its vicinity there are many places worthy of attention, where you can get out for a pleasant pastime on the beaches or exploring the sights.
Most of the time, guests bathe and sunbathe, not forgetting about the monuments that reflect the rich history of settlements and cities. The cozy pieces of Catalonia have a unique atmosphere, leaving a lasting impression. And it is not surprising that among travelers who have visited the metropolitan suburbs, there are many who decide to stay here forever.