Olive oil tourism

Olive oil has always been the essence of Catalan cuisine, and some of the region’s oil-producing olive trees are over a thousand years old. In recent years, olive growing has followed in the footsteps of the world of wine, with a clear commitment to high quality and more environmentally friendly processes. The excellence of the five Protected Designations of Origin for extra virgin olive oil in Catalonia – Baix Ebre – Montsià, Empordà, Les Garrigues, Siurana and Terra Alta – no longer depends solely on the Arbequina variety. Varieties such as Becaruda, Vera, Palomar, Morruda and Farga have helped to revitalise the sector, providing a map to explore the geography of Catalonia, from the high mountains to the olive groves that overlook the sea; from the ruggedness of El Baix Ebre, El Montsià and La Terra Alta to the lushness of Les Garrigues and the beauty of L’Urgell; from El Montseny’s reclaimed terraces to the epic landscape of the Cardener valley; from the rural stronghold of El Vallès to the slopes of Collserola and the borders of El Priorat. This renewed enthusiasm has led to a wide range of olive oil tourism experiences, where visitors can not only learn about the symbolism of the olive tree in the classical world, but also distinguish the unique qualities of each variety, visit medieval castles surrounded by olive groves, cycle through the fields, relax with an olive oil therapy session or stargaze beneath these majestic trees.