The ideal trip for discovering Catalonia together as a family
If you’re looking for a way to explore Catalonia as a family, the Grand Tour of Catalonia brings together a wide range of experiences designed to share time together, try new things and build lasting memories while discovering the region.
Here are five reasons to set off on this adventure:
- A journey within a journey, with experiences designed to spark excitement, discover new places and share moments together as a family.
- A route organised in stages, combining nature, culture and leisure, with plenty of options for breaks and short trips along the way.
- A flexible itinerary that’s easy to plan and can be adapted to each family’s interests, time and pace.
- A journey that also turns into a game for children, with activities that spark curiosity and a digital passport where they collect points and rewards.
- A route grounded in values that strengthens family bonds, supports sustainable initiatives and encourages respect for Catalonia’s environment.
Ready to start your Grand Tour of Catalonia as a family?
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All these family experiences await you on the Grand Tour of Catalonia
Montserrat i Cremallera de Montserrat
Museu Pau Casals al Vendrell
MónNatura Delta de l'Ebre
Tren dels Llacs de FGC Turisme
Estació d'Esquí i Muntanya Vallter 2000
Museu de l’Anxova i la Sal de l’Escala
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Play the Grand Tour of Catalonia
A digital passport with 200 checkpoints to stamp the must-see spots along the route in an interactive and collectible journey. Complete the tour and claim your prize!.
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The Castle of Cardona crowns the promontory on which this community is based, whose golden years were during the Middle Ages thanks to the salt trade. Although the precious mineral was being mined as early as the Neolithic period, it was the Cardona Population Charter, which sets out the perpetual right to mine salt, which ultimately allowed wealth to flood its streets. The mines again became very important in the early twentieth century, and were still in operation until 1990. Following their closure, a cultural park was set up to protect the former mining operation. Today, you can discover the Castle of Cardona and the Salt Mountain Cultural Park through two guided tours and two theatrical tours: “The true story of the Minyona Tower” and “Alchemy Project”: the secret of the Liber Salis. On the first, we will discover the most important spaces of the old city castle, including the church of Sant Vicent and the legends that have emerged between its walls. On the visit to the mine we are accompanied by two scientist explorers following in the footsteps of a fifteenth-century alchemist. It’s very exciting to follow in the miners’ footsteps and enter the galleries, 86 metres deep. Interestingly, Cardona was the location for some of the main scenes from Orson Welles’ film Chimes at Midnight.
The Castle of Cardona crowns the promontory on which this community is based, whose golden years were during the Middle Ages thanks to the salt trade. Although the precious mineral was being mined as early as the Neolithic period, it was the Cardona Population Charter, which sets out the perpetual right to mine salt, which ultimately allowed wealth to flood its streets. The mines again became very important in the early twentieth century, and were still in operation until 1990. Following their closure, a cultural park was set up to protect the former mining operation. Today, you can discover the Castle of Cardona and the Salt Mountain Cultural Park through two guided tours and two theatrical tours: “The true story of the Minyona Tower” and “Alchemy Project”: the secret of the Liber Salis. On the first, we will discover the most important spaces of the old city castle, including the church of Sant Vicent and the legends that have emerged between its walls. On the visit to the mine we are accompanied by two scientist explorers following in the footsteps of a fifteenth-century alchemist. It’s very exciting to follow in the miners’ footsteps and enter the galleries, 86 metres deep. Interestingly, Cardona was the location for some of the main scenes from Orson Welles’ film Chimes at Midnight.
In 1983, archaeologists Joan Santacana and Joan Sanmartí began excavations of the Ciutadella Ibérica de Calafell, a settlement founded in the early sixth century BC. It is thought to have been the fortified settlement of a warlord of the Cossetans tribe, the Iberians who lived in Camp de Tarragona. Between 1992 and 1994, the village was rebuilt using experimental archaeology techniques and an educational museum approach, following the example of the Ekertop site on the Swedish island of Öland. During the visit, we can climb the towers and walls or enter the houses, silos and workshops to see reproductions of everyday objects and find out what a day was like in the life of an Iberian community. The fortress forms part of the Iberian Route, a cultural tourism project promoted and coordinated by the Archeology Museum of Catalonian.
In 1983, archaeologists Joan Santacana and Joan Sanmartí began excavations of the Ciutadella Ibérica de Calafell, a settlement founded in the early sixth century BC. It is thought to have been the fortified settlement of a warlord of the Cossetans tribe, the Iberians who lived in Camp de Tarragona. Between 1992 and 1994, the village was rebuilt using experimental archaeology techniques and an educational museum approach, following the example of the Ekertop site on the Swedish island of Öland. During the visit, we can climb the towers and walls or enter the houses, silos and workshops to see reproductions of everyday objects and find out what a day was like in the life of an Iberian community. The fortress forms part of the Iberian Route, a cultural tourism project promoted and coordinated by the Archeology Museum of Catalonian.
Two world-renowned painters, a musician and an architect were born or spent long periods in the Tarragona regions: Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, Pau Casals and Antoni Gaudí. Joan Miró went to Mont-roig to cure himself of typhoid fever. The family farmhouse (mas in Catalan) he occupied became his summer refuge for 65 years. In Mas Miró you can see part of the vital anecdote of the painter, who went so far as to affirm that all his work was conceived in Mont-roig. The colours of his works were those of the town: the red of the Mare de Déu de la Roca hermitage, the blue of the sky, the yellow of its flowers and the green of the carob trees. Horta de Sant Joan will always be linked to the name of Pablo Picasso, who also came to the town seeking to recover from an illness. In Horta de Sant Joan, he did not only recover but also turned the landscapes of Terra Alta into the protagonists of his cubist works such as in the paintings La bassa d'Horta or the La Fàbrica d'Horta d'Ebre. "Everything I know I have learned in Horta," said the artist from this town who today dedicates the Centre Picasso to his memory.
El Vendrell is another town linked tightly to a different genius, where it is possible to visit the house where Pau Casals was born in 1876; one of the most important cellists of all time. In the nearby maritime district of Sant Salvador, he build La Vil·la Casals, a house that in his own words was the ‘expression of his life as a Catalan and an artist’. Currently, it is a museum dedicated to his work and person. Reus, the capital of Baix Camp, was also the birthplace of the internationally renowned artist Antoni Gaudí, who spent the first sixteen years of his life in the city. Although he never built in the city where he was born, Reus dedicates an interactive interpretation centre to him, the Gaudí Centre. In this one, among other things, one can learn that the hypostyle hall of Park Güell hides a system for collecting rainwater, or that the famous Cross of Gaudí was inspired by the pinecones of the cypress trees. Reus has also twenty-six modernist buildings, that are works of renowned architects like Lluís Domènech i Montaner or Pere Caselles i Tarrats.
Two world-renowned painters, a musician and an architect were born or spent long periods in the Tarragona regions: Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, Pau Casals and Antoni Gaudí. Joan Miró went to Mont-roig to cure himself of typhoid fever. The family farmhouse (mas in Catalan) he occupied became his summer refuge for 65 years. In Mas Miró you can see part of the vital anecdote of the painter, who went so far as to affirm that all his work was conceived in Mont-roig. The colours of his works were those of the town: the red of the Mare de Déu de la Roca hermitage, the blue of the sky, the yellow of its flowers and the green of the carob trees. Horta de Sant Joan will always be linked to the name of Pablo Picasso, who also came to the town seeking to recover from an illness. In Horta de Sant Joan, he did not only recover but also turned the landscapes of Terra Alta into the protagonists of his cubist works such as in the paintings La bassa d'Horta or the La Fàbrica d'Horta d'Ebre. "Everything I know I have learned in Horta," said the artist from this town who today dedicates the Centre Picasso to his memory.
El Vendrell is another town linked tightly to a different genius, where it is possible to visit the house where Pau Casals was born in 1876; one of the most important cellists of all time. In the nearby maritime district of Sant Salvador, he build La Vil·la Casals, a house that in his own words was the ‘expression of his life as a Catalan and an artist’. Currently, it is a museum dedicated to his work and person. Reus, the capital of Baix Camp, was also the birthplace of the internationally renowned artist Antoni Gaudí, who spent the first sixteen years of his life in the city. Although he never built in the city where he was born, Reus dedicates an interactive interpretation centre to him, the Gaudí Centre. In this one, among other things, one can learn that the hypostyle hall of Park Güell hides a system for collecting rainwater, or that the famous Cross of Gaudí was inspired by the pinecones of the cypress trees. Reus has also twenty-six modernist buildings, that are works of renowned architects like Lluís Domènech i Montaner or Pere Caselles i Tarrats.
The PortAventura World adventure park has been growing since its inception in 1995. It features six themed areas: Mediterranean, Polynesia, China, Mexico, Far West and SésamoAventura, aimed at the youngest members of the family. Some of the most sought-after attractions are the Shambhala, a large roller coaster that reaches speeds of more than 130 kilometres per hour; Furius Baco, another coaster dedicated to the world of wine; and Angkor, a Cambodian-inspired water adventure that takes you on a boat that goes into the jungle, where different wild animals are ready for a water gun fight. A big naval battle brings the exciting adventure to an end. Another hallmark of the park is the high quality of its shows, whose programming is renewed annually, including performances and themed days around holidays like Halloween and Christmas. The entertainment is complemented by Ferrari Land and the Caribe Aquatic Park. In the Cavallino Rampante area, recommended for the whole family, we can become drivers thanks to an advanced simulator, test our skills as mechanics at a pit stop or feel the power of Formula 1 acceleration reaching 180 kilometres per hour in just five seconds.
The PortAventura World adventure park has been growing since its inception in 1995. It features six themed areas: Mediterranean, Polynesia, China, Mexico, Far West and SésamoAventura, aimed at the youngest members of the family. Some of the most sought-after attractions are the Shambhala, a large roller coaster that reaches speeds of more than 130 kilometres per hour; Furius Baco, another coaster dedicated to the world of wine; and Angkor, a Cambodian-inspired water adventure that takes you on a boat that goes into the jungle, where different wild animals are ready for a water gun fight. A big naval battle brings the exciting adventure to an end. Another hallmark of the park is the high quality of its shows, whose programming is renewed annually, including performances and themed days around holidays like Halloween and Christmas. The entertainment is complemented by Ferrari Land and the Caribe Aquatic Park. In the Cavallino Rampante area, recommended for the whole family, we can become drivers thanks to an advanced simulator, test our skills as mechanics at a pit stop or feel the power of Formula 1 acceleration reaching 180 kilometres per hour in just five seconds.
Glass manufacturing was a very important activity for this small town until the 1950s. In the museum's upper rooms, they tell us about the history of glass and show pieces for everyday use that were donated by Vimbodí residents themselves. The most interesting part of the museum is the Paco Ramos workshop, where this craftsman demos handblown hot glass, made without moulds. Paco heats, blows, twists, cools and reheats the glass in the furnace, as he goes through the whole process and describes the temperatures he works at to shape these delicate pieces.
Glass manufacturing was a very important activity for this small town until the 1950s. In the museum's upper rooms, they tell us about the history of glass and show pieces for everyday use that were donated by Vimbodí residents themselves. The most interesting part of the museum is the Paco Ramos workshop, where this craftsman demos handblown hot glass, made without moulds. Paco heats, blows, twists, cools and reheats the glass in the furnace, as he goes through the whole process and describes the temperatures he works at to shape these delicate pieces.
Catalonia has several destinations that are part of the Catalan Tourist Board’s Family Tourism Programme. These destinations offer a wide range of services for families, including accommodation, restaurants, activities and experiences designed to be enjoyed together.
The current affiliated destinations are:
- Costa Barcelona: Calella, Castelldefels, Malgrat de Mar, Pineda de Mar, Santa Susanna, Vilanova i la Geltrú, the Baix Llobregat region and the Maresme region.
- Costa Brava: Banyoles, Blanes, Calonge i Sant Antoni, Castelló d’Empúries-Empuriabrava, Castell-Platja d’Aro, L’Escala, Lloret de Mar, Roses, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Sant Pere Pescador and Torroella de Montgrí-l’Estartit.
- Costa Daurada: Calafell, Cambrils, El Vendrell, Muntanyes de Prades, Salou and Vila-seca and La Pineda Platja.
- Paisatges Barcelona: Cardona.
- Terres de l’Ebre: Benifallet, Els Ports and L’Ametlla de Mar.
- Pirineus: Vall de Boí, Vall de Camprodon, Valls d’Àneu, Pirineus-Noguera Pallaresa, the Berguedà region and the Pallars Sobirà region.
Catalonia has several destinations that are part of the Catalan Tourist Board’s Family Tourism Programme. These destinations offer a wide range of services for families, including accommodation, restaurants, activities and experiences designed to be enjoyed together.
The current affiliated destinations are:
- Costa Barcelona: Calella, Castelldefels, Malgrat de Mar, Pineda de Mar, Santa Susanna, Vilanova i la Geltrú, the Baix Llobregat region and the Maresme region.
- Costa Brava: Banyoles, Blanes, Calonge i Sant Antoni, Castelló d’Empúries-Empuriabrava, Castell-Platja d’Aro, L’Escala, Lloret de Mar, Roses, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Sant Pere Pescador and Torroella de Montgrí-l’Estartit.
- Costa Daurada: Calafell, Cambrils, El Vendrell, Muntanyes de Prades, Salou and Vila-seca and La Pineda Platja.
- Paisatges Barcelona: Cardona.
- Terres de l’Ebre: Benifallet, Els Ports and L’Ametlla de Mar.
- Pirineus: Vall de Boí, Vall de Camprodon, Valls d’Àneu, Pirineus-Noguera Pallaresa, the Berguedà region and the Pallars Sobirà region.
