Vacation Rentals in Catalonia
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Travel destination Catalonia.
You can choose from 1754 vacation rentals and holiday rentals.
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Overview of Catalonia
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| Size |
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32.114 sq km |
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| Population |
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6,995,206 million |
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| Language |
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Spanish and Catalan. |
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| Time Zone |
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1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+1 GMT). |
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| Electricity |
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220 or 225 volts AC, 50 Hz. Generally, round two-pin plugs and screw-type lamp fittings are in use. |
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| Clothing |
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Light- to medium weights and rainwear, according to the season. |
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| Religion |
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90% Roman Catholic, 10% Protestant, Muslim and Jewish. |
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| Currency |
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Euro (EUR)
Currency Converter |
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Location of Catalonia
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The Spanish autonomous community of Catalonia borders on Land of Valencia to the south, Aragon to
the west, France and Andorra to the north, and the Mediterranean Sea to the east and southeast.
The Costa Brava (Wild Coast), in the northeast of the country, has rocky cliffs and a mix of pebble beaches
and sandy beaches. The Costa Dorada (Golden Coast), in the southeast of Catalonia, has sandy beaches. |
Climate of Catalonia
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The climate in Catalonia is typical for the Mediterranean countries: temperate and humid.
The average annual number of sunny days is 300. The average temperatures are 18°C (64°F) in spring,
26°C (78°F) in summer, 20°C (68°F) in autumn and 10°C (50°F) in winter. The minimum water temperature
is 13°C (55°F) in February and the maximum is 25°C (75°F) in July. The warmest months are considered
to be July and August when the temperature reaches 40°C (104°F). |
Best Time to Travel to Catalonia
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Spring and early summer is the best time to visit the region. The climate in Catalonia is perfect
for sightseeing, laying on the beach, and enjoying all sorts of water activities. July and August are
the busiest months for visitors, October is the rainiest month in Catalonia. Turists to the area can
enjoy outdoor activities and even eat meals on restaurant patios during all months of the year.
The winters here can be cool, but pleasant. |
Attractions in Catalonia
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Catalonia has a great variety of different landscapes very close to each other, mountains
on the Pyrenees (at the border with France), green hills on north of the country, agricultural
planes on the west and beaches on the east. Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia is
unequivocally a Mediterranean city, not only because of its geographic location but also and
above all because of its history, tradition and cultural influences. Montserrat
(60 km from Barcelona), an essential part of the Catalonian identify, it is the spiritual
center and guardian of the souls of the Catalonian. In Tarragona, Lerida and Girona you will
find artistic and architectural heritage that is characterised by its very variety and wealth.
Each Heritage City is outstanding for one particular element or characteristic. Nevertheless,
they all offer much, much more. Tarragona - the city itself is an open-air museum
whose Roman remains are outstanding. Girona - spreading medieval flavour in the
footsteps of Salvador Dali. The old town of Girona is packed with artistic treasures.
In Figueres, birthplace of the artist, you will find the Dali Theatre-Museum. The building
is home to a major collection where you can see the progression of this great master of Surrealism.
Europe's biggest water park is located just outside Lloret de Mar and the Marineland
complex near Blanes is another hugely popular family day out with its dolphin, sea lion
and parrot shows, water slides, reptile house and children's zoo. Roses is the biggest
resort on the northern stretch of the Costa Brava, located just 30 km from the French border.
This centuries old fishing port, is now a popular international holiday destination which has
managed to retain much of its original charm. All modern tourist facilities can be found here
but the resort has escaped the over-development and brashness which now characterise some
of the better known Spanish coastal towns.
Costa Dorada - this extends south from Barcelona to Tarragona, with fine sandy beaches
that are often separated by the road or railway from the interior. The lively and cosmopolitan
resort town of Sitges on the Costa Dorada has several museums, in particular the Cav-Ferrat
which houses two paintings by El Greco. Lerida itself is the capital of a
province that includes the wildest, most mountainous area of the Pyrenees. Its wealth of scenery
and monuments make it one of the most interesting and attractive areas in Spain. |
Events in Catalonia
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The Procession of the Three Wise Men on January 5th inaugurates the year's festivities.
Carnival is celebrated in February with parades and fireworks set off by the Colles de dracs.
March 3rd is the festival of Sant Medir, celebrated in the Gràcia district with a procession,
including the tossing of candy to watching children. April 23rd, festival of Sant Jordi
(St. George) is the day of roses and books. Stalls throughout the city offer books and roses for sale.
Declared World Book Day by UNESCO in 1995. Corpus Cristi festival is celebrated in June with
parades of giants and big-headed carnival figures. The fountain of the Cathedral's cloister is the
site of the traditional ou com balla (Dancing egg). June 23rd, summer solstice on the eve of
Sant Joan (St. John), is a night of bonfires and fireworks in the squares and streets. The
Assumption festival on August 15th is celebrated in the area of the Gracia Quarter while
the neighborhood fills the streets. September 24th is the festival of La Merce, patroness
of Barcelona. This is a time of big celebrations with four days of musical performances, parades
of giants and big-headed figures, fireworks, cultural and sport events, and open-air dancing in
various places in the city. |
Food in Catalonia
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The cousine of Catalonia is very much fish and rice based and has an international reputation.
Dishes with deep-rooted country origins, from the humble escudella to the rich and varied
seafood cuisine, from grilled fish to excellent suquet de peix can be sampled in Catalonia.
The is a strong tradition in the Costa Brava of combining seafood with poultry and meat, what the
Catalan's term mar i muntanya (sea and mountain). Such combinations include pork and muscles,
tuna soup with snails, rabbit with crayfish and chicken and lobster. Fish is also used in salads,
like esqueixada which is made with salted cod, or escalivada amb anxoves, made
with barbecued vegetables and anchovies. Catalonia is one of the few areas in Spain where the
climatic conditions favour the growth of truffles. The black fungus, more expensive than gold,
grows from December to March in oak forests and is found in loose soil just below the surface.
Catalans use truffles in both meat and fish dishes.
Calcotada originates form Tarragona and is made by cooking spring calocats (a local
variety of spring onions) over an open flame. When cooked, the spring onions char on the
outside but inside are tender. They are eaten by brushing off the outer layer of ash and
dipping the vegetable into salbitxada, a spicy sauce made from peppers, crushed
almonds, olive oil and tomato. The calcotada symbolises the coming of Spring and every
year a large festival celebrating the calcotada is held in Valls in the province of Tarragona.
Barbecued meats are also popular, especially when cooked over a fire of vine prunings which
generates an intense heat. Towards the Pyrenees game dishes are found, like arros amb conill
(rice with rabbit) or perdices con coles (partridge with cabbage).
Desserts are also varied and are not limited to the most typical ones, such as crema catalana
(custard with a carmel crust) and mel i mato (cottage cheese and honey).
Catalunya is a land of good wines, particularly the wines from Penedes, Costers del Segre,
Alella and Perelada. Penedes is the region par-excellence of the sparkling wine called cava. |
Society in Catalonia
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Catalans are proud, industrious and resorceful people. Their national flag flies from rooftops
in nearly every village or town. This is Spain's wealthiest region and estimated 30% of the best
restaurants in all of Spain can be found here. It's said that the Catalan people enjoy some of
the highest standard of living in Europe.
Tipping: normally in the region of 5 – 10%, and should be left behind on the table, not included
in the bill. |
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