A stone’s throw from the Catalan capital there are areas so diverse as close, such as the golden beaches of Santa Susana, the Natural Park of Garraf or the narrow and charming streets of the modernist city Sitges. The coast ofBarcelonais an essential destination, due to its beaches, scenic beauty and extensive cultural activity.
Pineda de Mar, Calella, Canet or Sant Pol de Mar are some of the Maresme beaches, which have received the Blue Flag status, and are entertainment attractions for the tourism season. However, once were home of nomadic fishermen, who failed to settle permanently in the territory until the sixteenth century due to attacks from Pirates. From the eighteenth century fishermen quarters became important centres. Premià de Mar celebrates each July the Pirates Festival, in which citizens seek to avoid the invasion of Omar and his pirate crew.
Premià de Mar has one of the most interesting Roman sites in the region, Can Farrerons (I BC – VI AD). It is noteworthy theCastleofSanta Florentinain Canet de Mar, a medieval building, which was enlarged in the early twentieth century by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. This location also houses the Museum of the architect, world famous for having designed theSantPauHospitaland the Palace of the Música Catalana, both in Barcelona.
Maresme is a land of celebrities in art, literature and music. Among them: Josep Puig i Cadafalch, modernist architect, author of the Amatller House and the Terradas House or Casa de les Punxes in Barcelona, and the Coll i Regàs House in Mataró: Salvador Espriu i Castelló, called the poet of the people, who set some of his plays as Laia or Revolt of the saints in the coastal town of Arenys de Mar; and Peter Pubill Calaf, Peret, the father of the Catalonian rumba, born in Mataró.
South of Barcelona are the Baix Llobregat and Garraf regions. The first of them lies in a prime location – fifteen minutes fromBarcelona’s city centre – thanks to its extensive network of communications – roads, rail, public bus and the airport in El Prat de Llobregat – offers a wide range of possibilities. More than9 milesof beaches with accommodations, campgrounds and apartments make this region a perfect destination for summer vacations. On the other hand, the mountains of Garraf, Ordal, Collserola and the impressive Montserrat – which keeps the famous the black Virgin “La Moreneta” -, are ideal for hiking and activities in nature.
The history of the region is an attraction for the traveller, who can dive in the Neolithic past by visiting the Archaeological Park Mines de Gavà (4000 BC), which for thousands of years was used for the extraction of the variscite, a mineral used in Antiquity for jewellery making. The relevance of the site lies in being the oldest group of mines structured in galleries in Europe. The Roman Baths in Sant Boi de Llobregat are the best preserved private baths in Catalonia. Private property belonging to the second century AD had two distinct areas. One of them contained cold rooms: The apodyterium or changing room and the frigidarium and piscinalis cella – the cold room and swimming pool -. The other warm cameras: tepydarium or warm room, the sudatorium or steam room and the caldarium – hot bathroom -. They were in operation until the fifth century.
The region has a winemaking tradition that dates back to Roman times and has emerged nowadays. The towns of Abrera, Castellví de Rosanes, Cervelló, Corbera de Llobregat, Martorell, Sant Esteve Sesrovires y Vallirana have been included in the Penedès Guarantee of Origin and opt for a traditional production and a variety of wines and champagnes, obtained through an exceptional land and climate.
Easter in Baix Llobregat is characterized by its “passions”, living representations of the life Jesus, involving hundred of actors, stagehands, dressmakers, singers, musicians, etc. Olesa de Montserrat and Esparreguera host this event, one of the oldest and most traditional ofCatalonia, receiving thousands of spectators each year.
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Tourism is undoubtedly the strongest asset of Garraf. His small bays, some accessible only on foot and away from overcrowded beaches, invite a surprisingly calm in the area. We also find spaces for nudists such as Cala Morisca (Vallcarca), Cala Balmins (Sitges) or Cala de l’Home Mort – Dead Man bay -, unfit for superstitious. Garraf offers several water sports such as sailing, kayak, surfing, sailing charters. It also holds different races, some of them international ones.
Tourism is undoubtedly the strongest asset of Garraf. His small bays, some accessible only on foot and away from overcrowded beaches, invite a surprisingly calm in the area. We also find spaces for nudists such as Cala Morisca (Vallcarca), Cala Balmins (Sitges) or Cala de l’Home Mort – Dead Man bay -, unfit for superstitious. Garraf offers several water sports such as sailing, kayak, surfing, sailing charters. It also holds different races, some of them international ones.