The Priorat is a wine region located in the province of Tarragona in Catalonia. But it is not only about wine in the region, there are plenty of other things to do in Priorat. There you will find spectacular mountainous landscapes covered by vineyards distributed in terraces and beautiful villages; Falset, Siuranna and Cornudella de Montsant among others. Priorat is an ideal destination for a long vacation or a weekend getaway, an excellent place to disconnect.
In this post we will help you organize your trip to the region and tell you about all the points of interest worth seeing, charming villages and hiking trails. You’ll also find information on how to get there, where to eat and where to stay, and we’ve also prepared a list of travel tips that will certainly help you on your trip. If you’re ready to get started, read on!
What are the best places to visit in Priorat?
1. Natural Park of the Serra de Montsant
The Natural Park of the Sierra de Montsant is an impressive natural park with an area of approximately 9,000 hectares covering mountainous landscapes of great beauty and biodiversity. The park is a paradise for those who love hiking and climbing. It has an extensive network of trails that cross canyons, cliffs and lush forests.
In addition to its natural value, the Natural Park of the Sierra de Montsant has important archaeological sites and prehistoric caves that prove the human presence in the area since ancient times.
2. Falset, the capital of Priorat
Falset is not only the capital of the region, it is also a cozy town where you can spend a morning visiting points of interest. You can visit the remains of the castle, an ancient Roman chapel and the ancient wall. In addition, wine gourmets will be able to enjoy a wide selection of cellars and taste world-renowned Priorat wines.
One of the most interesting wineries is the Falset Marçà cooperative, a modernist building designed by the architect César Martinell.
3. Bellmunt mines
This former mining complex is a must-see in Priorat. It is a set of former iron mines located in Bellmunt. They were active from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, and were an important source of iron ore extraction in the Priorat region.
Today, the Bellmunt Mines have become a historical site of great tourist interest. Guided tours to explore the subway galleries and learn more about the mining history of the area are available at the museum in the complex. The mines are only open on Saturdays and Sundays. Museum admission is €3 and the guided tour of the mine is €5.
4. Siuranna, the best landscape in Priorat
This small village is known for its unique position on top of a cliff surrounded by high cliffs, under which we find the Siuranna reservoir. The views from the village are a real natural spectacle that you can not miss. But it is also worth strolling around the village and get lost in the narrow streets that take us back to the Middle Ages. On your way through Siuranna you will discover a Romanesque church and the remains of the Wali Almira Alemoni castle, the last of the Taifa kingdom in Catalonia.
The area is also very famous among climbers for its steep and challenging walls. But the effort is worth it just for the views. In this post we share with you more information about Siuranna: What to see and do in Siurana?
5. Carthusian monastery of Escaladei
The Carthusian monastery of Escaladei, founded in the 12th century, was the first Carthusian monastery of the Iberian Peninsula. It played an important role in the history of the region. The remains of the buildings are a magnificent example of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. And among its ruins one can still identify the church, the cloister and other monastic structures.
The complex is open daily, except Mondays, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and admission is 3,5€.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Things to do around Priorat
1. Monastery of Santa María de Poblet
This monastery, located just 1 hour away from the Priorat region, is a must visit. It was founded in the 12th century and is considered one of the best preserved Cistercian monasteries in Europe. That is why it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The monastery is notable for its Gothic architecture and magnificent cloisters and can be visited every day from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm. The entrance fee is 8,5€.
2. Sitges, a perfect day trip
1 and a half hour away towards Barcelona we find Sitges, a beautiful coastal town known for the beauty of its coastline and vibrant atmosphere. It’s impossible not to fall in love with its cobblestone streets, picturesque architecture and beaches. The city is also a popular destination for the LGBTQ+ community for its inclusive atmosphere and vibrant nightlife. But it’s not all party and beach, there’s plenty to see in Sitges, a destination with a rich historical and cultural background. It is also the site of the annual Sitges Film Festival.
In this post you’ll find much more about Sitges and what to do on a day trip there: Things to see and do in Sitges
Things to do in 1 day in Priorat
Priorat is a quiet destination where time passes at a different pace. This means that in 3 or 4 days you will have plenty of time to visit the main points of interest such as its most beautiful villages, Falset, Siuranna and Cornudella de Montsant among many others. You can also visit several wineries in the region, go hiking in the Sierra de Montsant Natural Park and visit the Carthusian monastery of Escaladei and the Bellmunt Mines.
If you have enough time we also recommend you to rent a car and go to the coast to visit Sitges or the Monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet. We are sure it will be an incredible vacation.
Where and what to eat in Priorat?
Besides being famous for its prestigious wines, the Priorat region is characterized by the traditional Catalan recipes with ingredients from the orchard, the mountains and the sea. Some of the most typical products of the area are extra virgin olive oil, Grenache and Carignan wine, sausages, grilled meat and goat and sheep cheeses. Here is a list of some restaurants where you can eat well in Priorat.
- Brichs: This restaurant located in Falset in a modernist building, is perfect for food lovers. It specializes in Catalan cuisine and offers a tasting menu with wine pairing for 75 €.
- Hostal Sports: is a rustic restaurant where you can taste authentic homemade Catalan food for less than 25€. The dishes are plentiful and the place is very nice.
- Íntim: located in Cornudella de Montsant, this casual restaurant is a good choice for fine dining with the best wines and local ingredients. The price ranges between 20€ and 30€ per person.
Where to stay in Priorat
The Priorat is the perfect destination to disconnect and relax thanks to inspiring landscapes and rural accommodations surrounded by nature. In the region you can choose from a wide variety of hostels, campsites, hotels, cottages and apartments for all tastes and budgets. You can choose whether you prefer to stay in the villages of the region or in the middle of the countryside among the vineyards. Here are some of our favorite accommodations:
- Montsant Park Camping & Bungalow: is an economical option to stay and perfect to go with the family. Here you can camp with your own tent or rent a bungalow for 66€. The complex has a garden and swimming pool.
- Hostal Populetus: is a very cozy hostel located in Poboleda. It is a simple and clean place where you can spend the night for 86€. The price includes breakfast.
- Priorat Aparthotel: is a cozy apartment complex located in Falset. They offer private parking and rooms for families from 172€.
How to get to Priorat
The Priorat is a large and mountainous region with many villages, wineries and excursions where public transport does not reach. It means that the best way to get around the area is by private vehicle. To get to the region you have several available options:
- By plane: the closest airport to Priorat is Reus Airport, which operates national and international flights. There you can rent a car and drive to Priorat, which is approximately 30 minutes away.
- By train: By train you can travel to Tarragona train station, which is the closest to Priorat. From there, you can take a cab or rent a car to reach the wine region, which is about 40 minutes away by car.
- Bus: from the main cities of the region such as Barcelona, Tarragona or Girona you can travel by bus to the villages of Priorat.
What should I consider before traveling to Priorat?
- It is recommended to take a private car to move around the region.
- Bear in mind that in late summer and early autumn the Gota Fria, a meteorological phenomenon that triggers torrential rains for several days, takes place.
- Catalonia is a very touristy region, so early booking is recommended.
- Catalan is spoken in the region, but you will be perfectly understood in Spanish.
- Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured
- The water in the region is drinkable.
- It is recommended to take a private car to move around the region.
How to prepare what to see on your trip to Priorat
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we listed in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers things to do in Priorat.
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: how to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Priorat
To get around Priorat it is best to have your own vehicle. Otherwise, the main urban centers are connected by a network of buses. The nearest train station is in Tarragona.
The essential to try in Priorat is the wine, made from Grenache and Carignan and of worldwide prestige. In addition, there are other incredible products such as cheese, oil and sausages.
The best time to travel to Priorat is in spring or autumn.
In the region you can choose from a wide variety of hostels, campsites, hotels, rural houses and apartments for all tastes and budgets.
Three to four days are enough to see the region, which is also a perfect destination for a weekend getaway.
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