Vacation Rentals in Catalonia

Although Catalonia has been politically divided into the four provinces Barcelona, Tarragona, Lleida and Girona since 1833, Catalonia is divided into nine spatial regions due to its landscape differences. In particular, these are the mountainous regions of Val d'Aran and Pirineus, the low mountain areas of Terres De Lleida and Paisatges Barcelona and the coastal areas of Costa Brava, Costa Daurada, Terres de l'Lebre and Costa Barcelona.

Those who move into their vacation rental in Catalonia in one of the big coastal towns or in one of the four provincial capitals benefit from good train connections. The same applies to traffic within the larger cities, especially since the public transport network is generally well developed and there are sufficient taxis available as an alternative. For trips into the hinterland and to the numerous natural attractions, however, it is advisable to book a rental car or use your own vehicle, as the transport infrastructure in the countryside is much thinner.

The different climate zones, starting from the high mountains in the north over the plains up to the Mediterranean coasts make Catalonia an attractive destination all year round. While bathing holidaymakers are drawn to the coasts of Catalonia by water temperatures of 25 degrees Celsius and up to ten hours of sunshine, especially between June and August, active holidaymakers and city travellers make way for the less hot spring and autumn months. An insider's tip is the Catalan winter, when the mountain slopes of the Pyrenees invite you to ski.

The event year in Catalonia begins with the traditional procession of Verges on Maundy Thursday and the Mobile World Congress in April. It continues with highlights such as the Spring Festival, the Formula 1 Gran Prix and the Primera Sound Festival in May, the Windsurfing World Championship in June and the European Balloon Festival in July. The final event will be the Rallye Catalunya in October and the Christmas Regatta in December.

Barcelona is the pearl of Catalonia and is worth a visit for its numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló. Also the wide sandy beaches and the nightlife are convincing.

Catalonia's cuisine reflects the landscape and combines the mountains with the sea at the stove. The range of fish and meat dishes on offer is correspondingly wide, with 'Pollastre amb Ilagosta' (chicken with lobster) or 'Sipia amb vedella mandonguilles' (squid with meatballs).

On many Catalan folk festivals you can admire human pyramids, the so-called Castells. Surrounded by traditional music, these towers reach a height of up to ten floors and are a spectacle that you should have attended during a visit to Catalonia.