Catalonia

First-class beaches. Culture-crammed cities. Sleepy hilltop villages. When it comes to holidays, Catalonia has got it covered.

Holiday hotspot

Up in the north-east corner of Spain, Catalonia’s got summer breaks sorted with its mix of sandy beaches and action-packed resorts. When it comes to picking a place to stay, you’ve got two Costas to choose from.

Costa Dorada

The Costa Dorada ticks off golden sands, lively towns and Spain’s largest theme park. The big-name resort here is Salou. Lining its beach, you’ll find loads of bars, clubs and restaurants. Further along the coast are laid-back resorts like La Pineda and Cambrils.

Costa Brava

Head north and you’ll hit the Costa Brava. This place is a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, you’ve got action-packed resorts – like Lloret de Mar and Tossa de Mar – that line up behind huge stretches of sand. But between the big names, you’ll find button-cute fishing villages that cluster around quiet coves and rocky inlets.

Stylish cities and hilltop hamlets

Catalonia’s got loads on offer away from the beach, too. Cities like Girona and Barcelona line up chic shops, quirky architecture and buzzing after-dark scenes, while inland you’ve got Medieval hamlets and unspoilt countryside to get to grips with.