About the Area

What to see and do in the area?

The area is rich in so much. Whether you are after a lazy beach holiday or an energetic time on a mountain bike, Catalunya has got it. From the pre-Roman Iberian settlements, to the major Roman centres and monuments of Tarragona, to the Moors and Knights Templar of the Crusades right up to the modern influences of Picasso, Gaudi and Franco, the area is rich in history. For the outdoor types, all kinds of water sports, river and sea fishing, walking, climbing, off-roading with cars and bikes, horse riding, bird-watching, photography and even the latest Universal Studios theme park at Salou (Port Aventura) are all part and parcel of life here.

Shopping and eating out, also very important aspects of holidaying or living here, are not without interest. Dining out is fun. Take a phrase book with you – the Menu del Dia (lunchtime menu of the day) will be excellent value for about 6€ starting around 1.00 to 3.00 p.m. – four courses with wine, water and coffee. Don’t rush it, enjoy it! Nothing will be open until 4.30 to 5.00 anyway so where are you going? For gastronomic delights try the seafood restaurants of the Delta or on the coast only a short drive away – the baby eels are exceptional!

El Perelló has all the essential shops for your daily needs but for those “big” shopping centres, Tortosa, L`Amposta, Reus and Tarragona all have Hypermarkets, shopping malls, DIY stores and the like – all from 30 to 45 minutes away. Most towns have good weekly markets. We can advise you on when and where they are.

Guides.

In conjunction with our local tourist office, we have a collection of brochures for would be residents (part or full time). Details include;

Barcelona – the capital of Catalunya, home to a wealth of museums, markets, shops of all kinds, the Ramblas, Gothic and modern cathedrals, architectural masterpieces of the famous Gaudi, (Gaudy) and most important of all on a Sunday afternoon, “Barça”, the No. 1 football team in the world!?!

Tarragona – a major trading post since Roman times, it boasts an amphitheatre, an excellent aqueduct, museums and a walled city.

Reus – only a few kilometres from the administrative town of Tarragona, it is much more a cultural and shopping centre. Numerous streets are filled with shops, boutiques and stalls of all kinds.

Salou – a major tourist resort, now famous for Port Aventura, an excellent theme park for the whole family.

Tortosa – the local capital and home to a settlement on the Ebro River since the Moors established their fortress in the mediaeval times. There is a great weekly market and a large indoor market every day. This very cultured town is a maze of intriguing passageways.

Miravet – take the two-car ferry across the Ebro to the tiny village, dominated by the castle, built by the Knights Templar as a safe haven on route to the Holy Land during the Crusades. Enjoy the figs from the trees in the Village Square as you relax with a glass of wine from the famous wine area of Gandesa, just a few minutes to the north.

L`Ametlla – an old sea port, still with a very active harbour. Buy your fish, prawns and lobsters for the evening barbeque from the boats! The town is full of restaurants and tourist shops. It has a mainline train station to Barcelona. There are some excellent beaches nearby.

Tivissa – dating from the pre-Roman times, the Iber tribe originally established their base in this area. The small town is perched on top of a hill and is dominated by local mountains that are just waiting to be explored, either by car, bike or on foot.

El Perelló – Apart from being our base, there are lots of quiet unspoilt beaches only minutes away. The Iberian caves and their paintings in the Burga valley on the way to Rasquera are well worth a visit.

Tourist Information Websites:

www.spain.info

www.turismeperatothom

http://alwaysmanana.com/

www.gencat.cat/temes/