Consider Tarragona

Tarragona, Spain

Do you know about Tarragona? No, not the herb. (That’s tarragon!) Tarragona is a city in Catalonia, on the Spanish Mediterranean, about 100 km west of Barcelona. Who doesn’t love Barcelona? It’s a fantastic city. But, there’s something I really like about visiting places that are not on most people’s travel radar. These unsung heroes often end up being more affordable, easier to navigate, and less crowded. Tarragona has all the things you look for in a Spanish vacation – sunny skies, beaches, beautiful architecture, ancient history, and deliciously affordable food and wine.

The oldest Roman settlement in Iberia, Tarragona (Tarraco, in ancient times), is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Like Barcelona, it has a large central pedestrian rambla, the Rambla Nova. There are lots of gorgeous buildings, the beach is nearby and the food is amazing. In fact, the best tapas I ate while in Spain were here, at a little gastrobar called Coimbra. Are you ready to start packing for Spain? Go ahead and hit the hots spots of Madrid and Barcelona. But, if you want a slow travel experience, consider Tarragona.