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The Penedès is a combination of forest, sea, cava, wine, gastronomy, popular culture, and much more. Located between Barcelona and Tarragona, it's the perfect location for a weekend getaway and also for enjoying a holiday with family or friends. Strolling through the vineyards, tasting the local wines and cavas DO Penedès, or swimming at its beaches are some of the activities you can't miss. From Naturaki, we bring you 10 proposals to do in this uniquely rich area. Let's get started!
1. Visit the historical heritage of the Penedès
Castles, museums, and archaeological sites are part of the historical heritage of the Penedès region. Some of the most visited buildings are the old Fishermen's Guild or the recently reconstructed Iberian citadel in Calafell, the Pau Casals Museum and the Ángel Guimerà House Museum in El Vendrell, and we also recommend visiting the 12th-century castle at Pobla de Claramunt.
2. Taste the local gastronomy
If you like to eat well, in the Penedès region you will find a gastronomy that perfectly combines products from the sea and the land. It is a good opportunity to enjoy homemade and traditional Catalan cuisine known as "mar i muntanya" (sea and mountain). One of the most famous products is the Gall del Penedès, which has the Protected Geographical Indication distinction. The star dish is xató, a dish with a base of escarole, anchovies, and cod where a sauce made with almonds, hazelnuts, and ñoras among other ingredients is added. From the sea, the most valued product is the shrimp from Vilanova i la Geltrú. If you have a sweet tooth, you cannot miss the catànies from Vilafranca or the carquinyolis from Sant Quintí de Mediona. The gastronomy of Penedès cannot be fully savored without a good pairing with the wines and cavas produced in the area: DO Penedès.
3. Swim at the beaches of the Penedès
In Baix Penedès region you will find some of the best beaches of the Costa Dorada. Their fine sand, shallow depth, and the quality of their waters attract thousands of visitors each year. In Vendrell, you will find the beaches of Coma-ruga, Sant Salvador, or Francàs. From Cunit, we highlight the Ponent beach and the Llevant beach. Other beaches you cannot miss are the beaches of Calafell, Sitges, or Vilanova i la Geltrú.
4. Do the DO (Designation of origin) Penedès Wine Route
Wine tourism is one of the main attractions of the Penedès. Visiting the wine region allows you to discover a natural environment where you will see vineyards and wineries with centuries-old traditions. Precisely the Wine Route passes through some of the most emblematic wineries such as Albet i Noya, Recaredo, Familia Torres, Segura Viudas, Gramona, and Torelló among others. During the visit, you will discover all the wine and cava making processes and you can have some wine tastings accompanied by local products.
5. Visit Vilafranca del Penedès, the capital of Penedès
Vilafranca del Penedès is also known as the capital of wine. It is worth visiting its Gothic quarter, where you will find authentic architectural gems such as the basilica of Santa Maria or the Baltà palace. On the other hand, modernism has also left its mark. We recommend visiting the Guash Estadella pharmacy or the Mercè Torras house. The weekly market in Vilafranca on Saturday is also a must. It is one of the most traditional markets in Catalonia with more than 400 food, textile, etc. stalls. If you want to live a unique experience, if you have the opportunity, do not miss attending a “diada castellera” (human tower competition).
6. Miravinya, a route to do with family
If you are traveling with family, you can do a car itinerary that allows you to discover some of the most unexplored corners of the Penedès. We are talking about the Miravinya route. During the journey, you will pass through a set of viewpoints with unique architecture such as El Balcó and Sant Pau, La Cadira, La Bardera, or El Circell. Don't miss the opportunity to take unique photos of the Penedès vineyards. You'll see how popular this will be on Instagram!
7. Live the traditions of the Penedès
Traditions and popular culture are deeply rooted in the Penedès. Throughout the year, fairs and festivals are organized that attract thousands of visitors. Some of the most well-known festivals are the City Festival of Vilafranca del Penedès, the Fil·loxera Festival, or the carnivals of Sitges and Vilanova i la Geltrú. If you want to discover, taste, and buy some of the native DO Penedès wines you can visit Cavatast, Temps de Vi, or Vijazz. The Fira del Gall or the Ruta del xató are a good option to taste the local cuisine. And for music lovers, we recommend the Vida Festival or Vinyasons.
8. Enjoy nature at the Foix Natural Park
A great way to unwind from the tensions and relax is to breathe fresh air in nature. In the Penedès, there are different natural spaces where you can do many outdoor activities with family, partner, alone, or with friends. The Foix Natural Park is a protected area where you can see unique species such as the Bonelli's eagle, badgers, or foxes. You also have different paths that can be done on foot or by bike and that reach very interesting places like the castle of Penyafort.
9. Hike through its peaks
Penedès is not only vineyards but also mountains. Throughout the Penedès territory, you will find different mountain trails that reach peaks such as Puig de l'Àliga, Puig de les Agulles, or Montmell. Some of these peaks reach 1000 meters and offer splendid views of the entire plain.
10. Penedès 360, an itinerary to do by bike
One way to enjoy cycle tourism near the sea and among the vineyards is to do the 360 route. It consists of a set of itineraries divided by stages and adapted to different bicycle modalities such as MTB, road, or electric. Its routes will allow you to enjoy the best landscapes of the Penedès as well as cross many of its villages, wineries, or hermitages.
For wine and wine tourism lovers, Catalonia is a territory with a long winemaking tradition. An article that will allow you to learn about other designations of origin in Catalonia such as DO Empordà, is the article where we talk about the best wineries in Alt Empordà. Are you up for it?