PIRINEUS
Berga
Berga was accredited as a Family Holiday Destination in
2014. Comprising the municipalities of
Avià,
Capolat,
Castellar del Riu,
Berga and
Cercs, the area includes the impressive
Serra de Queralt chain of mountains, providing the opportunity to enjoy a range of activities such as walking, mountain biking and paragliding. Also on offer here are numerous trails and routes for outings; water sports on the
La Baells Reservoir and active and adventure tourism; museums and cultural spaces suitable for all the family, such as the
Casa de la Patum, an information centre on the La Patum festival,
El Berguedà Nature Information Centre and the mining settlement at Sant Corneli (Cercs), where you will find the
Cercs Mine Museum.
La Vall d’en Bas-Les Preses
Accredited in 2016, La Vall d’en Bas consists of a group of small, picturesque villages: Sant Esteve d’en Bas, Sant Privat d’en Bas, Els Hostalets d’en Bas, Joanetes, La Pinya, El Mallol and Puigpardines. Together with the neighbouring municipality of Les Presses, it is the most family-oriented destination in the Garrotxa. This valley, one of the most fertile in the Pyrenees, is ideal for family holidays and for enjoying donkey trails, the Via Verda greenway and walks through the Pressa Tosca Park and for learning about how cheese is made.
The Vall de Boí
Accredited in
2015, the Vall de Boí was awarded the Family Holiday Destination label in recognition of its extensive range of tourist attractions and amenities, among them the group of eight
Romanesque churches and a shrine built between the 11th and 12th centuries, now recognised by
UNESCO as World Heritage. With regard to the natural environment, the
Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park offers numerous active and nature tourism activities all year round, with itineraries suitable for all tastes and abilities. The
spa at Caldes de Boí and the
Boí Taüll Resort for skiers are two further attractions to be found in the valley. Mention must also be made of the many fairs and traditions observed in this area, among them the
falles (fire festivals), the high-mountain cuisine based on
organic meat produced in all the animal husbandry farms in the valley, the network of paths extending for more than
60 km and the many activities for all the family on offer here.
http://www.valldeboi.cat
Les Valls d’Àneu
Certified in
2013, Les Valls d’Àneu was the
first destination in
inland Catalonia to be awarded the FHD (Family Holiday Destination) label of approval. Formed by the townships of
Esterri d’Àneu,
La Guingueta d’Àneu,
Alt Àneu and
Espot, the destination received this endorsement thanks to its superb natural setting, which includes the
Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park and the
Alt Pirineu Natural Park, top-quality tourist facilities, such as the
Espot Esquí winter sports resort, and a huge variety of activities for children.
http://www.vallsdaneu.org
COSTA BRAVA
Roses
The main tourist attraction of Roses, which was awarded FHD status in
2009, is its
beaches. Nevertheless, the town has a lot more to offer for families with children, such as outings to the
Cap de Creus Nature Park,
birdwatching on the
Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park, the
Aquabrava water park, the
children’s club on the beach, the go-karting circuit,
miniature golf course and the possibility of enjoying various
water sports.
http://www.visitroses.cat/en
Blanes
Blanes was the first town on the Costa Brava to receive FHD recognition, awarded in June
2007. In addition to its more than 4 kilometres of
beaches, the town is well known for its
Marimurtra and
Pinya Rosa botanical gardens, as well as the
International Costa Brava Fireworks Competition, held every July, which internationally renowned pyrotechnical companies take part in.
http://www.visitblanes.net
Castell-Platja d’Aro
Certified as a new Family Holiday Destination in 2014, this is a modern, cosmopolitan, dynamic town with a high-level offering of commerce, accommodation and leisure activities. Sport, culture and major events share centre stage with a seafront façade of long beaches and little coves just waiting to be discovered. Nature lovers can practice hiking, mountain biking, and water sports and activities, combining sport, tourism and leisure. Free-time entertainment is the ideal complement to family holidays: amusement parks, multiplex cinemas, bowling, water park, children’s beach club and guided cultural tours.
http://www.platjadaro.com
Torroella de Montgrí-l’Estartit
Awarded FHD status in 2007, Torroella de Montgrí – L’Estartit is famed for the
Medes Islands, a veritable marine paradise for
scuba diving,
kayaking and for taking
boat rides on ships with windows in the hull of the craft so that you can observe the bottom of the sea. In addition,
L’Estartit – Illes Medes Yacht Club offers numerous
activities such as windsurfing, sailing, cycling and horseriding.
http://www.visitestartit.com/
Lloret de Mar
Lloret de Mar was declared an FHD in
2010. The town has a long string of
beaches complemented by other attractions, including
Water World park,
Arbreaventura – an outdoor adventure park with zip wires, bridges and complicated walkways – and
Gnomo Park – the world of gnomes set in a forest of Mediterranean pines. The
rampart walks and the
Santa Clotilde Gardens laid out in the early 20th century add to the town’s appeal.
http://lloretdemar.org
Calonge-Sant Antoni
Calonge – Sant Antoni was awarded FHD status in
2010. The town has a number of
beaches suitable for families, as well as a fascinating
medieval old quarter, the
prehistoric dolmen of
Puigsesforques and
Valentina Tower, a watchtower dating from the 16th century, where the
rampart walk begins.
Tennis &
padel fans can play at
Piper’s Tennis Club. And
horse lovers will be able to ride at the
Hípica Unicorn stables.
http://www.calonge-santantoni.com/index.php?page=auto&mc=1
Sant Feliu de Guíxols
Accredited in
2014, Sant Feliu de Guíxols offers a wide range of attractions and amenities for families, among them
the Badia de Sant Feliu and
Sant Pol beaches, which have a Mini Club for Children and a crèche for babies. Active folk will enjoy the
Camí de Ronda (coastal footpath), the
Ruta del Miradors, which takes in vantage points offering spectacular views, the bicycle route on the
Via Verda (greenway) and the
Via Ferrata of Cala Molí, the only one over the sea in Europe. The municipality also has the
Espai Carmen Thyssen, a gallery space with an Espai del Petit Artista, an area given over to very young budding artists. The
monastery with its pre-Romanesque façade with horseshoe arches, known as the
Porta Ferrada, is open to visitors, as is the
Shrine of Sant Elm, which is on the tourist train route.
The Porta Ferrada International Festival of music, theatre and dance, one of the oldest in Catalonia, is also held here in summer.
http://www.visitguixols.com
Sant Pere Pescador
Sant Pere Pescador, accredited in
2016, surrounded by the
Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park and skirted on one side by the Fluvià River, offers the perfect place for enjoying sporting activities, as well as numerous walking and cycling routes that wend their way through fields of fruit trees. A wide range of accommodation is available here, including small hotels, houses set in rural locations and seven campsites ranked among the best in Europe due to their award-winning quality, innovation and services. The gently sloping, fine sandy
beach, with 7 km of unspoiled dunes, is a unique spot for families. Its natural characteristics have made it one of the top places worldwide for water sports.
http://visitsantpere.com
COSTA BARCELONA
Calella
Even though it received official recognition in
2004, Calella’s tradition as a family holiday destination dates back to the 1950s. The municipality can offer families supervised enclosed areas with
inflatables,
water games and
sand for very young children. During the
Renaissance Fair (in June), events are organised for children so that they can learn about how people lived at that time.
http://www.calellabarcelona.com
Castelldefels
Castelldefels was awarded the Family Holiday Destination label in
2015. Its attractions include a fine
sandy beach that stretches for more than 5 kilometres and which has been given every award in recognition of its quality, among them the Blue Flag; the
Serra del Garraf chain of mountains, where visitors can go for walks, play sports and enjoy all kinds of leisure activities associated with the natural environment;
Castelldefels Castle; and the
Olympic canal, the Canal Olímpic de Catalunya, where you can go rowing and canoeing in calm waters.
http://www.castelldefelsturisme.com
Pineda de Mar
Situated between the
sea and the
mountains, Pineda de Mar (awarded FHD status in
2005) offers families a whole host of attractions, including Blue-Flag
beaches, interesting outings and
cultural,
sporting and
leisure activities. The nearby
Montnegre-Corredor Natural Park has routes designed for walkers and mountain bikers, while the
Tharrats Foundation invites children to learn about the world of drawing and the graphic arts.
http://www.pinedademar.org/portada-turisme
Santa Susanna
Santa Susanna was awarded FHD status in August
2003. It offers a wide range of types of
accommodation,
restaurants and similar facilities for families, as well as an extensive array of
leisure and entertainment activities, among them the
Montnegre Mountain Bike Centre, the
Activ Natura park and
Marineland water park in the neighbouring town of Palafolls.
http://www.stasusanna-online.com
Malgrat de Mar
Malgrat de Mar was recognised as an FHD in
2007. The town has more than 5 kilometres of
beaches, the longest of which,
Astillero Beach, has a
beach library and
children’s club. The
Francesc Macià Public Park has an area with children’s playground attractions covering 40, 000 m2.
http://www.turismemalgrat.com/en/enjoy-malgrat-mar/family
Vilanova i la Geltrú
Certified in
2015, Vilanova i la Geltrú has numerous attractions, such as its 6 kilometres of fine sandy
beaches, and services and other amenities suited to visitors: a wealth of heritage, notably the
houses built by
Indianos (people who returned from the Americas having made their fortune), romantic
gardens and impressive
fountains; over
700 commercial outlets; and a
cuisine based on the local farming and fishing traditions and on quality produce.
http://www.vilanovaturisme.cat
COSTA DAURADA
Salou
Awarded FHD status in
2003, Salou can accommodate more than
55, 000 tourists and has a wide range of
beaches with services for families. The largest beach in the municipality,
Llevant Beach, even has a 200-m2 crèche. In addition to the beaches, the municipality’s other main attraction is the
PortAventura theme park, the biggest in Catalonia.
www.visitsalou.es
Cambrils
Cambrils was awarded FHD status in
2007. Families mainly come here for
sun and sand holidays, though they are increasingly being drawn by the town’s
culture,
gastronomy,
traditions and
sports, as well as the complementary services nearby. Another of the local attractions is the
Cambrils Yacht Club.
www.cambrils-turismo.com
Calafell
Calafell was given FHD recognition in
2006. Its iodine-rich
beaches were the first sands in Catalonia to obtain
ISO certificates and
Blue Flags. The town has a number of attractions for families, among them a
Children’s Club, nearby
mountain-bike routes, activities for very young children in the
Iberian citadel and traditional local
seafood cuisine.
http://turisme.calafell.cat
Muntanyes de Prades
Muntanyes de Prades was in 2014 the second inland location to be awarded the Family Holiday Destination seal. Consisting of the municipalities of
Alcover,
Arbolí, L’
Espluga de Francolí,
La Febró,
Capafonts,
Mont-ral,
Prades,
Vallclara,
Vilanova de Prades,
Vilaverd and
Vimbodí i Poblet, it encompasses a protected natural area, the Poblet Natural Site of National Interest, and a chain of mountains that runs inland along the coast, the Prades Mountains, which are ideal for outings with children. Its two historical sites, the red town of Prades and Poblet Monastery, and its range of museums are added attractions. More active visitors will enjoy the routes it offers for walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders. The GR 7, the GR 65 and the GR 175 long-distance footpaths and their variants connect the various municipalities in the area with the Cistercian Route, the Costa Daurada and inland Catalonia..
http://www.muntanyescostadaurada.cat
Vila-seca, La Pineda Platja
This municipality, awarded FHD status in
2011, is divided into two main areas:
Vila-seca, the old town, with charming streets,
historical remains and a wide range of
shops; and
La Pineda Platja, the seashore area with more than 3.5 kilometres of
beaches suitable for families. Other attractions nearby are the
PortAventura theme park and the
Aquopolis water park.
http://www.vila-seca.cat
TERRES DE L’EBRE
Els Ports
Certified in 2017, the Family Nature and Mountain destination ‘Els Ports’ covers a large territory constituted by eight municipalities gathered around this mountain range, declared a Natural Park in 2001 and a part of Terres de l’Ebre Biosphere Reserve , declared by Unesco in 2013. The destination combines both the charm of a mountain area altogether with villages and towns of an extensive historical, architectural and cultural heritage. In ‘Els Ports’ you can practice a wide variety of activities of nature and active tourism suitable for the whole family, with more than 80km of signposted routes, plenty of flora and fauna species to observe and a network of refuges and spaces to connect with nature. In the municipalities, you can walk through the historic and monumental centres, visit museums or historic buildings, savour the varied gastronomy of the area or enjoy a wide offer of both commercial and tourist services.
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