Barcelona Province

It’s really difficult to work out where Barcelona ends. According to 2005 figures, the city of Barcelona has a population of a little over one a half million, but the inhabitants of its urban sprawl number at least four million, more than half of Catalonia’s population. Given such a high density, there are parts for which ‘ugly’ might be considered a compliment and ‘truly hideous’ a slightly more accurate description.

However, once you get away from the dominating throb of the Catalan capital’s industrial belt, the oppressive atmosphere changes to light and beauty. A trip down the coast to Sitges or Vilanova i la Geltrú, a visit to the awe-inspiring mountain and monastery of Montserrat, a long hike across the plain of Vic finishing with a relaxed lunch in the region’s medieval capital or a gruelling climb up Tagamanent, the highest point of the nearby Montseny mountains, will all be wonderfully rewarding. So check out of your Barcelona hotel, get in the hire car or on public transport and explore!