Taste Catalonia – A Land of Flavours from Mountains to Sea
Catalonia, World Region of Gastronomy 2025, is a land where sea meets mountain, tradition meets innovation, and every landscape tells a flavourful story. From vineyard-covered hills to coastal coves, its culture, cuisine and creativity invite you to taste, explore and connect with one of Europe’s most captivating culinary regions.
Find exactly what you’re looking for via the links below – or keep scrolling to discover the gastronomic delights of Catalonia for yourself:
Savour the Grand Tour of Catalonia: Check The Full Itinerary
Wine & Food Experiences: Gastronomic Experiences | Wine Tourism | Welcome To The Farm
Savour the Seasons: Flavours, Flights & Regional Food Trails in Catalonia: Catalonia – The Year-Round Gastronomical Destination | Soaring to Catalonia: UK & Ireland Flight Options | Catalonia’s Regional Dishes & Perfect Wine Pairings
Gastronomic Events Calendar: Winter | Spring | Summer | Autumn
View a Selection of ‘Catalonia is Appetising’ Videos on YouTube: Catalonia Is Appetising | Wineries At Your Fingertips | Cuisines For All Palates | The Taste Of History
Savour the Grand Tour of Catalonia
Catalonia is a feast for the senses, where landscapes shape flavour. Discover markets, wineries, olive mills, farms, and festivals on this 15 stage, 2,100km itinerary. Meet passionate chefs, artisans, and growers preserving tradition, nature, and biodiversity on a delicious journey through this vibrant, food-loving region. A culinary journey of Catalonia can be tailored to your own requirements with the help of an expert local travel agency.
- Stage 1 - Modernisme At Its Sweetest
- Stage 2 - Monastic Ambiance
- Stage 3 - Wine Tourism In Penedès
- Stage 4 - History, Farmland And The Sea
- Stage 5 - On The Banks Of The Ebro
Barcelona is the starting point of this gastronomic journey through Catalonia, a day full of childhood memories, fishing stories and avant-garde cuisine.
Highlights:
- Start your day with exquisite chocolate from both heritage and avant-garde shops, then sip cocoa on Passeig de Gràcia
- Visit Santa Caterina Market to handpick ingredients before a hands-on seafood rice cooking workshop with local chefs
- Explore Barceloneta’s quay with a fisherman, learning about Mediterranean fish and witnessing the lively fish market auction
- Enjoy a guided walk through iconic grocers and specialty food shops, sampling authentic Catalan treats along the way
- Dine at a Michelin-starred Barcelona restaurant, where tasting menus showcase fresh, local ingredients at accessible prices
A flight over Montserrat, a lesson in nature’s bounty and the curious dry-stone wine vats of the D.O. Pla de Bages mark the journey from Barcelona to Solsona.
Highlights:
- Take in jaw-dropping views of Montserrat from a helicopter before sampling artisan mató with honey and ratafia
- Discover local herbs on a guided nature walk through Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac Natural Park’s plant nursery
- Visit a medieval monastery in El Bages, then compete in a playful challenge to earn a mock Michelin star
- Explore Pla de Bages Wine Route and its remarkable dry-stone vats once used for traditional winemaking
- Follow ancient salt mule tracks to El Solsonès and taste raw sheep’s cheese at historic El Miracle monastery
Penedès is home to D.O. Cava and D.O. Penedès, with internationally renowned labels, as well as small producers and organic vineyards that offer wine experiences for all ages.
Highlights:
- Explore Penedès vineyards stretching to the sea, with visits to the Vinseum Museum and the immersive Cava Centre
- Enjoy countryside dining and wine tastings at a family-run vineyard in Méhari, surrounded by rolling vine-covered hills
- Follow the scenic Miravinya Route, offering stunning views and insight into the region’s wine-growing heritage
- Savour extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in La Bisbal del Penedès and world-famous vinegars served at Nobel Prize ceremonies in El Vendrell
- End the day riding a traditional farm cart from a Modernista winery along the D.O. Tarragona Wine Route
The counties along the Costa Daurada have the largest number of wines with a Denomination of Origin, five in all, plus cava. They are also the home of products such as calçots (scallions) and hazelnuts, and the birthplace of the vermouth tradition.
Highlights:
- Browse fresh local produce at Tarragona’s Fòrum Market, set among stunning Roman ruins and ancient landmarks
- Learn about D.O. Tarragona wines, natural wine producers, and the festive revival of the L’Embutada celebration
- Discover El Serrallo’s boat cuisine and sample seafood dishes featuring romesco, a staple of the city’s culinary heritage
- Follow Reus’s Vermouth Route, visiting a historic factory and museum before tasting vermouth and prized D.O.P. Reus hazelnuts
- Watch fishing boats return to Cambrils and enjoy fresh seafood in the culinary capital of the Costa Daurada
El Delta de l’Ebre Natural Park and its surroundings are home to food and drink influenced by the uniqueness of the landscape, as this is one of the most biodiverse areas in Catalonia.
Highlights:
- Swim with Mediterranean bluefin tuna in L’Ametlla de Mar, then enjoy a tasting after your underwater adventure
- Sail Fangar Bay from L’Ampolla to visit mussel and oyster farms and learn about the delicate local ecosystem
- Marvel at the flooded rice fields of the Ebro Delta, where light transforms the landscape into a shimmering mirror
- Tour the Mediterranean’s only sake brewery in a rice-field farmhouse, also producing miso and offering e-bike experiences
- End the day with a delicious prawn dinner in La Ràpita, celebrating the sea’s bounty and regional rice culture
- Stage 6 - Olive Oil And Grenache
- Stage 7 - Heroic Viticulture
- Stage 8 - Art And Gastronomy
- Stage 9 - Land of Shepherds
- Stage 10 - Aromas In The Air
Terres de l’Ebre’s organic larder is unique in Europe. In addition to quality fish and seafood, it features a wide variety of vegetables, excellent olive oils and renowned wines.
Highlights:
- Wake up in a wine-focused hotel and enjoy breakfast featuring ancient olive oil and I.G.P. Terres de l’Ebre clementines
- Sail the Ebro on a traditional laüt, tasting sweet pastissets near Tortosa’s lively riverside market
- Discover olive oil culture through tastings, mill visits, and a clotxa-making session in Horta de Sant Joan
- Follow the D.O. Terra Alta Wine Route and explore Catalonia’s stunning modernista wine cathedrals in Gandesa and El Pinell
- Pass blooming orchards in La Ribera d’Ebre, where almond, peach, and cherry blossoms light up the spring landscape
You know the saying “good things come in small packages”? Well, in Catalan, they say “al pot petit hi ha la bona confitura”, meaning the best jam comes in the smallest jar. This couldn’t be truer for El Priorat, one of the smallest counties in size, which produces some of the most famous wines in the world.
Highlights:
- Discover D.O. Montsant and D.O.C. Priorat wines through quirky experiences like riddle tours and traditional grape treading
- Enjoy a dramatised visit to Falset’s wine cooperative, where a costumed guide brings winemaking history to life
- Follow scenic vineyard roads to Escaladei monastery, birthplace of Priorat’s vine-growing tradition thanks to its Carthusian monks
- Taste calçots de Valls and explore Montblanc’s medieval towers, ending with Trepat wine and sweeping countryside views
- Visit the Terra Museum, then savour a truffle-infused dinner with wine near Poblet Abbey, rich in heritage and flavour
Between Pla de Lleida and the starry skies of El Montsec you’ll find a fragrant orchard, delicious turron nougats and a vast olive grove that produces some of the best organic oils in the world.
Highlights:
- Start the day with cured meats, artisan cheeses, and tomato bread at Vinya dels Artistes, surrounded by outdoor sculptures
- Explore Lleida’s Wine Route and D.O.P. Les Garrigues oils at the Catalan Oil Museum in a historic 1920s mill
- Pick fresh Lleida pears on a farm and taste local coca de recapte pie made with orchard vegetables
- Sample Lleida’s traditional snails a la llauna for lunch, then visit the Turron and Chocolate Museum in Agramunt
- End the day dining under El Montsec stars in an ancient monastery, soaking in history and local flavours
As the landscape rises, the ancient traditions and knowledge of the shepherds and those who know every inch of the woods set the stage for the Romanesque treasures of the Pyrenees.
Highlights:
- Purchase El Montsec saffron before exploring high-altitude vineyards near 1,000 meters on the Lleida Wine Route
- Visit La Pobla de Segur’s craft brewery to enjoy innovative beer-ice cream pairings and modern beermut tastings
- Discover a historic ratafia family factory, perfecting herbal maceration and distillation since 1883
- Explore Senterada’s forest with a botanical guide, learning about herbs, mushrooms, and traditional recipes
- Experience shepherd life in Àssua Valley and savour prized organic Pyrenean cattle meat in Boí Valley’s UNESCO mountains
Now in the high mountains, you’ll work our way through villages with cuisine that ranges from refined delicacies to hearty dishes, not to mention cheeses that faithfully reflect the breathtaking landscapes.
Highlights:
- Discover Val d’Aran caviar, made from sturgeon raised in pristine snowmelt waters near the village of Les
- Sample olla aranesa and market cuisine in Vielha, framed by the natural beauty of the Pyrenean landscape
- Follow the Aromas and Wise-women Route in Ossera, learning about herbal remedies from local trementinaires
- Join a hands-on workshop to craft turpentine using aromatic plants gathered in the mountains
- Explore La Seu d’Urgell’s cheese culture and visit the renowned Sant Ermengol artisan cheese fair in October
- Stage 11 - A Better World
- Stage 12 - Essence Of Empordà
- Stage 13 - Tales Of The Sea
- Stage 14 - Sweet Treats
- Stage 15 - Barcelona's Vineyards
Sustainability and organic food have been key themes on your journey so far. In this stage you’ll take a closer look at some projects and do your own healthy cooking.
Highlights:
- Start the day with hotel-made yoghurt and kefir from a regenerative farm, then explore sustainable living through a hands-on permaculture experience
- Shop for artisanal biscuits in Camprodon and traditional Cerdanya sausages like bull and pa de fetge before visiting the Ripoll Ethnographic Museum
- In La Vall d’en Bas, enjoy a family-friendly farm visit with a chance to feed calves and taste freshly collected milk
- Stop at a socially driven dairy cooperative in the Fageda d’en Jordà forest to sample their famous yogurts
- Pick up D.O.P. Santa Pau beans and end the day at a cosy Alta Garrotxa hotel with a seasonal, plant-based cooking workshop
The legacy of Dalí will follow you on your visit to Figueres, where you’ll discover the wines of the D.O. Empordà. Avant-garde architecture, honey and a unique gin complete the journey.
Highlights:
- Follow a gastronomic trail in Figueres, stopping at Dalí-linked spots like the Galatea Tower and Ca la Teta cellar for mar i muntanya dishes paired with wines shaped by the tramuntana wind
- Visit an innovative, RCR-designed winery in Peralada and explore the Peralada Castle Museum’s wine-focused collection
- In Garriguella, suit up as beekeepers to learn about L’Albera honey, and join a lively dramatised tour with local character Ms Maria at the Espolla cooperative
- Try a vertical tasting in Colera along the D.O. Empordà Wine Route, comparing vintages side by side
- End the day on a motorboat off Cap de Creus, toasting with Costa Brava–distilled gin as the rocks glow red at sunset
Ferran Adrià’s legacy lives on in the same corner of Empordà where he made so many people happy, now in the form of a museum. The history of the esquenapelats and excellent fish make for a great day out.
Highlights:
- Explore elBulli1846’s tasting menu–style installations, tracing its legacy and food innovation, with views over Cap de Creus
- Take an electric bike tour through the marshes of Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, spotting birdlife and sampling D.O. Empordà olive oil along the way
- In L’Escala, learn about the life of the esquenapelats—fishermen honoured during the Salt Festival—at the Anchovy and Salt Museum, and pick up jars of the town’s prized anchovies
- At a local cider house, taste Girona apples and a range of apple-based products, from juice to vinegar
- In Palamós, join a seafood workshop at Espai del Peix, with optional prawn boat trips and dishes featuring local Pals rice
In Girona, you’ll indulge in one of the most classic desserts. The savoury side comes from the traditional Vic sausages and pairings in the heart of nature.
Highlights:
- Begin today’s journey into Girona’s sweet traditions with a xuixo—a crisp, sugar-dusted pastry typically filled with custard, though you’ll also find versions made with chocolate, apple, ratafia or torró
- Head to Vic, in the heart of Paisatges Barcelona, where you can shop for its famed llonganissa (dry-cured sausage) and take part in a workshop to craft your own artisanal fuet
- Around El Montseny, pair forest walks beneath ancient chestnut trees with a tasting of beers brewed using the natural park’s waters—an especially magical experience in autumn
- Continue into the Guilleries Massif to savour cheeses, nuts and berries surrounded by birdsong and flowing water
- At the Farming Museum in Fogars de la Selva, explore exhibits that reflect the agricultural heritage of the region
Back on the coast, the delicate products of El Maresme and D.O. Alella wines set the stage for your return to Barcelona, where you’ll visit an urban vineyard and enjoy a dinner based on local produce.
Highlights:
- Begin your day in El Maresme with a peaceful yoga session among the vines, then follow the D.O. Alella Wine Route, where sea-kissed wines await
- In season, join local growers in picking El Maresme’s prized peas and strawberries. The area is also known for producing D.O.P. Mongetes del Ganxet beans
- Sample artisan breads en route, including loaves bearing the I.G.P. Pa de Pagès Català seal, and take part in a bread-making workshop in Cardedeu using local organic grains
- Return to Barcelona via the Collserola hills to visit its vineyards—an inspiring social project where organic wines and oils are crafted
- End the journey with a locally inspired dinner featuring I.G.P. Pollastre i Capó del Prat (white meat from El Baix Llobregat), paired with D.O. Catalunya wine, part of a viticultural legacy stretching back to Phoenician and Roman times
Wine & Food Experiences
Catalonia offers a rich tapestry of gastronomic experiences, where visitors can savour everything from Michelin-starred cuisine and fresh seafood to seasonal produce and traditional dishes rooted in the land. Whether exploring prestigious wine regions or meeting local producers on immersive farm visits, every bite and sip tells a story of heritage, passion, and place.
Gastronomic Experiences
Catalonia offers a feast for the senses, from browsing vibrant local markets in Girona and Vic to enjoying farm-to-table meals in the volcanic landscapes of La Garrotxa. You might press golden olive oil in Les Garrigues, pick strawberries in El Maresme, or join fishermen in Palamós for a prawn haul. Vineyards stretch across Priorat and Empordà, where you can sip wines among the vines or enjoy a vertical tasting by the sea. Seafood lovers can take part in cooking workshops using rice from Pals, while Michelin-starred restaurants elevate traditional dishes like suquet de peix. Everywhere, seasonality reigns—truffles in winter, calçots in spring, and heirloom tomatoes bursting with flavour in summer.
Wine Tourism
Wine tourism in Catalonia invites you to explore a landscape shaped by sun, sea breezes, and centuries of tradition. From the mineral-rich reds of D.O.Q. Priorat to the fresh, fruity whites of D.O. Alella, each region offers something unique. Visit modernist wineries like the Falset cooperative or cutting-edge spaces like Perelada’s architectural gem in Empordà. In Costers del Segre, sip wines nearly 1,000 metres above sea level, or pair sparkling Cava with local cheese in Penedès. Dramatised tastings, vertical samplings, and vineyard yoga deepen the experience. Whether discovering biodynamic vineyards or prestigious labels like Scala Dei, Catalonia offers wine lovers a journey rich in flavour, heritage, and exceptional pairings.
Welcome To The Farm
Catalonia invites you to step into its rural heart through immersive farm experiences that connect you directly with the land and its people. Across the region, local producers open their gates to share the rhythms of daily life—milking cows, harvesting saffron, pressing olive oil or crafting cheese by hand. Taste honey straight from the hive, pick ripe fruit in sun-drenched orchards, and join workshops on traditional bread-making or preserving seasonal vegetables. From the rice paddies of the Ebro Delta to hillside vineyards and chestnut groves, these visits offer a rare glimpse into Catalonia’s agri-cultural soul. It’s a journey of flavour and authenticity, where food becomes memory, and every encounter leaves a lasting impression.
Savour the Seasons: Flavours, Flights & Regional Food Trails in Catalonia
From seasonal feasts and local wine pairings to easy flight connections from the UK and Ireland, Catalonia invites you to taste its rich culinary heritage all year round, one region—and one dish—at a time.
Catalonia – The Year-Round Gastronomical Destination
Catalonia is a year-round destination where every season brings fresh flavours and local traditions to the table.
- In spring, wildflowers bloom across the countryside and temperatures hover around 20°C—perfect for vineyard cycling or tasting dishes in open-air markets
- Summer invites you to savour seafood by the coast or head to the Pyrenees for cooler air and farm-fresh cheeses
- As autumn arrives, harvest season paints vineyards in Penedès and Priorat with golden hues, ideal for wine tasting and food festivals
- In winter, après-ski meals in the mountains and festive markets in cities like Barcelona showcase the richness of Catalan cuisine, whatever the weather
Soaring to Catalonia: UK & Ireland Flight Options
Getting to Catalonia is easy, with direct flights from numerous UK and Ireland airports to Barcelona, Girona and Reus. Barcelona is the main gateway, served year-round from London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Dublin and more. Girona, ideal for exploring the Costa Brava, sees seasonal flights from airports like Bristol, Birmingham and East Midlands. Reus, perfect for access to the Costa Daurada and Priorat wine region, also has summer connections from Belfast, Liverpool and other regional hubs. New routes launching in 2025 and 2026 make reaching Catalonia even easier, opening up greater access from regional airports across the UK and Ireland.
Catalonia’s Regional Dishes & Perfect Wine Pairings
Embark on a mouth-watering journey through Catalonia’s richly varied regions as we explore nine beloved traditional dishes, from coastal classics like suquet de peix to hearty inland fare such as la clotxa. Each dish is thoughtfully paired with a local wine that not only complements its flavours but also captures the essence of its origin. These pairings are more than just culinary matches—they reflect centuries of tradition, the rhythm of the seasons, and the passion of local producers. Whether it’s a glass of sparkling cava alongside a bomba de la Barceloneta or a bold red with rustic mountain fare, each combination offers a delicious insight into Catalonia’s regional identity.
Gastronomic Events Calendar
Eating and drinking are important events in Catalan culture, which is why the region has a calendar full of fairs, festivals and exhibitions dedicated to cuisine and wine all year round.
Winter
- Rooster Fair in Vilafranca del Penedès (Costa Barcelona) – December
- Garrigues Fair/Extra Virgin Olive Oil Fair (Terres de Lleida) – January
- Garoinada in Palafrugell (Costa Brava) – January to March
- Calçotada in Valls (Costa Daurada) – January
- Artichoke Festival in Amposta (Terres de l’Ebre) – February
- Trumfo i la Tòfona Fair (Terres de Lleida) – March
- Clotxa Festival (Costa Daurada) – March
Spring
- The Barcelona Beer Festival (Barcelona) – April
- Firabril, Honey and Oil Fair, in Perelló (Terres de l’Ebre) – April
- VÍVID Festival (Costa Brava) – April
- Mercat del Ram in Vic (Barcelona Landscapes) – April
- Fira Lactium in Vic (Barcelona Landscapes) – May
- La Primavera del Cava (Barcelona) – May
- Aplec del Caragol, Snail Festival, in Lleida (Terres de Lleida) – May
- Palamós Prawn Fair (Costa Brava) – June
Summer
- Santa Eulàlia de Ronçana Tomato Fair (Costa Barcelona) – July
- Musclada of Canet de Mar (Costa Barcelona) – July
- Firagost in Valls (Costa Daurada) – August
- Fira de Sant Bartomeu, Melon Fair, in Artesa del Segre (Terres de Lleida) – August
- Festa de la Verema in Espluga de Francolí (Costa Daurada) – August
- The Kitchen of the Cim i Tomba of Tossa de Mar (Costa Brava)
- Festes de la Sega de l’Arròs, Rice Harvest Festival (Terres de l’Ebre) – September
Autumn
- Mercat de Mercats (Barcelona) – October
- Cavatast in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia (Costa Barcelona) – October
- Fira de Castellfollit del Boix green bean (Barcelona Landscapes)
- Fira del Torró i de la Xocolata in la pedra d’Agramunt (Terres de Lleida) – October
- Fira de la Coca i Mató in Monistrol de Montserrat (Barcelona Landscapes) – October
- The Sant Ermengol Fair in la Seu d’Urgell (Terres de Lleida) – October
- DOP Siurana Olive Oil Fair (Costa Daurada) – November
You can also find detailed information about events organised in each region of Catalonia through the following links to the regional tourism boards:
Barcelona | Costa Barcelona and Barcelona Landscapes | Costa Brava | Costa Daurada | Pyrenees | Terres de l’Ebre | Terres de Lleida | Val d’Aran
View a Selection of ‘Catalonia is Appetising’ Videos on YouTube
Catalonia is Appetising
Wineries At Your Fingertips
Cuisines For All Palates
The Taste Of History
