Over the last decades, Catalan cuisine has had a worldwide revival and shot to the top of the gastronomy scene with an international reputation to match.

Among Barcelona’s many fantastic restaurants are more than 40 Michelin stars – this city boasts the most Michelin stars in Spain and the third most in Europe. However there are also plenty of local gems to discover, and some of our clients’ favourite parts of their trip are stumbling into a quaint tapas bar in the Gothic Quarter, or embarking on a foodie tour with an expert local guide.

Barcelona’s Must-See Sites

Some of Barcelona’s top attractions are undoubtedly the creations behind the mastermind architect, Antoni Gaudí.

Taking inspiration from nature, geometry, and combining Catalan traditions with modernist architecture, Gaudí is perhaps best known for the ever-impressive Sagrada Familia, a Roman Catholic Basilica which has been under construction for almost 150 years, and is perhaps Barcelona’s most iconic building. While it is expected to remain under construction for a while yet, the central tower was finally completed in 2026, marking the centenary of Gaudí’s death.

However, it’s not just the Sagrada Familia that should get all the praise: no less than seven of Gaudí’s projects in Barcelona have been granted World Heritage Status by UNESCO. We’ve even designed a Grape Escapes tour especially designed to take in the best of Gaudí’s architecture (with plenty of wine tastings on the side of course).

Penedès

Outside of the city, it would be remiss for wine lovers not to pay a visit to the neighbouring Penedès region: home of the iconic Spanish sparkling wine, Cava. Only one hour by car from Barcelona, this region promises a diverse rural landscape, with everything from pine tree forests to sandy beaches and some of our favourite vineyards in the region.

In addition to Cava, which has been in production since the 19^th century, the region has been among the first of Spanish wine regions to grow a selection of international grape varieties, meaning that you’ll also find Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Pinot Noir, amongst other more local Spanish varieties.

Priorat

Further south, we find Priorat, which beckons as an enchanting escape for wine enthusiasts and culinary adventurers alike. This is the Spanish region which produces intense, mineral red wines that many consider among Spain’s most complex, rivalling Rioja in terms of quality.

For many years, it has remained a hidden gem thanks to its rocky terrain, steep valleys, hidden monasteries and quaint villages which appear almost untouched by time. For the wine aficionados however, it is well worth making the trip.

Although a relatively compact wine region of approximately 386 square miles, Priorat boasts diverse terroirs, with variations in soil, altitude, and microclimates, allowing winemakers to produce a wide range of wine styles and flavours. Thanks to the concentration of vineyards and wineries in a relatively small area, winemakers are able to closely monitor and maintain their vines leading to an increased potential for quality grapes and wines.

The smaller size of the region and the concentration of wineries and vineyards, we frequesntly recommend Priorat as the ideal destination for a short break or part of an extended trip combined with a Barcelona wine holiday.

The scenic beauty of the region serves as a magnificent backdrop and visitors enjoy the benefit of marvelling at the stunning vistas of terraced vineyards, rugged hills and the Montsant Natural Park without having to travel great distances between wineries.

As the leading specialist organiser of wine tours in Barcelona, Priorat and Penedès, we offer a selection of wine tours and tastings to suit all tastes and budgets!

Our friendly team would love to hear from you on +44 (0) 1920 46 86 66 or at info@grapeescapes.net to discuss your requirements and suggest suitable wine holidays.

We would be thrilled to put together a tailor-made wine tour in Barcelona, Priorat and Penedès for you. Just get in touch!

Image credits: Global Image Projects S.L.U.