Undiscovered Catalonia

Much of what there is to see and do in the Costa Dorado and Catalonia has been written about before, but here are three places to visit that deserve a little more attention.

Empúries
The fascinating ruins of Empúries, one of Catalonia's most important archaeological sites, overlook the Mediterranean Sea against a backdrop of pine trees. Among the low walls lie the remains of a Greco-Roman coastal town founded between the 7th and 3rd centuries BC.

Greek traders first landed on a small island that is now connected to the mainland and home to the village of Sant Martí d’Empúries. They later formed an inland colony called Emporion, which was seized by the Romans in the 3rd century BC. The Romans renamed it Emporiae and went on to build elegant houses with mosaics, an amphitheatre and a marketplace. If you walk down to the shoreline, you can still see traces of the Greek breakwater that protected the port.

Roses
The sweeping white-sand beach of Roses is its main attraction, best admired on a stroll along the Passeig Marítim promenade. Apartments and hotels line the waterfront of this ancient town, inhabited by Greek traders some 3,000 years ago.

Aside from the ruined citadel, which contains remains of the early settlement of Rhode, only a few traces of its past remain: the Castell de La Trinitat above the lighthouse and a megalithic park with three standing stones.

Casa Milà
Casa Milà, owned by a Catalan banking institution, is largely private housing, but three areas are open to the public. The Espai Gaudí museum sits in the stunning attic, a peaceful maze of brick parabolic arches. A restored apartment, showcasing early 20th-century design, reveals Gaudí’s organic forms. The highlight is the roof, where undulating lines mirror the attic’s arches. The helmet-like chimney stacks made of trencadís (broken ceramics) and smooth concrete have become a symbol of Barcelona.

During July, August and September, the building hosts jazz and flamenco evenings. Tickets usually include a glass of cava, making for a memorable night under the stars in Gaudí’s masterpiece.

Thinking of visiting the Costa Dorado? Try EuroResorts. Our range of Spanish campsites and accommodation options means there’s something for everyone.

By EuroResorts G+