Villas, airbnb and apartments in Catalonia

Visit Catalonia, Gaudí's unfinished canvas!

La Sagrada Familia, just one among many of Gaudí's architectural wonders, is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the world, all while currently unfinished! The Catalan born architect has left his mark across the entity of the capital of the region, so for the best place to begin your Catalonian adventure, choose a luxury apartment rental in Barcelona where you can explore the extent of this artistic haven at your own leisure. There is even more to Catalonia than Barcelona, however, as the region's collection of great cities expands to Girona and the palm tree-kissed boulevards of Sitges. If a city break isn't on your agenda, then Catalonia can still be the destination of your dreams, with the stunning water of Cap de Creus in Costa Brava or the Mediterranean sands of Lloret de Mar, Catalonia is just as much a beach break as it is a city escape. Wherever you choose to spend your time in Catalonia, begin with by choosing the perfect holiday apartment or villa to suit your budget, then get out there and explore the most diverse region in Spain!

When to visit

Like all popular destinations across Western Europe, Catalonia's tourism industry peaks in the summer months of July and August, when the Spanish climate is at its highest, and families make the most of the school holidays. Therefore, it is recommended that you avoid these months if possible, especially when booking accommodation in popular destinations such as Barcelona and Costa Brava. Arguably the best time to visit Catalonia is in May, early June, or September when the climate is still pleasant enough to enjoy the city sites and beaches, but the attractions are less busy.

How to get there?

Located in the north of Spain, Catalonia is easily accessible from the UK by air, with flights from London Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh or Bristol direct to Barcelona, and flights from London Stansted, Manchester or Bournemouth to Girona taking only two hours, Catalonia is only a short hop away! Once you arrive at the terminal, you can reach the capital of Barcelona in 25 minutes by road or rail, while travelling to Girona takes around the same time. If you are not a fan of flying, then you can still reach Catalonia by ferry, by sailing to the northern port of Bilbao from Portsmouth, with a crossing taking approximately 24 hours. When you arrive in Bilbao, the only way of reaching Catalonia is by renting a car, giving you the chance to explore the beauty of northern Spain before you arrive at your holiday accommodation.

Where to stay in Catalonia

Barcelona

There is no better place to begin than a holiday apartment in Barcelona, the epitome of a Catalan destination, which also happens to be the capital of the region. Crawling with countless of Gaudí's monuments, including the impressive, and yet unfinished, La Sagrada Familia and the colourful Casa Batllo. We can't promise your holiday home will rival Gaudí's creations, but it will be in the perfect position to explore any of his landmarks, along with the chance to sample sangria on La Rambla's, before detoxing from the bustle of the city streets and stretching out on the city's sands.

Girona

As Barcelona's neighbour, the beautiful city of Girona offers just as many attractions as its Catalan sibling while offering a slightly more relaxed vibe across its cobbled streets. Choose a holiday apartment in Girona, where you can marvel at the Cathedral of Girona, before falling deeper into the gothic architecture of this seafront city. Reserve a luxury holiday rental in Girona and wake up in a room with a view of the River Onyar, which is the main artery of the city, then spend your days in the Old Quarter which has been a bustling neighbourhood in Girona since the medieval period.

Costa Brava

Translating to 'Wild Coast' in Spanish, the Costa Brava is just that, a wild coast! This rugged seaside is one of the most preserved resorts in Europe, as though this area is popular with chasers of the sun from the across the world, the landscape has stood the test time of time, offering completely natural scenery, stretches of beaches and quiet coves. Enjoy the best of Catalonia's coastline by renting a holiday villa in Costa Brava with a sea view, where you can watch the sun come over the Mediterranean.

Lloret de Mar

As one of the most romantic destinations to choose holiday accommodation in Spain, Lloret de Mar offers everything you could dream of for a Catalan break with your other half. Reserve a luxury apartment rental or a quaint holiday villa with a garden in this seafront paradise, where you can spend an afternoon in the Santa Clotilde Gardens, before dining on the shores of Cala Boadella beach. Whether you are searching for that exclusive escape, or the whole family want to try their hands at resorts water sports, you could do far wrong than a holiday rental in Lloret de Mar.

Tarragona

A maze of roman ruins and medieval structures, the port city of Tarragona is Catalonia's most northeastern resort and has existed on the region's landscape since the second century. Reserve a room in a townhouse in this historic resort, where you can get a taste of Catalan history by visiting the Tarragona Amphitheatre which is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before taking in the views of the town when you walk to the top of Passeig Arqueologic. Sights along this walk are said to be some of the best in Catalonia, so don't forget your camera!

Figueres

Steeped in nothing but rich Catalan culture, Figueres is the perfect place to choose a holiday apartment if you want to delve into the regions finest theatrical, artistic and dining scene. Begin by visiting the Museu Del Joguet De Catalunya which is wholly dedicated to toys, before admiring the wacky designs of Placa Gala-Salvador Dali and the striking Dali Theatre-Museum. The town is built around the works of the artist, and his work is evident in the weird and wonderful architecture around Figueres, and in the Monumento a Salvador Dali, which is dedicated to his works.

Food and drink in Catalonia

While Catalonia does still cook up some of the most famous Spanish dishes, people flock to this individual region to sample food which is exclusive to the region. Despite its flavours holding such a prestigious reputation, Catalonian dishes rely heavily on only basic ingredients which are sourced along its coastline. Many recipes are made up of vegetables, bread, pasta, olive oil and wine, which sounds like a winning combination to us. There is no better place to choose a self-catered apartment rental than in Baix Ebre, where you can sample the greatest olive oil in the county at the Oil Fair of Las Terres de I'Ebre, before sampling the produce, along with goods from one of the local markets, in your own kitchen. The tipple of choice in Catalonia is Vermouth, which is enjoyed most particularly on a Sunday morning by Catalonians. Bars dedicated solely to this wine are popping up around the entire region, so visitors can enjoy it, whatever day of the week!

Catalan history and culture

Catalonia's history is one of the most diversely interesting stories throughout Europe, with its relations with Spain continuing to make news today. Catalonia's roots can be traced back to the Roman period, with some of the early Roman structures still standing on the Catalonian landscape today. Through the Medieval and Renaissance period, Catalonia expanded and was formed to look very similar to the way it looks today. With the 19th century came an ever stronger desire for independence, with Catalan nationalism taking off significantly in 1876, and continuing into the contemporary day. Much of Catalonia's culture is based on this regions fierce spirit and 'desire for freedom', rooted in the music, dance and arts of this diverse land.