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It is well documented that some Barcelona residents are giving the cold shoulder to tourists at the moment, but Spain is just too beautiful to pass up!
Like many great destinations around the world, crowds can be annoying, but many in Barcelona behave as if they are in an exclusive club.
The reality is that they know the allure of their great city, but some prefer to keep everything to themselves as hordes of travelers have invaded their city.
Well, the people of Barcelona won’t be fans of me if I reveal their secret getaway to escape their own hustle and bustle.
Spoiler warning: are Tarragona – a beautiful beach town just over an hour away by train from the busy streets of Barcelona.
Better yet, tourists are welcomed here with open arms by the locals.
Direct flight or day trip: this city has been overlooked for far too long!
Side note: how does Europe have so many airports?!
Serious!
It’s like every nook and cranny is so much easier to get to than the United States. Ranting about…
While it may be tempting to fly to Barcelona with seemingly endless flight options, you can also travel to a lesser-known airport instead.
Those who choose to arrive from Barcelona also have several options – the most popular is by train, followed by buses.
Renfe offers straight shots from $9. The same goes for Alsa buses with tickets slightly lower.
But those who want to avoid Barcelona completely can fly into Reus Airport (REU) with connecting flights throughout Europe, including notable cities such as Paris, Dublin, London and Brussels.
This could potentially save you a fair amount of time rather than hopping on the bus or train from Barcelona as the airport is there just 20 minutes away from Tarragona.
Plus, many flights are ‘budget airlines’, meaning you can save big on airfares, meaning you’ll have more to spend in this slice of paradise!
Why Barcelona residents love this place
To be fair, it’s not just Barcelona that’s pulling the welcome mat out from under tourists’ feet.
Amsterdam, Venice and Athens, among others, are a bit moody when it comes to welcoming visitors.
What these cities don’t realize is that there will still be large numbers of people there, even if there has never been a single foreigner.
Barcelona has a population of just under 2 million people, which is not a big change. 2 million people is a large number anyway, so blaming the problems solely on tourists seems a bit dramatic at first glance.
No matter how you slice it, Tarragona has been the secret escape from the hustle and bustle of Barcelona as a less crowded blue water holiday destination, surprisingly full of intriguing historical sights.
The Colosseum is cool, but what about former gladiator fighting grounds along the scenic coastline?
That’s right, there is one well-preserved Roman theatre in the background the vast Balearic Sea.
Tarragona is steeped in history, and this is evident in the best way while exploring the picturesque city center.
Be sure to stop by Catedral Tarragona, a national monument dating back to the 12th century. But today it is most popular for live music and wine tasting.
Ahh, the delights of Spain.
While Barcelona residents certainly know how incomparable Spain’s food and wine scene is, other tourists should be sure to arrive hungry and hydrated!
Tip: Don’t miss Tarragona’s Central Market dating back to 195 for fresh, hearty local food.
Crowd-free soft sandy beaches
Tarragona has beautiful coastlines, which become even more attractive once you realize how much space you have, as this picturesque city has long been just a secret of the locals.
There are three main beaches to visit here, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. The beautiful soft sand rivals many other popular coastlines.
The easiest to reach is Playa del Miracle in the middle of the city, or you can also go to Platja Arrabassada or Paltja Savinosa.
The latter is the most hyped for its pristine, delicate sand and clear water. Please note that you may see more than you bargained for as nudity is welcome here.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
