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Destination guide
Buck the Barcelona trend and head to Tarragona
While most travelers fly to better known Barcelona, those in the know are making a beeline for the vibrant nearby port town of Tarragona. It might not be as big or famous as its neighbor, but it packs a serious punch. Gothic and Roman architecture and historical attractions? Check. Fascinating museums? Check. Winding cobbled lanes in the Old Town, flanked by lively tapas bars? Yep. Easily accessible sun-soaked golden-sand beaches with water sports? Indeed. A packed calendar of colorful festivities and events? But of course. Just don't take too long to book up your Tarragona vacation rental in this hidden Catalonian gem.
Activities
Nearby mountains of Tarragona
It's not all about the city, as the surrounding province teems with things to do for those looking to escape the bustle of Tarragona. Swathes of sun-soaked golden beaches line the coast and provide travelers with sunbathing and water sports, like windsurfing and kitesurfing. Alternatively, when you stay in a Tarragona vacation rental, you'll have easy access to the Ebro River and all its opportunities for kayaking and rafting, while the nearby interior mountains offer challenging hiking and mountain bike trails. Thrill-seekers can harness up to go climbing or canyon down the national park waterfalls.
Weather
For perfect Tarragona weather, try late spring
Unsurprisingly, the summer sees the hottest weather and biggest influx of travelers. If you're lucky enough to score a Tarragona vacation rental between July and August, expect balmy temperatures that easily reach the low 80s. If you're looking for fewer crowds, try to book a rental a little earlier, between May and June, when the climate can be more comfortable and the queues at Tarragona's attractions much shorter. If you don't mind the odd downpour and cooler weather, you can pick up rentals at knock down prices earlier in spring or in late fall.
Natural features
The Tarragona countryside is awash with wildlife
While you're not going to spot much in the way of wildlife in Tarragona, other than the odd pigeon, the surrounding Catalonian countryside is alive with species. Where land meets the ocean, the habitats of marshlands and saltwater is a good place for spotting sea birds, as is the Gaia River Delta, where almost 100 species of avifauna have been recorded. Alternatively, the coastal Punta de la Mora Nature Reserve, just a few miles up the coast from your Tarragona vacation rental, has much fauna living within its pine forest and juniper habitats.