BAIX PENEDÈS

Its capital is El Vendrell, and with an area of 296 km2, it borders Alt Camp to the north; Alt Penedès and Garraf to the east; the Mediterranean to the south, and finally Tarragonès to the south. It is composed of 14 municipalities, all prepared to offer a great diversity of experiences depending on your needs.

A region located between the Prelittoral Mountain Range and the sea, with a pleasant and gently rolling landscape, largely covered by vineyards, a traditional place of passage between “Catalunya Nova” and “Catalunya Vella”.

GASTRONOMY AND ITS PEOPLE

In winter, it is common to eat xató, a dish consisting of an escarole salad garnished with shredded cod, fresh tuna, anchovies, and olives, well marinated in a succulent seasoned sauce based on “nyora” peppers, oil, and toasted nuts; it is usually accompanied by an assortment of seasonal vegetable omelets. We should also mention the “coca enramada” with spinach and beans or with onion and peppers, always accompanied by fresh sausage or grilled herring. These dishes call for the accompaniment of a good local wine or cava, protected by the DO Penedès.

In the coastal towns, you can eat “bull de tonyina”, dishes with “all cremat”, “arròs a banda”, and the seafaring dish par excellence, the noodle “rossejat”. Among the typical desserts, we mention “bufats”, “cossetans”, and “garrofins”.

Finally, in the distilleries (fassines) of El Vendrell, they produce “resolis”, a spirit liqueur flavored with anise or cinnamon of Italian origin, which pairs very well with the sweet pastries produced in the region.

HIKING AND SPORTS

The mountainous areas in the north of the region, partly covered in forests and abundant springs, offer an ideal space for hiking and contact with nature. Landscapes such as those offered by the high Montmell mountain range, where we can follow the route through the Sant Marc valley and from there go through Aiguaviva and Marmellar, the Moixeta, and the Talaia del Montmell, which are very attractive to any nature lover.

Another interesting excursion follows the Romanesque churches in the region. The sporting vitality of the county is materialized with infrastructure in almost all municipalities, such as swimming pools, tennis courts, football pitches, and sports centers, among others. We can also find all kinds of clubs where all types of sports can be practiced.

Lastly, in the town of Albinyana, there is a water park and a wildlife reserve with animals living in freedom and acclimatized to the area.

THE COASTLINE AND ITS ENVIRONMENT

The Baix Penedès coast is completely flat, with wide beaches of fine sand. Due to its location within the province of Tarragona, it constitutes, from a purely tourist point of view, the start of the Costa Daurada. Here, traditional maritime activities such as fishing and sailing have developed tourism extraordinarily, with small nautical ports and companies offering the opportunity to practice various water sports.

Thanks to a mild climate and high-quality beach waters, it can attractively complement any stay in the region. Furthermore, this area offers optimal conditions for winter stays, when mild temperatures and the tranquility of the surroundings provide a special charm.

TRADITIONS AND THE PEOPLE

Baix Penedès keeps the ancient “castellera” tradition very much alive. El Vendrell, with the “Nens del Vendrell” and “Colla Nova” groups, and L’Arboç with the “Minyons de l’Arboç”, have contributed to the rebirth of this tradition. This is shown in the human tower displays held during the main festivals of most towns in the region.

Also characteristic of the area are the “balls de bastons” (stick dances), the dance of devils, giants and big-heads, “grallers” (musicians), and all elements related to the fire bestiary. We can highlight the Caramot and the Cabrot from El Vendrell.

Finally, the dance groups (esbarts dansaires) from various towns like Bellvei, Calafell, and El Vendrell, among others, dignify and represent the dances of our country everywhere.

The celebration of festivals like Carnival is very widespread in this area, as well as the “Pastorets” plays at Christmas. The tradition of Sant Antoni Abat with the “Tres Tombs” is maintained in several municipalities, and at Easter, the traditional “caramelles” are sung.

CULTURE AND ITS ENVIRONMENT

The Baix Penedès region has been inhabited since immemorial times; we can find remains of settlements left by the Iberians. Among the most important are:

  • Can Canyís in Banyeres del Penedès.
  • The settlement of Les Guàrdies in El Vendrell.
  • The settlement of Les Toixoneres or the Citadel in Calafell.
  • The farm of Fondo d’en Roig.

On the other hand, illustrious figures who have been important for the culture and evolution of our country worldwide were born or resided in this region. We highlight:

  • Ángel Guimerà, writer and adoptive son of El Vendrell of Canary origin. In El Vendrell, you can visit his family home, Cal Guimerà.
  • Pau Casals, musician and composer, born in Sant Salvador, where you can visit his home, now the Vila Casals museum, and the Pau Casals auditorium; he composed the internationally known Anthem to Peace.
  • Aureli Maria Escarré, Abbot of Montserrat, born in L’Arboç, where his birthplace in Carrer Major can be visited.

This is a small sample of everything to be found in this region, a place where the senses can enjoy nature, traditions, gastronomy, culture, and most importantly, interact with the people, who are open and hospitable to travelers.

WINE TOURISM

DO Penedès is one of Catalonia’s most emblematic wine territories and an ideal destination to discover the essence of the Mediterranean through wine. Located between the sea and the mountains, close to Barcelona and Tarragona, this designation of origin combines infinite vineyard landscapes, charming villages, and a long winemaking tradition dating back to Roman times.

The DO Penedès territory extends through the Alt Penedès, Baix Penedès, Garraf, and parts of Anoia and Baix Llobregat. This geographical diversity allows for the production of wines with very different personalities and offers a wide variety of landscapes to explore.

The Penedès region is known for its diversity: from fresh whites made with local varieties like Xarel·lo to elegant reds and sparkling wines. This richness can be discovered by visiting historic cellars and family projects, walking through vineyards, or enjoying guided tastings.

Wine tourism in Penedès offers experiences for all: cycling through vineyards, gastronomic pairings, premium tastings in century-old cellars, or unique activities. Its proximity to Barcelona (less than an hour) has established it as one of the most attractive wine tourism destinations in Southern Europe.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Roman vestiges can be found in Sant Jaume de Domenys.
  • Prehistoric remains were found in the Graiera caves, located between Calafell and Bellvei.
  • It was a passage area between Barcino and Tarraco with the Via Augusta as the main communication route.
  • There are remains of the Roman aqueduct of Els Arcs, which carried water to the villa; signs can be found under the Els Arcs farmhouse.
  • Many of the Romanesque paintings from the castle and Lombard Romanesque church of Sant Miquel in Marmellar are preserved in the MNAC museum.
  • The town of Aiguaviva is so named because of the large number of springs found there.