In our region

To Montserrat (30 min)

A nice day trip is to visit the magical mountain of Montserrat and the monastery with the black Madonna. Not advisable on Sunday´s as it is an important local pilgrimage site. Follow this spectacular route to Montserrat via the C-15 and A2 (exit: Montserrat). You drive along the northern flank of Montserrat mountain towards the entrance of the monastery.

Since 2023 you have to buy an entrance ticket to visit the basilica. There are various options, such as the basilica (€ 6, =) whether or not in combination with the tour to the Black Madonna (€ 8, =) or a performance by the famous boys' choir (€ 8, =) or both (€ 12 ,=). There are also combinations with the museum. For all the possibilities and to buy entrance tickets, visit this website of the monastery. You also pay approximately € 7.00 parking costs (pay at the machine in the parking lot when you leave).

Tip: When the parking is busy, drive all the way up and then back down and take the first free parking space, which can save a long walk. On weekends, a small train also runs up and down the parking lot.

The monastery of Montserrat (Google maps)

Walk upwards from the car park to the monastery and basilica with the famous black Madonna and the museum. The monastery is touristic, but certainly worth a visit. For the walking tour along the black Madonna you have to be patient on busy days, but you can also see the statue from the basilica. The famous boys' choir performs in the basilica every day at 1 pm from Monday to Friday (calendar). Make sure you are on time, limited number of places. There is also an interesting museum. Information: website of the monastery.

Hiking on Montserrat

It is highly recommended to also take a spectacular hike on top of the mountain, between the surrealistic rock formations. You can walk from the monastery to the top of Sant Jeroni, behind the monastery a staircase goes up (requires some fitness..) and the path is well marked. You can also go up with a cogwheel train to the top, the 'Funicular de Sant Joan'. You can either buy a one-way ticket and walk back down to the monastery, or buy a return ticket and hike up to the mountain top. In the latter case you have several options from the upper station. To the Ermita de Sant Joan, or (the most spectacular walk) to the highest point of Montserrat: Sant Jeroni (about an hour up and an hour down). Well-maintained paths, the last stairs to the top require some fitness. The view at the top makes the effort more than worth it. In July and August advisable to go as early as possible. The Funicular runs from 10am.

Tip: Bring enough of water and some snacks for the hiking trip.

Back to Torre Nova

You can return to Torre Nova from Montserrat via the same route, but also via the beautiful route along the south side of the mountain. Then follow the route from the exit of the car park to the right and down. You will also pass the caves of Montserrat.

The caves of Montserrat (25 min  - Google maps)

Via the route along the southside of Montserrat you pass the impressive caves, 'Les Coves del Salnitre' in Collbató. You can take a guided tour (€ 7.50 pp, for children aged 5-12 € 5.50). Reservations must be made via phone +34 937 770 100 of via www.covesdemontserrat.cat (only in Catalan, but you can see the times of the tours here and you can book online).

Tip: Have a delicious lunch at restaurant Vinyanova after your visit to the Montserrat monastery or the caves.

You can have a delicious lunch in restaurant Vinyanova (Google maps), beautifully situated at the bottom of the mountain (route). Lovely outdoor terrace and beautiful views at the olive groves. Wide selection of menus. Perfect for lunch after visiting Montserrat. Open from Wednesday to Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm. In July and August from Monday to Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm and in the evening from Wednesday to Sunday from 8 pm to midnight. Reservations recommended, which can also be done online. English is spoken. Tel. +34 937448604. Here you will find the website with the menus. Masia Vinya Nova sin numero, El Bruc Residencial. After you turn right off the service road of the A2, follow the signs 'Vinyanova restaurant' through the olive groves for about 3 km.

Enotourism in the El Penedès wine region

Immediately south of Torre Nova is the wine region of the Penedès. Excellent wine is produced here and the region is best known for its cava. If you are a wine lover, it is an experience to visit a beautiful bodega. We've listed a few for you below. If you drive through the Penedès, you will of course find many more bodegas. You can usually visit for a tour or a tasting.

Tip: You can also take a nice bike tour (with regular bicycles or E-bikes, also with children) past several bodegas. Information about the route and prices can be found on Burricicleta. 

Bodega Can Feixes (15 min - Google maps)

A very special family bodega is Can Feixes, owned by our friends Joan, Jose Maria and Xavier Huguet. Their wines are among the top 10 in Spain and they make some of the best cavas in the region. You may have heard of El Bulli, which used to be one of the best restaurants in the world on the Costa Brava, that required reservations two years in advance (now closed). Cava Huguet was served here by chef Ferran Adriá as a welcome drink, which says enough.

Can Feixes is located in a centuries-old farmhouse and during your visit the owners are proud to share their passion for wine and cava, and the professional and ecological manner in which this is done will impress you. Production is only in small numbers, but the wines and cava are exported to top restaurants all over the world, from the US to Japan, and from Canada to the UK.

They do not have an official tour, like the large bodegas, but they regularly run an exclusive tour for Torre Nova guests in English (ask us about the possibilities). The tour is free, but it is appreciated if you buy something afterwards. We have already seen quite a few guests after a visit to Can Feixes drive out of the gate with a car leaning backwards after their holiday ;). Can Feixes website.

Cavas Codorniu (25 min - Google maps)

The best tour of a large bodega is that of Cavas Codorniu in Sant Sadurni d'Anoia. Located in a spectacular modernist building. You will learn all the facts about cava and during the tour you will visit the underground cellars with a train and also the Codorniu museum. And at the end of the tour of course you can taste various cavas. You will find all the information on their website. Avenida Jaume de Codorniu sin numero, 08770 Sant Sadurni d'Anoia.

Tip: At Codorniu you can also enjoy a delicious lunch and dinner in restaurant Els Jardins, inside or on the large outdoor terrace (often with live music in the weekend).

Andere aanbevolen bodega's

Bodega Llopart (30 min - Google maps). You find all the information on www.llopart.com. After the tour you can have a delicious lunch in the adjacent restaurant Mirador de les caves, with panoramic views of the Penedès region and Montserrat. Carretera d'Ordal a Sant Sadurni Km.3.800, 08739, Barcelona.

Cava Freixenet (25 min - Google maps). All information on their website www.freixenet.es. Placa Joan Sala 2, 08770 Sant Sadurni d’Anoia. 

To the village Capellades (5 min)

Small town near La Torre de Claramunt. Route car park Plaça Catalunya. Market on the small square above the car park on Tuesday morning (until 1.30 pm).

The village is nothing special, but there is a nice paper museum (Google maps). Children can make their own paper (tour on Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 am and 12:30 pm. On other days you must book in advance via tel. +34 938 012 850). The tour is in Catalan or Spanish (sometimes there is a guide who does speak English), but you will receive information in English on paper. www.mmp-capellades.net. Opening hours from Monday to Sunday from 10.30am to 2pm. Entrance € 6.35. For children aged 8 - 18 € 3.70. Carrer Pau Casals 10, Capellades.

Castell de Claramunt (10 min Google maps)

Claramunt Castle is located high on a hill in the neighboring village of La Pobla de Claramunt. It is a restored medieval fortress (no furnished rooms). It offers beautiful views at the area.

If you drive up to the castle you will reach a chain after about 1 km, there is a small parking lot on the left. From here you walk further up in approx. 15 minutes. Advisable to do when it is not too hot, it is a steep climb on a well paved path. Perhaps a challenge for small children, with a buggy or if you are less mobile. Opening hours: from 1 May to 30 September inclusive, from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 1.30 pm and from 4 pm to 6.30 pm. From October 1st to April 30th from 9.30am – 1.30pm and from 3pm – 4.30pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (except public holidays). Entrance € 5, children up to 16 free.

To the city of Igualada (20 min)

Igualada, with a small beautiful old city center, is the nearest larger town. There are a number of large supermarkets, for example Carrefour (See 'Facilities in the village and the region'), and you can shop here and have a delicious lunch or dinner in the evening (see the 'Restaurants and bars' page). Park in the parking at Plaça Cal Font Google maps) or Plaça de la Creu (Google maps). 

You can walk from the parking to the old center of Igualada. Around the Rambla de Sant Isidre (Google maps) is the oldest part of the village with the municipal square Plaza Ajuntament (Google maps). Around it you will find beautiful old streets and shops. Tip: You can find antiques in the nice shop El Traster - Carrer del Clos, 8, 08700 Igualada - Google maps.

Igualada heeft een rijke historie in leerbewerking en heeft een leermuseum, het Museo de la Piel. Alle informatie vind je op museopelligualada. Carrer Dr. Joan Mercader 1, Igualada - Google maps.

There is a nice museum of horse-drawn carriages, the museo del traginer. You can find all information at www.museudeltraginer.com. Carrer dels Traginers 5, Igualada - Google maps.

There is also a miniature train museum in Igualada: Railhome. Fun for kids and train enthusiasts! A huge scale model and numerous curiosities related to trains and train journeys. Guided tours on Saturdays at 10:30 am, 12:00 pm, 4:30 pm and 6:00 pm (in July/August also on Fridays) and Sundays at 10:30 am and 12:00 pm. Book via phone + 34 676 959 431. You will find all information here Railhome. Carrer d'Alemanya, 43, 08700 Igualada - Google maps.

To the city of Vilafranca del Penedés (30 min)

Via the C-15 you drive to Vilafranca del Penedès, you can park in the parking under Plaça Penedès (Google maps). Vilafranca is the capital of the Penedès wine region. It has a beautiful old center and cozy squares, such as Plaça Penedès, Plaça de la Vila and Plaça Jaume I. You can also enjoy shopping and good food in Vilafranca. There is a market in the center on Saturday morning (until 1.30 pm). There are several good restaurants in the center, see "Vilafranca" on the page "Restaurants and bars".

At Plaça de Jaume I next to the church you will find the winemuseum (Google maps), there is also a nice wine bar in the museum. You will find the information here: www.vinseum.cat.

Castellers de Vilafranca

The spectacular Catalan 'castells' (human castles) are Unesco World Heritage. 'Els Verds' (the greens) from Vilafranca are the best castellers in Catalonia. The greens build human towers up to 10 stories high and there are competitions all over Catalonia in the summer months during the summer fests of towns and villages. We will let you know in our weekly programs where castellers competitions can be admired. The most important performances of the year by the Castellers of Vilafranca are in the town itself during the Festa Major on August 30 (Sant Fèlix) and August 31 (Sant Ramon) and on November 1 (All Saints Day).

You can also visit the spectacular training sessions in the clubhouse 'Cal Figarot' almost every week from February to the beginning of November, usually on Monday (8 p.m.), Wednesday (8:30 p.m.) and Friday (9:30 p.m.). You are usually the only tourist. You can also enjoy a nice meal on the terrace of the clubhouse (tapas, sandwiches), if training is taking place outside, you will be seated front row. All information can be found on www.castellersdevilafranca.com and here you can view the Agenda for the dates/times of the training sessions in the clubhouse ('Assaig') and the performances ('Actuacion') at the town and village festivals throughout Catalonia . We include the performances in our weekly overview for parties and traditions.

Route through the 'Toscany of Catalonië' (50 km)

Our region is much like Tuscany, Italy, only without tourists (except yourself ;). The drive takes you past forests and hills, and extensive grain and wine fields, farms and picturesque villages. The roads are good and the traffic is quiet. We have selected a nice ride for you, with a stop in the medieval village of La Llacuna ( takles about 1.5 - 2 hours.

If you do the route on Sunday morning, you will also pass a large regional market (after approx. 10 km in the village of Sant Pere de Sacarrera, on the right side of the road. Until 13:00). When you reach La Llacuna, you can have a drink or lunch at the village restaurant Ca la Maria, on the corner of BV2121 and BV2136 (the exit indicates Sant Joan de Mediona). From there you can walk into the medieval center of La Llacuna. It has a beautiful village square with arches and a church, there are a number of nice streets. During the day it is a sleepy, quiet village, from 7 o'clock in the evening it is alive. After La Llacuna the route continues via Santa Maria de Miralles and Carme back to Torre Nova.