Barcelona is still the number one destination in Spain, no matter how trendy lesser-known spots like Galicia or the Basque Country get.
It seems the average doesn’t really care that La Rambla is more crowded than ever, prices are at an all-time high, or even that they’re not even welcome.
We won’t judge them. Barcelona is truly one of the most beautiful, vibrant cities in Europe, and it’s definitely worth visiting at least once.
However comma, if you’re not exactly down for spending upwards of $30 every time you sit at a tapas bar for some sangria and patatas bravas, and you’ve had enough of walking down European streets with ‘Tourist Go Home’ graffiti splattered across the walls, maybe you might want to give it a miss for now.
Try instead Reus, this gorgeous historic city a short 1h22 train ride ftom Barcelona, where crowding is far less intense, not to say minimal, and prices are still, you know, within the normal range:
Have We Been Sleeping On Reus All Along?
Located some 10 miles inland from the Mediterranean Coast, Reus is one of those hidden gems of Catalonia that are all about slowing down, basking in the sun, and admiring some stunning architecture without the added buzz of the cruise hordes.
It’s not exactly on the beach, so all those Barceloneta-bound beach bums skip it altogether.
It’s also much smaller than the sprawling Barcelona, which encompasses over 5 million people in its metropolitan area. Around 100,000 people call Reus home, and in terms of land area, the municipality is roughly 15x smaller than the Catalan capital.
What makes it special, you may ask?
Reus is the birthplace of none other than Antoni Gaudí, as in, the same guy who envisioned all of Barcelona’s most iconic landmarks, from the soaring La Sagrada Família, to the lush Park Güell.
Sadly, Gaudí did not leave any of his innovative modernist wonders behind in Reus, with most of his work concentrated in Barcelona. Still, there’s plenty of historic stuff to gawk at in the city’s compact, charming-all-the-same Historic Center:
A Picture-Perfect Old Town
The entire area is packed with beautiful facades, from Casa Navàs, with its striking Art Nouveau exterior and ornate interior.
It really doesn’t feel like your normal townhouse. The easiest way we can describe it is jeweled palace meets theatrical stage set, with stained glasswork everywhere, all turned up to 11.
Not far from there, the Prioral Church of Sant Pere is the main medieval structure in Reus:
A soaring church built mainly in the 14th century in the Gothic style, it has a tall bell tower that dominates the skyline. You can climb it for panoramic views over the Old Town roofs and grid-like streets, and guess what: none of Sagrada Família’s snaking lines.
On the edge of Barri Vell, Reus’ medieval core, Plaça de Mercadal is that lively main square ringed by cafes, humming with local life. Great spot for that morning coffee and people-watching ahead of setting out on a full day of sightseeing.
Something else you should know about Reus is that it is the unofficial capital of vermouth in Spain.
A fortified wine flavored with herbs and spices, and even botanicals if you know where to look for it, it may have originated in Turin, Italy’s elegant, Paris-look alike of a Northerly metropolis, but it truly found its home in Reus, where ‘vermut’ time became practically a social ritual.
Late morning or early afternoon, it is an inherent part of aperitif culture here, and let me tell you, it goes down smooth with some Spanish jamon.
Vermuts Rofes is your address.
Reus Is That Much Cheaper, Too
There’s another reason why you should be swapping Barcelona for Reus on your Catalonian break this summer.
Accommodation here is ridiculously more affordable than in BCN, sometimes 2x less expensive, and its proximity to the Catalan Coast make it a prime base for exploring.
Budget hotels range from $50 to $90/night, while mid-range offers are roughly $90–$140. In Barcelona, you’d be getting the same for roughly $100–$180, or in the 3-star tier, upwards of $180/night.
As for food?
- Menu del días: $14–$17
- Coffee: $3–$4
- Cheap restaurant meal: $16
You’re saving big on transportation, too.
Reus is very pedestrian-friendly, and it’s not this vast urban sprawl. You can save the Uber budget and pamper yourself instead with a nice dinner in L’Alkimista, one of the finest restaurants in town.
Oh, and since you’re this close to the Catalan Coast, don’t miss the beaches of Salou, only 7 miles away, or the Roman ruins in Tarragona. It’s one of the oldest cities in Spain, and a UNESCO-listed coastal treasure, a short 18-minute bus ride from Reus.
