An alternative to Tuscany in Spain
Discover inland Catalonia
Looking for an alternative to Tuscany in Spain? If you love Tuscany, you may recognise many of the same qualities in inland Catalonia: rolling hills, vineyards, historic villages, local gastronomy and a relaxed way of life.
Yet Catalonia is not a copy of Tuscany. It is precisely the differences that make this region so interesting. From the peaceful countryside, you can easily combine nature and authentic villages with Barcelona, Montserrat, the Penedès wine region and the beaches of the Costa Dorada.
For travellers who love the atmosphere of Tuscany but also enjoy variety, inland Catalonia offers a surprisingly attractive alternative.
Rolling hills, vineyards and authentic villages shape the landscape of inland Catalonia
Why does Catalonia sometimes feel like Tuscany?
The similarity lies mainly in the landscape and the way you experience the region. In inland Catalonia, rolling hills, valleys, vineyards, forests and small villages create a varied green landscape.
As in Tuscany, a holiday here does not have to revolve around famous sights. A long lunch in a local restaurant, a walk through the vineyards, a village market or simply sitting outside enjoying the landscape can be just as memorable.
Peace, landscape, gastronomy and outdoor living are all part of the experience.
For those who want to discover Catalonia away from the crowds, the inland region reveals a very different side of Spain from the well-known coastal resorts.
Countryside, local restaurants and a relaxed pace of life are all part of authentic Catalonia
Tuscany and Catalonia: what do they have in common?
If you love Tuscany, you are probably not looking for an identical destination, but for a certain kind of holiday experience. Many of the things travellers appreciate about Tuscany can also be found in inland Catalonia – but with a distinctly Catalan character.
Rolling hills and valleys
Inland Catalonia offers a green, gently rolling landscape with forests, valleys and wide-open views.
Vineyards and wine routes
The Penedès is one of Catalonia's best-known wine regions, with extensive vineyards, wineries and local wine routes.
Historic towns and villages
Authentic Catalan villages and small towns give the region its own character and provide a fascinating contrast to Barcelona and the coast.
Local food and long lunches
Food is part of the good life here too: Catalan cuisine, local restaurants and leisurely lunches featuring regional produce.
Walking and cycling
Quiet roads and trails lead through hills, countryside, forests, vineyards and small villages.
Small-scale places to stay
Inland Catalonia is home to characterful, small-scale accommodation where peace, space and personal hospitality take centre stage.
Relaxed outdoor living
Space, nature and the Mediterranean climate make it easy to spend much of your holiday outdoors.
The similarities are easy to recognise, but each region has its own culture, cuisine, landscape and identity. Catalonia is not a copy of Tuscany – and that is precisely what makes it an interesting alternative.
What makes Catalonia different?
Perhaps the biggest difference is the variety you can experience from one place.
One day you can walk through the countryside or visit a winery, the next explore Barcelona or Montserrat, and another day head to the beaches of the Costa Dorada.
From a peaceful, well-located base in Catalonia, nature, culture, city life, wine regions and the Mediterranean are all within easy reach.
That does not make Catalonia better than Tuscany – simply different. For travellers who like to combine tranquillity with a variety of experiences during one holiday, that difference can be particularly appealing.
From the peaceful countryside to Barcelona, Montserrat or the Mediterranean – Catalonia offers remarkable variety within easy reach
Penedès: wine and gastronomy, Catalan style
For many people who love Tuscany, wine is an important part of the holiday experience. In Catalonia, wine culture has a character all of its own.
The nearby Penedès is one of Catalonia's best-known wine regions and is particularly famous for its cava. Among its vineyards are wineries and bodegas where you can taste local wines and cava and discover more about the region's winemaking traditions.
Gastronomy is equally important to everyday life. Taking time over lunch, trying local produce and discovering small restaurants are a natural part of staying in this part of Catalonia.
Penedès is not a Catalan version of Chianti – nor does it need to be. It offers its own distinctive combination of landscape, wine and gastronomy.
The Penedès gives inland Catalonia its own wine culture, with vineyards, bodegas and, of course, cava
Peaceful, small-scale places to stay
Travellers who appreciate Tuscany often look for accommodation that reflects its surroundings: not a large holiday complex, but somewhere with character, peace and space.
In inland Catalonia, you will also find small-scale accommodation where privacy and personal hospitality matter more than large-scale facilities.
Torre Nova Resort is one example. Set on a historic Catalan estate on the edge of an authentic village, it offers eight spacious accommodations, plenty of privacy, a large garden, heated swimming pool and a small wellness area.
Read more about small-scale accommodation in Catalonia and why this way of staying suits the region so well.
Torre Nova Resort: a small-scale stay on a historic Catalan estate in the green countryside
Walking and cycling through the Catalan countryside
Like Tuscany, this is a region that invites you to spend time outdoors. From Torre Nova, you can walk or cycle directly into the surrounding countryside, following quiet roads and trails through hills, forests, vineyards and small villages.
It does not have to become an active holiday. The combination of being outdoors, stopping somewhere for lunch and relaxing by the pool afterwards is part of the relaxed character of the region.
Find out more about walking and cycling in inland Catalonia.
From Torre Nova Resort, you can walk or cycle directly into nature, without crowds or rush
Why choose Catalonia as an alternative to Tuscany?
Inland Catalonia particularly suits travellers who enjoy landscape, culture and gastronomy without needing a full itinerary every day.
It is an interesting choice for couples and travellers looking for peace and quiet, for lovers of wine and local food, for walkers and cyclists, and for those who already know Tuscany or other parts of Italy and would like to discover a different Mediterranean region.
Families looking for space and variety can also feel at home here. Barcelona and the Mediterranean coast mean that a holiday does not have to revolve solely around countryside and culture.
When is the best time to visit Catalonia?
Those looking primarily for tranquillity, outdoor living and active exploration will particularly appreciate spring and autumn at Torre Nova.
In summer, the region becomes livelier, but inland Catalonia remains noticeably quieter than the coast.
The appeal of Tuscany, with a Catalan character
An alternative to Tuscany does not need to be a second Tuscany.
Inland Catalonia offers many of the things travellers appreciate about Tuscany: rolling landscapes, vineyards, authentic villages, gastronomy, peace and space.
But Catalonia adds a character of its own: the wine culture of the Penedès, the extraordinary landscape of Montserrat, Catalan food and traditions, and the opportunity to combine all of this with Barcelona and the Mediterranean during the same holiday.
It is this combination that makes inland Catalonia a surprising alternative to Tuscany in Spain.
Discover a different side of Catalonia
Torre Nova Resort is set in this green and authentic part of Catalonia and provides a peaceful base for combining nature, culture, gastronomy, Barcelona and the coast.
Torre Nova Resort in inland Catalonia
