Slow travel in Spain
Stay longer, discover more
Discover Spain at a slower pace
Slow travel is not about visiting as many places as possible in the shortest possible time. It is about staying longer in one place, getting to know the area and leaving room for spontaneous discoveries.
Spain is particularly well suited to this way of travelling. Beyond the well-known tourist destinations are regions where everyday life, landscapes, local food and historic villages are every bit as interesting as the major sights.
Inland Catalonia is one of those regions. From one comfortable base, you can explore Barcelona, Montserrat, the Penedès wine region and the Costa Dorada, while also walking through vineyards, enjoying a long lunch at a local restaurant or simply spending a day by the pool.
Slow travel here does not mean experiencing less, but experiencing things differently.
The green countryside of inland Catalonia invites you to stay longer and discover the region at a more relaxed pace
What is slow travel?
Slow travel is a way of travelling that values time, experience and a connection with a destination more than ticking off as many sights as possible.
Instead of moving on to a new destination every few days, you stay longer in one place. This gives you time not only to see the highlights, but also to experience the surroundings and everyday life.
You might discover a local market, take a walk directly from your accommodation, return to a restaurant you particularly enjoyed or simply decide over breakfast what you feel like doing that day.
Slow travel does not have to mean doing very little. Walking, cycling, culture, gastronomy and day trips all fit naturally into this way of travelling. The difference is that your holiday is not dictated by a packed itinerary.
Why Catalonia is ideal for slow travel
Catalonia is often associated with Barcelona and the Mediterranean coast, but inland Catalonia has a very different character.
Historic villages are surrounded by hills, forests and vineyards. Local markets, traditional festivals and restaurants are still part of everyday life, while many of Catalonia's best-known destinations are close enough for a day trip.
This means you do not have to keep changing accommodation to experience different sides of the region.
From inland Catalonia, you can spend one day in Barcelona and the next walking in the countryside, visiting a winery in the Penedès or having lunch in a small village.
If you would like to experience this less touristy side of the region, discover Catalonia away from the crowds.
Historic villages, local markets and everyday Catalan life can still be found away from the main tourist routes
One base for really getting to know a region
Slow travel means you do not have to pack your bags every few days and move on to another hotel or destination.
Having one base gives you a sense of calm and allows you to explore a wider area at your own pace. You get to know your surroundings, find favourite places and do not have to start again every few days.
Torre Nova's central location makes this particularly easy. Barcelona is around 65 kilometres away, the beaches of the Costa Dorada around 35 kilometres, and both Montserrat and the Penedès wine region are within easy reach.
At the same time, you are staying in a much quieter part of Catalonia.
This makes Torre Nova a comfortable base for discovering different sides of Catalonia without having to keep moving from one place to another.
One comfortable home base, with Barcelona, beaches, nature and wine country within easy reach
Experiencing local life as part of your journey
You often get to know a region best through moments that were never part of the itinerary.
Having coffee in a village square. Shopping at a local market. Enjoying a long lunch in a restaurant mainly frequented by locals. Going for a walk without needing a famous attraction at the end of it.
Food plays an important part in everyday life in Catalonia. Long lunches are part of the local rhythm, while wineries and cava producers are scattered among the vineyards of the Penedès.
Local festivals, markets and traditions also reveal a very different side of Catalonia from the one you experience on a short city break.
Staying longer in the same area gives you time for exactly these kinds of experiences.
Local food, markets and wine regions are all part of everyday life in Catalonia
Slow travel also means leaving time for nothing
One of the pleasures of travelling more slowly is that not every day has to be special.
After a day in Barcelona or a long walk, the next day might simply mean breakfast on the terrace, reading in the garden and going for a swim.
That contrast often makes days out even more enjoyable. You do not have to squeeze everything out of every day when you know there will still be time tomorrow.
Spring and autumn are particularly suited to this rhythm in Catalonia. It is quieter, temperatures are pleasant and walking, cycling, culture and gastronomy are easy to combine.
Read more about Torre Nova in spring & autumn.
Slow travel also means having time for a day with no plans at all
Walking and cycling from where you stay
Slow travel and active holidays go very well together.
On foot or by bike, you experience a landscape differently than you do from a car. You notice quiet lanes, vineyards, forests and villages that are easy to pass by otherwise.
From Torre Nova, you can walk directly into the surrounding countryside, while the rolling inland landscape offers plenty of possibilities for cyclists. The surroundings become part of the holiday itself rather than simply the scenery between two attractions.
Discover more about walking & cycling in Catalonia.
On foot or by bike, you discover the landscapes and small villages of Catalonia at a different pace
Small-scale accommodation suits slow travel
Where you stay also influences how you experience a destination.
Small-scale accommodation often makes it easier to travel at your own pace and feel more connected to your surroundings. You stay more independently, have more space and can organise your days around your own rhythm.
Torre Nova Resort has seven spacious apartments and a detached bungalow on a historic Catalan estate. You have your own accommodation and terrace, while the garden, heated swimming pool and personal atmosphere make it just as enjoyable to spend time at Torre Nova itself.
The Dutch owners, Jacqueline and Geert, live on the estate and are happy to share their personal recommendations for restaurants, walks, markets and places you may not find in a typical travel guide.
This makes small-scale accommodation in Catalonia a natural fit for slow travel.
Who is slow travel in Catalonia for?
This way of travelling particularly suits people who would rather get to know a destination than spend every day ticking off as many sights as possible.
It is a good fit for couples and active travellers who:
- prefer staying longer in one place;
- want to combine peace and quiet with days out;
- are interested in nature, culture and gastronomy;
- enjoy walking or cycling;
- like discovering local villages, markets and restaurants;
- value freedom more than an organised programme.
If your main aim is to visit as many cities and major sights as possible in a short time, a traditional touring holiday may suit you better.
Slow travel from Torre Nova
Torre Nova suits travellers who want not only to visit Catalonia, but also to experience what it feels like to live there for a little while.
You do not need to get in the car every day. Some days might take you to Barcelona, Montserrat, the Penedès or the coast; on others, you stay closer to home.
After a few days, you know the way to the bakery, have found somewhere you like to have lunch and perhaps already have a favourite walk.
That may be the essence of slow travel: not always being on your way to the next place, but taking the time to simply be somewhere.
Torre Nova gives you the space and freedom to really get to know Catalonia from one place
Discover Catalonia from Torre Nova
Would you like to combine nature, culture, gastronomy and days out without changing accommodation every few days? Discover why Torre Nova makes a peaceful and well-located base for experiencing Catalonia at your own pace.
