{"id":76450,"date":"2017-04-29T14:46:17","date_gmt":"2017-04-29T12:46:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/?p=76450"},"modified":"2017-08-26T16:48:08","modified_gmt":"2017-08-26T14:48:08","slug":"costa-dorada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/costa-dorada\/","title":{"rendered":"Hidden wonders of the Costa Dorada"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Costa Dorada,<\/strong> the stretch of coast between Barcelona and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/tarragona\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tarragona<\/a>, is known for some of the<b> best beaches<\/b> in\u00a0the region\u00a0and a balmy\u00a0climate that makes it a favorite for sun-seeking visitors. The odds of finding a peaceful place to get a tan or take a quiet stroll seem small. However, the rocky coves and thick forests of the coastline hide beaches or sites whose wondrous secrets are quite well guarded.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Take a look at five <b>stunning locations<\/b> along the coast.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/costa-dorada\/#Cala_Vallcarca\" title=\"Cala Vallcarca\">Cala Vallcarca<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/costa-dorada\/#Garraf\" title=\"Garraf\">Garraf<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/costa-dorada\/#Sitges_Abandoned_Theme_Park\" title=\"Sitges\u00a0Abandoned\u00a0Theme Park\">Sitges\u00a0Abandoned\u00a0Theme Park<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/costa-dorada\/#Torredembarra_Lighthouse\" title=\"Torredembarra Lighthouse\">Torredembarra Lighthouse<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/costa-dorada\/#La_Mora_Beach\" title=\"La Mora Beach\">La Mora Beach<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cala_Vallcarca\"><\/span>Cala Vallcarca<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_76756\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76756\" class=\"wp-image-76756 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/2704119877_5210d48396-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Photo by horitzons inesperats via Visualhunt \/ CC BY-NC-SA \" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-76756\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by horitzons inesperats via Visualhunt<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">This <strong>beach near Sitges<\/strong> may have a lack of sand and a large amount of imposing industrial buildings, but the man-made seaside area has many stunning surprises.\u00a0A long walkway leads out to what locals dub &#8216;la Sagrada Familia&#8217;, a\u00a0concrete\u00a0island dominated by two thick, rusting metal towers.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Those who are brave enough can try the local pastime of\u00a0jumping into the deep waters of the disused port. The road down to the beach can be found beneath the old Vallcarca concrete factory, an imposing sight on the road to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/sitges\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sitges<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Garraf\"><\/span>Garraf<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Located in a tiny village tucked under a steep cliff and the rail lines between <strong>Sitges<\/strong> and <b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/castelldefels\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Castelldefels<\/a>,\u00a0<\/b>the beach at <b>Garraf <\/b>maybe not be big, but it is clean\u00a0and very picturesque. Quaint wooden houses frame the sands of the former fishing community\u00a0and give the sheltered beach a very charming quality.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The village lies on the edge of a beautiful <b>natural park<\/b> and is also home to Catalan architect <b>Anton Gaudi<\/b>&#8216;s little known <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bodegas_G%C3%BCell\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><strong>Bodega Guell<\/strong><\/a>, an impressive building that bears many features of his signature style. The building now operates privately as a restaurant.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px; text-align: center;\"><i>Related article: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/hidden-modernist-jewels\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hidden Modernist Jewels<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sitges_Abandoned_Theme_Park\"><\/span>Sitges\u00a0Abandoned\u00a0Theme Park<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The coastal town of <strong>Sitges<\/strong> is mostly known for its beautiful beaches, its gay-friendly atmosphere, and a yearly horror-fantasy <a href=\"http:\/\/sitgesfilmfestival.com\/eng\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">film festival.<\/a> But away from\u00a0the ancient buildings and golden sands, lies a surprisingly neglected part of <strong>Sitges<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Once a glitzy, fully operational water park,\u00a0\u00a0<strong>Aquatic Paradise<\/strong> now stands decrepit and decaying after an accident and debts caused the attraction to close in the mid-1990\u00b4s. Since then, nature has taken over the disused slides, chutes and pools that once hosted\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/tips-for-your-family-trip-to-barcelona\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">happy families<\/a>, as well as numerous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/a-skaters-guide-to-barcelonas-best-routes-part-1-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">skateboarders<\/a> and graffiti\u00a0artists.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Access to the park is not readily available or advised, as police closed off most entrances\u00a0years ago and now use the grounds for training exercises. But you can always pass by the site, take some <b>great photographs<\/b>, and get a sense of how things used to be.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Torredembarra_Lighthouse\"><\/span>Torredembarra Lighthouse<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">As you walk beside the shimmering Mediterranean\u00a0along increasingly precarious cliffs, you will see something ahead on the horizon. A tall, thin body dotted with spikes and something that looks like a U.F.O\u00a0for a head. At first, you may think this an otherworldly apparition, a dark tower created by the mind of Stephen\u00a0King. But no, it is just an incredibly unusual\u00a0and beautiful <b>lighthouse<\/b>. You can arrange a guided tour inside\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/esp.turismetorredembarra.cat\/reservas-online-faro\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Related article:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/costa-brava\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Most charming villages in La Costa Brava<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"La_Mora_Beach\"><\/span>La Mora Beach<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_76758\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76758\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-76758\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/9527307918_648a1293fc_c-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Photo by Juan Andres Lopez via VisualHunt \/ CC BY-NC-ND\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-76758\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Juan Andres Lopez via VisualHunt \/ CC BY-NC-ND<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">If you like your <b>beaches <\/b>that are\u00a0a little craggy and mysterious, then look no further than this incredible spot, only a short drive from <b>Tarragona.<\/b> Closed in on three sides by steep, pine-topped cliffs, the bay boasts golden sand and extended shallows great for splashing around in.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">But what really sets the beach apart are the rocky coves, jagged crawl spaces and mysterious <b>caves<\/b>\u00a0in the cliffs that line the sands. Perfect for those explorers who seek to really to get to the heart of the <b>Costa Dorada.<\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Looking for an apartment in Barcelona?\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>ShBarcelona<\/strong><\/a> is the answer.<\/em><\/p>\n<div style=\"display: none;\"\n    class=\"kk-star-ratings kksr-valign-bottom kksr-align-left \"\n    data-id=\"76450\"\n    data-slug=\"\">\n    <div class=\"kksr-stars\">\n    <div class=\"kksr-stars-inactive\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"1\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"2\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"3\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"4\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"5\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"kksr-stars-active\" style=\"width: 150px;\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n    <div class=\"kksr-legend\">\n            <strong class=\"kksr-score\">5<\/strong>\n        <span class=\"kksr-muted\">\/<\/span>\n        <strong>5<\/strong>\n        <span class=\"kksr-muted\">(<\/span>\n        <strong class=\"kksr-count\">1<\/strong>\n        <span class=\"kksr-muted\">\n            vote        <\/span>\n        <span class=\"kksr-muted\">)<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Costa Dorada, the stretch of coast between Barcelona and Tarragona, is known for some of the best beaches in\u00a0the region\u00a0and a balmy\u00a0climate that makes it a favorite for sun-seeking visitors. The odds of finding a peaceful place to get a tan or take a quiet stroll seem small. However, the rocky coves and thick forests [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":102,"featured_media":76751,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[61,382,5707,1800,1618,5852,139,1092,3707],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76450"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/102"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=76450"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76450\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":89837,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76450\/revisions\/89837"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/76751"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=76450"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=76450"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=76450"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}