Vila-seca: La Pineda Beach and PortAventura
What Vila-seca is really like: the family beach of La Pineda, PortAventura next door and calm shallow sea.
Pineda de Mar: four beaches, a Roman aqueduct and trains to Barcelona
Maresme beach town of about 30,000 residents, roughly 50 km from Barcelona: four beaches, Roman aqueduct arches, two weekly markets and a 30-minute train service.
Vilafranca del Penedès: Wine Capital of Penedès
What Vilafranca del Penedès is really like: cava cellars, castellers, VINSEUM and an easy day trip from Barcelona.
Gavà: Beach, Neolithic Mines and Barcelona’s Coast
What Gavà is really like: a wide sandy beach, Europe’s oldest Neolithic mines and easy access from Barcelona.
Crevillent: carpet town, five museums and two International Tourist Interest fiestas
Inland Alicante town of about 31,000 people: carpet craft, five museums, Holy Week and October Moors and Christians fiestas. No beach; the coast is by car.
Vícar: a hill village above Almería’s sea of plastic and the Costa de Almería
What Vícar is really like: an Almería hill town above the Campo de Dalías greenhouses, close to Roquetas de Mar and the Costa de Almería.
San Vicente del Raspeig: the University of Alicante town on the Costa Blanca
Inland university town of about 60,000 north of Alicante: tram to the city in around 25 minutes, old centre, parks and April Moors and Christians fiestas. No beach.
Molina de Segura: theatre, huerta and a Murcia riverside town
What Molina de Segura is really like: a Murcia riverside town of huerta and theatre, near the Ricote Valley, Archena springs and the Costa Cálida.
Sallent: a Llobregat industrial town and Sant Antoni Maria Claret’s birthplace
What Sallent is really like: a historic Llobregat industrial town in the Bages, birthplace of Sant Antoni Maria Claret, near Montserrat.
El Campillo: gateway to the Riotinto mines and the red river of Huelva
What El Campillo is really like: a Riotinto mining town in Huelva, gateway to the red Río Tinto, the mining park and the Costa de la Luz.