The Town
Roda de Bara is a thriving Catalan “pueblo” - a community with all sorts of small shops and businesses, two supermarkets, several friendly bars, cafes and restaurants, a town hall, a railway station, a bus service, a swimming pool and a market on Thursday mornings.
Surrounding area
Catalonia is fabulously situated between sea and mountains. The miles of unspoiled hillside a short walk from the house offer great rambles and views.
The local beach is broad and sandy, with a gradual incline to the water and a discrete smattering of bars, restaurants and boats for hire. At the North End, by the historic Ermita (hermitage), is a walkway to the Marina and Writers' Museum at Roc San Gaieta.
To the North, 50 minutes away on a train, is Barcelona, with its glorious port, Gaudi Architecture, Gothic Quarter, museums, theatres, cinemas, bars, cafes, shops and markets. To the South, 15 miles away is Tarragona, boasting some of the best preserved Roman Monuments in the world, as well as its own cafes, covered market and cathedral. Roda de Bara has its own Roman remain in the Arch of Bara, which still marks the ancient Appian Way, now road N340.
An hour's drive inland, through dramatically beautiful country, are the walled towns, caves and wine cellars of Mont Blanc and Espluga de Francoli and the Cistercian Monasteries of Santes Creus and Poblet.
The Catalans are proud of their traditions, upheld by their language and national dance, Sardanas. Roda de Bara celebrates a string of lively festivals, notably the Fiesta Major in the last week of August which offers all sorts of entertainment and welcomes visitor participation.
Map
Getting There
The nearest airports are Barcelona (50 miles) and Reus (25 miles). You can take a taxi, hire a car,or take a very pleasant journey along the coast by train.
Five trains run daily from Sants and Paseo de Gracia stations. The local train station is a three minute walk from the house.
If you hire a car, it's often cheaper to do so from the UK, and pick it up at the airport. You can park on the street outside the house, or use the dedicated parking area at the top of the street.
