Completing the Cistercian Route

Enjoy a leisurely morning, as it's a short 15-minute drive to the second monastery on the Cistercian Route: El Monasterio de Poblet. This was once the most powerful monastery in Catalonia, and today is one of the best tourist destinations in the region.
This UNESCO-listed site dates to around the 12th century, providing a look into life as a monk in the Middle Ages. Completely restored by the Cistercian monks who moved here after the Spanish Civil War, there's plenty to explore from the Gothic-style cloister to the Royal Pantheon of the Crown of Aragon.
Opening Hours (15 June – 14 September) : Monday – Saturday: 10:00 – 12:30 & 15:00 – 18:30 Sundays & Holidays: 10:30 – 12:30 & 15:00 – 18:30
Opening Hours (15 September – 14 June) Monday – Saturday: 10:00 – 12:30 & 15:00 – 18:00 Sundays & Holidays: 10:30 – 12:30 & 15:00 – 18:00
Tickets can be bought at the entrance.

Completing the Cistercian Route, you'll drive north from Poblet to reach the monastery in Vallbona. Here, the smallest monastery of the three, and also the only female monastery on the route: The Monastery of Santa Maria in Vallbona.
It was here where the daughters of the noble class were educated, and it has remained a center of culture ever since. Queen Violant of Hungary, who was the Queen of Aragon between 1235 and 1251, is buried here.
For entry, you'll need to show up before one of the guided tours, which are in Spanish or Catalan only. However, even just looking around inside is worth the small entrance fee. You can view the visiting schedule on the official website.

After completing the Cistercian Route of monasteries, it's time for you to start making your way back to Barcelona. You'll continue north from Vallbona, swinging back around after reaching the A2 Highway.
Along the way, pull off into the town of Igualda for lunch, a bustling little town with plenty of options. Tu i Tapa is a local favorite, with a fantastic location on the town's main square.
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Thursday & Sundays: 10:00 – midnight Friday – Saturday: 10:00 – 02:00 Closed on Mondays.

After lunch, it's time to hit the road again, eventually looping back down toward Barcelona after driving past the impressive and striking mountains of Montserrat. But there's one last stop before you get back into the city: Gorg de la Mola.
This secret waterfall is a popular swimming spot in the warmer months, and a great way to refresh yourself after a day of driving back from the Cistercian route. There's a clearly marked parking area, and the waterfall and canyon are only a short walk away (proper walking shoes are recommended). Don't forget your bathing suit!

After a long swim in the afternoon, you must have worked up quite an appetite. Luckily, a 20-minute drive down the road from Gorg de la Mola is the town Sant Vicenc dels Horts, with this fantastic tapas and pintxos bar.
Pintxos are the Basque version of tapas, although slightly different. Piled on a slice of bread and held together with a long skewer, pintxos are cheap, delicious, and filling. Toppings range from croquettes to brie cheese to delicious Catalan sausage and everything in between, and you'll often be able to pick and choose what you want from the various options spread across the bar.
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Thursday: 12:00 – 16:00 & 19:00 – 23:00 Fridays & Saturdays: 12:00 – 16:00 & 19:00 – 01:00