The Garraf Monastery and Mountain Chapels

This road trip begins in Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia. If you haven't been, Barcelona is one of the highlights of a trip to Spain, with fantastic architecture, delicious food, and a laid-back Mediterranean lifestyle.
It's a great idea to stay a few days in the city before taking off into the mountains, giving you time to see the sights and get to know this fascinating city.

You might be surprised to find this gorgeous Buddhist monastery in El Garraf Nature Reserve. Tranquil and calm, the architecture is a blend of rustic Catalan farmhouse with the more recent Tibetan-style monastery. The temple is open for visitors, and well-worth a stop to break up the drive towards the Prades Mountains.
Opening Hours: Wednesday – Friday: 09:30 – 18:00 Saturday – Sunday: 09:30 – 19:00
Guided visits last 45 minutes, and are available in English. It's recommended to book your ticket in advance on the official website.

As the Prades Mountains loom into view through the windshield, we recommend stopping for a bite to eat before winding up into the mountains. This bar and restaurant in Valls is a delightful surprise, offering classic Catalan tapas dishes. If you're visiting on a weekday, their set Menu del Dia is also a fantastic deal for the quality of food.
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Thursday: 12:00 – 17:00 & 19:00 – 02:00 Friday – Saturday: 12:00 – 17:00 & 19:00 – 03:00

After lunch, the road slowly climbs up into the mountains, offering fantastic views around every twist and turn. Farena is a small but pretty town with an old church that makes for a good stop to jump out of the car and stretch your legs.
It's also a great introduction to the tranquility of this destination, with the quiet cobbled streets giving way to spectacular views of the surrounding landscapes.

After Farena, you'll drive only a bit further toward this picturesque waterfall and swimming hole. There are several small areas to park along the road, and after you've found a spot, it's an easy walk down to the river. Don't forget your swimmers, as the cool water is perfect for a dip on a hot Spanish day!
Practical Information: To get here, there are two options. The first is to leave your car parked in Farena and follow the signs to the gorge. It's around a 35-minute walk, and good walking shoes and water are recommended. Another option is to follow the road and look for a good spot to pull over, as there are several areas for parking. This shortens the walking distance to around 10–20 minutes.

After your afternoon swim, you'll make the drive into the town of Prades, the biggest in the region. The scenic drive is incredible, with gorgeous views into valleys and across mountain peaks.
Once you've entered the town of Prades, there's parking near this historic chapel, a good starting point for several short trails into the nearby mountains.

From the Ermita de Sant Antoni, it's an easy 30-minute walk up to another historic chapel, La Ermita de l'Abellera. Dating to around the 1500's, the chapel itself is nestled inside a cave between the mountain and the edge of the cliff, over 1,000 meters high.
The views are astounding, especially at sunset, with the villages of Capafonts and Farena in the foreground and the Montmell mountain range beyond the valley below.
Opening Hours: Hiking up here for the views are worth it alone, but for those who want to see inside this small chapel, it's open between 12:00 and 14:00 from Fridays to Sundays, June through September. A small entrance fee of 2 euros is required. As always, good walking shoes and water are recommended for the trail.

Dinner at this lovely local bar is a real treat. Sitting outside on the terrace is recommended thanks to the fantastic location on the central square in Prades, watching the town come to life with cyclists and hikers returning from a day on the surrounding trails.
Opening Hours: Monday: 08:30 – 23:30 Wednesday – Sunday: 08:00 – 23:00

Tonight, you'll stay in Prades to rest and recover from your first day of travel. Go to bed early, as in the morning you'll be hitting the road northeast to reach one of the biggest highlights of this trip: the Monastery in Poblet.