Conca de Barberà

Conca de Barberà is a county in inland Catalonia, in the province of Tarragona, known for being part of the Cistercian Route and for housing the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Conca de Barberà is a little over an hour by car from Barcelona, and close to Tarragona, Lleida and the Costa Daurada. The county combines Cistercian monastic heritage, medieval town centres, a wine-growing tradition (Conca de Barberà Denomination of Origin) and nature, with protected areas such as the Poblet Natural Site and the Prades Mountains.

• Official tourism of Conca de Barberà
• The Cistercian Route

By car: via the AP-2, with exits towards Montblanc and l'Espluga de Francolí. By train: Rodalies stations at l'Espluga de Francolí and Vimbodí (lines R13 and R14), connecting to Barcelona, Lleida and Tarragona.

The most convenient way to get around the county is by car, although the GR175 trail (Cistercian Route) allows several municipalities to be explored on foot or by bicycle.

• Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet (Vimbodí i Poblet) — Cistercian monastery founded in 1150, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, with an active community of monks.
• Walled town of Montblanc — one of the best-preserved medieval town centres in Catalonia, the county capital.
• Prehistoric rock art of the Prades Mountains — inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• Modernista wineries — declared Cultural Assets of National Interest, located in Barberà de la Conca, Rocafort de Queralt, Solivella, Blancafort, l'Espluga de Francolí, Montblanc and Sarral.

• Walk or cycle the GR175 trail of the Cistercian Route.
• Take part in wine tastings of the Conca de Barberà DO.
• Visit the Caves of l'Espluga de Francolí and the Museum of Rural Life.

There are rural guesthouses, hotels and hospederías in several municipalities across the county, including the Hostatgeria de Poblet, next to the monastery itself.

• Alt Camp — neighbouring county, with the Royal Monastery of Santes Creus.
• Urgell — neighbouring county, with the Monastery of Vallbona de les Monges.