Montsant Travel Guide: Vino, Vineyards & Villages
Sitting high above the Costa Daurada, Montsant is one of Catalonia’s best-kept secrets. Yet this region offers some of the most extraordinary scenery in northeast Spain, alongside some of the best wine, endless hikes, and postcard-perfect villages. Here are the best things to do in Montsant and how to get there.
Located some 40km inland from the Costa Daurada, the verdant mountain paradise of Montsant is a world away from the sun, sea, and sangria of the coast. Surrounded by scenery that is jaw-droppingly beautiful, Montsant’s topography of jagged peaks and plunging valleys is a stark contrast to the golden beaches and bustling towns of the Mediterranean far below.
Designated a natural park in 2002, Montsant is a largely untouched landscape and dark skies destination, covering more than 9,200 hectares. Situated in the northern parts of the Priorat region, in Montsant, historic hiking trails meet hidden monasteries, and amongst it all, a scattering of picturesque and impeccably preserved centuries-old villages hint at the rich and ancient history of these mountains.
What truly sets Montsant apart, however, are its vineyards.
Stretching as far as the eye can see, gravity-defying terraces rich in vines cascade down steep-sided mountains. Reminiscent of similar high-altitude and equally heroic wine-making endeavours in the Douro Valley, this is wine production at its most honest and, arguably, best.
Yet, despite its proximity to popular coastal spots, Montsant remains something of a hidden gem. Vastly underrated and often overlooked by visitors to the coast, few day trips visit these mountains. And sun worshippers on the coast are likely unaware of the region's existence, other than a designation on a wine bottle.
The travellers who do visit Montsant come, for the most part, for wine tourism and outdoor pursuits, visiting to partake in hiking, climbing or vineyard wanders. Yet there is so much to experience in Montsant, even for the casual holidaymaker.
Look beyond the coast and you’ll find a region whose biggest selling point is perhaps it’s disconnect from the resorts, an idyllic escape from the bustle of seaside promenades and packed beaches. And, away from the purpose built towns, Montsant is an opportunity to experience Catalonia’s cultural heritage. Teeming with historical gems and interesting places to explore, its a perfect day trip.
Though don’t be fooled; Montsant is a destination in it’s own right and if you fall under it’s spell, its alluring mountains, vineyards, and villages, I guarantee you’ll want more time here.
So, whether you’re visiting the beach resorts of the Costa Daurada this summer or seeking a Spain adventure away from the usual sea and sangria, come with me on a journey to Montsant.
How to get to Montsant
Montsant is an easy day trip from the Catalan coast.
From Barcelona, Montsant is about a two-hour drive. Travelling from Tarragona, Reus, or Salou will take you approximately one-hour.
That said, Montsant sits high up in the mountains, and as such, it’s not easy to get to by public transport, so hiring a car is your best option and the most convenient way to get around Montsant. This is especially true if you want to explore some of its more remote parts and scattered villages.
From the coast, the route is fairly simple though winding; like the mountain roads in Andalusia linking the white villages, expect sharp corners and steep climbs alongside sweeping panoramic views as you make your way uphill.
From the UK
If you’re looking to fly in and visit Montsant as part of a bigger Costa Daurada trip, the nearest airport is Reus, some 65km north and a 1 hour and 20 minute drive by car. I flew with Jet2 who offer regular flights from all major UK airports and stayed in Tarragona. If you’re looking for a beach resort then Cambrils is be my recommendation.
car rental in Spain
If you’re looking to rent a car for your Spain trip, I recommend both Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com. You can compare prices from different companies before booking, book in advance, get insured, and collect your car from the airport or city centre.
Visiting Montsant on a day trip
In my experience, you’ll need a full day to explore Montsant, so prepare for an early start.
On my first visit to Montsant, I was on a city break in Tarragona, and we left the hotel at 8am - and got back around 10pm that night. I felt we saw a lot, but it took some organisation and careful planning, and honestly, we were pretty tired by the end!
That said, I fell in love with Montsant and highly recommend making the effort to visit.
If you want to go hiking or visit more Montsant wineries than I’ve listed below, think about adding extra days to this itinerary. If more time outdoors and drinking wine sounds appealing to you (it certainly does to me), then I’d highly recommend at least two days in Montsant. Though small, there’s heaps of bodegas and endless walking trails.
However, those seeking picturesque villages and mountain views will likely feel one day in Montsant is perfect.
Montsant Tours
Being relatively off-the-beaten-track, Montsant has few tours, so the best way to explore on a day trip is by car.
However, driving on mountain roads isn’t for everyone and as such, there is a small selection of tours to Montsant and neighbour Priorat from the coastal resorts of the Costa Daurada. These are, namely, private, small groups which will collect you from a pre-arranged point along the coastal resorts.
The best rated Montsant tours are:
The best things to do in Montsant, Catalonia
Although Montsant is best known amongst wine lovers for its viniculture, it has a rich and ancient history all the way back to the Roman Empire and Moorish rule that make present day Montsant a wonderful place to spend at least a day. Longer, if you have time. As well as the stunning natural sights and verdant mountains, it’s a region packed with postcard-perfect villages, historical sights, and a blooming culinary scene. These are my favourite things to do in Montsant.
1.wine tasting and vineyard tours
Wine culture is big in Montsant, and the wine from this area is exceptional. In truth, you could easily spend a week exploring the dozens of hillside vineyards, wineries, and bodegas scattered around Montsant.
However, if you have one day, the best way to experience Montsant wine is with a knowledgeable guide. I recommend Siurana Tours, a local company specialising in small group tours. Led by Montsant vineyard owner and guide Paul, tours meet outside Celler Cooperative de Cornudella, a Gaudi-inspired bodega in the sleepy mountain village of Cornudella de Montsant.
From there, head off into the mountain vineyards, to explore row upon row of vines and soak in those glorious views. We visit in early spring, so there are no grapes. But little green leaves hint at what’s to come.
This is heroic winemaking, Paul explains; the high-altitude terraces not for the faint-hearted. Being in the natural park means no machinery, and every vine and field is tended by hand. It’s no easy feat and, combined with the effects of climate change, getting harder for the farmers who make a living from these hills.
The result is lower yields and significantly fewer bottles of Montsant than other Spanish wine-producing regions, which benefit from machinery and easier-going farming. Yet, arguably, Montsant produces a higher class of wine that is gradually gaining the international recognition it deserves.
Having learnt about the soil, slopes, and heritage, it’s time for tasting, and the tour ends back at the Cooperative.
This is one of the best places to sample Montsant wine: a rustic, simple, and atmospheric old stone building where the winemaking is clearly not rushed but done with passion and enthusiasm. It’s a world away from the highly commercial, big-business wine tours of La Rioja.
And, for this Spanish wine drinker, all the better for it.
The wine tasting starts with a refreshingly chilled vermut (Spanish vermouth) made from local white grapes, followed by two Montsant reds (El Codolar and Castell de Siurana); they are very different in flavour but equally delicious - and dangerously easy to drink.
Read next: Wine tasting in Montsant (coming soon)
2. Lunch at La Morera
By this point in the day, you’ve earned lunch, and there is no better place than family-run La Morera. Rustic with lots of charm and character, this old-style restaurant is one of Montsant’s real gems.
The menu focuses on traditional cuisine, with authentic dishes such as snails, beef cheek, cod romesco, and the owner's recommendation, truite amb suc, an omelette served with herby sauce.
In the heart of Montsant, this is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of local wine, devour homemade bread with local olive oil, and embrace the warm atmosphere in the quaint, stone-walled dining room.
3. Visit Cartoixa d'Escaladei
After lunch, make your way towards the pretty village of Escaladei and wander under the intricate archways of Cartoixa d'Escaladei. An ancient monastery built in the 12th century by Carthusian monks was on the site where a shepherd had dreamt of angels coming down from the sky on a ladder.
During the seven centuries, the silent order of monks lived here, they planted and tended vineyards on the steep slopes. These vineyards were the start of winemaking in this region and are integral to its fame today.
This maze of terracotta-roofed buildings at the foothills of the Montsant mountains was, until recently, in a state of abandonment and disrepair after years of ransacking by local farmers (justified, I should add, after centuries of serfdom).
But it has been painstakingly restored of late and is now open to the public; the pretty cloisters, courtyard, and impressive church have transformed and are very much worth a visit.
Part of the resurgence is due to a 1980s Catalan government ruling declaring the monastery “an Asset of National Interest” and the subsequent restoration project intended to turn it into a significant cultural site.
Entry into Cartoixa d'Escaladei costs €5. Visit on your own or book a tour guide.
4. Go Olive oil tasting
While in the village of Escaladei , it would be remiss not to sample one of Montsant’s best products. Olives have been grown in this region for hundreds of years, and today, olive oil remains one of its most important exports. Producer Moli de l’Oli is at the heart of this scene, combining ecological agriculture with generations of knowledge, tradition, and expertise.
Book a 4x4 tour of the beautiful olive groves, with their dry-stone walls, terraces, and ancient vines. Or, if you have less time, visit their store, housed in an old oil mill, for an olive oil tasting.
The olive grove tour is €35, and mill tasting €15 - book in advance here.
Alternatively / If you have time, or prefer wine to olive oil, then visit world renowned Cellers Scala Dei; one of the best wine makers in Spain, this winery is considered the birthplace of Priorat wine. Their vineyards are found at the foot of the Montsant mountain range but you can book a tasting in their traditional bodega in Escaladei. I didn’t have time to go inside, but it’s high on my wine-travel bucket list!
5. Explore Siurana
The Montsant mountains hide a secret world of medieval villages, a collection of charming and oh-so-perfect mountaintop communities that easily compete with Andalusia’s iconic pueblos blancos.
One such village is Siurana.
Its clifftop location, quaint cobbled streets, postcard-perfect alleyways, and ancient stone houses make it one of the prettiest villages in Catalonia. At sunset it’s especially magical, and, with the daytime tour groups long gone, you’ll likely have this stunning spot all to yourself.
This was the last stronghold of Moorish rule in Catalonia, its mountaintop position making it almost impossible to conquer. In addition to the historical village, there are a few interesting historical sites, including the remains of Castell Arab (the old Moorish castle) and the Church of Santa Maria.
However, the most impressive sight is undoubtedly the view over Serra de Montsant and the mountain range spread out below the village. This is a world of high, jagged peaks and deep, plunging valleys covered in verdant forests; it is a jaw-dropping natural wonder that invokes images of ancient landscapes that time has long forgotten.
Other than wander the picturesque streets and stop by the old church, there isn’t a huge amount to do in Siurana. But don’t let that stop you from visiting. This is one of my favourite villages in Spain, oozing atmosphere and old world charm, it’s a beautiful place to spend an hour getting lost amongst its alleyways.
You can reach Siurana by car and you’ll find free parking at the road end; from there it’s a short, well signposted walk into the village. As you make your way along, you’ll be surrounded by wonderful views over the Montsant Natural Park and it’s worth having your camera ready as the landscape becomes steadily more impressive.
Finally, if you visit through the day be sure to stop for lunch at Restaurant Siurana; this charming eatery is built into the rocks and has the prettiest outdoor terrace. Food is Mediterranean
Other pretty Montsant villages to visit nearby are Pobodela, La Figuera, Falset, and Porrera.
6. Dinner at El Palauet
Finish your day in the Montsant region with dinner at one of its best restaurants. Set within a boutique hotel, El Palauet is a stunning little restaurant serving delicious plates of the region’s local produce, including olive oil and Montsant wine.
Moving away from traditional sharing plates often found in coastal restaurants, their dishes are refined, large plates and include baked aubergine, organic tomato salad with pickled tuna, and slow-cooked wild cod.
Occupying an old stone building, the owner explains that this restaurant has been in her family for generations, and the history inside the unique basement dining room is clear. Unpretentious yet elegant, the vibe is warm and welcoming.
See the menu and book your table in advance here.
I visited Montsant as a guest of Jet2 and Costa Daurada Tourism Board, however, all views are my own. Posts on this site may contain affiliate links that help support my business in creating content. If you purchase using one of these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Read my disclaimer for more information.
If you’ve found this guide helpful, you can buy me a ‘virtual’ mug of Earl Grey here.
