Experience the living museum vibe of this small town, filled with stunning architecture and great food, just 15 minutes away from Tarragona and a bit over an hour away from Barcelona.
A hidden gem nestled in Southern Catalonia, Reus will surprise you with its charm.
If you’re a Gaudi fan, like authentic places that aren’t on everyone’s list, or just want to sip on a glass of fine Vermouth, Reus might be your perfect stopover. Here is why.
The modernista culture
Modernisme, or Modernista, an artistic movement that was highly influential throughout the early 20th century in Catalonia, is very much felt in Reus.
Walking around the town is a bit like touring a museum. Apart from the official Reus Modernista Route that takes you around the historic center and several architectural highlights, the strong influences are all over the city.
In fact, many locals mention the modernista culture as one of their favorite parts of their city, and if you’re a real fan, it’s reason alone to come here.
Casa Modernista Navas
Located right in the central Placa de Mercadal, this unique townhouse features five floors of rich design, ornate carvings, and stunning colors. Functional all the way down to the details, its 9 rooms are all connected. The highlight is the gorgeous terrace with a stained-glass skylight. Guided tours are available and show you the preserved state of the interior.
Casa Reus
Another interesting highlight is Casa Reus. The house has a storied past having never been occupied by the man who built it. After being passed down several generations, the family that owns it decided to convert it into a museum.
The tour now provides you with an interesting peek into life at the time it was built. The house also holds a record as the Modernista house with the most glass in Europe thanks to its big glass windows. Don’t ask how they found that out.
Gaudi was born here
Though Gaudi’s true birthplace is disputed, Reus prouds itself as the city that gave birth to the great genius of Catalan culture, most famous for designing the La Sagrada de Familia in Barcelona. His work is known for being heavily influenced by nature and art.
Despite this though, there are no actual buildings in Reus designed by Gaudi, only by his apprentices. Nevertheless, you can still visit his birth home as well as the Gaudi Center. Here, you can see a small exhibit of his works among other things.
You can sip on tasty Vermouth all day long
Another thing Reus is famous for is vermouth, so much so that it’s one of the city’s biggest exports. Flanked on the north and west by vineyards, there are over thirty local vermouth producers that churn out the Spanish version of vermouth, which has an iconic mulled-wine-like sweetness to it. Reus varieties are so sweet in fact that it is best to pair some cured meats or olives. This makes a great plan either before noon or at sunset!
Muller Bodega
One such winery is the Bodegas de Muller located in the outskirts of town. With its main winery in Reus, you can book a guided tour of the vineyard and cap it off with some wine tasting. Try some of their golden vermouth or the infusion jerva.
Vermuts Rofes
Vermuts Rofes is a pioneer in the vermouth trade as it’s been in operation since the late 1800s when the winery boom started in Reus. Famous throughout Spain, the classy space has been passed down from generation to generation and is now run by a gentleman of the same name.
Now, the place stands as a cozy and rustic spot to enjoy some of the best vermouth bottles in the region. Sit on the terrace to feel the breeze as you enjoy a nice glass of reserve, or in the winery where you are surrounded by large casks filled with their homemade version. If you ever visit Reus, this is a place you don’t want to miss.
Proximity to other places and pretty beaches
One of the attractions with Reus is its proximity to other gorgeous places. It makes a great itinerary addition for those who want to explore a place that isn’t as hyped.
The southern Catalan region is also famous for its beaches. Ranging from very touristy as you go north towards Barcelona, to quiet as you head south in the opposite direction. As a rule of thumb, there are a few cities you can easily access when you visit Reus for a quick beach escape.
Tarragona
The easy choice is the nearby city of Tarragona. A short hop away, you can bask in the surf and sun to the backdrop of Roman ruins and old walls. Why not explore the city afterward and discover the former Roman capital of northwestern Hispania?
Salou
Salous is another nearby resort town that houses one of the largest waterparks in Spain – the PortaAventura World. Aside from the waterpark, you can explore the theme park and the attached Ferrari World for a fun-filled day just minutes from the vineyards of Reus.
While you’re on it, you can also unwind by the city beach which has a more cosmopolitan and high-end vibe compared to Tarragona. Or visit nearby La Pineda with a similar vibe but smaller in size.
Platja del Torn
If Salou is the vibrant touristy beach, then Platja del Torn is the opposite. Designated as a nude beach, this place is secluded from any major settlement and is perfect for a quiet dip in the water or some tannin without the marks.
Nearby south of Salou there are similar non-nude alternatives.
Barcelona
The largest city of Catalonia, and one of the most visited in the world, Reus serves as a lesser-known stop for some quaint relaxation. Inversely, for those visiting Reus, Barcelona spoils you with a completely different ambiance. Here cosmopolitan is the keyword. With its stunning architecture, vibrant nightlife, and pristine beaches, you will not feel like leaving.
Where to eat in Reus
All that vermouth has to be paired with something! Reus also has a reputable gastronomic scene with some of the best chefs in the region heading or owning restaurants. These range from Michelin-starred hangouts to traditional spots.
Casa Coder
What used to be a pharmacy, then a shop and bodega, has transformed into Casa Coder. Known for serving the best dishes from all over Spain using locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant has a long history, having opened in 1901, and was run by the same person for a quarter of a century. Now it’s a favorite among both tourists and locals. Have a seat at the sunny terrace to enjoy some of the house specials and you will understand why.
Café de la Radio
This charming mom-and-pop restaurant is famous among the locals. Blas and his wife Irene started it 37 years ago and have managed to create this cozy ambiance that makes you feel as if you’re visiting a friend. Without a set menu, the specials are decided daily and shared with you right at the table.
Sit among the patrons reading their newspapers while sipping on strong and delicious coffee. Try the longaniza sandwich and the grandesa wine served in their own glass bottles – both regional favorites. The chipirones rebozados and the pulpo ajo are stars from the tapas menu.
Bo-bos
Run by the owner with the same name. Bobo’s is a small charming bakery with handwritten signs outside. While there is no real place to sit inside, it’s a great place to get a sweet little something to go.
Other restaurant recommendations
A few other places that are supposed to be great that we didn’t try yet.
Ferran Cerro
Eponymous with the chef who owns and runs it, the Michelin-starred restaurant features creative adaptations of national favorites. As the chef is a native of Reus, he takes pride in sharing the skills he honed in some of the best restaurants around Europe with his local community. Try out the top spot in town with a reasonable price for its quality.
Degusta’m Xarcuteria-Degustació
A hidden gem in town, this restaurant is more known for its Charcuterie boards and its bocata – a sandwich synonymous with tapas and famous throughout Spain. The sandwiches they serve here are some of the best in town and come with the cured meats you can see hanging above the cheese counter.
Come here to unwind and experience something different
Reus has grown from a small trading town to a center of food and culture. Thanks to its appeal to tourists as an out-of-the-way place to experience authentic tranquility with a down-to-earth community, it’s just becoming more popular. While it probably isn’t your first stop in Spain, or even in the Google results, Reus deserves your attention – with a glass of vermouth in hand.
I have visited Reus since the late 1960s, my husband was born there. We retired near there in 2004, to la Selva del Camp, and I grew to love the city even more. Now widowed and moved away, I miss it very much. Don’t forget the fabulous country inland, the Sierra de la Mussara, Siurana, Prades etc.
Sounds amazing! Still seems so underrated 🙂