The best museums in Costa Dorada

Costa Dorada means the golden coast in English, this area may be known for its beautiful coast. You can find a bunch of the best museums in Costa Dorada Catalunya′s amazing coastline. This area stretches along the province of Tarragona on the eastern side of Spain. The coast is lined with pine trees and the sand of the beaches shines in golden tones setting a striking contrast between it and the crystal clear water of the sea. Not only the nature is artistic here, there are also a lot of museums and galleries concentrate on visual beauties, history, and present of this area. We looked up the best selection of the museums for you to make the planning of your journey easier. You will see here all the best known and most interesting museums which are worth for visiting on your getaway to Costa Dorada.

#1 Gaudí Centre in Reus

The Gaudí Centre Reus is a tribute to the town of the birth of its most famous son. It is the only interpretive centre that deals with the life and works of Gaudí. It is a new facility equipped with the most modern infrastructure and the latest trends in audiovisual technology. Gaudí Centre was created to open up your senses and mind to new experiences. You’ll learn to observe, touch and listen in a different way. This is the Gaudí Centre, an experience which allows you to familiarise yourself with Gaudí and the secrets of  his genius.

Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 9:30–14: 00 & 16:00-19:00 | Sunday 10:00-14:00

Address: Plaza del Mercadal, 3, 43201 Reus, Tarragona

#2 Museu Nacional Arqueologic in Tarragona

The National Archaeological Museum of TARRAGONA was established in the mid-nineteenth century as a Provincial Museum, making it the oldest archaeological museum in Catalonia. Over time, it has become the most important centre for the recovery, preservation, investigation, and dissemination of the heritage of the Roman city of Tarraco and its area of influence. The historical and monumental importance of Tarraco and the challenges caused by its location within modern Tarragona have led the National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona to focus its research programmes on the investigation, preservation, and dissemination of the Roman world. The Romanisation of the Iberian Peninsula and Tarraco’s role as the capital of one of the largest provinces in the Roman Empire.

Opening hours: 

June – September: Weekdays: 9:30 – 20:30 | Sunday and holidays: 10:00 – 14:00

Rest of the year: Weekdays: 09:30 – 18:00 | Sunday and holidays: 10:00 – 14:00

TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO COVID19

Address: Placa del Rei, 5, 43003, Port de Tarragona, Spain

#3 Pau Casals Museum  in El Vendrell

“This house is the expression and synthesis of my life as a Catalan and an artist.” – Pau Casals  

In 1910 Pau Casals had the Villa Casals built along the seaside promenade of Sant Salvador, El Vendrell as a summer house which was reformed later by the architect Antoni Puig i Gairalt. Pau Casals and his wife created the Pau Casals Foundation in 1972 for the purpose of preserving the great Catalan musician’s patrimony at this amazing house. After the Maestro’s death, the Hall of Sentiment, the Concert Hall, and the Vigatà Hall were opened to the public, and in 1976 the house was inaugurated as a museum. The museum’s main objective is to conserve, preserve and disseminate the knowledge of Pau Casals’ life and work through the extensive artistic and documentary heritage which is kept here.

Opening hours: Tuesday – Friday: 16:00 – 18:00 / Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 – 14:00 / Saturday: 16:00 – 19:00

Address: Av. Palfuriana, 67 | Playa de Sant Salvador, 43880 El Vendrell

#4 Museum of Rural Life in L’Espluga de Francoli

The museum is devoted to working the fields, family life and customs, domestic tasks and traditional trades. Absolutely recommended for families with children. The museum offers many authentic items to see. All the information are available in three languages: English, Catalan, and Spanish. It is a lot from every corner of the topic, you will find here different sections like pottery, farms, smithery, agriculture machinery and more. The visit lasts approximately 2 hours or more for those who like to make it more interactive. If you want to have the place to yourself, we recommend visiting on weekdays and during the summer. The expositions have the audio presentation and the crafts are visualized with small figurines depicting rural life specialties. The expo halls are full of actual audiovisual video presentations. We believe you can spend enjoyable time full of knowledge and interesting themes with your family in this museum.

Opening hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 10:30 – 14:00 and 16:00 – 18:30  Sundays and holidays: 10:30 – 14:00

Adress: Montblanc Road, 35, 43440 L’Espluga de Francoli, Spain

#5 Coves de l’Espluga in L’Espluga de Francoli

The caves of Espluga opening doors to the prehistoric times of the local humanity, showing you different human communities which lived here for several ages of history. You can take a look at the past and feel the authentic life of the people that had lived in these unique caves from the Paleolithic ages to the Iberian world. take this tour in the company of a specialised archeologist to really get to know the most about the topic in the most natural and real way.

Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:30 – 13:30 and 16:00 – 18:00