VALLÈS

Useful Information
Photos

The Vallès – Catalonia (Spain)

LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

The Vallès is a natural region located in the Catalan Pre-Coastal Depression, it is divided into two administrative regions (1 & 2): the Vallès Occidental (with Sabadell and Terrassa sharing capital status), and the Vallès Oriental (with Granollers as its capital), both are in the province of Barcelona (3 & 4).

The climate of the Vallès Occidental is of the central pre-coastal Mediterranean, with hot summers (22-23 °C) and cold winters (6-8 °C). However, the climate of the Vallès Oriental varies slightly according to whether the locality is nearer or further away from the mountain ranges. Higher precipitations and colder temperatures are found in mountain localities; while in those further away summers are hot and winters moderate (5).

The principal roads of Catalonia and France communicate with the Vallès, as well as an ample railway network (RENFE and FGC), and bus lines from Barcelona.

(1) Regional Council of the Vallès Occidental

http://www.ccvoc.cat

(2) Regional Council of the Vallès Oriental

http://www.vallesoriental.cat/

(3) Demographic and economic data for the region of the Vallès Occidental (IDESCAT, Institut d’Estadística de Catalunya)

http://www.idescat.cat/emex/?id=40&lang=en

(4) Demographic and economic data for the region of the Vallès Oriental (IDESCAT, Institut d’Estadística de Catalunya)

http://www.idescat.cat/emex/?id=41&lang=en

(5) The weather in the region

http://www.aemet.es/en/eltiempo/prediccion/municipios/granollers-id08096
http://www.aemet.es/en/eltiempo/prediccion/municipios/sabadell-id08187

http://www.aemet.es/en/eltiempo/prediccion/municipios/terrassa-id08279

WHAT TO VISIT

Art, historical and architectural heritage, festivals, traditional fairs... but above all natural expanses and unique landscapes which allow one to feel the territory with all five senses.

http://www.turismevallesoccidental.cat/ctvoc/portada/index.php

http://www.turismevalles.net/index.php?idIdioma=3&sid=ce6a71a237ec4cb288af3d63d0aa5909

VALLÈS OCCIDENTAL

ART, CULTURE AND HERITAGE. Late Roman sites (Rubí), monasteries and medieval hermitages (Sant Cugat, Gallifa and Cerdanyola), modernist buildings and industrial architecture (Sabadell and Terrassa) bare testimony to the region’s long history.

NATURE. The valley’s nature demands to be lived through its large natural parks (Collserola, Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac) and places like the Puig de la Creu (Castellar and Sentmenat), the best vantage point over the area: rivers, hills and valleys are the stage for all sorts of active tourism activities.

http://www.turismevallesoccidental.cat/ctvoc/rcturistics/index.php?apartat=240

VALLÈS ORIENTAL

ART, CULTURE AND HERITAGE. From its Neolithic past and the footprints of the Iberians to modernist architecture (Cardedeu, Figaró-Montmany), numerous museums place the best kept secrets of the region within reach of the visitor.

NATURE. The genuine lungs of the Vallès are found in its natural parks, (the Montseny, the Montnegre and the Corredor), but also in the possibilities offered by hydrotherapy (the Garriga and Caldes de Montbui), of great tradition in the area.

http://www.turismevalles.net/apartat.php?idIdioma=3&sid=ce6a71a237ec4cb288af3d63d0aa5909&idA=2

WHAT TO DO

As much for lovers of strong emotions and sports as for those who find the best way to enjoy their leisure time is through culture, rest and relaxation, the Vallès has some irresistible proposals.

VALLÈS OCCIDENTAL

From relaxed mountain bike outings through to trekking, caving, rock climbing or hiking through natural spaces with routes designed to get the most out of the territory. Without forgetting cultural days (the castellers human towers, the Tres Tombs festivities, or the sardanas dance), or gastronomic ones (l’Aplec del Pa) which take place all year long in the region.

http://www.turismevallesoccidental.org/perfil/ctvoc/recursos/recursos/actiu.pdf

VALLÈS ORIENTAL

Motorsports fans will find their paradise here: the Catalan Formula 1 and Motorcycle Circuit (Montmeló) and the Valle de Tenes 24 hour Dirt Bike Race. There are also possibilities for hiking (the Three Mountain Route), golf, equestrian tourism, aerial activities and bike tourism, among many others.

http://www.turismevalles.net/apartat.php?idIdioma=3&sid=ce6a71a237ec4cb288af3d63d0aa5909&idA=30

CUISINE. One cannot leave the Vallès Occidental without trying mató cheese, mistela and the Ullastrell rancid wine, the Ganxet bean (Sant Llorenç Savall), the Terrassa Palaudina cake, the pink tomato (Castellbisbal), Sabadell’s vermouth or the Sentmenat egg sausage.

But the Vallès Oriental does not lack in offers for the palate: meats stewed with mushrooms, carretillas, casseroled fideo pasta and rice, brandade of cod, borregos, carquinyoli, or the pedres del Montseny (stones of the Montseny)... delight locals and visitors alike.

http://www.turismevalles.net/apartat.php?idIdioma=3&sid=ce6a71a237ec4cb288af3d63d0aa5909&idA=3

TOWNS AND VILLAGES OF THE VALLÈS

VALLÈS OCCIDENTAL