Tarragona and Sitges Small Group Tour - Roman History & Culture
Description
Combine history and beach fun on a visit to Roman Tarragona and coastal Sitges on a full-day small group tour by minivan from Barcelona. You'll travel in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan and numbers are limited to a maximum of 15 people on this small tour, you'll receive personalized attention from your guide.
Tour Options
Itinerary
8.15am - You will start your day at our main office, which is right next to the famous Palau de la Musica. You will meet your guide, have time to use the restrooms, and perhaps even grab a quick coffee before the tour begin. Your guide will explain all about the day ahead and what to expect as you wait for you tour to leave.
8.30am - You will leave Barcelona though the Example district of town. As you head out of the city, your guide will give you a brief history of Barcelona, before letting you sit back and relax on the 90 minute drive to Tarragona.
10.00am - Your first stop of the day is just past Tarragona, where you will discover the impressive Roman Aqueduct (1st century BC) popularly known as 'El Pont del Diable' (The Devil's Bridge) or 'Les Ferreres' Aqueduct. It used to be part of the water supply network of the city and today stands in almost perfect condition. You will be able to walk across the top from one side to another. It's quite an unforgettable moment to be standing on some built almost 2,000 years ago! From the aqueduct you will travel back to Tarragona.
11.00am - You will arrive in Tarragona quietly entering the old part of the city through a narrow gateway in the ancient walls. Nowadays, the new city overlaps the site of the ancient Acropolis and during your visit you will see firsthand the surprising coexistence of a Roman past and modern life. Starting at the Archaeological walkway, you will admire the surviving stone walls, wander through the historic old quarter - passing the medieval hospital - before stopping at the Cathedral where you can enjoy the Sunday morning antique market. From there, you continue down through the old town to discover the Roman Forum and the nearby Roman Circus hidden amidst the urban design. Walk along the underground passageways that held the Circus' stands and come to one of the most popular squares within the old town, Placa de la Font, situated inside the Roman Circus. If you stand very still and close your eyes, you can almost hear the chariots racing by. On this very spot, thousands of years ago on, perhaps on the very same day of the week, the Roman capital of the Iberian Peninsula came alive in all of its bloody glory. And last, but certainly not least, enjoy the breathtaking seaview over the Roman amphitheater and imagine gladiators battling each other to the death! It's a poignant moment to stand on the same dusty ground that bore witness to countless scenes of sacrifice and passion. Perhaps most fascinating of all is the Christian church built in the middle of the stage out of the very same blocks that were used in their amphitheater. After your immersion in Roman history, you will meet your guide and continue our tour at around 1.00pm.
1.30pm . On your way to Sitges, you will stop briefly at Roc de Sant Gaieta, an intimate little village built on the rocky shoreline. Stroll between its tiny white houses and let your imagination take you away to Ibiza fishing villages built with a touch of Roman-Greco flair.
2.30pm - Your final stop of the day is in Sitges. This once quiet fishing village today boasts a long and sandy beach, groovy boutiques, and a handful of interesting sights. Sitges has been fashionable since the 1890s. Get lost in its shady side streets and enjoy the Mediterranean atmosphere with its old whitewashed fisherman's houses. After leaving this charming labyrinth, you suddenly find yourself on the seafront. Make a stop in one of the numerous cosmopolitan cafes and restaurants and imagine yourself in St. Tropez. Sitges has dining options to suit every taste and budget. After a leisurely lunch, you might want to head off to one of the 17 beaches the town has to offer for a quick dip in the Med, or browse the many shops and cafes. You will leave Sitges around 5.30pm.
7.00 - 7.15pm - We end the day in Plaça Catalunya. From here, you can easily take the metro or a taxi back to your hotel. Otherwise, your guide will be more than happy to make some recommendations of where to have dinner.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not recommended for child aged 4 and under
- Because we believe in time off the bus and give you opportunities to get out and about, please bring suitable clothing, footwear, and sun protection. You will also have an opportunity to go swimming in Sitges, if you would like to swim, bring your swimming costume and a beach towel.
- This tour operates in English only.
Reviews(348)
It perfectly matched the description.
I went on this tour with some of my friends because we wanted a fun day trip to multiple cities and it was the best decision we made on the trip. Our tour guide, Rod was an absolute rockstar and made the whole experience so memorable. He was very knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful throughout the tour and answered questions very nicely. Not only did he give us historical information about the cities, but suggested landmarks to visit, acitivies we could do, and food places we could try. We had a small group, which is great because it is more interactive and fun getting to know eveyeone. The locations were absolutely stunning and we had such a great time. You're able to get a good tour and have extra time to do acitivies and explore the cities, allowing for flexibility. Tarragona and Sitges are not often mentioned much when we talk about Spain, but their rich culture and history are remarkable and a must visit if you are ever in Spain.
I went with a couple of friends and it was some of the most fun that we’ve had on our trip to Spain. The locations were breathtaking and the tour guide was not only friendly and informative, but also created a very fun atmosphere. I left with a new appreciation and knowledge on two beautiful cities and with memories that will last me a lifetime time. Our tour guide even treated us to a history lesson on other parts of barcelona, including some famous land marks, giving some recommendations of activities to do and places to see based on our preferences. From touring the ancient Roman ruins and the beautiful city at Tarragona, to relaxing one the mesmerizing beaches in Sitges, I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to have a good time.
Great day trip with Tarragona and Stiges with Rod at Explore Catalunya, worth every penny. Definitely one if you like history mixed with a bit of beach time. Rod was so knowledgeable about the sites we visited. Highly recommend.
We had a wonderful experience seeing the Roman Ruins and visiting Tarragona and Sitges, it was not a perfect experience however because we had scheduled this trip for Sunday and they rescheduled us, without telling us why, for Monday when all the museums were closed. Then the whole tour was rushed because of things being closed and us having to be back to the airport for our Monday flight. The guide was very nice and super knowledgeable and we still got to go on the tour it just would have been nice to have gone when we planned to go, overall though we still highly recommend the tour and the people we worked with.
We are three elderly ladies with who still have a zest for life. We went on a private tour with Explore Cataluña to Tarragona and Sitges and we loved it! Our guide and driver was Rod and he could not have been better. He was very knowledgeable! Explained the history and cultures very well. With us also came Carme an intern and both of them were very thoughtful, professional, courteous and patient! All of our questions were answered in the most efficient way. They made this tour be fabulous!!! All three of us enjoyed our day very much!!!
Rod was an amazing guide. He explained each place we visited with such enthusiam! We enjoyed Carmen's company and felt we were with lomg rime friends
Our guide, Rod and his intern Carme were magnificent! Very knowledgeable about history and culture. Enthusiastic and entertaining. Highly recommend Explore Catalunya Tours.
Really enjoyed the experience.
Small group tour. We were lucky that it was just our party. We visited the Tarragona aqueduct outside the town and various Roman sites within the town, which were fascinating. Guide Sergei was friendly and informative. Much easier on the tour and more informative than taking public transport, particularly to the aqueduct, which was impressive.
