Reus Spain Travel Guide

By Jackie De Burca – Follow Jackie on Twitter

Reus city centre is awash with gorgeous architecture. Although the town’s main claim to fame is being the home town of Gaudi, it has heaps more to offer than this alone. In parts of the centre, beautiful buildings are so frequent, that you just turn your head and another one is staring you in the face. 

It has that wonderful feeling of being protected by the mountains, but with the sea only a short distance away. So although strictly speaking it falls into the inland category, you’re not far from the coast at all.

Located 10 km from where the sea laps onto the shoreline of the Costa Dorada, Reus has its own small airport only 3 km from the town centre. This is serviced by the likes of Ryanair and other budget airlines.

However heaps of passengers who use these airlines have no idea of the beauty of the city itself, and just head off to nearby seaside towns. The closest beach is at Salou, but there are plenty of other ones also to choose from, such as La Pineda and Cambrils. Alternatively the fabulous city of Tarragona is only 14 km away, which is around a 15 minute drive or so.

Find out about how Reus feels and looks, and check out 33 things that you can do in or near Reus.

My first time in the city centre of Reus was in late August, and apart from the amazing architecture, I was really struck by the amount of lovely shops. Quite a few of these shops also had some outdoor displays of their stock, no doubt there to tempt you to come in to buy, but at the same time adding to the buzzy street atmosphere.

I had seen photos online of Plaza de Prim, but of course they can’t translate the majesty that surrounds you, when you are in the square in person. For me the pleasure of just having a cup of coffee in the square is enough of an excuse to go to Reus, although there are plenty more.

One reason that many people visit the town of Reus, is to follow in the footsteps of Gaudi. There is a route that you can walk along, that lets you trace where he was born, baptised, and spent his childhood and youth, and incorporates a visit to the Gaudí Centre. Also the city is part of a four-part destination route, which also takes you to places where other creative geniuses have spent time – so you could follow in the footsteps of Picasso, Miro and Casals. Learn more by clicking on the Route of the Four Geniuses.

Lovers of modernism also flock to the city, to visit the modernist buildings that make up the city’s Modernism Route. In reality you don’t even need to do the route, although of course it would be very nice to do it if you’ve an interest in modernism or architecture. Once you get into the central part of the city, you’re more or less tripping up over modernist buildings anyhow.

1. Ajuntament de Reus – Reus Town Hall

Plaça del Mercadal, 1, 43201 Reus

You have to admire the fact that so many towns both in Catalonia and the Valencia community has lovely town halls. Sometimes you’ll see this even in some of the smaller villages, and is city like Reus, the Town Hall is one of many buildings should be admired. The original building on the same site dated back to the 16th century.

2. Plaça de Prim – Prim Square

Although this  is not where you’ll find the Gaudi Centre, this square tends to be one of the most photographed locations in Reus. Guess why??

3. Plaça del Mercadal

If you’ve already ticked number 1 off this list of things to do in Reus, then you’ll have been to Plaça del Mercadal. Whatever is your first or main reason to go there, don’t forget to just hang out and take in the beauty.

4. Antic Hospital de Sant Joan Reus – Old Hospital of Saint John Reus

In the book written by Sr. Pere Anguera, about the history of the hospital from 1240 until 1990, it states that little was known about the hospital in the early days, except for that primitive hospital did exist in the year 1244.

Right up until the 16th century the income of the hospital depended on those who were kind enough to leave donations. However later by the 18th-century there was a proper management system in place.

5. A Giant Celebration – Statues For The Being The City of Giants In Catalonia In 1993

In a way I prefer not to tell you about this one, because kind of fun just stumble upon these statues. The tradition of giants across Catalonia is absolutely huge, excuse the pun, and these statues celebrate Reus being the city of giants in Catalonia, in the year 1993.

6. Salou Dancing Fountains

Making the short 9 km journey to Salou for one of the evenings of your holiday, is just worthwhile purely to see the Salou Dancing Fountains. Officially known as the Font Iluminosa Salou – The Illuminated Fountain – this performance includes 210 variations of light, water and music. Check it out here at Salou Illuminated Fountain.

7. La Masia Catalana Salou – The Catalan Farmhouse

Regardless of what time of year your holiday is, the Catalan Farmhouse in Salou is also worth a visit. During the summer season there is quite a lot going on there, and a Christmas you can see the live nativity scene there. Find out more here at the Catalan Farmhouse Salou.

8. General Prim Statue – Plaça de Prim – Prim Square Reus

You don’t want to miss the striking figure that the statue of General Prim strikes in the square in his honour.

9. Fortuny Statue

Just around the corner you can see the statue in honour of Marià Fortuny i Marsal – the best known Catalan painter of his time, at home and internationally, who was more commonly called Marià Fortuny or Mariano Fortuny.

10. House Where José Tapiró y Baró Was Born

José Tapiró y Baró was a close friend of Fortuny’s and another great Catalan painter. You can see the house where he was born also in Reus.

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