First came the salt, and then the tourism. Cardona, one of the most charming villages in central Catalonia was of great importance for Spanish mining in its time due to the production of salt. These days it is just as important but as a tourist destination. Strolling through the old town is like taking a trip back to the Middle Ages, since it has retained the old walled medieval town, which exists side-by-side with the later Gothic part. All of this heritage and history has led Cardona to be named a national cultural heritage site.
What to see in Cardona Musts include exploring La Montaña de Sal park, climbing up to the castle to discover its architecture and contemplating the incredible views over the town, as well as strolling through the alleyways in the old town. And, if you have the opportunity, be sure to take part in Cardona’s town festival and the spectacular Corre Bou or running of the bulls.
- La Montaña de Sal cultural park
- Cardona castle
- Old town
- Pont del Diable
- Collegiate Church of Sant Vicenç de Cardona
- Where to eat in Cardona
- Things to see nearby
- Where to stay to explore Barcelona province
La Montaña de Sal cultural park
Salt is very important to the history of Cardona and all you have to do is visit La Montaña de Sal cultural park to find out all about it. Visitors can explore an old perforated gallery and discover how work was carried out there. We also recommend visiting the Josep Arnau salt museum, where you can see numerous hand-crafted pieces made from salt, many of which are considered works of art.
Cardona castle
Cardona castle is one of the must-see tourist attractions in this beautiful town located north-west of Barcelona. Since it is located in the highest part of the town, you can also enjoy incredible panoramic views of the surroundings. What’s more, both the castle and the Collegiate Church of San Vicenç, which is attached to it, are the two most emblematic landmarks in the town. Walking down from the castle to the old town of Cardona, which has a distinct medieval feel, is highly recommended.
Old town
Cardona has a very well preserved old town that should be discovered at a leisurely pace, especially the streets that take you back to the Middle Ages. Visiting Sant Miquel church, a fourteenth-century building dedicated to the Virgin of Patronage, the patron saint of the town, is a must. Another important point of interest is the fifteenth-century Portal de Graells gate, the only main entrance of the wall that remains, and Plaça de la Fira, the true centre of Cardona. You can also see a porticoed gallery and the porticoes on Plaza del Mercat, which are unique because they consist of nine arches in different styles. Finally, it is worth visiting the fourteenth-century Santa Eulàlia chapel, situated next to a building that was a medieval hospital for the poor and pilgrims.
Pont del Diable
The famous, unfinished Pont del Diable bridge is situated on the outskirts of Cardona. Built in the fifteenth century, it was constructed to allow pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela from Montserrat to cross the Cardener river.
Collegiate Church of Sant Vicenç de Cardona
A masterpiece of the first Catalan Romanesque period, the church of Sant Vicenç was built between 1029 and 1040 and is the most important part of Cardona castle. The church’s decoration is very austere, although it features various elements that stand out for their beauty, such as the mausoleum of Duke Fernando Juan Ramón Folch de Cardona, in Renaissance style, and the dome supported by four squinches. You can take guided tours of the church, which became a collegiate church in 1794.
Where to eat in Cardona
If you want to eat in Cardona and are interested in sampling traditional Catalan cuisine, head to any one of the many restaurants in the town. The most famous are La Volta del Rector SL, Cal Borrasca, Avenida, La Bauma and Sant Jordi. Expect somewhat high prices on average, although they offer an excellent culinary experience that is almost guaranteed. Other more moderately-priced interesting restaurants include Firabar Cardona, Els 4 Cantons, Punt Zero and El Centru.
Things to see nearby
Manresa and Solsona are the most interesting towns for tourists close to Cardona. Manresa has many tourist attractions, such as the fourteenth-century Santa María de la Seu basilica, which was built on top of a hill above the Cardener river, or the fourteenth-century Pont Nou bridge, which gave way to the road linking Manresa and Lleida and is considered one of the best preserved medieval bridges in Catalonia. And, speaking of bridges, there is also the Pont Vell, a Roman bridge that is one of the oldest in the country. The town’s heritage, however, also includes modernism, with buildings as attractive as the Casino, Balcells factory and Flus i Palà kiosk. Solsona also has rich architectural and artistic heritage, with an old town that includes Santa María cathedral, the most important landmark in the region. In short, Manresa and Solsona are the must-see destinations close to Cardona.
Where to stay to explore Barcelona province
If you want to enjoy Cardona and other towns in Barcelona province, the best thing to do is to stay in Barcelona city, which is why we have four recommendations for you that will certainly not disappoint. These include:
Barceló Raval. This cosmopolitan four-star hotel is situated a short walk from Las Ramblas and very close to Plaça Catalunya. The hotel Barceló Raval has 182 rooms and four suites with views of the Raval neighbourhood and a 360-degree terrace from which you can contemplate Barcelona’s skyline. The hotel’s restaurants and bars include a wide range of dining options featuring local and international dishes designed to satisfy any type of palate.
Occidental Diagonal 414. This four-star superior hotel is located right on Avinguda Diagonal, one of the most important commercial hubs in Barcelona, opposite the modernist icon La Casa de les Punxes. The boutique hotel has 100 welcoming rooms, a 25-square-metre gym open 24 hours a day, three multifunctional rooms and private parking. Dining options at the Occidental Diagonal 414 are also varied, both at the buffet restaurant and at the snack-bar.
Barceló Sants. The Hotel Barceló Sants has a futuristic look that resembles a space station, where guests can imagine they are on an inter-galactic trip. Located above Sants railway station, it has direct access to the high-speed AVE and Barcelona’s public transport network. Its 312 Orbital rooms, 52 Stratosphere rooms and 14 Orbital suites offers a cosmic atmosphere characterised by comfort.
Occidental Atenea Mar – Adults Only. This four-star urban hotel is just 150 metres from Nova Mar Bella beach and very well connected to the centre of Barcelona. It has 191 modern rooms full of luxury details. The gym also has free access and you can sample gourmet Mediterranean cuisine in the restaurant. What’s more, the Occidental Atenea Mar – Adults Only has a terrace with a snack-bar and a 48-square-metre infinity pool with Balinese beds, hammocks and pouffes for hire.
