Sant Cugat del Vallès

Sant Cugat del Vallès is a young, modern, and dynamic destination where diverse events are always taking place, bringing the city to life. Its prime location just 25 kilometers from Barcelona, with excellent accessibility by car or public transport, makes it the ideal destination for a weekend getaway or a day trip if you're looking for a place away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Sant Cugat del Vallès is so close to Barcelona, yet so different…

With a fascinating cultural heritage, surrounded by nature perfect for outdoor activities, and a vibrant commercial center, the city is the ideal place to enjoy with your partner, family, or friends at any time of year. And let's not forget the festivals and events that take place throughout the year, making them the perfect excuse to return!

Want to discover more details about Sant Cugat del Vallès? Then keep reading!

Nature

Sant Cugat del Vallès is a city blessed with natural beauty. How many cities do you know that have a natural park just 10 minutes from the center? The city is surrounded by the Collserola Natural Park, the green paradise of choice in the Barcelona area. A treasure where you can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, horseback riding, or simply taking a stroll to disconnect from your routine, breathe in the fresh air, and admire the beautiful views from above.

There are several suggested routes adapted to all levels that will take you to some of the most emblematic spots in the Park, such as the Pi d'en Xandri, the Hermitage of Sant Medir, the Hermitage of Sant Adjutori or the Can Borrell Reservoir.

In addition to the Collserola Natural Park, Sant Cugat del Vallès is a very green city, so you can find a network of more than thirteen urban parks and green areas where you can walk and where the youngest members of the family can play.

Culture

History, architecture, art, music, shows, legends… Sant Cugat del Vallès is a small city but with a surprising cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible.

The Monastery of Sant Cugat, with one of the most exceptional Romanesque cloisters in Europe, will reveal to you, through its stones and more than 140 capitals, the daily life of the Benedictine monks who lived there for centuries. On weekends, you can choose from the guided tours offered. Would you prefer a tour to learn about the historical importance of the monastery during medieval Catalonia, or would you rather discover the most entertaining anecdotes and secrets hidden within the cloister and the monastery's capitals?

If you are interested in museums, you should know that the museum network includes both private and public institutions.   The city's attractions cover a wide range of topics. You can book a place for the guided tour of the Monastery or, if you prefer to visit at your own pace, purchase the Monastery Audio Guide by clicking here.

Within the monastery itself, you'll find the Monastery Museum, an ideal space to complement the guided tours. Through interactive displays, audiovisual presentations, and scale models, you can delve even deeper into the daily life of the monastery's clergy. In addition, the museum also organizes dramatized guided tours on the first Saturday of each month and several accessible guided tours led by people with Asperger's syndrome.

In the Modernist Winery, designed by architect Cèsar Martinell and located in an old winery, you will find a museum where the architecture itself is worth a visit, in addition to a collection of pieces dedicated to winemaking and the cooperative that commissioned the building.

Cal Quitèria, where the Grau-Garriga Centre for Contemporary Textile Art is located, is the first museum dedicated to textile art in the Spanish state.

In addition, the city boasts two pioneering museums in their field: the Museum of Comics and Illustration and Cal Gerrer, the only museum in all of Europe dedicated to the film icon Marilyn Monroe.

Shopping

Along the city's main shopping street, you'll find iconic and historic establishments with beautiful shop windows, food markets featuring locally sourced products, such as the Mercat Vell or the Mercat de Pagès, specializing in organic and artisanal goods; and the Artisans' Market, where you'll find pieces and works in wood, silver, wax, ceramics, paper, leather, and more. But if there's one place you absolutely can't miss, it's Mercantic, a small vintage village of antique dealers, artisans, and artists. A true European landmark for collectors, decorators, and lovers of retro and vintage items, it offers a 360º experience: gastronomy, shopping, leisure, culture, and concerts!

Gastronomy

Flavors, textures, aromas, local products, culture and good weather are the ingredients of the gastronomy of Sant Cugat's restaurants, where you will find options for all tastes, styles and trends.

Traditional Catalan cuisine is represented in many of the city's restaurants, where you can savor iconic local products such as the Mandó tomato, a native variety from Collserola. On the other hand, if you prefer new culinary experiences or international cuisine, you'll also find a wide range of options.

It won't be so easy for you to choose, since in addition to good gastronomic offers, there are places of all kinds, some located in the center and others in the middle of nature, in Collserola.

In addition to restaurants, you can enjoy visits to local honey producers, agricultural cooperatives and many others to get closer to the world of farming and learn firsthand where the products that will later end up on your plate come from.

Sant Cugat with the family

To help children and adults enjoy the city, the City Council has launched the ' Routes for Exploring Families ' project, offering five themed routes so you can choose the one you like best and discover the city's most emblematic landmarks. All you'll need is binoculars, a map, and your free Exploring Families booklet, available at the Sant Cugat Tourist Office.

We encourage you to visit the city through its finest cuisine, while also enjoying its scenery or other leisure and cultural activities.