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Barcelona-Castellet-Sant Sadurní d'Anoia – Penedès route

Proposed route through Penedès, Barcelona’s Wine County:

For those who have already visited Barcelona city and seen its coast, but are still curious so as to what the Barcelona greater area (or, in local-speak, the Province) has to offer, this is something that might interest you.

It has to do with the full-blown wine and cava industry which sprang centuries ago in the Penedès area (at the very least, the names of Torres, Freixenet and Codorniu will sound familiar to foreigners who love their fermented grapes). It’s a selection of driving routes through Catalonia’s particular Wine and Cava County.

My first proposed route, Barcelona-Castellet-Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, it is definitely one of the most scenic ones you can follow. It will take you around the coast and into the inland areas of Barcelona.

There is of course a fast route from Barcelona to Castellet, the highway. But, for those who are not in a hurry and want to be able to enjoy a beautiful trip rather than just ‘getting there’, I suggest leaving Barcelona early in the morning and taking the coastal road to Sitges. The meandering road will, on a bright and sunny day, compensate for any motion-sickness propensity there might be amongst the people in the car. Enjoy the fantastic views of the sea to your left while the dramatic mountain cliffs stand right on your right. It should take you about 35-45 min, and if you left Barcelona with a small snack, you’ll be delighted to be able to stop in Sitges and enjoy a hearty breakfast by the sea shore.

Passing Sitges by, you need to take the road to Vilanova i la Geltrú, leaving it as soon as you see the first sign post for Castellets (about 20 min in that direction). This time you’ll start going into the heart of Barcelona Province, through a beautifully scenic road. You’ll be driving under evergreen canopies of trees, and suddenly a fantastic view of a dam will appear in front of you: it’s the Pantà del Foix. Following it (there are plenty of side-road openings for you to stop the car, stretch your legs and take a couple of pictures) in 15 minutes you’ll be in Castellet, the starting point of many wine-routes.

Castellet is a small, tiny town, which obviously honours its name by proudly displaying its renovated ‘small’ castle, which sits on top of a hill and which has a fantastic view overlooking the dam. The castle is privately-owned; visiting hours Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 1.30 pm; guided tours only. Enjoy a walk through its medieval quarter (also tactfully renovated).

TIP: Very recommended to have a light ‘aperitivo’ in El Barretet’s outdoor verandah, perfect to enjoy a great view of the riverbank whilst under a cool canopy. Be warned, though, nice places have a price and this one is no exception: 1 coke goes for €2, and a ‘menú’ will set you back €25.

From there, and remembering that we’re not in a hurry, one of the best ways to enjoy the scenery and the neverending manicured vineyards is to go to Sant Sadurní d’Anoia through Sant Martí Sarroca, Guardiola del Font-rubí and El Pla del Penedès. Another word of warning: this means that you’ll be mainly driving through town and dirt roads. In general, a good idea is to try and stick to 2176, get on to 2178 and then hop to a couple of ‘unnamed roads’ (according to my GPS nomeclature). Despite technology giving up on your course momentarily (it will happen), do use those 20 minutes of uncertaintly to take in the luscious, vibrant vineyards that spread on both sides of the road.

One last tip: Make sure you have some water and a couple of snacks for the road. They’ll help you on the way to Sant Martí Sarroca, especially if it’s a warm summer day.

To be continued…soon!

Tags: Barcelona province · One-day trips · Popular places

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