Get ready for a weekend adventure that combines the excitement of the open road with the pleasure of fine dining. This route will take you from vibrant Barcelona to Logroño's legendary Laurel Street, a tapas haven. This weekend trip will take you along unique mountain roads with spectacular views and endless winding curves. You can do one day there and one day back, or even add an extra day to your stay in Logroño.
Leave the city behind and hit the mountain roads that wind through spectacular scenery. Enjoy the freedom of the open road and the exhilarating curves of your journey.
We'll make strategic stops in charming towns to rest, recharge, have lunch, and recharge. Departing from Barcelona, we'll travel 44 kilometers of motorways and highways to save time and access roads that will make our trip more enjoyable.
Leaving the highway and starting the path, our first step in one of the towns is,

Santa Coloma de Queralt:
The town of Santa Coloma de Queralt (Conca de Barberà) preserves a medieval core with interesting features, such as the portals and the old castle of the Counts of Santa Coloma, built in the 11th century and converted into a palace-residence in the 16th century.

Espluga De Francoli:
Surrounded by the Francolí River and the Prades Mountains lies Espluga de Francolí. Its name comes from the Latin "spelunca," meaning cave. This is especially significant since the Font Major Cave was discovered in this area in 1853.


Poblet Monastery:
The Monastery of Santa María de Poblet is the most emblematic of the Route of the Royal Monasteries of Catalonia. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1992. The building that can be seen today dates back to the 14th century, although the monastery was founded in the 12th century (1129) by order of the Count of Barcelona, Ramon Berenguer IV.


The Granadella:
With 750 inhabitants, it is the largest municipality in Les Garrigues.
The Pla de la Vila, a square located in the center of the village, where the cattle watering trough once stood, is the meeting point for the residents of La Granadella. In La Granadella, you can visit the Olive Oil Museum and the Catalan Center for Olive Oil Culture.
In the Sant Antoni mountain range we find the 14th-century hermitage of Sant Antoni Abad, with a recently built altar dedicated to the Mare de Déu de Montserrat.

Llardecans:
In the town of Llardecans, several buildings from the 18th century, its heyday, are preserved, such as the Church of the Assumption of Santa María and the Chapel of Our Lady of Loreto.
El Racó de la Joana, where we'll stop for lunch, is a picturesque bar-restaurant with a prime location in the historic center. This establishment has become a go-to spot for lovers of fine dining and excellent service.

Fraga:
Fraga is a city located in the extreme southeast of the province of Huesca, in the last stretch of the Cinca Valley (104 km from Huesca, 115 km from Zaragoza, and 25 km from Lleida). It has an area of approximately 435 square kilometers, making it one of the largest municipalities in Spain in terms of surface area. Fraga straddles the dividing line between Aragon and Catalonia. At 118 meters above sea level, Fraga has a Mediterranean-continental climate, with average annual temperatures of 14.7°C and average rainfall of 384 mm, falling in spring and, especially, in autumn.

Sariñena:
Sariñena is the capital of the Monegros region and boasts a beautiful natural setting nearby that delights birdwatchers: the Sariñena Lagoon.

Alcanadre:
On the banks of the Ebro River lies Alcanadre, a farming village spread across the plain. The etymology of the word "Alcanadre" is of Arabic origin: Al-Cana-Dre, which means "the bridges," "arches," etc., the ruins of an ancient aqueduct over the Ebro River, next to the village.
The origins of Alcanadre are not Arab, as they conquered the town via the aqueduct, settling there in 714, bringing their knowledge of the layout of irrigation ditches and symmetrical canals, which are still preserved today. Aradón was a village 7 km from Alcanadre, of which only the shrine of the Virgin of Aradón, the town's patron saint, remains. This village, just a 30-minute drive from Logroño, has a restaurant with excellent food that I highly recommend. Built next to the Casa Rural "La Antigua Bodega," it features a rustic-modern design, capacity for 100 people, and a large garden. The restaurant "Las Brasas de Baco" serves traditional cuisine, especially grilled meats and fish.

Logroño:
Logroño, the capital of La Rioja, is a city rich in history and traditions preserved since the Middle Ages. The Camino de Santiago made it one of the most important towns along the route, leaving behind an interesting monumental complex closely linked to the traditional pilgrimage route.
What you should do if you're in Logroño, no matter what, is the Pinchos Route along Laurel Street in Logroño. This route is for that reason.
Journey to the nerve center of pincho
When you hear the words "pincho" and "Calle Laurel," the first things that come to mind are good food and good drinks. In a small center of bars and people where fresh produce is paired with preserves and where good wine is guaranteed, the feeling of closeness hangs over anyone who visits Calle Laurel, whether local or foreign, and ensures a return visit in the future.