16 essentials: what to see and do in Lleida capital and province

The truth is that lately I like to travel to places for which I barely have any references about their attractions, which allows me to discover corners that surprise me.

That has been the case of the new and recent tourism trip through the province of Lleida, in the interior of Catalonia, since I barely had any reference to interesting places to see.

Of course, you will surely be aware of the great attractions that are concentrated in the northernmost area of ​​the province of Los Lleida Pyrenees, which I have also visited recently.

And also in my case I had previously had the opportunity to know a part of the cultural heritage of Lleida linked to the Cistercian Route, with some of the most important cistercian monasteries that are preserved in Europe.

But at least in my case I was unaware of other interesting corners that are hidden in the area of Terres de Lleida. which covers the regions of The Garrigas, Noguera, pla d'Urgell, Mow, Segriá y the Urgell.

And I had not had the opportunity to visit the old cathedral of Lleida, Your Vella, whose image on a hill in the center of the city I have seen on numerous occasions from the eTA on trips between Madrid and Barcelona.

16 places to see and visit in Lleida for tourism

Based on the new experience lived in the trip through Terres de Lleida, then I am going to propose to you 16 places of interest what you should know in possible tourism getaways to Lleida and surroundings From north to south.

Seu Vella in Lleida

Get to know the building old cathedral is enough argument for visit the city of Lleida.

The image of the Your Vella, which is how it is known, you can see it from many kilometers away from the city ​​of Lleida given its aforementioned location at the top of a hill.

You may be surprised to know that it is a large building that from 1707 to 1948 served as a military barracks.

It is an old church from the 13th century. transition from Romanesque to Gothic, where the spectacular height of its cloister stands out.

On your visit it is worth climbing the 238 very high steps of the church tower to see the panoramic views of the city.

King's Castle in Lleida

Now, if you want to have the best views of the imposing building of the Seu Vella of Lleida, you must go up to the viewing terrace of the old King's castle, remains located next to the old cathedral forming a monumental complex.

Along with other remains, of this castle of Muslim origin, only a small section of wall and the Court Room, place where he was crowned King James I The Conqueror.

Built at the same time as the Your Vella, this historic corner of the city ​​of Lleida It was opened to visits in 2011.

Gardeny Templar Castle in Lleida

On another hill in the city you can see the remains of what between the 12th and 14th centuries was a house-convent of the Knights Templar who settled in this area of ​​Catalonia.

It was a community of 20 knights, about whose history during your visit you will be able to see an interesting multimedia presentation that also brings you closer to the world of Templar.

This house-convent between the 17th and 18th centuries was modified so that it became a fortification with walls and towers in which the original was integrated. romanesque church.

Now on your visit to the old gardeny templar castle You will be able to see the remains of said church, in some of whose corners you can see paintings, as well as two towers of the fortified complex.

Beautiful towns in the Aran Valley in Lleida

If something justifies a tourism trip to the province of Lleida is to know the spectacular Valle de Aran, where besides the Baqueira Beret ski resort You find pretty towns with rural architecture or a very interesting Romanesque cultural heritage.

Much of the attraction of said natural enclave of the pyrenees, where you must reach crossing the long Vielha Tunnel, is found in the uniform rural architecture of its mountain towns.

In this regard you should not miss a walk through Artsies, Salardu o Bagerge, and of course for the capital of the valley, Vielha.

Romanesque churches in the Aran Valley in Lleida

In those towns you also find beautiful examples of romanesque churches, up to 33 in the entire valley.

I want to highlight the church of San Andrés de Salardú, with a carving from the 12th century and its Gothic-style central nave with Renaissance paintings, that of Saint Michael of Vielha and of Saint Mary of Arties.

Romanesque churches in Valle de Boí in Lleida

The nearby Boí Valley across Lleida Pyrenees It is well known for its impressive romanesque churches.

But it is a very special architecture because it is the style known as Lombard Romanesque of which in said Pyrenean valley you have the best examples, a group declared Heritage awarded by the Unesco.

The most emblematic sample is the church of Sant Climent de Taüll, completed in 1.123.

During your visit you will have the possibility of seeing a spectacular and exciting video-mapping that recreates the wall paintings of Pantocrator, which in 1922 had to be removed from the apse for protection.

Now you find them in the National Museum of Art of Catalonia in Barcelona.

Áger in Lleida

Already in the territory of Terres de Lleida, and in the region of The Noguera, you find the town of Áger, where you can see some beautiful corner of medieval times.

It is located in a natural enclave in the center of a valley, at the foot of the imposing Montsec Mountains, place where they are practiced Adventure activities such as paraglider.

Located on the slope of a hill, at the top of it there is a monumental complex that dates back to the 11th century, consisting of a collegiate church and a castle that are located within a fortified enclosure.

La Collegiate Church of Sant Pere de Áger You will find it closed, but you can visit it on Sundays and holidays from March until the December long weekend, on guided tours at 11,30:12,30 and XNUMX:XNUMX.

But above all, we advise you not to miss one of the corners of the historic center of Áger, Pedro Portal, an access to its interior.

It is a truly unique corner built in the 17th century, formed by a double archway under a house, opening the way to two narrow cobbled alleys.

In that place in the year 1100 there was already a first gate of the original medieval wall.

Barony of Sant Oisme in Lleida

In a car route through the province of Lleida You will find beautiful corners that will invite you to stop and enjoy their charm.

That is the case of the Barony of Sant Oisme, an enclave in the municipality of camera, in the region of The Noguera, where in a beautiful mountain landscape next to a reservoir stands a stone tower and a hermitage.

There are references to this place from the 11th century when it is assumed that there was a castle with a chapel, a complex that was described as Saint Eufemia.

Now the Barony You will see on a rock the aforementioned is preserved defensive tower about 14 meters high, and at its feet, the small stone church of Sant Bartomeu.

Guimerá in Lleida

Guimera is one of most charming medieval towns What will you find in the territory of Terres de Lleida.

Located in the region of Urgell, just over an hour and a half west of Barcelona, ​​during your walk through its historic center you will be able to enjoy beautiful corners.

You must start your walk in his Plaza Mayor from the 12th century to go up, through arches and galleries, along one of the several cobbled streets that take you to the church of Santa Maria.

Located at the top of the hill, at the foot of the remains of what was once a castle, in the church the colorful and surprising apse stands out with an alabaster altarpiece, the work of a disciple of Gaudí, Josep Maria Jujol.

You should also look at an altarpiece dated 1411 that is displayed in a side chapel, and whose original is in the Episcopal Museum of Vic.

A cylindrical tower still remains from the 10th-11th century castle.

Montfalcó Murallat in Lleida

If there is a truly surprising medieval corner in Terres de Lleida, that is the medieval walled town of Montfalcó Murallat.

From afar you will see it at the top of a hill near Les Oluges, in the region of the Segarra.

It is a small walled area with only 15 houses and a church inside, which was built in the XNUMXth century, and which throughout history has maintained an impregnable character, with only one door to access its interior. .

In your walk through Montfalcó Murallat You will go through cobbled alleys, crossing under arches and arcades, and seeing the stone facades of their houses, in which only two residents remain.

Of course, you have the opportunity to stay in some others that are now occupied by rural establishments.

Vallferosa Tower in Lleida

In this land of Lleida where you can see several castles, you can visit a different corner, the Vallferosa Tower, near the town of Torah  in the region of the Segarra.

Inside a valley surrounded by forests, and guarding a strategic route, you find a defensive tower whose latest scientific studies have estimated its origins in the 8th century, during the time of Muslim occupation.

This tower has remained standing to this day, and you will now reach it along a dirt path that leads you to the abandoned town of Vallferosa, where you will also see the remains of a church.

The best thing is that you can visit it, and only if you are in good physical condition, climb to the top of it.

During this visit carried out by volunteers from the aforementioned town of Torah You will learn the history of that peculiar enclave.

The visits to the Vallferosa Tower They take place from May to September, on Sundays at 11 and 12,30:XNUMX, and you can go directly to the parking lot where the tower is located.

• But what is recommended is Book in advance to ensure your visit, the price of which is 3 euros.

Montsonís Castle in Lleida

Do you know that in the Lleida province can visit a private castle Where do its owners still reside?

Indeed, it is the medieval castle of Montsonís, originally a medieval tower two floors, which had to be rebuilt in the 14th century.

Located south of the Montsec Mountains, its current owner is Baron of Albi, belonging to the Order of the Knights of Malta.

During the visit you access the main rooms with the charm of seeing a “living castle”, in which its owner resides on the upper floor.

Here you can consult the  Montsonís Castle visiting hoursWhose price of admission it is 6,50 euros.

Montsonís town in Lleida

But Montsonis You find something more than the castle, since it is a small town that was abandoned a few decades ago.

They came to this place Carme y Ramon, in his own words “two hippies” who wanted to live in a rural corner, and over time they have recovered the town, giving it a medieval atmosphere, with houses with stone facades.

Currently in Montsonis There are ten houses with residents and two other houses for use as rural establishments.

En Montsonis You also find a place where you can enjoy various activities, such as hiking, birdwatching, yoga, etc…

Fruit trees in bloom in Aitona in Lleida

A clear invitation to make a getaway to Lleida At a very specific time of year it is flowering of fruit trees in Aitona, a town that is located just half an hour from the capital.

En Grandpa 8.500 hectares of fruit tree plantations, mostly nectarines, paraguayans and red peaches, which at the beginning of March make up a beautiful landscape carpeted in pink.

On those dates you can tour some of the plantations on your own, although the best way to enjoy these landscapes is to sign up for the guided tours who organizes his own Aitona town hall.

As an aside I will tell you that in autumn you also have an excuse to go to Grandpa, since those fruit trees are dyed with the red color of their leaves.

Vallbona Monastery of the Nuns in Lleida

Within the framework of Cistercian Route which brings together several Cistercian monasteries located between the provinces of Tarragona and Lleida, in the latter you can visit the monastery of Vallbona de las Monjas.

Located in the region of Urgell, north of the town of Montblanc. , was founded in the 12th century and is currently run by a community of nuns.

During your visit to this interesting monastery where kings such as Alfonso the Wise y James the Conqueror, you will see that its cloister stands out, with four different architectural styles.

It will also catch your attention Chapter Room with the tombs of several abbesses of the monastery.

Wine tourism at Costers de Sió in Lleida

En Terres de Lleida You can also do activities wine tourism as visit a winery.

Specifically near Balaguer, in the region of The Noguera, you can make a Wine tasting en Sió Costers, a traditional family winery that produces organic, white, red and sparkling wines.

This winery was founded in 1992 in the place where there was an abandoned farmhouse, and now the estate occupies about 700 hectares, half dedicated to vineyards and the other half to cereal plantations.

It will be easy for you to distinguish the location of the winery when you see the typical building. chateau surrounded by vineyard landscapes, where there are also rows of cypress trees so characteristic of other places like Italian Tuscany.

It is worth highlighting the possibility of seeing some large open-air stone winepresses that are still being used, which date back to the 11th century.

The visits to the Costers de Sió Winery They take place on Saturdays at 11 a.m.

Where to sleep in Lleida and province

Facing your getaway to the province of Lleida, and specifically to the area of Terres de Lleida, I am going to suggest two unique hotel establishments that we have had the opportunity to visit on our recent trip.

National Parador of Lleida

First of all, the new national hostel of Lleida, opened in December 2017, where the characteristics of a very modern hotel are combined with the historical style of the Roser Convent XNUMXth century.

To highlight the architectural solution given to the central cloister, and the restaurant integrated into the old church.

Avellanes Monastery in Os Balaguer in Lleida

Another unique place is the hostel of the monastery of les Avellanes, which you find in Os of Balaguera ancient abbey from the 12th century where there is still a community of Marist friars.

In addition to the simple inn equivalent to a three-star hotel, in this monastery you have the possibility of spending a period of retreat in its House of Spirituality, during which you will share the life of the community.

From the architectural point of view in the Avellanes monastery Its cloister stands out with columns decorated with various types of figurative representations.

Gastronomy: where to eat in Lleida and province

As in all of Spain, the gastronomy It is also one of the great attractions of a trip through the province of Lleida. especially with the recommendation that we always make to taste the local products.

After our recent trip I want to highlight the Hostal Jaumet de Torah, a classic in the area, where you can try local specialties such as mountain trinxat, thyme soup, partridge or ear.

You may be surprised to discover the food house Rocallaura Cafe, in the town of Rocallaura very close to Vallbona de las Monjas.

There you find two friendly Uruguayan residents, Mariela e Hilario, who have earned a good reputation by making every day traditional Catalan dishes with local products.

If you feel like tasting the typical snails to the llauna, you can do it in the city itself Lleida, in the Celler del Roser, a restaurant specializing in traditional food from the area, where you will eat in a cave-type room.

And finally, an original proposal that we could enjoy with Olea Soul, a company specialized in offering gastronomic activities.

In this case it was a picnic in the countryside surrounded by olive and almond trees in bloom, in a beautiful landscape in the Arbeca area.

Enjoying the sunset we were able taste various local specialties, from sausages and cheeses, to fruit juices or craft beers.

And there was also an oil tasting.

In short, a delight.