The city

A rich cultural tradition

With the support of the URV, Spanish-language students can submerge themselves in a diverse, welcoming and cosmopolitan region that has an international projection as one of the main sun-and-beach tourist destinations on the Mediterranean coast. With its nearby leisure epicenters of Salou (just 11 km from Tarragona) and PortAventura theme park, the Costa Dorada (Golden Coast) offers its visitors a range of exciting cultural, gastronomic and historical activities.

Universally renowned geniuses such as the architect of the Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudí, the artists Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró, and the great composer Pau Casals found their voices in the landscapes of Tarragona. During the Roman Empire 2,000 years ago, this region enjoyed huge strategic importance. The region is also historically recognized for the quality of its wines, such as the famous Priorat. Ritual traditions take place of great tourist interest (such as the castells), gastronomic interest (such as the Calçotada) or leisure interest (such as Carnival, Sant Jordi and Santa Tecla in Tarragona and Sant Pere in Reus). At all these festivities, the people of Tarragona display their great optimism, warmth and passion.

First-class communications

Tarragona is located in one of the best geographical areas in the world, on the shores of the Mediterranean, and is blessed with a climate that is mild in winter and pleasant in summer. These characteristics have made it one of the main tourist destinations in Spain. This privileged location has also helped to promote the development of a strong industrial sector and a first-class communications infrastructure linking Tarragona with the major cities of Spain and the European Union.

Tarragona is just one hour by train or freeway from Barcelona and two-and-a-half hours by high-speed train from Madrid. The airport of Reus, just 10 km (6.2 miles) from Tarragona, has international flights to major European cities.

A safe, practical city

Tarragona is a quiet and safe city, and since it is of agreeable dimensions, most routine journeys around the city can be made on foot. The Center for Hispanic Studies is situated in the Faculty of Arts in Campus Catalunya, in the heart of Tarragona and just a few minutes' walk from the Sant Jordi University Residence.