The ‘intimate’ Barcelona alternative with £34 flights and 20°C April highs

Thousands of holidaymakers heading to Spain this Easter will face flight disruptions due to strikes at 12 of the country’s busiest airports.

From Madrid to Malaga, Valencia to Ibiza, more than 3,000 workers are expected to walk out following disputes over pay and working conditions.

But for those still considering a last-minute half-term getaway, there are regional airports unaffected by the industrial action that are gateways to some of Spain’s most interesting, and least-known, destinations.

Our choice of these is Reus. Described as a ‘quieter, more intimate’ alternative to nearby Barcelona, it enjoys April highs of 20°C and flights from the UK for as little as £34.

Perfect for lovers of history, architecture, and Catalan culture, Reus is known as Spain’s Vermouth capital, thanks to its longstanding position as a major wine and spirits producer.

Here’s everything you need to know about this stunning city in the Costa Daurado region.

Things to do in Reus

Reus is the birthplace of Antoni Gaudí, one of the greatest Catalan architects and designers of all time.

While Gaudí didn’t actually design any buildings in his hometown (he’s famous for Barcelona’s Sagrada Família), fans can stop by the Gaudí Centre at Plaça del Mercadal, the main square in the heart of the city.

The biographical museum is home to reproductions of La Pedrera, one of his most iconic buildings, and the starry dome of the Palau Güell.

Reus is home to over 80 Art Nouveau buildings, plus plenty of Modernist designs, which makes a stroll around the city feel like stepping back into the Belle Époque.

To showcase its architectural heritage, the tourism board created the Ruta del Modernisme (Modernist Route), a self-guided walking tour marked by plaques on the ground bearing the architect’s name and construction date. Notable buildings include Institut Pere Mata, Casa Navàs, and Casa Gasull.

You can find a map of the route at any tourist office or the Gaudí Centre, where it begins.

Shop ’til you drop

Once you’ve had your dose of culture, Reus is a great place to splash some cash.

The city is a commercial hub with dozens of independent boutiques and high-street shops. Head to Tomb de Ravals, Llovera, and Monterols streets in downtown Reus, considered one of the best open-air shopping areas in South Catalonia.

For something more modern, try malls such as La Fira Centre Comercial or Passeig Comercial El Pallol.

Where to eat and drink

Since the 18th century, Reus has been a major player in vermouth production. The city is famous for its high-quality, fortified white wine and boasts over 30 local producers and iconic brands.

If you’re in Reus on a Sunday, it would be irresponsible not to take part in ‘Tomar el Vermut,’ a social ritual, where locals and tourists assemble for the sweet, aromatic aperitif, served with olives or other savoury snacks like patatas bravas.

The best places to experience this tradition (which typically happens at noon) are the Vermouth Museum or the Wine Station — you’ll pass both on the Modernist Route walk.

The museum showcases the history of the drink and houses the world’s largest vermouth collection. The Wine Station is a tourist hub offering free exhibitions and guided tours.

Many tour operators also offer a ‘Vermouth route.’ For around €17 (£14.76), you’ll learn about the production, visit old factories, and of course, sample the herb-flavoured drink as you walk through what was once Catalonia’s second largest city.

All that vermouth is hungry work.

Luckily, Reus is quite the culinary hotspot. Offering traditional Catalan cuisine deeply rooted in Mediterranean ingredients, expect specialities like fideuà (noodle seafood dish), botifarra (sausage) with white beans, and calçots (green onion) with romesco sauce. 

Across the city, you’ll find countless bars serving small plates that are perfect for sharing. Tapes i Tapes and Bar Bon Mar are highly rated.

But if you’re after something more upmarket, Ferran Cerro restaurant is featured in the Michelin Guide, and is described as having ‘excellent service with exceptional food.’

How to get to Reus

Getting to Reus is cheap and easy. On Saturday, 25 April, Metro found a one-way easyJet flight from London Gatwick to Reus Airport for £34.99. The journey time is around two hours and 10 minutes.

Prices don’t change much edging into summer, either. On Wednesday, July 1, a flight is currently available for £38.