Reus is the city of the eye. It is the birthplace of Antoni Gaudí, and while he left no buildings here, the city is a shrine to Modernisme (Art Nouveau). The wealthy bourgeoisie of the 19th century built palaces that rival Barcelona’s, decorated with floral ironwork and stained glass. It smells of hazelnuts (a major crop) and the herbal, bitter-sweet aroma of Vermouth.
Reus is the capital of Vermouth. They produced the stuff for the world. The “Vermouth time” (12 PM – 2 PM) is sacred. You sit in the Plaza del Mercadal, drink a Vermut de Reus with olives, and admire the Casa Navàs—the only modernist house in Europe with its original interior completely intact.
It is a shopping city. The streets are pedestrian and lined with boutiques. The vibe is industrious, Catalan, and proud. It feels lived-in, not overrun by the beach tourists of nearby Salou. To enjoy Reus, look down at the mosaics and up at the balconies.
The perfect plan for Reus:
Day 1 Agenda
Theme: Modernism & Gaudí
- Morning: Gaudí Centre. Interactive museum. Touch the shapes he used. It explains his genius.
- Afternoon: Casa Navàs. Must book ahead. It is a jewel box. The stained glass and furniture are original. Lunch: Vermuts Rofes (in an old vermouth factory).
- Evening: Modernism Route. Walk the streets (Llovera, Prat de la Riba) looking at facades. Casa Rull, Casa Gasull.
Day 2 Agenda
Theme: Vermouth & History
- Morning: Institut Pere Mata. A psychiatric hospital designed by Domènech i Montaner. It’s beautiful (Art Nouveau). You can visit the “Pavilion of the Distinguished.”
- Afternoon: Museu del Vermut. It’s a restaurant/museum with thousands of bottles. Drink and eat.
- Evening: Prioral de Sant Pere. Climb the bell tower. Sunset view.
Day 3 Agenda
Theme: Shopping
- Morning: Shop in the center. Buy Hazelnuts (Avellana de Reus).
Weather
Spring/Autumn: Perfect. 22°C.
Summer: Hot, but near the sea breeze.
Winter: Mild.
Local Customs
1. Vermouth: Order “Vermut de Reus.” It comes with chips and olives. It is an aperitif.
2. Gaudí: There are no buildings by him, but the Gaudí Centre is the best museum about him.
3. Shopping: Shops are high quality. It’s a commercial hub.
History & Culture
Medieval trading center. It became the second most important city in Catalonia in the 18th century due to the spirit (alcohol) trade. “Reus, Paris, London” was the quote about price-setting markets. Gaudí was born here in 1852. The wealth of the brandy industry funded the Modernist explosion.
Getting Around & Safety
Walking: Compact and flat.
Bus: To the airport (Reus has its own).
Info for Nomads
Quiet, stylish, good shopping. Close to beach but authentic.
Workation Vibe
Good wifi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gaudí here? +
His birth house is marked, but you can’t enter. His spirit is here.
Is it near the beach? +
10 km from Salou/Cambrils. Easy bus ride.
Is it cheap? +
Moderate.