Old medieval stone house & a custom sign: 'Visit L'Espluga de Francoli' L'Espluga

Off the beaten path: Espluga de Francoli in Catalonia, Spain

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There are many reasons to visit Spain.

Catalonia in Spain is one of them . It's famous for its exceptional cuisine, unique architecture and vibrant culture. The province is home to several popular cities, such as Barcelona, Girona, and Tarragona.

However, there are several off the beaten path towns in Catalonia worth visiting as well, and L’Espluga de Francoli is one of them.

In this post I explain why Espluga de Francoli is worth visiting.

Hello, I am Tatiana—historical architecture addict fascinated with beautiful old buildings and discovering best places in Europe to go. Check out my travel tips on Alonga Travel and reviews of the best European destinations and city breaks. They are the result of my slow travelling explorations. Let's connect on social media!

Short summary of this page

The web page is about a medieval town in Catalonia, Spain, called L’Espluga de Francoli.
I describe the town’s history, it's medieval architecture. I talk about Espuga's attractions: museums, churches, castle, and wineries.
I also explain how to get to the town, where to stay, and where to eat.

What is L’Espluga de Francoli

One of the hidden gems in Catalonia, Spain, is the small and picturesque medieval town of L'Espluga de Francoli. Although it is off the beaten path, this old architectural gem is definitely worth a visit due to its authentic medieval atmosphere.

An old medieval street with beautiful colorful old houses in Espluga de Francoli Catalonia Spain

Walking through the streets, you will feel as though you have been transported back in time.

Solo walk on a medieval winding alley in L'Espluga de Francoli in Catalonia

I believe it’s more interesting to visit L’Espluga alone. First, it’s located off the beaten path, and getting to there is a 2-hour adventure in itself.

And when you get there and see this amazing authentic town, it’s older architecture in many parts not touched by tourism yet, and walk on the winding alley seeing no one, you feel you just got touched by something Special? The greatness of History and Human Civilization comes to mind!

And I am pretty sure that this feeling gets intensified because you’re out there alone, slightly vulnerable and away from other tourist, all set to enjoy all the feelings that overwhelm you to the fullest! I’m sure visiting with someone could be fun as well, but do you understand what I meant?

And then, after you got to enjoy the feeling of the old times, you go to the center of the town to enjoy the cozy perks of the Civilization, like several small shops and cafes, restaurants and museums, and it's such a great combination!

And afterward, if you still have time and energy left - there are many wonderful hikes, and great bike routs around Espluga!

White & beige odd shaped old house that will make a heart of an architecture lover beat faster

One of the houses in L'Espluga I couldn't stop taking pictures of. It's just such a cool house and so oddly shaped!

A colorful winding medieval alley overlooking The Church of Sant Miquel or the Old Church of Espluga

Architecture of L'Espluga de Francoli

Espluga is a gem to a lover of an older architecture! ! The winding medieval streets and beautiful old buildings are such a unique sight to see and they ooze authenticity!

BTW, if you like old architecture, check out my post about different types of old buildings in Europe.

In Espluga, you will also see examples of Romanesque architecture in The Church of Sant Miquel. More about this church is later on in this post.

A medieval alley with many gems of medieval architecture in L'Espluga de Francoli in Catalonia

An old round arch shaped front door framed with bricks on a beautiful medieval street in Espluga

You will also see some very unique architecture of the medieval houses built on the town natural cliff wall. Like the houses below!

If you are interested in Romanesque architecture you will really enjoy yourself if L'Espluga de Francoli!

Looks at the bus stop in a cave under the cliff. What an unusual stop! I was a bit unsettled when I went there. Luckily, no houses fell on me. :)

Well preserved remains of the city wall in Espluga with houses built on it & a bus stop in a cave

And what magnificent houses they were!

BTW, if you’re wondering how much the houses are priced nowadays – the old ones, that weren't remodeled are around 40,000 euros. The ones that were remodeled into beautiful modern town houses are around 150,000 euros.

I was curious, so I checked.

Where is Espluga located

L’Espluga de Francoli, a commune in the Province of Tarragona , Catalonia , Spain , is located halfway between Tarragona and Lleida. You could easily miss this town if you didn’t know where to look. So, you need to check the map to find it.

Where is Catalonia in Spain.

Catalonia, or Catalunya (Catalan), or Cataluña (Spanish), an unique region with its own unique language (Catalan,) is the northeastern province of Spain. Its capital is Barcelona. Here is the map of Catalonia.

Espluga is on the important Cistercian Route in Europe

The Cistercian Route in Spain is a network of monasteries, churches, and abbeys that were founded by the Cistercian order of monks. The route stretches from the north of Spain to the south, and includes some of the most beautiful and well-preserved medieval architecture in Europe. The Cistercian Route is a great way to experience the Spanish countryside and learn about the history of the Cistercian order.

L'Espluga de Francoli is located In the middle of the Cistercian Route, which includes the monasteries of Poblet, Santes Creus, Vallbona de les Monges. Cistercian monastery of Poblet, one of the largest in Spain, was declared a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1991. It is only 4 km away from L’Espluga.

History of L’Espluga de Francoli

How the town got its name

It is believed that the town got its name from the Latin word ‘espluga’, meaning ‘cave’ or ‘pit’. Espluga is situated on a hilltop in the midst of vineyards and is surrounded by mountains.

L’Espluga de Francoli was founded in the 11th century and is closely associated with the Berguera family, a Catalan noble family who owned the land until the 20th century.

The town population is just over 3,000 people. You, probably, won't see many people on the streets other than in the main square if you visit during the off season, which adds to the surreal feeling of being transferred back to the medieval times. Of course, it gets more crowded in summer when the tourist’s season picks up, because while Espluga is relatively unknown to the outsiders, it's very popular in Tarragona region, and even in the wider Catalonia area. And it's for a reason!

And the ones you will see will most likely greet you in Catalan – “Bon dia”.

An interesting fact. You might already know some Catalan, if you’ve been to Portugal, as the languages have some similarities. In fact, Portuguese and Catalan have more similarities between them than with Spanish language!

BTW, I have many posts about Portugal on Alonga Travel.

Cats of Espluga

But don’t you worry—even if you won't see many 2-legged inhabitants while walking the alleys, you will see plenty of friendly 4-legged ones! And they even might generously let you pet them!

Cats are pretty relaxed out there – the food is good and the views from their day-beds are amazing! :)

If you like cats, you should visit Montenegro, there are so many of them, and they're a part of attraction.

A smart looking orange cat wants to be petted in a hidden gem of a town Espluga in Catalonia Spain

Look at the middle of this pic. Do you see this cat’s day-bed? Wouldn’t you like to nap there overlooking such a wonderful view of the mountains yourself? :) Such lucky cats!

A cat enjoying cozy nap on a tall post on medieval square overlooking Church of Sant Miquel Espluga

Cute white and orange can enjoying a nap at Espluga medieval neighborhood square wanting to play

What to do in L’Espluga de Francoli

From its medieval allies, an interesting castle to its beautiful churches, there's plenty to explore in L'Espluga.

Below is the map of tourist attractions in L'Espluga de Francoli.

Tourist map or mapa turistic in Catalan

The Tourist map pf L'espluga de Francoli, with all attractions listed on it in Catalan

What are the tourist attractions in L'espluga de Francoli?

There is Cultural Route that includes the Rural Life Museum, the Wine Museum, the Font Major Cave and the Fassina Museum.

Poblet Vimbodí Natural Park and the Prades mountains, where you can find great hiking and biking trails, is only 2 km away from the town. You can find some hiking trails on alltrails at the bottom of this page.

Church of Sant Miquel on the main square of L'Espluga de Francoli with many sidewalk cafés

The town also has The Church of Sant Miquel on the main square with many sidewalk cafés and small shops. There are plenty of restaurants, serving delicious Catalan food.

And if you're a fan of wine, you'll be pleased to know that the town is home to some of the best wineries in the region.

The Church of Sant Miquel

The church of Sant Miquel, or Old Church, is the centerpiece of Espluga. The church was built in the 13th century, and is a classic example of Romanesque architecture. The exterior of the church is simple, but the interior is very ornate, with beautiful frescoes and stained glass windows.

The church was burned down in 1873 and then rebuilt on the same place, using the same original 13th century stones.

The church is open to the public, and there is also a small museum attached to it. It is located on the main square, so you won't miss it.

The Museum of Rural Life

There is an Ethnographic Museum in Espluga, called of the Museum of Rural Life, which is definitely a hidden gem and well worth visiting! It’s a wonderful display of local history and culture, the journey through Catalan rural agricultural life from 1900 to 2000.

You will have a chance to stand in the old rural kitchen, to see all the pots and utensil, used in that kitchen, and see mannequins wearing the order period clothes.

You will see old furniture and horse-drawn carriages, plus many odd and cool things!

Each exhibit has English write ups on each piece throughout the museum. And after you’re done, you can eat a snack on a terrasse you can get from an adjusted food booth.

This museum belongs to Carulla Foundation. An architect Lluis Carulla i Canals created the Museum in 1988 in the manor house of the Carulla family, and donated the collections of utensils and tools. 20 years later, another architect - Daniel Freixes - undertook an important expansion and modernization.

Address : Ctra. de Montblanc, 35, 43440 L'Espluga de Francolí, Tarragona, Spain

Old alley with a view on old chimney and Museum of Rural life or Museu de La Vida Rural

The back door to Museu de la Vida Rural. The museum from the front looks modern, but I liked the back alley with a view to an amazingly old tall chimney more. This chimney is from Fassina Balanyà, an old distillery of spirits.

Fassina Balanyà

La Fassina Balanyà is an old distillery of spirits from the 1830s. You can see the old and restored machinery here, and learn the production process for obtaining spirits and other derivatives from the grape.

La Fassina Balanyà is part of the Territorial System of the National Museum of Science and Technology of Catalonia.

The Castle de Milmanda - Familia Torres

The town also has a castle, which was built in the 11th century, and was originally used as a fortified monastery. Over the years, it has been used as a residence for the Counts of Barcelona, a military base, and even a prison. It is located outside of the town, and I'm not sure you can go inside at the moment, but you better check the current situation! The grounds of the castle are nice and this makes for a beautiful hike to there.

Sadly enough, I didn’t get the chance to visit the castle, because I’ve chosen to stop in Montblanc (another wonderful mediaeval town) on the way to L’Espluga, and I had to restrict my visit to the train hours. More about different Itineraries for this visit will be posted in my next post.

Defensive walls of Espluga.

One of the most notable features of L'Espluga de Francoli is its defensive walls. These walls were built in the 13th century to protect the town from invaders.

Today, the walls are still in excellent condition and provide a beautiful backdrop for historical houses.

Colorful houses on a former defensive wall on the outskirts of L'Espluga de Francoli in Catalunya

Wine museum of L’Espluga de Francoli

Starting from mid-19th century, cultivation of vines became an important factor in the development of the region of Espluga in Tarragona. If you like architecture and wine, you will be delighted to visit this Wine Museum.

The Bodega Cooperativa is a stunning example of a modernist wine cellar, designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner at the beginning of the 20th century and completed by his son Pere. This incredible space is filled with light and air, thanks to the large windows and skylights, and is decorated with beautiful mosaics and sculptures.

Here you can learn the history and development wine-making techniques. You will see the museum displays and can use audiovisual on the 3rd floor of the building.

The cooperative was founded in 1904 by a group of local wine growers and today, it is still run by the cooperative members. They produce high quality wines that have won numerous awards, and they also offer tours and tastings of their wines. The Bodega Cooperativa is a must-see for anyone interested in architecture or wine.

And once you’ve learned all the theory of wine-making and wine-tasting, you can practice your knowledge at the local restaurants! :)

Where to eat in L'Espluga de francoli

Art Restaurant

Art Restaurant offers delicious seasonal contemporary Catalan cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients that seamlessly blend tradition and creativity. It’s located in a renovated old rural charming farmhouse in the outskirts of L'Espluga de Francolí, about 100m from Celler del Poble.

Address Camí Clos, s/n, 43440 L'Espluga de Francolí, Tarragona

GAS GARAGE RESTAURANT in L'Espluga de Francolí (Tarragona)

The restaurant offers signature pizzas, made by hand in their workshop using best quality flour and extra virgin olive oil from their own harvest. This results in delicious pizzas! They also offer burgers, pastas, and other dishes

ADDRESS Av. Catalunya, 16 43440 l'Espluga de Francolí (Tarragona)

The Ocell Francolí Rural Family Hotel and restaurant.

The restaurant serves traditional Catalan cuisine with some new trends. All made with the high-quality products of the Tarragona region. Some most popular dishes are: ‘the snails from the inn, the wild boar stew, the pig's trotters, the trout with walnuts, natural grilled meat and the typical seasonal calçotada'.

43440 - L'Espluga de Francolí (Conca de Barberà) Tarragona - Spain

Where to stay in L'Espluga de francoli

Here are a few lodging options:

There are some (though not many) individual options for an overnight stay in L’Espluga, and there is also a huge resort at the outskirts of the town, MAS DE MORA. Or you could go to Espluga for a day- trip from Barcelona (2 hour's trip). Staying overnight is preferable, as you will have time to explore nearby monasteries as well!

A rural stay: MAS DE MORA (RURAL ACCOMMODATION)

address: Camí Mas de Mora

ESPASA MANOR HOUSE (MASOVERIA)

The Ocell Francolí Rural Family Hotel and restaurant.

43440 - L'Espluga de Francolí (Conca de Barberà) Tarragona - Spain

boutique villa stay: Villa Engracia

Budget stay in a hostel:

HOSTAL DEL SENGLAR

FONDA LES SETET FONTS

Pictures of old doors in Espluga

A beautiful old medieval two sided door to an old house in L'Espluga de Francoli

An exquisite arched window framed with bricks and tiles in Espluga

How can I get to L'espluga de Francoli?

Transportation options ( you can drive, take a bus or a train). Train is 10 euro one way, 18 euros return ticket.
You can rent a car and the drive will be around 1.5 hours and gasoline will costs you around $20-35 one way.

Public transportation to Espluga

You can get to L'Espluga De Francolí by Bus or Train

There is Renfe Cercanías train from BARCELONA SAINTS towards LLEIDA and the price will be around $11 one way, or a round-trip ticket (my recommendation!) for $20. You would need to buy a separate ticket to get to Barcelona Saints first. These are the lines and routes that have stops nearby -Train: R13, R14 You can't buy a Renfe Cercanías train ticket online. You can only buy it at the train station on the day of travel, but you can check the schedule here. https://www.renfe.com/es/en

Important! Don't get alarmed at the train station when you won't find a ticket machine, or anyone to sell you a ticket, and you didn't buy a round ticket! While in general, it's more expensive to pay for the ticket, once you already on Renfe Cercanías train ( a train that travels in the nearest to some big city area. Cerca in Spanish means - close by. But, in case when a town is so small that it doesn't have it's own ticket machine, the train conductor will sell you one for the regular price.

What bus stations are close to L'Espluga de Francolí?

The nearest stops to L'Espluga:

Av. Catalunya - Ctra. T-700, L'Espluga De Francolí
Pl. Del Centenari

Bus: L1664

Check the BUS schedule here.

Towns nearby

Nearby towns are Montblanc and Vimbodí i Poblet and both are really worth visiting! You would be able to combine 2 towns total on your 1-day itinerary from Barcelona, but not all 3. Most people would choose Montblanc as an addition to visiting l'Espluga on the same day, coming from Barcelona. You can build a trail for yourself to Poblet monastery.

a beautiful wine tree covering a wall of a medieval house in Espluga de Francoli in Catalonia, Spain

In conclusion - whether you're looking to explore Catalonia's medieval architecture, its history, hike around the town or sample the town's delicious food and wine, L'Espluga de Francoli is the perfect place to visit for you!

I hope my guide will be helpful for planning your visit!

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Alonga Travel the author smiles behind her laptop in her mobile rooftop office in Portugal over

Hi, I am Tatiana—a digital nomad slow traveling around Europe and beyond. Do you like my rooftop mobile office in front of a beautiful church and a storks' nest on its roof? I'm fascinated with beautiful old buildings like this one and I love discovering best places in Europe to go to. Check out my travel tips and reviews of the best European destinations and city breaks. Let's connect on social media!