Travel blog - Tips to explore the world on a budget: Reus

Reus is a vibrant Catalan city located about 10 kilometers from the Mediterranean and close to Tarragona’s Roman ruins. It’s famous as Antoni Gaudí’s birthplace and has one of Spain’s largest collections of Modernist buildings. With a population of around 100,000, Reus features a walkable historic center with elegant squares like Plaça del Mercadal, lively cafés, market stalls selling local olives and cheeses, and ornate mansions that show its 19th-century trading success. Starting in the 18th century, Reus grew through wine, brandy, and especially vermouth, earning it the nickname “vermouth capital” of Catalonia. This prosperity brought architects like Lluís Domènech i Montaner, who designed over 70 Modernist buildings here, many as impressive as those in Barcelona but without the crowds. Gaudí was born here in 1852 during this golden era. Although his family moved nearby when he was five, Reus still honors him with museums, statues, and an annual festival. Today, you can walk past wrought-iron balconies with floral designs, enjoy vermouth in arcaded cafés, and admire the Gothic spires of Prioral de Sant Pere. Free walking tours let you discover how Reus blends medieval history, industrial energy, and artistic flair for a truly local experience.