Things to See and Do in the Ebro Delta

Even if you’re not a keen birdwatcher, the spectacular birdlife of the Ebro Delta is sure to surprise and delight.

Famous for its flocks of flamingos, the Delta is also home to waders such as avocets, stilts, and sandpipers along its muddy shores, as well as herons, egrets, and many other species. The Laguna de la Encanyissada, Laguna de la Tancada, and Punta de la Banya are among the best spots to watch flamingos and other waterfowl.

A great place to start is the Reserva Natural de Riet Vell - Visitor Centre, managed by SEO/BirdLife (Spain’s oldest conservation organisation). It features two observatories perfectly positioned for birdwatching throughout the year.

Visitor Centre opening hours:
Wednesday to Friday: 09:00–14:00
Saturday: 10:00–14:00 / 16:00–18:00
Sunday: 10:00–14:00
Closed Monday and Tuesday.

An immensely strategic position on the Ebro River, Tortosa has been inhabited since prehistoric times, the city was established by the Romans as ‘Derdosa’, later becoming Moorish ‘Turtusha’, before being conquered by the Knights Templar and receiving its current name of Tortosa – a rich history indeed!

At the gateway, where the mountains close in, between the Ebro Delta and the interior, the reason for its historic importance is easy to see. Add to this the erstwhile importance of the Ebro River itself, as the border between Rome and Carthage and later as a major trading port and thoroughfare for goods from across the Mediterranean and even the Americas, and we start to understand the prestige and wealth that Tortosa once enjoyed.

Tortosa Tourist Information

Believed to have been inhabited since 22,000BC La Rápita was established as a town under Moorish, becoming Sant Carles after the Christian reconquest. The 18th century saw major development of the port and navigation channels laying the foundations for what is now the biggest fishing port on Spanish Mediterranean.

Though not traditionally pretty Sant Carles has a couple of nice, sheltered beaches and is an active fishing port with plenty going on – and, of course, it’s a wonderful place to eat fish and seafood!

Head down to the Nautical Station for all kinds of watersports and take a trip on a fishing boat or out around the bay for a unique view of the Delta (with the opportunity, at Musclarium, to sample oysters and mussels direct from the platforms where they grow!

Butterfly Sailing Boat

Beautiful sailing boat harboured in Sant Carles. Visit the mussel farms and get a unique view of the Delta.

+34 660 907 189

Butterfly Charters

Musclarium – farm-fresh seafood

Enjoy mussels and oysters direct on the growing platform – with a glass off local cava. Water taxis available from Sant Carles

+34 638283986

Musclarium info

Up-river from Tortosa the delightful medieval town of Miravet was likewise highly strategic, due to its position on the Ebro and on the border of the Moorish territory. The Templar castle was originally built by the Moors then converted into a fortified monastery after its conquest in 1153. The views from the castle over the town and river are wonderful – as are the views from the river to the castle – Miravet is a beauty from any angle!

The town is renowned for its pottery and if you’re feeling energetic or just want to soak in those views river kayaking is available. Down by the river there are several eateries offering surprisingly good value considering the amazing views they enjoy.

Picasso spent two long summers in the delightful medieval village of Horta de San Joan, the first convalescing from an illness, the second with a friend, and famously said ‘I learned everything I know in Horta’.

Set behind the Els Ports there are some wonderful swimming spots nearby at Las Ollas, Toll Blau and Azud de Lledo and amazing rock formations at Rocas de Benet, Salt de Ferraso and many more in the mountains surrounding the village.

In the town itself the Ecomuseo dels Ports is an ethnographic museum and a small Picasso Museum.

Following the disused Val de Zafan railway line the Via Verde Val de Zafan runs all the way from Tortosa into the province of Teruel. The stretch which runs through the Terra Alta is particularly attractive with plenty to see and do along the way…

Bike rental is available in the pretty village of Horta de Sant Joan (see below) where you can visit the Ecomuseum of the Ports and the Picasso Center and (maybe at the end) enjoy a swim in the stunning beauty spot “Racó de les Olles” just nearby.

The Terra Alta stretch runs from the Aragonese border (2.5km west) to the station of Pinell de Brai, 20km east (23km each way if you do it all). Head west to the border to begin with for views of the valley and rock formations at Rocas de Benet.

From Horta heading east you’ll enjoy a series of tunnels and aqueducts to Bot station, where there’s a cute café in a converted train wagon, and on to the Santuary of Fontacalda where there’s an amazing bathing spot with hot springs – don’t forget your cozzie! For the energetic you can carry on to the station of Pinell de Brai and a further 6km by road to the Modernista Catedral de Vi de Pinell de Brai – perhaps the finest of all the Modernist wineries in Catalonia (though you can always pop back here by car after dropping the bikes).

Bicisports Aubanell – Bike Rental

Can supply bikes in Horta de Sant Joan or other key spots.

Viorigen – Combined bike rental / wine tourism

High level of expertise in Terra Alta Garnacha wines – guided routes with tastings

Thanks to the work of the ‘Moderniste’ architect César Martinell there are a whole string of ‘Wine Cathedrals’ to visit across the south of Catalonia, and in Terra Alta you’ll find two of the finest – La Catedral del Vi de Pinell de Brai and Cooperativa Agricola de Gandesa – within 10km of each other.

The Moderniste philosophy was to combine exquisite form with functionality, turning agricultural and industrial buildings, such as these wine cellars, into inspirational, uplifting spaces. From the delightful façades to the parabolic arches of the roof spaces and the use of gravity in the process, no detail has escaped the architect’s fine touch.

For fans the Cooperativa de Falset is another fine example in the Priorat region, not so far away…

Terra Alta Cathedrals of Wine

The last, bloody battle of the Spanish Civil war was fought out in the Ribera del Ebro in the far north of the Terres de l’Ebre region.

Pueblo Viejo in Corbera d’Ebre (just north of Gandesa) has been preserved as testimony to the battle and you’ll also find one of a network of Ebro Battle Interpretation Centres in the village.

Situated in Ribera d’Ebre region, specifically in Flix to the north of Terra Alta this protected Natural Park sits among the meanders of the River Ebro.

The arrival point and reception centre for visitors is the Mas del Director, from where you can start your visit to this natural area on foot or by bicycle.

There are wooden walkways which take you into the exuberant woods, reedbeds and marshes by the river and olive groves, hundreds of years old. Camargue horses and storks and other birdlife are the main points of interest and there are birdwatching hides in strategic positions.

More info

Forming a natural frontier with Valencia and Aragon Els Ports was declared a National Park in 2001 Mirador del Caragol just below the highest peak Mont Caro – at over 1500m -gives amazing views over the whole Terres de l’Ebre region (approach from Tortosa).

Els Ports Natural Park

Set in an elegant building in Amposta the Museu de les Terres de L’Ebre gives an amazing insight into the natural, archaeological and ethnological history of the Ebro Delta (Delta de l’Ebre), from prehistory to the present day, with over 35.000 exhibits.

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Near Alcanar, just south of the Delta the iron-age Iberian village of Moleta del Remei is an enclave of the Iberian tribe of the Ilercavones which was occupied between the 7th and 2nd centuries BC. A strategic point of commercial exchange, between the river Ebro River and the Mediterranean Sea.

More info