Free walking tours in Igualada and what to see

Must-sees

Igualada is the capital of the Anoia area, about sixty kilometres from Barcelona, and owes much of its history to leather tanning and textiles. The best place to understand this is the Rec quarter, by the old irrigation channel, where the old tanneries survive. There you will find the Museu de la Pell, which explains the tanning process and the town's industrial past.

In the centre, the basilica of Santa Maria and the shopping streets of the old town stand out. For lovers of contemporary architecture, the Cementiri Nou, designed by Enric Miralles and Carme Pinós, is a surprising visit, dug into the ground and widely studied. In summer, Igualada hosts a well-known hot-air balloon festival that fills the sky with colour.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free walking tours in Igualada. The activity you can book is a balloon ride over Igualada, which takes off at dawn and offers views of the area and, in good weather, of Montserrat. The town has a long tradition of balloon flights. To explore the old town and the Rec quarter, the tourist office and the Museu de la Pell will point you in the right direction.

How long to spend

Allow half a day for the centre, the Rec quarter and the museum. If you add the Cementiri Nou, give it the full day. For the balloon flight, it is best to sleep in town the night before, as flights start very early. From Igualada you can also visit Montserrat or the medieval villages of the area.

Where to stay

The most convenient option is to stay in the centre of Igualada, near the Rambla and the old town, where there are a few hotels and apartments and everything is within walking distance. Choice is not large, so in summer, during the balloon festival, book well in advance. As an alternative, there are rural houses in the Anoia villages and around Montserrat.