landmark
Montserrat Monastery
A Benedictine abbey nestled among surreal serrated rock pinnacles, home to the revered Black Madonna and a renowned boys' choir.
15 km · about 30 min drive
EuropeSpainCatalonia
Terrassa
Catalonia, Spain · Europe
About Terrassa
Terrassa works well as a base: 5 minutes from Matadepera, 22km from Basílica de la Sagrada Família.
Terrassa is in Catalonia, Spain, with about 220,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Matadepera, about 4 km away.
Terrassa (Catalan pronunciation: [təˈrasə], Spanish: Tarrasa) is a city in the autonomous community of Catalonia in Spain, in the province of Barcelona. It is one of the two capitals of Vallès Occidental county, being the larger in both area and population, 70.12 km2 (27.07 sq mi) and 228,294 respectively.
The nameRead more
Terrassa derives from Latin Terracia, either from earlier Terracium castellum (“earthen castle”), or meaning "terrace", "area of flat land". Historically, the name of the city has been spelled Terraça, Terraza, Terraca and Tarrassa in the native Catalan language whilst it was traditionally spelled Tarrasa in Spanish. The Spanish spelling is now largely out of use given its ties with the Francoist Regime and the sole official spelling has been the Catalan Terrassa since 1978.
Terrassa is known for its industrial past and present, its lively cultural scene, its industrial modernist architecture, its status as a "City of Film" and as the seat of several universities such as UPC, ESCAC, Institut del Teatre and EUIT. It was also awarded in 2024 the Council of Europe's "The Europe Prize" for cities with an outstanding commitment to European values.
It is the site of Roman Egara, a former Visigothic bishopric, which became a Latin Catholic titular see. Since 2004, it has been the see of a bishopric.
The city is located in the Catalan Prelitoral depression (Depressió Prelitoral), at the feet of the Prelitoral mountain range (natural reserve of Sant Llorenç del Munt) and the average altitude of the city is 277 meters above sea level. It is 20 and 18 kilometres from Barcelona and Montserrat respectively. Terrassa's location as the most-inland city in the Barcelona Metropolitan Region means it is sometimes referred to as the "entrance to Central Catalonia".
As of 2024, Terrassa is the third largest city in Catalonia, after Barcelona and l'Hospitalet de Llobregat. Terrassa is also the largest municipality in what is considered the second most important urban, economic and cultural center of Catalonia, the Vallès region.
Where to Stay in Terrassa
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Terrassa?
Within an hour or so of Terrassa: Montserrat Monastery (15 km), Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (20 km), Park Güell (20 km), Basílica de la Sagrada Família (22 km).
Are there any good drives near Terrassa?
The nearest famous roads are Costa Brava, Port d'Envalira and Coll d'Ordino.
Where is Terrassa?
Terrassa is in Catalonia, Spain, about 4 km from Matadepera.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 218,535
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Spain
- Region
- Catalonia
- Timezone
- Europe/Madrid
- Coordinates
- 41.5667, 2.0167
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Spain
Guardia Civil (traffic police): 062. Two warning triangles required in vehicles.
Full driving guide for SpainTags
Worth the detour from Terrassa
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
racetrack
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Home of the Spanish Grand Prix at Montmeló near Barcelona; its blend of fast sweeps and slow corners made it Formula 1's favourite pre-season testing venue.
20 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Park Güell
Gaudí's whimsical public park in Barcelona filled with colourful mosaic tilework and organic architectural forms.
20 km · about 25 min drive
cathedral
Basílica de la Sagrada Família
Gaudí's unfinished modernist basilica, Barcelona's most iconic landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
22 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Casa Batlló
Gaudí's fantastical apartment building in Barcelona with a skeletal facade, coloured tiles, and a dragon-scale roof.
23 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
La Boqueria Market
Vibrant public market off La Rambla in Barcelona bursting with colourful fresh produce, seafood, and Catalan delicacies.
24 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
Museu de la Moto Barcelona
Barcelona's motorcycle museum showcasing the rich heritage of Spanish and international motorcycle manufacturing.
24 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
Aquarium Barcelona
Port Vell aquarium with the world's largest Mediterranean-themed exhibit and an 80-metre underwater glass tunnel.
25 km · about 30 min drive
Driving in Spain
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.55/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€4.00/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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