Major city · Spain
Santes Creus
Go for half a day: the Cistercian monastery and the riverside grove are the whole visit. Sleep in Valls, Montblanc or Tarragona, not here.
Santes Creus is a hamlet of about 170 people in the Alt Camp county of Tarragona province, and its one big sight is the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Santes Creus, founded in 1168 and part of the Cistercian Route with Poblet and Vallbona de les Monges. The village is small enough to walk in ten minutes, so most travellers come for a half day from Tarragona, Valls or Montblanc, or stop here on the GR-175 long-distance trail. There is very little accommodation and few places to eat, so treat it as a visit, not a base.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (inland heat), and Monday, when the monastery is closed
- Airports
- REU · BCN
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 9Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Iberia ↗Plan meals on the Iberian clock: Spanish kitchens serve lunch from about 13:30–14:00 and dinner from 20:30–21:00; Portugal eats an hour or so earlier. Early evenings are for tapas or petiscos, not full meals.
- Iberia ↗Inland Spain and Portugal (Seville, Córdoba, Madrid, the Alentejo) pass 40 °C in heatwaves from late June to August: sightsee before 11:00 and after 18:00, and keep July–August for the coasts and the green north.
- Iberia ↗Andorra and Gibraltar have their own border and customs rules and are reached only through Spain (or France for Andorra); read their pages before adding them, especially if you hold a limited Schengen visa.
- Spain ↗Spain is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Spain ↗High-speed trains have airport-style baggage screening at the station and boarding gates that close a few minutes before departure: arrive early.
- Spain ↗Carry your passport or ID: police may ask for it, and hotels must register every guest's document.
- Spain ↗The Alhambra in Granada and the Sagrada Família in Barcelona sell timed tickets that sell out weeks ahead in season; book on the official sites before you fix your dates.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Santes Creus112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Santes Creus, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Spain-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckEU and EEA plans roam at home prices; UK and other plans may charge — check before you land.Spain-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe across the mainland; it tastes of chlorine in some coastal areas.Spain-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or 5–10% for good service; service is not usually added.Spain-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Spain-wide
- SafetyVery safe: this is a small village with almost no street crime.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFew public toilets; use bars and cafés (buy a coffee).Spain-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All services (police, fire, ambulance) · 091 National police · 062 Guardia Civil (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSmall shops close about 14:00–17:00 and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Small shops close about 2:00 PM–5:00 PM and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Spain-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportREU Reus (About 42 km (26 mi) by the C-14, C-37 and C-51 roads; small airport with limited routes.).REU Reus (About 26 mi (42 km) by the C-14, C-37 and C-51 roads; small airport with limited routes.).
- Getting aroundWalk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3)
- Beerbar€2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5)
- Museum or sight ticketMonastery entrycheck€6 (≈ US$7)
- Budget bedHostel bed (Alberg Pere el Gran), a night, per person€20 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedHostal double room, a night, per room€75 (≈ US$90)
- High-end bedHostal double room, a night, per room€110 (≈ US$130)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €45 (≈ US$55) · Mid €85 (≈ US$100) · High €150 (≈ US$180)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- REU Reus (About 42 km (26 mi) by the C-14, C-37 and C-51 roads; small airport with limited routes.) · BCN Barcelona El Prat (About 90 km (56 mi) by the C-32, AP-7 and AP-2; the usual arrival for international flights.)REU Reus (About 26 mi (42 km) by the C-14, C-37 and C-51 roads; small airport with limited routes.) · BCN Barcelona El Prat (About 56 mi (90 km) by the C-32, AP-7 and AP-2; the usual arrival for international flights.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Mar
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Apr (7 rain days), driest Jul (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Santes Creus: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 rd
Feb
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
5 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
5 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
5 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk. The monastery, the square, the parking areas and the riverside grove are all within about ten minutes on foot. Two free car parks serve the village: one on the TV-2441 next to the centre, one on Carrer dels Avellaners about a ten-minute walk from the monastery. Without a car you depend on the Autocars La Plana line from Valls toward el Pont d'Armentera, so check the timetable before you commit.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Poblet Monastery
goDoor to door: About 45 min by car
Car by the C-14 and local roads, or a GR-175 stage on foot
UNESCO-listed Cistercian abbey, still home to monks; the grandest of the three.
Vallbona de les Monges
goDoor to door: About 1 h by car
Car via Montblanc and the N-240 corridor
Cistercian nunnery, still active; the third monastery of the route.
Montblanc
goDoor to door: About 40 min by car
Car by the C-14, or the GR-175 trail
Walled medieval town with a Jewish quarter; the usual start of the Cistercian Route.
Tarragona
goDoor to door: About 45 min by car
Car by the AP-2 and A-27, or bus via Valls
Roman Tarraco, UNESCO-listed, with the widest choice of hotels and food.
Valls
goDoor to door: About 20 min by car
Car by the C-14, or the Autocars La Plana bus
Nearest rail station and the home of castells and calçotades.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Santes Creus village
One hostel (Alberg Pere el Gran) and a hostal with rooms; book ahead or you will be driving out at night.
Valls
About 12 km (7.5 mi) away and the nearest rail station with a bus link; the practical base if you have no car.About 7.5 mi (12 km) away and the nearest rail station with a bus link; the practical base if you have no car.
Montblanc
Walled town on the R14 line from Barcelona, the usual start of the Cistercian Route stages.
Tarragona
About 40 km (25 mi); Roman city with the widest choice of hotels and the easiest public transport.About 25 mi (40 km); Roman city with the widest choice of hotels and the easiest public transport.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €40–70 (≈ US$50–85) excl. bed
- Mid
- €70–120 (≈ US$85–140) excl. bed
- High
- €120 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostal double room1 × 1 night × €75 | €75 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €85 | €170 |
| Monastery entry2 × €6 · check | €12 |
| Guided monastery visit2 × €10 · check; book by email or phone | €20 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10 | €20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €30 |
| Trip total≈ €164 per person per day, bed included | €327≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in euros; transport to the village excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Menu del dia at lunchThe village restaurants start around €18; Cal Mosso from about €50. | €18–30 (≈ US$25–35) |
| Carquinyolis biscuits, 250 g | €4–8 (≈ US$5–10) |
| Monastery entrycheck | €6 (≈ US$7) |
| Beer, bar | €2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Taxi Valls → Santes Creuscheck; agree the fare first | €20–30 (≈ US$25–35) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The monastery closes on Mondays except public holidays, and on 25–26 December and 1 and 6 January.
- Sunday and public-holiday hours end at 15:00, so an afternoon arrival on those days fails.Sunday and public-holiday hours end at 3:00 PM, so an afternoon arrival on those days fails.
- Village restaurants are few and fill at lunch; book or eat in Valls.
- Summer inland temperatures climb; the cloister and church offer little shade outdoors.
- Bus frequencies on the Valls line are low: check the return times before you go.
Emergency numbers
- All services (police, fire, ambulance)
- 112
- National police
- 091
- Guardia Civil
- 062
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Santes CreusSantes Creus
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A aquesta adreça, si us plauTo this address, please
Emergency
- All services112
- National police091
- Guardia Civil062
Embassy
No embassies here; the US consulate general is in Barcelona, and most embassies are in Madrid.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Monastery entry: €6 (≈ US$7) (check)
- Bus Valls → Santes Creus, Autocars La Plana: about €2–3 (≈ US$3–4), low frequency (check)
- Taxi Valls → Santes Creus: €20–30 (≈ US$25–35) (check)
Say or show
- Bon dia — Good morning (bon dee-ah)
- Gràcies — Thank you (grah-see-es)
- Quant costa? — How much is it? (kwant kos-tah)
- El compte, si us plau — The bill, please (el kom-tuh, see oos plow)
- On és el monestir? — Where is the monastery? (on es el moo-nes-teer)
- Puc pagar amb targeta? — Can I pay by card? (pook pah-gar am tar-zheh-tah)
Catalan is the everyday language; Spanish works everywhere.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Santes Creus. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (inland heat), and Monday, when the monastery is closed · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for REU and BCN: last train and bus times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Monastery page with verified opening hours, closing days and guided-visit booking contact.
- Eat pages for the three village restaurants with last orders and lunch cutoffs.
- Cistercian Route stage pages for the GR-175 legs into and out of Santes Creus.