In 2025, the Parc Natural dels Ports covers 63.5 percent of the municipality of Arnés. The natural area provides an important setting for a stay; at the same time, places to visit, a literary route and historic buildings shape the options available. To plan your trip, you can first consider whether you would like to focus primarily on the landscape, a particular excursion or local history.

Els Ports and nature spots

Visitors can take trips from Arnés to the Estrets d’Arnes. El Pimpoll offers a different connection with nature: the tree is located in the Els Ports natural area and has been designated a monumental tree by the Generalitat de Catalunya. This offers a choice between an excursion destination and a specific, named natural monument as two distinct nature-focused themes.

At the recreation area by the Algars River near Arnés, close to the Santa Madrona hermitage, an easy path leads to the small La Palanca reservoir, where swimming is possible. This option combines a walk with a swimming destination. The Estrets d’Arnes are another focus for excursions. The comparison can help you choose: La Palanca is associated with both a walk and swimming, while the trip to the Estrets leads to a different natural destination.

A literary trail

The literary route “Les bruixes d’Arnes” is inspired by David Martí’s novel of the same name. Its theme differs from the nature spots: here, the literary connection takes centre stage. The route therefore offers a distinct perspective for travellers who do not want to make their choices based solely on landscapes and buildings.

Historic ensemble and buildings

On 20 January 1992, the Generalitat de Catalunya declared the historic ensemble of Arnés a cultural asset of cultural interest in the “historic ensemble” category. At the parish church of Santa Magdalena, a sequence of historical periods can be seen: the Baroque church was built in 1693 over the ruins of a Gothic church. This building brings Baroque architecture together with the remains of an earlier Gothic structure.

The Povet de la Neu is a circular stone icehouse dating from the 17th to 18th centuries; several information panels explain how it worked. Unlike the parish church, the focus here is on the icehouse’s former function. The two buildings thus offer different ways to explore local history: through a succession of building phases or through the purpose of a historic structure.

The Santa Madrona hermitage can also be appreciated for its architecture. It consists of a single rectangular nave, a three-sided polygonal apse and a gallery. Here, the focus is on the layout of the building, while Santa Magdalena invites a historical comparison through its building history and the remains of its earlier Gothic structure. Another Gothic building in Arnés is the castle at the intersection of Carrer Onze de Setembre and Carrer Major.

Discover more destinations: La Pobla De Montornès, Cambrils, Camarles, Miravet, Santa Bàrbara, Albinyana, Vandellòs, Alforja

For the broader travel overview: Tarragona.