Just a few minutes from Tarragona lies a corner of the Mediterranean that has retained its unspoilt character, where visitors can enjoy a setting that is hard to match: a medieval castle perched above the cliffs overlooking a small cove of crystal-clear water.
This is Cala Jovera, a small natural paradise beside Tamarit Castle, one of the most striking landscapes on the Costa Dorada.
This is what it's like to swim next to an 11th-century fortress
The first thing that catches your attention on arrival is the silhouette of Tamarit Castle. Built in the 11th century to protect the coastline from attacks arriving by sea, it still overlooks this stretch of coast from its rocky promontory.
The view is unforgettable: a small beach barely 90 metres long, crystal-clear water shimmering in shades of turquoise and, above it, a medieval fortress that looks as though it belongs on a postcard.
An American millionaire rescued the castle
The castle owes its current appearance to an American millionaire. In 1916, Charles Deering, one of Chicago's leading industrialists with ties to the agricultural machinery sector, discovered Tamarit through the painter Ramón Casas.
Captivated by the setting and the Mediterranean light, he decided to transform the ruins of the old castle into his residence. To achieve this, he commissioned artist and developer Miquel Utrillo to oversee the restoration. Utrillo had also been involved in some of Catalonia's most important Modernist projects.
Thanks to this restoration, the castle regained its splendour, incorporating Romantic and Modernist influences that continue to define its appearance today.
Although the building remains privately owned, swimming next to it is accessible to everyone. Currently, the castle hosts events and weddings.
An almost untouched cove nestled among pine trees and rocks
Reaching Cala Jovera is all part of the experience. Access is via a path that begins at nearby Tamarit beach and winds through a landscape of white pines and limestone rocks, offering sweeping sea views along the way.
At the end of the trail, a small secluded cove comes into view. The sound of the sea, the surrounding vegetation and the exceptionally calm waters, sheltered by a rocky outcrop, create a peaceful atmosphere. This natural protection also makes the cove an excellent choice for families with young children. Pebbles and gravel replace fine sand, reinforcing the feeling of discovering a largely untouched corner of the coast.
A castle steeped in legend
Like many medieval fortresses, Tamarit Castle has inspired its own collection of stories and legends. Local tradition says that bells ring out on stormy nights in memory of the victims of ancient plague outbreaks.
Other tales claim that smugglers spread stories of witches and mysterious apparitions to keep curious locals away while they carried out their activities in the cove under the cover of darkness.
