Spain is culture

The Via Augusta was the longest road in all of ancient Hispania, extending over 1,500 kilometres from the Pyrenees, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, to Cadiz, in the south of Spain. Although many of its original sections are now roads and are not passable on foot, if you dare to travel part of this route, you can walk through points that do coincide with the old itinerary of the Roman road.

In addition to its culture appeal, along the way you can find at least 96 monuments and beautiful landscapes that you can walk, horse ride or cycle ride. Choose the sections that you like the most or create your personalised route: its low height difference makes it easy. Also, the mild Mediterranean climate means you can make this trip practically at any time of the year. Below you can find a list of its most outstanding points, where nature and culture combine.

Vineyards in Catalonia

Through an authentic natural corridor, used by the Roman emperor Augustus between the years 2 and 8 BC, you can begin your tour of Catalonia. For almost 700 kilometres, the road goes through Girona, Barcelona and Tarragona. Take the time to appreciate the vineyards while enjoying monuments dating from the ancient Roman Empire such as the Arc de Barà, in Roda de Barà (Tarragona). Precisely in Tarragona – which the Romans called Tarraco – there is an impressive archaeological site, awarded the World Heritage designation by the UNESCO, and located very close to the Via Augusta.

The Region of Valencia, on the shores of the Mediterranean

The next big area is Castellón, Valencia and Alicante, in the region of Valencia. The route is 425 kilometres long and much of it takes place less than 25 kilometres from the Mediterranean Sea. Remains of mansions, bridges and monumental arches like Cabanes (Castellón) come your way on an unforgettable journey that runs through places such as Javea and Elche (Alicante) and Sagunto (Valencia), where you can visit its Roman Theatre. Fruit trees, especially orange trees, will follow you along the way. And you cannot miss the magnificent landscapes that surround the Via Augusta, such as the Desert de les Palmes in Castellón, and the natural reserves of Albufera in Valencia and Carrascal de la Font Roja in Alicante.

In Andalusia...

The third stage of this ancient route takes place in Andalusia and runs through Jaen, Cordoba, Seville and Cadiz, following the course of the Guadalquivir river. The first pleasant surprise is in Linares (Jaen), where you can find the Roman ruins of Castulo. However, one of the best preserved as well as the most fascinating section runs from Seville to Carmona. There, discover Roman necropolis and the Puerta de Sevilla.

After touring part of the marshland, the mountainous area of Sierra Morena and the vineyards of southern Spain, you reach Cadiz, where the estuary the Guadalquivir river in Sanlucar de Barrameda puts an end to an unforgettable journey along the Via Augusta – a window open to the past.