Reus Modernist Festival: Complete Guide to the Famous Catalan Modernist Event

Reus is a city intrinsically linked to the Modernist movement. Known worldwide as the birthplace of Antoni Gaudí, the capital of Baix Camp preserves an architectural heritage of incalculable value that extends beyond the genius’s figure. At the beginning of the 20th century, renowned architects such as Lluís Domènech i Montaner and Pere Casellas left their mark, turning the centre of Reus into a veritable open-air museum, with the Modernism Route as its greatest exponent.  

Located near other Costa Dorada destinations such as Salou, Cambrils, La Pineda and Tarragona, Reus becomes the epicentre of Modernism every year with its popular event ‘Reus 1900. Modernist Festival. For several days, the main streets and squares are completely transformed to recreate the atmosphere, social life and aesthetics of the Belle Époque.  

This event is not only a celebration of architecture and history, but also a festive and nostalgic window into the cultural effervescence that defined Catalan Modernism. With the low-cost and sustainable shared transfer services and private transfer services offered by Shuttle2Sun, you can reach Reus from Barcelona Airport, Barcelona Port, Reus Airport, Girona Airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.  

How to Get to Reus from Barcelona Airport, Reus Airport and Camp de Tarragona Station  

To ensure that your visit to the Reus Modernist Festival is perfect, the best choice is a direct transfer. Shuttle2Sun offers the most comfortable and efficient solution for visitors arriving in the province, whether by air to nearby airports such as Barcelona Airport and Reus Airport, or by high-speed train to the Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.  

Shared transfer services are the most low-cost option, ideal for travellers looking for the best price for their connection to Reus. However, for those who prioritise exclusivity, private transfer services guarantee maximum comfort, offering direct, door-to-door service to your accommodation in the centre of Reus with no intermediate stops. By booking your trip in advance through Shuttle2Sun, you can be sure of a comfortable and easy transfer from your point of arrival to the historic heart of the city. 

Dates and Highlights of the Reus Modernist Festival  

The third edition of “Reus 1900. Modernist Festival” will be held on October 10th, 11th and 12th. This historical re-enactment, now established as an essential event in the festive calendar, seeks to immerse visitors in the social and cultural life of the period, encouraging everyone to dress in the typical clothing of the time.  

Reus Modernist Festival

The Casa Navàs in Reus, the Star of the Festival  

Casa Navàs is the heart of Modernism in Reus and the epicentre of this October’s event. Designed by the master Lluís Domènech i Montaner (the same architect who designed the Palau de la Música Catalana and the Hospital de Sant Pau in Barcelona), this house is considered the only Modernist work in Europe that preserves all its original interiors practically intact. 

Commissioned by businessman Joaquim Navàs, the house was conceived as a showcase for the opulence and art of the period. Visitors can admire its rich details: from the spectacular carved woodwork and exquisite floral decoration in stucco and mosaic to its iconic stained-glass windows.  

During the Modernist Festival, Casa Navàs transcends its function as a museum to become a vibrant theatrical and social setting, allowing visitors not only to admire the architecture, but also to experience, through its shows “El Gran Menú” and “Entreteles”, the daily life of its former owners and employees.  

Transfer from Barcelona Airport to Reus Shuttle2Sun

Theatrical Tour ‘El Gran Menú’ 

During the weekend of the festival, the main floor of Casa Navàs comes to life with the newly created theatrical tour ‘El Gran Menú’. The plot is set in the early 20th century, when Joaquim Navàs and Pepa Blasco receive special guests at Casa Navàs.

Through the interaction between the characters, including a professor of protocol, visitors will not only discover the dazzling modernist architecture of the main floor, but also learn in a fun way about the protocol and challenges of preparing a French-style banquet of the era.  

‘Entreteles’ Show  

Another of the great activities programmed at Casa Navàs is the re-release of the show ‘Entreteles’. This play allows visitors to enter the historic textile shop of Casa Navàs, specifically in a place that until now had not been open to the public: the back room. ‘Entreteles’ recreates the daily life, routines and dynamics between the different social classes that coexisted in a business that was so crucial to Reus in 1900.  

Other Notable Activities  

Beyond the central experience of Casa Navàs, ‘Reus 1900. Modernist Festival’ completely transforms the main squares and streets of the historic centre to ensure total immersion. 

The essence of the festival lies in the continuous re-enactments and street theatre that takes place in Plaça del Mercadal and Plaça de Prim, where actors and extras from local groups perform everyday scenes from the period. One of the most eagerly awaited moments is the “Desfilada de Lluïment”, a popular parade that encourages all attendees to join in by wearing period clothing, showcasing the fashion and different social classes of modernist Reus.  

Numerous dramatised and dynamic tours are also scheduled in other emblematic modernist buildings, such as the magnificent Institut Pere Mata, the Gaudí Centre, the Palau Bofarull and the Casa Gasull, allowing the public to learn about their history and architecture in a fun way. Furthermore, as the central theme of this edition, gastronomy takes centre stage with cooking demonstrations, tastings and access to historic sites such as the Estació Enològica, ensuring a complete, historical and festive experience.  

The Reus Modernist Festival is an unmissable invitation to travel back in time and relive the splendour of the Belle Époque; an experience that combines historical immersion and admiration for architecture. Remember that Shuttle2Sun offers you its shared transfer services and private transfer services, which are low-cost and sustainable, so you can travel to Reus from Barcelona Airport, Barcelona Port, Reus Airport, Girona Airport and the Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.