Description
The Former Bot Railway Station is one of the most distinctive heritage sites along the Val de Zafán Greenway as it passes through the Terra Alta. Located on the outskirts of Bot, the site preserves several features of the former railway complex. Today, this railway heritage forms part of an area dedicated to cycling, walking and exploring the surrounding region.
One of its most characteristic features is a restored German railbus, installed beside the former station. It currently houses a café-bar, with a terrace and outdoor bar area. In addition, the site provides tourist information related to the Greenway.
Former Bot Railway Station and the Val de Zafán line
The history of the Former Bot Railway Station is closely linked to the Val de Zafán railway, which connected Aragon with the Terres de l’Ebre. The railway complex dates from 1942, when the line entered service as far as Tortosa. Later, railway operations ceased and the former track was eventually converted into a Greenway.
As a result, the station is now a visible reminder of Bot’s railway past. The MNACTEC includes it in the Museu al Carrer project as an example of Catalonia’s historic railway heritage.
A railbus converted into a café-bar
The regeneration of the site for tourism has incorporated a particularly distinctive feature: a restored German ex-DB 771 railbus. Today, the vehicle operates as a café-bar. In this way, the railway heritage remains present in a space designed as a stopping point along the route.
The Spanish Railways Foundation also documents the restoration, in 2016, of the station’s former service building for new tourism-related uses. Furthermore, the site serves as an information point for the Greenway and as a space associated with cycling activities.
Railway heritage and historical memory
The station is also connected with the memory of the Battle of the Ebro. In fact, Terres de l’Ebre Turisme includes it among the sites associated with this important historical event. Therefore, a stop here offers an opportunity to combine railway heritage with other cultural and historical attractions in the Terra Alta.
Meanwhile, there are plans to restore the former passenger building. Information published by Vías Verdes and updated in March 2025 indicated plans to convert it into a hostel and municipal residential centre for groups. However, until completion of the project is officially confirmed, these facilities should not be considered operational.
A stop along the Greenway
The station stands directly beside the Val de Zafán Greenway, making it a particularly convenient stopping point on a journey through the Terra Alta. In addition, its proximity to the village makes it easy to combine the route with a visit to Bot.
Finally, the Former Bot Railway Station shows how former railway infrastructure can acquire a new role in tourism. Its railway heritage, restored railbus and location on the Greenway make it a distinctive place to discover the history and landscapes of the Terra Alta.