Girona Day Trip: Banyoles, Besalú & a Volcanic Crater, Barcelona

Not many know that the province of Girona is a volcanic region—historic and dormant, of course. With a private guide, you'll explore the area, visiting its charming medieval villages, including Besalú with its famous Romanesque bridge and Castellfollit de la Roca uniquely set atop a cliff. You'll also visit Europe's largest Jewish baths and a hermitage set within a volcanic crater, among other unique sites. This is an excellent cultural and historical day trip from Barcelona.

Enjoy exploring some of the lesser-known areas of Catalonia within the province of Girona, home to some of the region's most charming medieval villages. Your day starts bright and early to make the most of your time, as your driver and guide will pick you up from your accommodation in Barcelona at 8:30 am. From there, you'll set off into the picturesque countryside, with your first destination being Besalú. This initial stretch is just over one hour, and your guide is happy to share details about your day as you drive.

The medieval village of Besalú is famous for its iconic Romanesque bridge, standing almost 100 feet (30 m) tall and stretching about 350 feet (105 m) long across the Fluvià River. It has seven beautiful arches and a defense tower. After crossing the bridge, enjoy walking among the cobbled streets of Besalú's medieval maze. The town also has a unique Jewish heritage in Catalonia, and you'll visit Europe's largest Jewish bath, called Miqvé, and the remains of a 13th-century synagogue.

After about one hour in Besalú, you'll continue to your next stop, the enchanting clifftop town of Castellfollit de la Roca, famous for its terraced houses and picturesque church. You might recognize the village once you arrive, as it's one of the most photographed in Catalonia. From the top of the town, you'll enjoy vistas of the Fluvià and Toronell river valleys. Next, walk about 30 minutes (weather permitting) to the Romanesque Hermitage of Santa Margarida, located inside a volcanic crater.

A little after 1:00 pm, you'll arrive in the village of Santa Pau, known for its medieval walls, a unique maze of streets, and beautiful historical buildings. The entire town is one of Spain's official Sites of Historic and Artistic Interest, and it's easy to see why. The village's claim to local fame is its renowned Santa Pau beans, unique in flavor thanks to the area's volcanic soil. After a guided walk in Santa Pau, you'll have time to enjoy lunch on your own, tasting some of these beans if you wish. Your guide will give you plenty of recommendations for eateries.

The day's final stop is Lake Banyoles, Catalonia's largest lake and the second-largest natural lake on the Iberian Peninsula. You'll arrive around 3:45 pm and have about 45 minutes to walk around and enjoy the vistas. Your guide will share the lake's rich history, explain why it's such an important symbol of Catalan identity, and detail a few fun legends about its waters.

The drive back to Barcelona takes about 1.5 hours, so you'll arrive at your hotel around 6:00 pm.