A lot of people visit Barcelona and Costa Brava every year; however, many fewer people visit the Spanish Pyrenees of Catalonia. This lesser known region of Spain offers a perfect place to escape from the often crowded coast, whether you visit it in conjunction with the more popular spots or dedicate an entire trip to this region.
Here in the Spanish Pyrenees you’ll find several ski resorts, a network of hiking trails and cycling paths, extinct volcanoes, hearty Catalan food, medieval towns, and rich cultural attractions.
The Spanish Pyrenees of Catalonia is a great region for those wanting to get out and explore nature, enjoy the peaceful rural countryside, or hideout in the mountains. On the other hand it also offers a plethora of outdoor activities, museums, festivals, hot air balloon rides, and a seemingly infinite amount of quaint Romanesque churches.
This guide will cover how to get to the Spanish Pyrenees region, how to explore the area, and a comprehensive guide of what do in the Spanish Pyrenees of Catalonia. Specifically we explore the three comarques (or counties) of la Garrotxa, el Ripollès, and la Cerdanya.
Table of Contents:
Planning your Trip to the Spanish Pyrenees of Catalonia
We’ll share how to get to the Spanish Pyrenees of Catalonia, best ways to get around the region, discuss the best times of the year to visit, where to stay, and also provide additional travel resources.
Getting to the Spanish Pyrenees from Barcelona or Girona
If you are flying, the two major airports in the area are the Barcelona Airport (largest airport) and Girona Airport. If you are traveling by train, Barcelona is a major destination and easy to get to from cities across Europe. Barcelona is also a major cruise port and you can get bus connections here from just about anywhere in Europe as well.
From Barcelona or Girona, there are connections to the Catalan Pyrenees region by car, bus, train, taxi, or rideshare. Check here for train service information and here for bus info on the Teisa Bus website. If you are planning to ski, there is also a ski bus in the winter from Barcelona to La Molina and Masella (the Skibus ALP 2500 bus) that takes about 2 hours.
For those who are driving from Barcelona or Girona to the Spanish Pyrenees, it is about a 1 hour to 3 hour drive depending on where you are headed. From Barcelona, it is an approximate 1 hour 45 minute drive to Olot, 1 hr. 30 min drive to Ripoll, and a 2 hour drive to Puigcerdà. From Girona, it is an approximate 50 minute drive to Olot, 1 hr. 20 min drive to Ripoll, and a 2 hour 30 minute drive to Puigcerdà You’ll need to allow more time depending on things like traffic around Barcelona and winter road conditions.
Getting around the Spanish Pyrenees Region
It depends of course where you are coming from and where you are heading, but you can get around the Catalan Pyrenees region by car, bus, train, taxi, or bike. I personally would recommend either driving or taking buses depending on the type of trip you are wanting to do.
The bus service is pretty good to most of the cities and larger towns of the region, use the helpful Teisa Bus website to check on routes, times, and fares. However, bus service may not get you to all the small towns, trailheads, and nature parks you want to visit, so be sure to check bus schedules to make sure your trip is possible or be prepared to take taxis to cover any gaps.
Train service is very limited within the Girona Pyrenees (check here for train service information) and you’ll likely need to combine train with bus service to get around the region.
Bike transfers are possible as well for those who want to come out by bus or train and then do a biking trip, check with local bike rental shops to schedule transfers. You can join a self-guided or guided bike tour as well, and you can check on some options here.
Guided tours are also possible, and there are a number of day tours from both Barcelona and Girona which include some of the highlights of the Girona Pyrenees. See the Guided Day Trips section below for more information.
Understanding the Geography of the Region
A quick bit of geography as it is a bit complicated to explain even what region we are referring to as it encompasses parts of the Pyrenees mountains, Catalonia, and the province of Girona; however, we cover none of these in their entirety!
The Pyrenees extends for about 300 miles (490 km) from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean Sea, running through Spain, France, and Andorra, and the mountains form a natural border between France and Spain. So the Pyrenees covers a very large area and even within the Spanish Pyrenees they run through a number of areas of Spain (Catalonia, Aragon, Navarre, and Basque).
Obviously this post will not cover the entire Pyrenees region, so we’ll be focusing on only those parts of the Pyrenees in Catalonia in this post and specifically those within the province of Girona. The areas within Girona we visited were the comarques (similar to counties) of la Garrotxa, el Ripollès, and the eastern part of la Cerdanya (also known as Baixa Cerdanya, the county is split between Girona and Llieda provinces).
These areas close to both Barcelona and Girona, and are convenient for those coming from Barcelona or the Costa Brava area. When I was thinking about trip planning and in how to break up sections of the trip, I found it helpful to look at information by each of the three comarques: Garrotxa, Ripollès, and Cerdanya.
Guided Day Trips to the Pyrenees
If you don’t want to drive or take public transportation, or have limited time, a guided tour can be a good option. There are a number of guided day tours from both Barcelona and Girona that include many of the highlights of the Pyrenees.
Here are a several tour options from Barcelona:
- This full day tour from Barcelona has you hiking from Queralbs to Núria, one of the most iconic hiking routes in Catalonia.
- This small group tour from Barcelona includes a drive through the La Garrotxa Volcanic Park and stops in the medieval villages of Castellfollit de la Roca, Besalú, and Santa Pau.
- This full-day tour is focused on hiking within the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, a 3-course restaurant lunch, stops at waterfalls, and visits to Castellfollit de la Roca and Besalú.
- This full day tour includes time in Vic, Queralbs and the Vall de Núria.
- This private tour includes a hot air balloon ride over the Volcanic Park, brunch, and a visit to the medieval village of Besalú.
Here are a few tour options from Girona:
- This day tour from Girona includes a visit to the Monastery in Ripoll, Castellfollit de la Roca, and Besalú.
- This tour includes hiking within the La Garrotxa Volcanic Park, a packed lunch, a waterfall, and visits to the towns of Santa Pau and Banyoles.
- This small group tour includes stops in Castellfollit de la Roca, Besalú, and Banyoles
Language Spoken in the Girona Pyrenees
Most people in the area speak Spanish and Catalan. French is probably the most popular third language spoken here. English and German are fourth languages, and you can often find tourism materials in these five languages. This also reflects the tourists who visit the Pyrenees which tend to be primarily Catalan, French, and Spanish.
Although those running hotels and other tourist oriented businesses often speak English (or at least some English), we’d recommend learning a few essential phrases in Catalan or Spanish, or have a translation guide or app handy.
We were often presented with menus in Catalan with no English translations in smaller villages and less tourist focused places, and many people in the smaller villages of the Pyrenees speak limited English.
If you are visiting the Pyrenees on a day trip, you probably won’t notice any language issues. But if you stay longer and explore a bit out of the main tourist area, you probably will. But the people here are generally friendly and patient, and in one case, the restaurant owner actually went online and had the menu translated by Google into English and printed just for us!
Best Time to Visit the Spanish Pyrenees
It is hard to say what is the best season but we would probably personally say Fall (autumn) or Spring as temperatures are generally pleasant, it’s less crowded, it is a great time for hiking and cycling, and most of the attractions will be open.
Summer brings warmer temperatures, longer amounts of daylight, more festivals, and attractions will all be open. However, it also brings more crowds, higher lodging prices, and can be very hot.
However, those looking for snow holidays will want to visit in winter. Winter is best for those who enjoy skiing and winter sports as well as those who enjoy the holidays. It is also a pretty quiet time of the year (minus Christmas and festival events) and although the ski resorts can get busy, especially on the weekends, they are not nearly as crowded as many ski destinations in France and Switzerland.
Downsides to winter are that it is cold, mountain roads can get bad in the winter (have tire chains/cables with you), and many places can be closed or have more limited winter hours. Typically snow levels for skiing and snowboarding are best from mid-December through March in this region, but do check the snow and ski forecast ahead before you go.
Where to Stay in the Pyrenees?
You’ll find a variety of accommodation options in the Girona Pyrenees that range from hostels and rural farm stays to hotels and ski resorts. Most places offers a very good value in the Pyrenees and it is easy to find something to suit almost any travel budget.
In terms of where to stay within the area, we’d recommend choosing one base to explore the region rather than multiple hotels if most of the places you plan to visit are within a relatively short drive of each other. Then you can make day trips.
We recommend choosing the location based on what you plan to see and do. For example if you plan to go skiing, stay near the ski slopes and if you plan to mostly travel around La Garrotxa, I’d stay somewhere in that region. However, note that no two places are more than 2.5 hours drive apart in the Girona Pyrenees and most destinations are within a 1 hour to 1.5 hour drive of one another.
If you are planning to try to explore all over the Girona Pyrenees, then we’d recommend considering two bases, one in the west (in the La Cerdanya region) and one in the eastern part (in the Garrotxa region). Those who are skiing will likely want to stay close to the ski slopes to make the most of your ski time.
In La Garrotxa, the biggest city is Olot, and you can explore and compare the lodging options in this region. Some suggestions:
- La Rectoria de Sant Miquel – Sant Felíu de Pallarols – A cozy B&B is set in a 12th century rectory offering several guest rooms, friendly service, and meals.
- Hotel Vall de Bas – Joanetes – A large modern rural hotel in a restored farmhouse offers an outdoor swimming pool, breakfast buffet, restaurant, gardens, and terrace.
- Hotel Cal Sastre – Santa Pau – A historical boutique hotel that offers period features, a resturant, and a location in the heart of medieval Santa Pau.
- Els Jardins de la Martana – Besalú – A 3-star hotel offering well-rated rooms, a lounge, library, gardens, and a located next to the medieval bridge of Besalú.
- Les Cols Pavellons – Olot – An upscale hotel offering glass rooms with heated onsen baths, futon mats, private dining options, and lots of little extras for a unique and romantic stay.
In El Ripollès, the biggest city is Ripoll, you can explore and compare the lodging options in this region. Here are some options:
- Hotel & Spa Resguard Dels Vents – Ribes de Freser – A hotel offering modern rooms, a spa, a restaurant, a bar, and swimming pools. Not far from Vall de Núria.
- La Trobada Hotel – Ripoll – A family-run hotel offering good-value simple rooms, buffet breakfast, and a restaurant. A 10 minute walk from the monastery.
- Sercotel Hotel La Collada – Toses – A 4-star hotel offering well-appointed rooms, a spa, pools, restaurants, and a bar within a short drive from the ski resorts of La Molina and Masella.
- Hotel Vall de Núria – Vall de Núria – A simple but comfortable mountain ski hotel next to the Vall de Núria ski resort, offering private rooms, restaurant, cafeteria, and bar. Great location but accessible by rack railway or hiking only.
- Hotelet de Sant Joan – Sant Joan de les Abadesses – A modern but simple hotel offering breakfast and a great location in the city center.
In Baixa Cerdanya, the largest town is Puigcerdà, and you can explore and compare the lodging options in this region. A few suggestions:
- Hotel Bernat de So – Llívia – A lovely boutique hotel with a restaurant and bar offering 21 rooms in a converted farmhouse.
- Hotel Del Prado – Puigcerdà – A large family-run hotel offering comfortable rooms, a swimming pool, a bar, and a restaurant serving regional cuisine. Located just outside of the Puigcerdà city center.
- Mas Sant Marc – Puigcerdà – A rural B&B in a beautiful old farmhouse with bar, lounge, seasonal swimming pool, and activity facilities. Located outside of Puigcerdà.
- Hotel Solineu – La Molina – A 3-star hotel with comfortable rooms, a restaurant, a bar, a spa center, and free DVD rentals. Great location near the La Molina ski resort.
If you have questions about where to stay in the Pyrenees, feel free to ask us. We’ve stayed in the area many times and have stayed at the majority of the suggested hotels and B&B’s listed above.
Finding Further Tourism Information about the Spanish Pyrenees
It is best to search by area for information. Some information is difficult to find in English online as many websites are in Catalan and/or Spanish only but anything you can’t find online or by translating websites, you should be able to find out by visiting, calling, or emailing the local tourism boards.
In la Garrotxa, check out our guide to things to do in La Garrotxa, as well as the official Garrotxa tourism website.
For information about Ripollès, take a look at our guide to what to do in el Ripollès, and the Ripollès area tourism website,
For Cerdanya, check out our article covering the highlights of what to do in La Cerdanya as well as the Cerdanya area website, as well as the city websites for Alp, Puigcerdà and Llívia.
To find out more information about these areas and the larger Girona province check out the very helpful Costa Brava Girona tourism board website to get started as it provides information on all of these comarques and many more.
For those who plan to spend some time in Barcelona, check out the Barcelona Tourism website as well as our suggested 3-day Barcelona itinerary to get you started.
For those exploring other parts of Catalonia, check out the information-packed official Cataluyna tourism website. The Spain tourism website is a great resource for those traveling further about in Spain
If you are looking for a map for driving or planning your time in the Pyrenees, you might try this one or this one. For hiking resources, we can recommend this guide and the local Itinerànnia hiking maps (if you can’t find it online, you can buy them once in the region).
20 Things to Do in the Spanish Pyrenees of Catalonia
Now that you have an idea on how to get here, how to get around, and where exactly you are planning to go, we’ll tell you about all the things to do in the Spanish Pyrenees of Catalonia. These 20 things should help get you started in planning you own itinerary, whether you are heading to the area for a weekend ski trip, a 5-day hiking trip, or a 2-week family summer holiday.
If you have any questions about any of these, just ask us!
Escape from Barcelona and the Coast
Even if your vacation plans include Barcelona and Costa Brava, planning some time in this region is a great way to get off the well-beaten tourist path. We love Barcelona, Girona, and the Costa Brava area—great places for culture, food, coastal hikes, and beaches. However, these places are very popular international tourist destinations and can become very crowded, especially in the summer months.
The Spanish Pyrenees are a perfect place to escape and breathe and is great tourist destination in its own right, and is popular among Catalan, Spanish, and French travelers in particular. Many of those who live in Barcelona and Girona come out to this area for a city break to ski, hike, cycle, attend local festivals, teach their kids about rural life, and stay in second homes.
In Barcelona, the tourism office is actually promoting that visitors leave the city to spend more time in the Pyrenees and countryside as the city center becomes overcrowded in the summer months, frustrating both tourists and locals. The tourist numbers have actually more then quadrupled from 1990 to 2013, making it one of the most visited cities in Europe and busiest European cruise port (loads of cruise visitors flood the city in the daytime).
You certainly won’t find many cruise visitors in the Spanish Pyrenees area and it is easy to find peaceful spots.
Wander Through Medieval Cities
One of the things we love about Costa Brava, and Europe in general, is all the lovely medieval cities. In most of these towns, you can pick up self-guided maps to explore the historical sites and in some you can also book guided walks. Some historical sites in the region date all the way back to Roman times although most are medieval or later.
If you are interested in a guided walk in a particular town or region, I would call or email the local tourism office in advance to schedule it (and specify if you need it in a certain language such as English). Essentially almost any village, town, or city will have some medieval history in this region and you’ll likely to discover some more hidden spots if you look deep enough but I’ll try to note some of the highlights below.
The most popular medieval city of this entire area is probably pretty Besalú in La Garrotxa which is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Catalonia. It is filled with historical buildings and structures such as its lovely medieval bridge over the Fluvià river, the Monastery of Sant Pere, Casa Cornellà, Sant Julià church and hospital, and old Jewish Quarter remains.
Each year Besalú celebrates its medieval past with a Medieval Festival, held in September. While this region in general is not hugely popular with international tourists, Besalú is an exception so expect crowds and tour buses here.
Elsewhere in La Garrotxa, you’ll want to be sure to stop in Santa Pau (follow the town’s recommended walking path noted on placards to see all the wonderful medieval highlights) and Sant Joan les Fonts (medieval highlights are the old Benedictine monastery, medieval bridge, and Juvinyà castle), and with more time explore some of the smaller towns such as tiny El Mallol and precariously perched Castellfollit de Roca.
In El Ripollès, medieval cities you’ll want to consider for your medieval itinerary are Ripoll (highlight is the monumental Santa Maria de Ripoll), Beget (highlights are Sant Cristòfol church and bridge), Camprodon (highlights include the monastery of Sant Pere de Camprodon and medieval bridge Pont Nou), and Sant Joan des les Abadesses (Monastery of Sant Joan de les Abadesses and Abbey Palace).
In the Cerdanya region, you’ll want to be sure to stop at both Puigcerdà (highlights are bell tower of Sant Maria, main square, old convent of Sant Dominic, and Pont de Sant Martí) and Llívia (highlights are the medieval pharmacy museum, Torre Bernat de So, church Església Nostra senyora dels Àngels, and castle ruins), although you’ll find medieval buildings (particularly Romanesque churches) in many of the small villages in this area including Les Pereres, Alp, and Mosoll.
Go Hot Air Ballooning
If you haven’t ticked hot air ballooning off your bucket list (or have fallen in love with it on another trip as we had), the Spanish Pyrenees is a perfect place for it. Head to the la Garrotxa region and you can book a hot air balloon flight over the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, a large nature park with about 40 inactive volcanoes.
We specifically did this flight with Vol de Coloms from Santa Pau. Our morning started with a cup of coffee as we watched the balloons inflate, then we got aboard with wonderful views over the area accompanied by a glass or two of champagne, and then after the flight we were treated to a large buffet breakfast of local foods. On a clear day you can see the mountains and all the way to the Mediterranean Sea!
For a full review of our experience (and loads of photos), check out Laurence’s review of our hot balloon flight here.
Vol de Coloms also offers fully adapted flights which are accessible for those with reduced mobility and wheelchair users, as well as evening Segway rides in the summer months. If your trip is also taking you to Costa Brava, you can also do a hot air balloon trip along the coast for more wonderful bird-eye views. For more information check out Laurence’s post about his coastal balloon ride.
Hit the Ski Slopes
The Spanish Pyrenees is a great place for skiing or snowboarding and is a popular place for those from Barcelona to come for a ski weekend during the winter. You’ll find ski resorts in both the La Cerdanya and the Ripollès areas of Girona. The skiing here is reasonably priced and most resorts cater to families and offer ski lessons, beginner slopes, and affordable ski packages.
The four main ski resorts in the Girona region of the Spanish Pyrenees are La Molina (the oldest ski resort in Spain), Vallter 2000, Vall de Núria, and Masella. Those interested in cross-country skiing will also want to check out Guils which has trails designed for cross-country or Nordic skiers.
If you are planning to ski at both La Molina and Masella, which are a short drive from each other, you’ll want to look at getting the Alp 2500 pass to save money. Laurence has skied at all four of the main ski resorts and you can check out his post that goes into detail about each of the ski resorts in the area and provides tips for visitors in choosing a resort, getting around, and information on where to stay.
Most of the ski resorts in the area provide additional winter activities in addition to skiing, such as activity parks, snowshoeing, guided hiking, sledding, winter cycling, and snow tubing.
For those with disabilities or limited mobility, check out the adapted skiing at La Molina which can accommodate people with a number of physical and mental health disabilities, including people who are wheelchair bound! The resort offers speciality equipment and adapted slopes, toilets, lifts, and lessons.
In the non-winter months, most of the resorts offer other activities (especially Vall de Núria and La Molina) such as hiking, cycling, horseback riding, boating, adventure parks, and mountain climbing. In fact, Laurence’s first trip to Vall de Núria was in the summer for a hiking trip.
If you are visiting Vall de Núria (any time of year), you’ll need to get there by booking tickets on the Vall de Núria Rack Railway or by hiking as there are no cars allowed in the resort area.
If you plan to go skiing or snowboard, check out our ski trip packing list for some tips on what to pack for your trip.
Have Fun in the Snow (Non-Skiing Activities)
If you are coming to the Spanish Pyrenees region in winter, you’ll want to partake in some of the fun winter activities. Obviously skiing is a highlight, but even if you are not a skier there are many other fun winter activities available such as snowshoeing, snow tubing, sledding, dog sledding, snowboarding, winter trekking, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing.
You can even do a winter Segway trip at La Molina or a winter cycling trip with fat-tired bikes at Guils!
For the less active, there is also sipping hot drinks in front of a fire, spa experiences, shopping, and building snowmen. For more winter activity ideas, check out our post on non-skiing winter activities.
Visit Museums and Cultural Attractions
The region doesn’t have the famous art galleries and museums of Barcelona and Girona, the Gaudí architecture of Barcelona, or the Salvador Dalí spots in Costa Brava; however, the region is dotted with museums, historical churches and monasteries, medieval buildings, Roman ruins, Romanesque bridges, visitor centers with exhibits, ruined castles, and other cultural attractions.
There are a lot of specific museums and attractions I could list, but here are some of our recommendations for places you can visit (we’ve visited all of these) divided by the three regions.
In la Garrotxa: Monastery of Sant Pere (Benedictine monastery founded in 10th century) in Besalú, Jewish mikvah and synagogue in Besalú, Museum of Saints (very interesting museum and workshop) in Olot, Garrotxa Museu de la Garrotxa (history and art museum with many Art Nouveau works) in Olot, the Volcano Museum (for those wanting to learn more about the volcanoes of la Garrotxa) in Olot, and the Monastery of Sant Joan les Fonts and Juvinyà castle (fortified manor house and oldest Romanesque civil building in Catalonia) in Sant Joan les Fonts.
In el Ripollès: Santa Maria de Ripoll (large and significant monastery and museum) in Ripoll, Museu Etnogràfic de Ripoll (museum about the people and culture of the region) in Ripoll, and Monastery of Sant Joan de les Abadesses (also museum and Abbey Palace).
In la Cerdanya: Museu Cerdà (former convent that is now a local history and art museum) in Puigcerdà, Museu Espai Ceretània (ancient archeological site and museum), and the Municipal Museum of Llívia – Esteva Pharmacy Museum (small but interesting museum about the city and one of Europe’s oldest pharmacies).
There is more than just museums to see and depending on your interests, you are sure to find some cultural attraction of interest to you. For literary lovers, you may want to check out the signed Carlos Ruiz Zafón route in Puigcerdà that traces places mentioned in his novel The Angels’s Game as well as the Alta Garrotxa area (consider the hike from Montagut to Sant Aniol d’Aguja) where much of Marià Vayreda‘s La Punyalada (considered one of the finest pieces of Catalan literature) takes place.
For Romanesque architecture lovers, there are dozens of Romanesque churches, bridges, and buildings scattered throughout the area. For Catalan modernism (Modernisme in Catalan) and Art Nouveau lovers, you’ll find several examples in the larger towns such as Olot and Ripoll.
Even in ski resort areas, you can discover some cultural treasures such as the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Núria in the Vall de Nuria which consists of a small 17th century mountain church and a much larger parochial church (built in 1911). The site is an important place of pilgrimage and worship (Sant Gil is said to have lived here in the 8th century; relics on display include a Romanesque carving from the 12th or 13th century) and it is believed to be an especially important pilgrimage site for shepherds and for those seeking fertility.
Choose Cozy Lodging Options
As you drive away from the big cities and coast, the Spanish Pyrenees area of Catalonia is a great place to leave behind the chain hotels. Well, in fact, you’ll have a hard time finding many chain hotels in Garrotxa, Ripollès, or Baixa Cerdanya. Here you find boutique hotels, cozy bed-and-breakfasts, hostels, ski resorts, mountain inns, and farm stays.
Or consider renting a cottage or booking an apartment so that you can prepare you own meals and have some solitude. We highly recommend trying some of the charming B&Bs in the area as chatting with local hosts is a great way to learn more about an area.
Count the Romanesque Churches
If you love picturesque old stone churches, the Spanish Pyrenees is the perfect place for you. They are everywhere! You’ll find a lot of medieval churches (5th to 15th century) all over Catalonia. In the Spanish Pyrenees, there are a particularly high number of Romanesque churches (10th to 13th century) as well as a few Gothic churches (12th to 16th century).
Here is a good article to help you better understand the history and context of Romanesque architecture in Spain, and you might consider getting this guide on Romanesque churches in Spain to help with your exploration of the area and give you background on each church since English language is limited at many sites. Many of the churches in this particular area were damaged or destroyed in the area in the 15th century from a series of large earthquakes but many survived or were rebuilt.
We sort of stumbled upon many of these churches as they are scattered throughout the region and we discovered that many of the current towns were built around them. One thing I enjoyed about visiting these churches is that many are located in such peaceful settings.
For a grand example, plan a visit to the Monastery of Santa Maria de Ripoll which is one of the largest and most important of the Romanesque basilicas in Catalonia. You can visit the Benedictine monastery which includes a basilica, cloister, and museum with a self-guided audiovisual tour, and you can also attend one of the regular religious services here. However, most Romanesque churches in the region are much smaller and more humble.
If you are looking for a concentrated area of churches, perhaps the best place to head is to the La Vall de Bianya area of La Garrotxa. Here you can follow a route to visit 15 Romanesque churches and hermitages. The route is designed to be done by car or bike with some approaches needed to be done by foot and the whole route is designed to be done over 3 days. For those who want just a sampling, you can also just choose to visit a couple of the churches along the route.
If you are interested in following the Vall de Bianya church route, you can stop at the Vall de Bianya Landscape Interpretation Center in Sant Salvador de Bianya (Sant Salvador de Bianya 17813; phone: 872.00.50.08 or 972.29.09.33 ) for route information for the churches as well as information on the Roman Road and local guided visits. You can also arrange a guided visit to the 12th century Church of Sant Salvador de Bianya at the info center.
If you are interested in seeing interior frescoes, we’d recommend Sant Víctor de Dòrria (el Ripolles) and/or Església de Sant Climent de Talltorta (Baixa Cerdanya). Sant Víctor de Dòrria has original 12th century frescoes and Església de Sant Climent has been heavily restored to look similar to what it would have done in the past. For Sant Víctor, you can arrange a guided visit through the tourism office in Ribes de Freser and for Sant Climent you can arrange a visit via the Museu Espai Ceretània.
Note that most of these churches are consecrated and active churches (although many only are used for special occasions or offer infrequent services) and some are on private property, so do be respectful.
You’ll likely find that most churches are going to be closed and locked, but if you are interested in visiting the interior of one, ask at the local tourism office or see if there if there is a phone number listed on the outside of the church to contact the local person in charge of the keys.
Eat Lots of Tasty Catalan Food
Trying new dishes is one of the many reasons that a lot of people travel. In this region you’ll find all the popular Catalan dishes, but also special local foods and dishes that are unique to the area. Catalan favorites like pa amb tomàquet (bread and tomato with olive oil), Catalan sausages (butifarra), hearty meat dishes, mar i muntanya (meat and seafood combo dishes), seafood dishes, Crema catalana, Catalan wines, and ratafia (a local herbal liquor) are all popular here.
Catalonia boasts some of the best restaurants in the world, and even far from the bigger cities you can eat at Michelin starred local restaurants such as Les Cols, La Fonda Xesc, and Ca l’Enric or explore more humble eateries or off-the-beaten path restaurants. Many bed-and-breakfasts and inns offer the option for dinner which is another great way to try the local cooking. If you are staying in accommodation with a kitchen, you can also shop at farmer’s markets or local supermarkets and make your own dishes.
La Garrotxa is known for its buckwheat (fajol), onions, haricot beans, beans, yogurt, potatoes, chestnuts, pork, wild mushrooms and truffles, and farro. Some common dishes include amanida de peuada (pig’s trotter salad), Olot potatoes (deep-fried potatoes stuffed with meat), farinetes (fried buckwheat porridge, sometimes flavored with ratafia), coca de llardons (sweet bread-cake with pork scratchings), and tortell d’anis (a circular anise-flavoured sponge-cake). The fesols (white haricot beans) from Santa Pau are probably the most famous foods of this region and are common in many dishes in the area, often combined with sausage.
The El Ripollès, a more mountainous region, focuses more on local hearty food and products grown or raised in or near the mountains. Here you’ll want to try local mushrooms, pork sausages, cheese, game, beef, trout, and lamb. Lamb is one of the products the region is most known for.
The Cerdanya region is known for its meats, sausages, game, cow and sheep cheeses, fruit (particularly pears, cherries, quinces, cranberries, berries, and apples), mushrooms, medicinal plants, yogurt, cottage cheese, honey, jams, and candies. Traditional dishes include trinxat (cabbage, sausage, and potato dish), Conill amb cremalloles (rabbit with mushrooms), tiró amb naps (duck and turnip dish), and fetge amb agredolç (pork liver dish). If you are shopping, you might want to look out for turnips from Talltendre, pears from Puigcerdà, and potatoes from Das.
Attend Local Festivals & Fairs
Spanish people and those in Catalonia in particular seem to love holidays, festivals, and parades. There are loads of saints days, parades, fairs, and other celebrations throughout the year.
Unique features of some Catalan festivals are correfoc (group of people, often dressed like devils, running or dancing with fire or fireworks), castelleres (human towers that can be up to 10 people high), gegants or giants (people wearing massive papier-mâché heads and costumes), and capgrossoss (people wearing massive papier-mâché heads and costumes).
No matter where you are in Catalonia, you’ll not need to look hard to find local celebrations of the Parade of the Kings in January, the feast of Sant Jordi (patron saint of Catalonia) in April, Easter, the Feast of Sant Juan in June (summer solstice), local village festivals in August, and Christmas in December.
September 11th is the National Day of Catalonia and is a more sober and political holiday that commemorates the fall of Barcelona and loss of liberties for Catalonia in 1714. If you are not familiar with the past and current movements for Catalan Independence, this is something to read up on before your trip as it is deeply embedded in the culture here.
Before your trip or once you arrive, check online (here is a paritial list of some of the larger events that can be searched by region), check local printed tourism guides (we found these super useful in this area), or stop at an information center and ask what is happening in the area when you visit.
There are loads of events and activities every month of the year, celebrating everything from medieval history to saints to sheep to white beans to witchcraft! One of the larger festivals is the 5-day Festes del Tura in Olot which is a festival that includes a parade of the giants (gegants), concerts, and fireworks. In some of the mountain towns you’ll find transhumance festivals (Festa de la Transhumància) in the summer which is where livestock is lead to the high mountains for the summer months. The Cerdanya International Film Festival is one of the most important film events in the area.
Don’t forget the weekly farmers’ markets which take place in most towns and cities throughout the area, and the Christmas markets in December
Take Scenic Drives
This area is made for scenic drives, perhaps interrupted by picnics, hikes, or visits to little villages or off-the-beaten path Romanesque churches. Whether you are looking for mountains, volcanic landscapes, or rural countryside, you’ll sure to find some appealing drives.
One of our favorites was the drive from Castellfollit de la Roca to Beget via Oix along the GIV 5221. We also really enjoyed driving through the countryside and I couldn’t get enough of the beautiful Pyrenees horses.
Just be careful on the secondary roads and mountain roads in winter as they can become too icy to drive safely. We deeply regretted not checking to see if our rental car had winter tire cables before we set out (it didn’t) as we got stuck in a winter snowstorm one evening and had a bit of a scary drive back to our hotel.
Explore Volcanoes
If you love volcanoes or are a geology lover, you’ll want to be sure to spend some time in the volcanic region of La Garrotxa. La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park is one of the best examples of a volcanic landscape in Europe, containing over 20 lava flows and 40 inactive volcanoes. The park is huge and a good place to start is to head to make a stop at one of the La Garrotxa Volcanic Natural Park information centers to gather information and learn more about the park.
Here is a list of 12 highlighted towns and sites within the park and here is a list of walking itineraries within the park. There are a number of hiking, long distance footpaths, and cycle paths that run through parts of this park if you want to experience the park while getting some exercise.
Some of the recommended places to stop are El Parc Nou, Montsacopa Natural Reserve, The Museu dels Volcans (Volcano Museum), Sant Joan les Fonts, and Volcà del Croscat Natural Reserve. We can also recommend doing a hot air balloon ride in La Garrotxa for a real bird’s eye view of the park.
Go Hiking
The Catalan Pyrenees are a great place for hiking and it is a popular activity for locals and visitors, with lots of well-signposted trails throughout the region. Whether you want an easy scenic stroll or a week-long hiking adventure, you’re sure to be able to find it in the area.
In Garrotxa, I’d suggest La Garrotxa Volcanic Natural Park and the Alta Garrotxa area. The La Garrotxa Volcanic Natural Park is a great place for hiking and walking with a number of trails and paths, and here is a list of walking itineraries within the park. Alta Garrotxa Area of Natural Interest has a number of hiking paths which can be started in either Montagut or Saderness and hikers can follow trails up to Sant Aniol d’Aguja with trail highlights including the Church of Santa Cecilia, Pont d’en Valentí (medieval stone bridge), gorges, sheer cliffs at Salt de la Núvia, and small caves such as Cova del Bisbe. This is also a popular place for climbers.
In Ripollès, consider doing some mountain hiking and take the rack railway up to Vall de Núria for some hiking which offers a range of easy round trip hikes to difficult peak hikes that require staying overnight in mountain refuges. Or consider one of the many trails in the Vall de Camprodon (Camprodon Valley) such as the La Ruta de les Cabanyes de Pastor which follows a trail of stone shepards’ huts beginning in Villalonga de Ter, the smugglers’ trail in Beget (Route 17 Ripollès), or an easy shady hike from Camprodon to Cavallera tower (Route 8 Ripollès).
In the La Cerdanya region, you’ll find a number of signposted trails of varying difficulty levels, including thematic routes such as paths that go through the region’s historical villages and the Camí dels Bons Homes (Way of the Good Men). Many start or go through Puigcerdà which is a good place to get local hiking information for the area.
There are a number of long-distance hiking paths that run through this part of Spain, including Gran Recorrido trails (all marked with red and white signage and symbols). I would take a look at GR 1, GR2, GR 3, GR4, and GR11, and if you are planning to hike any of these for a longer distance, I’d get some good hiking maps and consider investing in a guidebook (although note many are only in French or Spanish).
The most popular long distance path (and touristed) in Spain is Camino de Santiago which terminates in Santiago de Compostela. While the main and most popular routes do not go through this area, pilgrims coming from Barcelona and the coast of western Spain would have used paths such as Camí Sant Jaume Way (Saint James Way) in Catalonia to link to the main pilgrimage path. One can start of the path in a number of places such as Barcelona, Port de la Selva, or Olot.
In terms of resources, I’d check out local tourism board resources (online and in person) and I’d also recommend the Itinerannia website (easy to search by region for Ripollès and Garrotxa, length, and level of difficulty), La Garrotxa tourism hiking suggestions, Traildino website (useful basic info and links to external sources for each trail), and the Federació d’Entitats Excursionistes de Catalunya (hiking association of Catalonia).
If you are looking for information about hikes in the entire Pyrenees region (including France and Andorra), check out this Pyrenees hiking guide.
Go Cycling
Cycling and mountain biking are very popular activities in this area, and you’ll find signposted cycling routes throughout the region. Professional cycling is also a popular sport here and in the summer and the autumn, the Pyrenees are often featured in two of cycling’s grand tours, the Tour de France in July and the Vuelta a España held in September.
Although most popular in the summer, biking in the summer can be a hot sweaty affair as temperatures rise so we’ve been advised by locals that the Spring or Autumn are more ideal times if you are thinking of planning a cycling trip in this area.
You’ll find cycling trails throughout the region. One of the main cycling routes in the Girona Pyrenees is the Vías Verde (Greenways) Carrilet Olot-Girona Narrow Railway Route. It is a 54km (33.5 mile) cycling and hiking route that follows the route of a disused railway line that once connected Girona and Olot.
If you are not traveling with your own bike you can easily rent one (including electronic bikes and mountain bikes) in several cities in the region, including Olot, Les Preses, Ripoll, and Puigcerdà (call ahead as some close on the off-season), or pick one up in the bigger cities of Barcelona or Girona on your way to the area.
Many of the companies that rent bikes also lead guided bike tours, provide transfers, organize biking itineraries, and rent camping gear designed for cyclists. You can also check out this list of self-guided and guiding multi-day cycling trips in the Pyrenees.
Some online resources to check out: information for cycle routes in la Garrotxa, Catalonia cycling routes, more Catalonia cycle routes, and cycling info for the Girona region.
Be a Kid at the Adventure & Animal Parks
The Spanish love adventure parks and we’ve been to a couple of them in Costa Brava, and they are really well done. In the Spanish Pyrenees you’ll want to head to La Molina Parc Aventura. They offer three adventure courses (each a different level of difficulty) that are appropriate for children and adults, and include rope crossings, climbing, and ziplining.
The company also offers paintball, zip lining, climbing, and snowshoeing activities depending on the season. We did both the adventure park as well as snowshoeing here and had a wonderful time and the guide was fantastic.
If you are more interested in animals, Molló Parc, El Parc d’Animals dels Pirineus, has both a small adventure park and a number of animals which range from farm animals to native wild animals. If you have kids who want to spend some time with donkeys, you may want to book a visit to see the donkeys and other farm animals at Rucs i Aventures.
Take Time to Appreciate Nature and Rural Life
This area of Catalonia is a great place to appreciate the local floral and fauna and the slow rhythm of rural and small town living. Great ways to do this is to take a nature walk, go on a hike, or cycle to explore this area actively. You can also visit farmer’s markets to buy local agricultural products, seek out restaurants that source local ingredients, visit a farm, take a cooking class, or stay in a rural cottage or farmhouse.
There are also a host of festivals throughout the year, many focusing on rural traditions, farming, and local agricultural products.
Make a Detour into France
If you are looking to add a dash of that French je ne sais quoi to your trip to Catalonia, head to Cerdanya. Part of this region is in Spanish Catalonia and part is in France.
Not only is part of the area in France, the city of Llívia is actually a Spanish exclave, completely surrounded by French territory so you have to drive through France to reach it. In 1659, under the Treaty of the Pyrenees, Spain lost a lot of territory to France, but Llívia was not ceded as it was considered a town rather than a village and because of its status as the ancient capital of Cerdanya.
Llívia is a great town to explore with its Roman ruins and medieval pharmacy museum. The drive to Llívia takes you past some lovely French countryside and villages, and in this area you’ll find tapas and crêpes coinciding together with many people speaking Spanish, Catalan, and French.
We spent the night at the lovely Bernat de So to explore Llívia and also did a day trip to a French thermal spa, taking in some lovely French Pyrenees views along the way.
For those with some more time who want to take in the Pyrenees scenery, I’d recommend a scenic tourist train ride aboard the Ligne de Cerdagne or Train Jaune, better know in English as the little Yellow Train. Cerdanya not only borders France, but it also borders Andorra, and if you are staying in the area you can easily make trips to both France and Andorra.
Delve into History
When I travel, I love to learn about an area and its history, whether it is a very narrow local history of a particular place or town or a broader cultural history of a region. If you enjoy history, this is a great part of the world to spend some time delving into learning some local history whether you learn it in the museums, from guidebooks, talking to the locals, or from reading signs.
Perhaps pick a topic you want to focus on such as learning about the life of a local Catalan artist, learning about the origins of a local festival, learning about the local history of a town, understanding the importance of a crop, uncovering the origins of a ruined castle, bridge, or Romanesque church, learning about the former life of an almost forgotten Roman road or cattle trail, or learning about the Moderisme art movement in this area. Find a statue in a town and uncover what it is about, when it was placed there, and why.
Want to learn about a peasant uprising in La Garrotxa from the 15th century (part of the Revolt of the Remences), understand the Jewish history of Besalú (guided tours available), walk the remains of a 2,000 year old Roman road (Capsacosta Roman Road), or know the story of one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe (Esteve Pharmacy)? All these are possible and more if you search out the information.
Pamper Yourself and Relax
If you are looking for a break and a bit of pampering, consider adding some swimming, spa treatments, saunas, hot springs, or shopping into your holiday. This area of Catalonia is not necessarily a huge spa destination, but you find spas in several hotels, especially those located in or near the area’s ski resorts.
Some places that offers spas or spa-like services include: Sercotel Hotel & Spa La Collada, Hotel & Spa Resguard dels Vents, Hotel Solineu, Masia el Puig (Adults Only), and Hotel Grèvol.
For those who like to swim but aren’t staying in a hotel with a pool, there are municipal swimming pools in many towns in the area, and in the summer you can find outdoor natural bathing pools in some areas that permit swimming.
Another great feature is to look for in-house restaurants at hotels or B&B’s that makes life easier on nights when you want to stay in rather than head out in search of dinner. We had a lovely home cooked dinner our very first night in the area at our cozy B&B La Rectoria de Sant Miquel de Pineda.
For shoppers, you’ll find more choices in the larger cities and towns such as Olot (by far the largest city in the area and the best for shopping – the local city website can help you find local shops, restaurants serving local dishes, and locally made products), Ripoll, Llívia, and Puigcerdà.
Explore Romanesque Bridges
In addition to the Romanesque churches and abbeys, there are a lot of surviving stone bridges dating back to the medieval period. You’ll find a number of Romanesque bridges, most have been rebuilt or repaired over the centuries, along the rivers and streams around the Spanish Pyrenees. In exploring the region we stumbled across a number of these bridges rather than searching for them specifically.
For those who are really interested, I’d stop in local tourist information centers for information on bridge locations. Some are quite hidden behind vegetation or are on old bridle paths and trails off the road as very few are still in use.
Some of the bridges we saw were the medieval Besalú bridge, the beautiful Pont de Llierca located between Montagut and Saderness over the Llierca river, Pont d’en Valentí near Saderness, the Roman Bridge (a.ka. Pont d’Oix) in Oix, the 14th century Pont del Bolacell located on a bridle path near Beget, the medieval bridge in Beget, the medieval bridge in Sant Joan les Font, and the Pont de Sant Marti in Puigcerdà which is the best preserved medieval bridge in la Cerdanya.
So there you have it, our guide to the Spanish Pyrenees of Catalonia!
What would you enjoy doing in the Spanish Pyrenees of Catalonia? Have you visited the Spanish Pyrenees? If so, we’d love to hear about any experiences or tips you may have! Have a questions about visiting the Spanish Pyrenees? As always, we welcome your questions and comments. Just leave it in the comments section below, and we’ll be sure to answer it as best as we can!
Disclosure: The majority of our lodging, attraction entrances, and transportation in the Spanish Pyrenees was provided by the Patronat de Turisme Costa Brava Girona in order to experience and write about this region. However, we specifically chose most of the places we visited during our time in the Spanish Pyrenees. As always, this article contains only our own honest thoughts and opinions. You can read more in our Ethics Code about how we accept work.
Clive Farrelly Post author
Hi Jessica,
My wife Rachael and I are arriving in Barcelona on the 1st of October till the 11th October (First time ever to Spain!). We really love our hiking (we were in the Balkans last year hiking to 2500m summits, usually 8-10 hour return expeditions), we are looking for some of the same hikes in the Spanish Pyrenees. Your writings about this place are just incredible, I am drawn to your wisdom and experiences of this gorgeous piece of Heaven, what would be your suggestions if I may ask. We would love to see 3-4 different areas, we will be hiring a car, we are there really for the big hikes, but would also love to see some of the medieval townships you have so eloquently written about, maybe a day or 2 in Barcelona. My wife has always wanted to do a bit of the Camino but if time does not allow us, hiking is what we have come for, to be away from cities. Thank you so much in advance, you truly have given us all the essence of Spain in your writings, every time I read your journeys, I feel like I am there already, with the biggest smile my soul has to offer.
Warm Regards,
Clive and Rach
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Clive & Rachael,
Sounds like a great trip and I would definitely recommend getting a book or two on hiking in the Pyrenees for the peaks or longer trails you want to do before your trip (you can see some options here) and a good map of the area (can prob pick up the maps up once there at visitor centers).
We haven’t done a lot of higher summit treks ourselves but I would definitely recommend considering hikes in the Alta Garrotxa area, Vall de Núria, Alt Pirineu Natural Park, and Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park (the whole park is a high mountain area with a number of peaks, valleys, and trails). The volcano area around Olot, the La Garrotxa Volcanic Natural Park, is a really geologically interesting area with all the extinct volcanos and forests so also recommend considering spending a day in that area as well for a hike or two even though the hikes aren’t as challenging.
The GR11 is a good trail to look at as well, especially if you are wanting for follow something for a few days. It includes many of the areas above like the Alta Garrotxa, Nuria, and Puigcerdà.
If looking from some specific mountains in that general area, you might check out ones like Puigmal, La Tossa d’Alp, Puigllançada, Canigou (across French border), etc.
There are feeder trails for the Camino de Santiago that run in Catalonia (from Barcelona and Olot) but the main trail that people follow (historically and now) is northwest of Catalonia but if that is of interest, I’d probably do that another time as you’d probably want to explore a different area on that trip. The “main trail” doesn’t run through Catalonia. Given your love of hiking, I’d probably save that for a future trip as you’ll likely have more than enough to fill your time just in Catalonia!
You can obviously do your research and hike independently but there are also local guides in most areas you can hire and in some places there are even guided group hikes you can join.
I think you can definitely mix some of the hikes above with visiting some of the medieval villages and towns nearby. If you haven’t been to Barcelona I’d definitely spare at least a full day or two there, maybe a full day to relax before your hikes and one after to celebrate the end of your trip. The city has a lot to offer in terms of museums, art, culture, food, etc. and is definitely worth some sightseeing time if you want a break from hiking and scenery. But if your focus is hiking and nature, then obviously there are better places to be than in a big city.
Since you are drawn more to the mountains, you probably won’t have much time for the coast but if you do return to this area of Catalonia there are some wonderful coastal footpath trails along the southern part of Catalonia like the Camí de Ronda and Costa Brava way. No mountain tops but such lovely scenery.
Hope that helps give you a good place to start your research into specific areas and hikes. Happy to help further as you get further into planning your trip with any other questions you may have.
Wishing you a wonderful trip to the Spanish Pyrenees!
Jessica
Clive Post author
Hi Jessica,
Thank you so much for all this wonderful information, I truly appreciate your expertise and generosity in the guidance of such a beautiful country. I think definitely we will be returning a couple of times to see everything Spain has to offer, thank you once again, Ill probably thank you once again out loud on top of some of the peaks we reach in October. Many Blessings,
Clive and Rach
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Clive & Rach,
You’re very welcome and wishing you a fantastic trip! If you have any further questions as you plan your trip to Spain, just ask!
Best,
Jessica
Kathy Kelly Post author
Hello, Jessica!
Thank you for your informative site! My husband and I will be visiting Spain this May, staying 3 nights in Bonansa before heading over to Roses on the coast. We’re older but relatively fit and wonder if you would recommend a couple of areas nearby for light hiking or sightseeing? We have a car. Thank you!
-Kathy
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Kathy,
I haven’t been to Bonansa (which is in the Aragon region but just next door to Catalonia) but the website Alltrails should be helpful as you can look at hiking trails in Bonansa and the region of Huesca: https://www.alltrails.com/spain/huesca. You can then sort by length, difficulty, etc. I do think you have to sign up for free to the website though to get trail details. We haven’t been to Aragon so I can’t help directly with trails from there but I am sure your hotel will have lots of suggestions for local walks.
But not too far away in Catalonia (less than a 1 hour drive from Bonansa), I can personally recommend checking out the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park – it is actually the only national park located in Catalonia. It has mountains, lakes, alpine meadows, and lots of hiking paths. In winter, there is skiing in this area. The two main entrances to the National Park are in Boí and Espot and I’d recommend stopping at one of the info centers here to get info before visiting (they can tell you which trails are closed/open and which might be best).
In the Boí Valley (Vall de Boí), which is even a bit closer, you have the UNESCO Romanesque churches you can visit, many of which are located in small villages and lovely rural settings. A good place to start that journey is at the Romanesque Center (Centre del Romànic de la Vall de Boí) in Erill la Vall. There you can get a lot of information about the churches and how to visit each one and buy tickets. There is also a lot of possible hikes in this area as well around Boi and Taull.
In the city of Lleida, we have visited the La Seu Vella, a Gothic-Romanesque cathedral in a ruined hilltop fortress (hard to miss as it towers over the city). Probably not worth the drive to just visit it but worth a stop if you are driving via Lleida on your way to Roses. There are also other cathedrals, a Templar castle, and some other historic attractions and museums here in the city.
In Roses, in addition to the town itself (we did a boat cruise here and had some great seafood) and some of the other nearby lovely coastal towns and beaches there, I’d recommend a visit to the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes and hikes within the Cap de Creus Natural Park. There are a number of hiking routes you can take within that park of varying lengths and fitness levels. We did the hike around the lighthouse and the Tudela trail when we visited. Some of the rock formations there were inspirations for Salvador Dali (lots of Salvador Dali sights in Catalonia). I think there are information points for the park at both the monastery and lighthouse where you can get a route map and ask questions. The Roses tourism office should also be able to help.
Also there is a section of the popular 135-mile coastal hiking trail – Cami de Ronda (Camino de Ronda) – that runs there throught Roses and up to Cadaqués – so you could also choose a part of that trail to walk as well if you like coastal hikes.
Hope that helps and just let us know if you have any further questions!
Wishing you a wonderful trip to Spain!
Jessica
Kathy Post author
This is SO helpful, Jessica. Thank you very much! Just what I was looking for!
Just a couple more questions:
Is the route from Bonansa via Lleida (n230?) as scenic as the alternate route that’s further north (n260)? And would you recommend Lleida as a good spot to stay overnight?
I’m also so happy you have a Girona piece on your site, as we want to explore that area, too. We’ll be in Roses for two weeks so lots of time to look around!
I signed up for the newsletter 🙂
Thanks again!
~Kathy
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Kathy,
The N-260 is probably more scenic, especially if you like hills/mountain scenery. So I would probably head that way if you have the time – it takes longer with slower roads but more to see along the way than taking the most direct and fastest route. Lots of places you can stop along that route. It will take you thourgh parts of la Garrotxa, el Ripollès, and la Cerdanya (the Girona Pyrenees area). So lots you could do in those areas. In addition to this blog post, we have articles across our two blogs on all those areas I think. It just really depends on what you like to do and see most.
Along the Costa Brava, so much you can do as well once you get to Roses. Girona (the town) is definitely worth a full day as lots to do there – yes we have a full post on the highlights and things to do in Girona. Its a lovely town but it does get crowded as lots of tours stop there so just be prepared for that.
We’ve been to most of the towns and main attractions within the province of Girona – both within the Pyrenees and along the Costa Brava. So if you have further questions as you plan your trip, check out our blogs and if you have further questions, just leave us a new comment!
Best,
Jessica
Karyn Post author
Awesome Post! Very appreciated! My boyfriend and I are headed to Barcelona for 6 days at the end of April. I was thinking of doing a couple days away from the city and was looking at the Girona province area. It’s a quick trip in general, so was wondering if you had any thoughts on where to head to get away from the city for a couple days? (We won’t be driving, just using transit). Hopeful to get more near the mountain areas. Thanks!
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Karyn,
Glad you are finding our Girona post helpful and happy to try to help and provide some suggestions.
So if you have 2 full days and nights, you might consider taking the train to Girona, exploring the medieval city as there is plenty to keep you busy here for at least several hours or a full day. You can see our guide to things to do in Girona. Then from Girona you can take a bus (Teisa is main local bus company) from Girona onto Ribes de Freser, this journey takes about 2 hour. From Ribes de Freser, you can take the mountain rack railway up to visit Vall de Nuria. A great place to stay for a day or two for hiking and nice mountain/valley scenery. This would give you a combo of a medieval small city and then a mountain valley.
But if you just want the nature and mountain scenery (skipping Girona), you can get from Barcelona to Ribes de Freser directly by train (either going or coming back) check out the schedule for the regional suburban trains from Barcelona. I think the R3 one stops in Ribes de Freser and takes about 2 to 2.5 hours. You can check out those trains and current schedules here.
You can also visit the Vall de Nuria as part of a day tour, such as this one, which includes your transport to and from Barcelon and your rack railway ticket.
Just note that in April, you are sort of between the main winter and summer seasons for the mountain areas. So there will likely still be some snow but not necessarily enough for skiing but it may impede some hiking trails and such. So just something to keep in mind when thinking about outdoor activities in any of the main mountain spots. But you can stay about most of these areas year-round.
By train, places like Ripoll, Olot, Alp, and Puigcerdà are also options. Buses can get you to some more places. But if you just have 2 days, then I would probably focus on just one or two places. If there is a place in particular that looks ideal to you, feel free to ask about it!
Anyway hope that helps!
Jessica
Mamta Post author
Hi Jessica. Thanks for this detailed write up. We are arriving in Spain for 10 days in early March. We were earlier planning to club a few days in Switzerland with Spain as we are landing in Munich and flying out of Barcelona. However, my son suggested that we can get a similar experience in the Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada and we should just restrict our holiday to Spain. Besides this, we are also looking at covering Basque, Valencia, Barcelona and if time permits then even the North western part of Spain. We are not Skiers but love the lake, snow and mountain landscape. Will you be able to suggest which place should we cover in 2 days in the Pyrenees? Thanks a lot
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Mamta,
Yes, I think that your son’s suggestion is a pretty good one. With just 10 days, having 3 of those in Switzerland would not have left you much time for visiting those areas of Spain.
Now, the Pyrenees in Spain are not exactly the same as the Swiss Alps, but there is still plenty of beautiful mountain landscape scenery and lakes to be had, as well as nice walks and hikes.
I think it depends on your route as you have only 2 days to spend and only 10 days total, so it may make sense to plan your general route and then see what stops make the most sense as I wouldn’t recommend driving too far off your route to visit a specific mountain area as there are several options. It also matters how you plan to get around the region as some areas require a car and others can be reached by train or bus.
But one suggestion is to head to the Vall de Boi area and the Aigüestortes i Estany de Saint Maurici National Park which is a wonderful place for hiking (especially in the warmer months) with lovely lakes and mountain scenery. The Vall de Boi is a popular ski destination in the winter and contains several UNESCO-designated early Romanesque churches. It is about a 4 hour or so drive from Barcelona.
Further west from that park is the Pyrénées National Park (Parc national des Pyrénées) which offers great mountain scenery as well but this is just across the Spanish border and is located in France.
Another suggestion within Catalonia, would be to spend a couple nights up at the Vall de Nuria, which should still be covered in snow in early March. A lovely place to relax and do walks and they have some non-ski activities you can do like guided hikes and snowshoeing. Or really you could stay anywhere in or near Alp or Puigcerdà to be within easy reach of both mountains and lakes.
I can’t comment on the Sierra Nevada mountain area as I have not explored that area, but one suggestion would be to head to the Sierra Nevada National Park. But it is Andalucia…so may be in the wrong direction for your trip if your focus is on Catalonia, Valencia, and Basque areas.
Hope that helps give you some ideas! Just let us know if you have further questions as you plan your trip to Spain.
Best,
Jessica
Mamta Post author
Thanks a lot Jessica for the detailed suggestion. So, we are planning to drive from Barcelona to the Pyrenees on the 6th March. Can you help us to decide on one place to choose where we can get a good combination of nice snow and some non skiing activities like snow mobiling or toboggan etc, along with good sightseeing around. My son says that Baqueira is a very famous spot in the Pyrenees but since we are non skiers, would you recommend something else? We want to drive to San Sebastián from the Pyrenees area so don’t want to venture too far in the east. Also, is it safe to drive up to the Pyrenees from Barcelona and should we keep some time out for sightseeing en route. Thanks!
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Mamta,
I would just recommend investigating the individual places you have now on your list as the Pyrenees extend across northern Spain and into France. They cover a fairly large area so there are many ski resports and places you could stop with mountain scncery. Since you are not skiing, I would just focus on the activities that are currently on offer that would be of interest to you. What do you think of the placs you have looked at?
So the resort your son mention is also a possibility. Baqueira is the largest and one of the most popular places to ski in Spain. It is about 4 hours drive from Barcelona. So it just depends what you are looking for. I would focus most of just the activites you want to do and see what is available at the places you are considering.
Any of the Pyrenees village or resort stops will mean a detour from the most direct route between Barcelona and San Sebastián, so you will just make sure you plan the time or that extra time driving.
There is a lot to do/see in that area (we’ve spent weeks just in the province of Girona), but since you have fairly limited time and want to see a lot in 10 days, I would probably focus on 4-5 main stops for your trip. I am not sure you’d have too much time to stop for sightseeing along the way. Otherwise you may feel pretty rushed. But it of course just depends on what you want to prioritize.
In terms of driving, it just depends. Snowfall and winter weather conditions are obviously still likely in March, especially in the Pyrenees area. It is a good idea if heading into the mountains to have winter tires on your car and a set of snow chains in case they are needed. We have had to drive after a snow storm once in the area in January and snow chains were required (we did not have 4WD) to get back to our hotel as the roads became very slippy. That said, the roads were cleared pretty quickly after the snow stopped falling so some people just pulled off the road and waited a few hours.
Hope that helps!
Best,
Jessica
Judy Kliewer Post author
Wonderful information!! My husband and I jumped on ridiculous air fares by Delta to Barcelona in January. We’ll be in the area 12 days. We plan to stay in Barcelona 4 nights and the other 8 days exploring the East and central Spanish Pyrenees. I know it’s January but we’ve visited many places in winter and find it a magical time. We love small scenic villages and surrounding places of interest. We’re having a hard time putting an itinerary together. We have to be back in Barcelona on the 28th of January to catch our flight home on the 29th. Can you help us plan an itinerary with places to stay? Thank you so much!
Best,
Judy Kliewer
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Judy,
Happy to try to help and provide some itinerary advice for your upcoming trip to Barcelona and the Spanish Pyrenees. If you can provide some more information about your trip and what you like to do, happy to give some advice.
So it sounds like you will have a total of 8 days/nights. Are you planning to rent a car or travel by train/public transit?
What places are you thinking you would like to include from the research you have done so far? What kinds of activities/things do you enjoy doing? What kind of places do you like to stay? Do you want to stop and stay several nights in each place or just a couple nights in each stop?
Best,
Jessica
LB Hall Post author
I really enjoyed your write-up. We are traveling from Madrid to Barcelona in late September via car. We’ve already booked 2 nights in Zaragosa. We’ll then have 4 nights and 5 days to get to Barcelona. I had planed to spend most of the time in the Aragon part of the Pyrenees but your write-up makes me want to spend more time on the Catalan side. Do you have suggestions? We like history, Romans and mountain scenery. We’re not big on crowds and my husband will probably be tired of driving by the third day.
Thanks so much.
LB
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi LB,
Sounds like a great trip. Unfortunately, you route doesn’t really make that much sense for much of the Pyrenees unless you wanted to detour more north west which will add more driving to your route.
But a suggestion would be to make stop in Lleida (lots of historical buildings in the city, inclyding a hillop fortress and cathedral you can visit) and then head up north to visit Aigüestortes i Estany of Saint Maurici National Park for mountain scenery, hiking, lakes etc. The national park is a great place to experience the Pyrenees and hiking (skiing in winter). It is a huge park so easy to get away from others. If you want to spend time outside doing outdoor activites and want mountain scenery, that would be my pick. There are also historical early Romanesque churches up there around the Vall de Boí that are UNESCO designated and great if you like old churches (you can buy a pass to visit as many as you want). I beleive we stayed in the village of Boí when we visited.
But for less driving and more on your route, you might consider spending some time along the coast on way to Barcelona. The only issue is that there will be more people and crowds. You could still stop in Lleida on the route. Our main suggestion based on your interests would be Tarragona, which is the former Roman city of Tarraco and has lots of Roman architecture in and around the city as well as several museums. We really enjoyed Tarragona and I think you would too if you enjoy Roman history. Reus (birthplace of Gaudi) and Sitges are also good potential historical stops in that area. A visit to Montserrat has both mountains and history as you can visit the monastery here, you can see our tips for visiting Montserrat. Therea are also a lot of hikes you can do in the surrounding park area within the mountains area (Parc Natural de la Muntanya de Montserrat). Montserrat is only about an hour or so drive from Barcelona.
Hope that helps give you some ideas. Happy to help if you have further questions as you plan your trip to Spain!
Best,
Jessica
ilan dei Post author
Hi
Thank you for sharing your knowledge reading your post made it so easy to want to visit this area
We looking to stay at farmstay in the area of Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa
Do you have recommendation how to find any active farm that accommodating guests?
We are 2 adult and 2 teen and planning to stay in the area for few days
Ilan
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Ilan,
Glad you are finding our Spanish Pyrenees post helpful. We also have this post specifically covering things to do in the La Garrotxa region which might be helpful as well.
There are a number of rural hotels in that area (many were farmhouses), but one that is specifically a farm that we know of is Can Pei in Oix, part of the Alta Garrotxa. I think, if things haven’t changed, they have horses, chickens, rabbits, and dogs as well as a garden and swimming pool. It does accept children of all ages. It is about a 20 minute drive north of the park and about 25 mile drive from the town of Olot.
A similar farmstay property, also near Oix, is Mas Pineda which is also an active farm with animals like geese, chickens, and sheep. But this one doesn’t offer a pool.
Mas el Carrer is another rural stay listed on the local tourism board, but I don’t think it is a currently active farm. But is certainly located in a rural setting outside Santa Pau.
Hope that helps get you started in finding a farmstay. If you have any further questions as you plan your trip, just let us know.
Happy travels,
Jessica
Yvonne Todd Post author
After buying a small house near Girona in 2019 we were unable to travel there due to the pandemic. We are hoping to get to Catalunya in 2022.
Your website is extremely informative, so thank you. Could I ask that you please check some of your links because some of them are for inactive websites (Volcanic National Park and the hiking guide).
Thanks again. Great work.
Yvonne
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Yvonne,
I hope you are able to get back to Catalunya and your home in Girona soon! We love Girona – a great little city and a great base for exploring that region. Glad you found our guide helpful.
And thanks for letting us know some of the websites are inactive – some tourism sites and businesses change their websites without redirecting their links so they break. When we get back home (currently traveling in Uganda) I will take a look and check all the links and update them!
Wishing you safe travels back to Girona in 2022!!
Best,
Jessica
TC Post author
It’s a good post about the Catalonia pyrenees. Thank you for it, when I can to travel to Catalonia my boyfriend and I will go to visit these places.
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi TC,
So glad you enjoyed our guide to the Catalonia Pyrenees, and hope you get a chance to visit next year! Just let us know if you have any questions as you plan your trip.
Best,
Jessica
Yas Post author
Super informative. Really helped me plan my trip at short notice
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Yas, Happy to hear and thanks for taking the time to let us know our article was helpful in planning your trip. Enjoy your time in the Spanish Pyrenees and exploring Catalonia.
Best,
Jessica
John Weaver Post author
Thanks for the great information. My wife and I are traveling to Barcelona in late April. Ideally, we would like to travel from there through/along the Pyrenees for four or five days before reaching San Sebastián. Ideally we would like to spend some time hiking. Is this doable with using trains and buses? We would appreciate any recommendations you might have. Thanks. John
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi John,
It is possible, but it does make it a bit more difficult, especially for hiking. The area is not well connected by train, so you will mostly need to rely on the local bus network. In the Girona region, most services are run by Teisa.
From Barcelona, you can easily get the train to towns like Girona or Figueres which are worth exploring. But as you get closer to the mountains, most places are only accessible by the local bus network.
For hiking, you might consider taking the train to Girona, exploring the medieval city, and then take a bus from Girona onto Ribes de Freser. On the way you may want to stop off at places like Olot (to explore Garrtoxa region) or Ripoll. From Ribes de Freser, you can take the rack railway up to visit Vall de Nuria. A great place to stay for a couple of days of hiking and nice scenery.
From there, you may want to make your way to Lleida. I think the easiest way would be to take the same bus route back from Ribes de Freser to Girona. Then take the train from Girona to Lledia. From Lledia, you can get a bus to the village of Boí, and from there you can access the Aigüestortes i Estany de Saint Maurici National Park which is a wonderful place for hiking, especially in the warmer months, with lovely lakes and scenery. The Vall de Boi is a popular ski destination in the winter and contains several UNESCO-designated early Romanesque churches.
If you get the bus back to Lleida, you can then get a train from Lleida to San Sebastián.
Hope that helps,
Jessica
Elizabeth Post author
Hello! Thank you for such an informative website on the Catalan area. By far the most helpful of any I’ve visited thus far. Traveling to the area in one week with a group to do a 7 day cycling tour out of Girona, up Costa Brava. We end in Girona on a Sunday, and depart Barcelona that Wednesday. We are traveling with our 9 year old son. Wanting to head into the Spanish Pyrenees but can’t decide where to go. We plan to rent a car. Our interests are hiking, and seeing beauty in the mountains. Castles and volcanoes would be popular with our son. It seems all areas are family friendly, but maybe some more than others? Would you recommend one county over another? Any advice appreciated!
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Elizabeth,
Yes, the entire area is quite welcoming to families and while there are some adults-only resorts and B&B’s, most places are definitely family-friendly. All three areas we describe would be a good place for a family.
I would say if volcanoes and mountains are priorities, I’d spend many some time around Olot (volcanos/hiking) and then maybe also spend a night or two up at Nuria in the mountains (mountain, rack railway ride, hiking, children’s activities). Nuria is very family-friendly and local school groups are often staying up there.
There is an adventure park (outdoor zipline courses, etc.), segway tours, and a donkey farm in La Cerdanya that are designed for kids that also may be of interest.
There aren’t a lot of castles (well except mostly ruins) in this part of Catalonia. This isn’t in the Pyrenees area, but Montsoriu castle might be a place to consider stopping on your way to Barcelona if you want to combine a hike and castle visit. It is a partially ruined castle with a small museum located on a forested hilltop and requires a short hike (20 to 30 minutes) to reach. Good spot for kids, although note not all info at the site is in English (at least not when we visited a few years ago). It is about a 1 hour drive from Girona in the direction of Barcelona.
It should be pretty quiet throughout the Catalan Pyrenees area this time of year, unless there is a local festival happening.
Hope that helps and just let us know if you have any further questions.
Enjoy your visit!
Jessica
Mark Ristow Post author
most helpful article on Catalonia Pyrenees. Thank you.
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Mark, Thanks for letting us know and hope you have a great visit to the Catalan Pyrenees! Best, Jessica
Ali Post author
Catalonia is one of the wonderful place that i really want to see and thanks this amazing knowledge its me help me a lot.
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Ali, You’re very welcome, just let us know if you have any questions as you plan your trip to Catalonia. Best, Jessica
Jenni Post author
Hello. Loved this article. I am curious if you or any websites that you know of have info on Pallars Sobira. I would love to go even further West and see the national parks out there. As well as eat great local foods and stroll around medieval structures. We would be going in May of next year. Thanks!
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Jenni, We have been to this area but we haven’t added it to this guide yet. I don’t know of any great guides (in English) but we definitely can recommend spending time in Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park (lots of hiking/nature opportunities, only national park in Catalonia, mostly in the Pallars Sobira ). We can also recommend exploring the nearby Vall de Boí (Romanesque churches, ski resorts, mountains, nature, local food). There are also hiking and river activities available around the Noguera Pallaresa area. Hope that helps you in your search! Best, Jessica
guy in barcelona Post author
Hi Jessica and Laurence!
That’s the truth: the spanish pyrenees are a beautiful area to be discovered and explored. We live in barcelona and know this to be true!
Thanks for sharing this!
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi there, Yes, it is definitely a special area and one that not too many people outside of France and Spain often discover. A great place for a weekend or week getaway from Barcelona 😉 Best, Jessica
james gilbert Post author
We plan to be in the Pyrenees for about 2 weeks in October. In our mid 70’s so our activity will not be what I wish, but am sure that we will find plenty to do. Your Catalonia Pyrenees site is extremely helpful.
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi James, Thanks for taking the time to comment, and so happy to hear that you found this helpful. 2 weeks should give you plenty of time to explore at a really nice and slow pace. October should be a nice time of year to visit.
Since you have so long, I’d perhaps choose 2 to 3 bases to stay where you can stay for several days at a time to explore different areas of the Pyrenees and not have to move around very much. There is a lot to do even if you are not super active and even for hikes you can easily find some of the shorter and flatter ones to do. Scenic areas like Vall de Núria can be explored easily by people of any fitness level as you can take the rack railway up and then explore as wish once there.
Do let us know if you have any questions as you plan your trip.
Best, Jessica
Jesse Post author
This is a great write-up. My wife and I are going to Catalonia for our honeymoon. We plan to spend three nights in the Pyrenees, after visiting Barcelona and Costa Brava. Our main interests in the Pyrenees will be hiking, eating, scenic drives, and wandering through medieval cities and churches. Of the three Pyrenees areas you focused on, which would recommend as a home base from which to venture out each day? El Ripolles because it’s between the other two? Or should we just focus on one or two of the areas given the short amount of time we have? We aren’t keen on getting different accommodations every night. I’d be grateful for any thoughts!
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Jesse,
Happy to hear that you will be spending part of your honeymoon in the Spanish Pyrenees. It is nice contrast to Barcelona and the Costa Brava – although those are both wonderful destinations as well!
I think either El Ripolles or Garrotxa would both be great for you, and yes I would recommend basing yourself in just one hotel if you can rather than changing hotels. You can see a fair amount of the region using one town or city as a base. I’d figure out where to stay based on the places you really want to see.
You can either explore one area (plenty to do in either for 2-3 days) or just choose one of them. We just wrote specific guides to La Cerdanya and El Ripolles that you can read more specifics about those two areas. The one for Garrotxa should be out on Independent Travel Cats in the next month (if you sign up to our newsletter we sent out updates once a month with new content on both blogs).
For a scenic drive, we recommend the mountain road that goes up to Beget (as long as the weather and roads are OK). You can start the drive in either Camprodon or around Castelfollit de Roca and then head to cute little village of Beget. Great scenic views along the way. Also great scenic views from the rack railway to Vall de Núria.
The churches, hiking, and medieval villages you can find any of the regions. The volcanic park in La Garrotxa is a favorite place for us, but there are lots of hiking trails throughout the Pyrenees.
Hope that helps, and feel free to follow-up as you continue your planning!
Jessica
Jesse Post author
Thanks so much! Really appreciate it.
Catherine Barclay Post author
Hi Jessica. Love your photos and the terrific detailed information.
Is it possible to travel by train from Barcelona to the Pyrenees rather than a car? We’re hoping to travel late next April and will want to escape the busy city before leaving Spain. We’re not hikers as much as walkers and would love to see more of the country side. Suggestions?
Thanks. Catherine
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Catherine,
Glad you enjoyed our article on the Spanish Pyrenees and they do make a great day trip from Barcelona. Spending a day or two the in Pyrenees is a great way to escape the crowds of Barcelona – the city is great but not the most peaceful city (especially when a lot of cruise ships are in port!).
Unfortunately there are not great train connections within this region. But there is one commuter train line that goes from Barcelona to Puigcerda, with stops in Ripoll, Planoles, and Ribes de Freser. From Ribes des Freser you can get the rack railway to Nuria.
You can check the commuter train lines here: http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/cercanias/barcelona/index.html
So you could probably do the train if you want to visit any of the places along the train line, or you could take the train and then get a taxi or bus to nearby places easy enough (although do check for connections beforehand).
Your other options are to check local bus connections (this is probably not the most efficient option for most travelers, Teisa is one bus company in the area), rent a car, or join a tour from Barcelona (you can join a group tour or book a private tour).
Here are some day tour options if those of are of interest:
Hope this helps, and wishing you a great trip to Barcelona & the Pyrenees!
Jessica
Letitia Post author
Hi- your article was wonderful and has given me a lot of inspiration. My husband and I are traveling to Barcelona without 2 year old daughter for a 5 day mini trip in January over MLK weekend. We would like to rent a car, as this is something we love to do in each country we’ve travelled. We intend to take a one day trip to see the Pyrenees- can you recommend one or two towns we should plan to visit to maximize our time? We’d like to ideally see the mountains, a few quaint shops in a town, some medieval scenery, and have all our meals. We intend to leave early morning and return to Barcelona in The evening. Ideally we would love to be in France for a portion of this adventure if possible. Thank you for your suggestions!
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Letitia,
You can easily do a full one day trip to see a few villages in the Girona Pyrenees. Here are two sets of suggestions:
Medieval Village loop: Based on your interests I’d recommend some combination of the following towns/cities: Besalú (very photogenic medieval village with bridge, although can be busy), Sant Joan les Fonts (pretty town with medieval monastery and bridge), Santa Pau (small medieval village, several restaurants), and Olot (larger city, surrounded by volcanic area, good market for local foods and items, lots of restaurants/shops). You could also do a hot air balloon ride if interested from near Santa Pau.
Mountains & Medieval: If you want a more peaceful place surrounded by mountains, I’d maybe head to Vall de Núria instead and take the rack railway up there – its a beautiful area if you like snow and mountains in the winter. There is a cafe, cafeteria, and restaurant there as well as ski resort and snowshoe tours. So if you decide to do Nuria, I’d perhaps recommend stops in Ripoll (impressive monastery here, several restaurants) and little towns like Queralbs (rack railway station here) that are on the way to Nuria. If you have time, you could also head over to Camprodon (small medieval town with pretty bridge, shops & restaurants) and explore some of the other tiny towns of the Camprodon Valley. Or you can probably visit one of the towns recommend earlier (e.g., Santa Pau, Olot).
I would not recommend driving all the way to France as that would add a lot of time to your day and I don’t think would be worth it. Also the French Pyrenees roads can be not so fun to drive in January. We encountered a snow storm in January there once and the driving was really difficult as we did not have snow chains with our rental (like all the local cars).
Hope this gives you some ideas! Feel free to follow-up if you have further questions as you plan your trip to Barcelona!
Best,
Jessica
Letitia Post author
Thanks Jessica for responding- I meant to say in my post we will be traveling WITH our 2 year old daughter, which is why we wanted to keep the excursion to a day and simply visit one or two towns 🙂
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Letitia, Ah, that makes more sense – the suggestions should give you enough to choose 1 or 2 towns for a day out from Barcelona. If Nuria is appealing they have a children’s winter play area and family activities although your daughter may be a bit young 😉 But let me know if you have any further questions! Best, Jessica
David Post author
Hi Jessica,
Love your article and photos! One of the best resource I’ve found since researching for my coming trip to Catalunya in early July. Will be based in Girona for 4 nights. Plan to take the family for the hot air balloon from Olot one morning. Do you think we would have enough time to visit Castellfollit De La Roca and Besalu for the rest of the day before driving back to Girona? I know it is a bit of a rush. Don’t suppose we can pack in Beget?
Rgds,
David
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi David,
Funny enough, we are back in the Girona Pyrenees right now and have visited all these places again over the past week – was just in Santa Pau yesterday 😉
You’ll need to leave Girona very early to get to the hot air balloon place (are you doing the Vol de Coloms?) as you probably already know but there should not be too much traffic that early 😉 The preparation, balloon ride, and breakfast afterward took about 3 hours when we did it so it gives you a lot of time left to explore.
On your way back to Girona I would recommend first seeing Santa Pau since you will be nearby if you are doing the ride with Vol de Coloms (beautiful medieval village, it takes about 1 hour or so to wander around following the town’s suggested route), then you may want to visit Sant Joan les Fonts (pretty town with a big Romanesque monastery, medieval bridge, fortified Romanesque manor house, and an old mill – a great place to explore on foot), then you can stop to see Castellfollit de la Roca (interesting perched village with nice views from top but small with not too much to do here, so won’t take too long to see or explore), and then you can visit Besalú (lots to see/learn about from medieval history to Jewish history, lots of shops, very scenic, but can be very crowded). In July you have a lot of daylight hours so you could visit all of these villages and stop for lunch and even dinner before returning to Girona.
I would not recommend going up to Beget on this day as that is a very winding road and it will be at least an hour up and an hour back. Beget is nice but most of the other villages mentioned offer more to see and do and gives you time to see more places. A great place to explore though on a return trip 😉
Hope this helps, and let us know if you have any more questions about your trip to Girona or the Pyrenees.
Best,
Jessica
Zofia Post author
Hi J&L,
I loved your post! Can you recommend a travel guide to use for Catalonia? something with an almost-as-good a your post with a decent coverage of the Pyrenees? Thanks a lot!
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Zofia, So happy to hear that you enjoyed our Spanish Pyrenees travel guide! It focuses on the area of the Pyrenees within the province of Girona in Catalonia.
There are probably no good Catalonia travel guides like this that are just one article as Catalonia is such as huge area, and most articles about Catalonia tend to focus mainly on the city of Barcelona and the coastal area only. If you are looking for articles, I’d try looking for the provinces of Catalonia that you plan to visit to try to find good guides for them, there are 4 in total: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona.
But a better option is probably just to buy a good Catalonia guidebook, but unfortunately most are still going to focus on Barcelona. A option might be this one by DK Eyewitness which looks like it does cover the rest of the region. Most Spain guidebooks will also give a good coverage to the region but you are better off looking for a specific one if this is the only area you are visiting.
We are actually heading back to Catalonia in June 😉
Best,
Jessica
Ann Post author
This sounds lovely! I’m travelling to the Spanish Pyrenees in July and am already looking forward. I am planning on being based in Besalu for a few days – is this close enough to explore the volcanic park?
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Ann, Yes, if you are based in Besalú or nearby, it should just be a 20 to 30 minute drive to reach the volcanic park, depending on where you want to go within it. Summer is a great time to visit the Spanish Pyrenees if you enjoy hiking, although it can be pretty hot so come prepared with lightweight clothing, sunscreen, hat, and plenty of water. If you base in Besalu, some places like La Vall de Núria (great place for summer hiking) and the town of Puigcerdà are a bit further away but you should be within a 2 hour drive of just about everything we mention in this article. Hope this helps! Best, Jessica
Tanja Post author
I somehow never associated skiing and Spain, Stunning photos!
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Tanja, Yes, the Pyrenees (they run through Spain, France, & Andorra) are a great place to go for skiing. The resorts we visited within the Spanish Pyrenees are great for those seeking a less crowded experience and many were family friendly (offering beginner slopes, kids gear rentals, and lessons). There are also loads of other winter activities we did like snowshoeing, sledding, and winter Segway trips. Best, Jessica
Shoba Post author
Hi we are currently working in Begur, Spain and hope to do a day trip tomorrow to the Pyrenees. Any suggestions? Thx
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Shoba, It really depends on what you want to do but you are working only between 1 to 2 hours from most of the Spanish Pyrenees places we discuss in the article so any would be possible. First I would choose one of the three regions to explore. Then choose a focus of what you want to do (e.g., Romanesque churches, medieval cities, Catalan food spots, museums, markets, hiking). If I were visiting for just a day trip I would probably choose to either visit a few medieval cities or head to the natural spaces for some hiking and exploring. Or perhaps a mixture between nature and medieval cities. For example, for medieval cities in La Garrotxa, you might stop in Besalú Santa Pau, and Sant Joan les Fonts OR in Ripollès, you might want to stop in Ripoll, Beget, Camprodon, and Sant Joan des les Abadesses. If you are seeking nature and open spaces I’d suggest considering hiking in La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, Alta Garrotxa Area of Natural Interest, or Vall de Núria. I would also check before you go or stop at a tourism office to see if there are any festivals or markets taking place near where you go as those can be a lot of fun. Enjoy the Spanish Pyrenees! Best, Jessica
Nicholas Langdon-Davies Post author
Here’s a suggestion – try staying at Cal Sandic in Aransa, near Martintet in the Cerdanya. The views are wonderful. Bed, huge breakfast and almost gourmet level evening meal for 45 euros a head. There are fantastic, varied walks near the village, either in the local woods, in pastureland or up to 2900 metres on the borders of Andorra and France. From Martinet you need a taxi or to dedicate a day’s fairly stiff walking up to Aransa. It’s my favourite spot in the Catalan Pyrenees.
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Nicholas, Thanks so much for sharing your favorite spot with us – it sound beautiful. Maybe we will check it out on a future visit! Best, Jessica
Taylor Post author
That hot air ballooning shot is absolutely incredible! What an adventure!
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Taylor, The Pyrenees is a wonderful place to explore and have an adventure. Hot air ballooning there was one of many wonderful experiences! Jessica
Cília Post author
Hope you had great days in my land! I’m not exactly from the places you had been (I’m from a little village near Olot, but I live in Vic, maybe you had seen it in guides) but I’ve been at all places you feature, especially in Olot! I think they are the best places of Catalonia, the most original, and I’m very glad you had chosen them to visit because they are very worthy to see, instead of the beaches (that they are the same in all places and very crowded!)
Thanks for to make know my land! <3
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Cília, Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and glad that as a local you enjoyed our travel guide and recommendations. I have not been to Vic yet, although we have been to a lot of towns/cities nearby (always new places to visit!). Laurence and I have always enjoyed our time in Catalonia – it is such a diverse and interesting region with so much to do and see. We also love the people and food – and the area we discuss in this post is so much less known than other area of Catalonia such as Barcelona and the coast. We always love getting away from the crowds and tourist attractions when traveling for at least part of our trip – and the Catalan Pyrenees area is a great place for that! Best, Jessica
David Post author
My only experience with Catalonia so far is a brief visit to Barcelona a couple of years ago, but I’d love to get the chance to spend some more time there. There’s clearly so much to see and do, but Besalú sounds right up my alley. Also, your photos are absolutely stunning!
Mapping The Map Post author
Thanks for sharing such amazing pictures from our land, Catalonia. Glad you liked it!
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi there, thanks so much, means a lot when praise comes from those who live in a destination! Best, Jessica
Anna Post author
Spanish Pyrenees are amazing…. Haven´t been to Cerdanya, but went skiing to Baqueira and also visited Seo de Urgel and Andorra, Always went in winter though, should try spring/autumn! Loved your photos, thanks for sharing !
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Anna, Glad you’ve visiting the area as well! Yes, they are, very scenic and lots to do in the Spanish Pyrenees no matter the season. Hope you get a chance to return to the area and spend more time in this area. Spring and autumn are particularly great times to visit for hiking, cycling, and climbing. Best, Jessica
Jim ~ReflectionsEnroute Post author
Beautiful photography of a beautiful place! I had never heard of segway in the snow, it looks like fun. Great article! Thanks for linking in to #wkendtravelinspiration!
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Thanks Jim, yes, we had never heard of Winter Segway tours either! Anything is possible 😉 Best, Jessica
Rob+Ann Post author
Wow – so much to do and see! We’ve wanted to get back to Barcelona, and to visit Andorra, so this fits in nicely. I can see we’ll need to allow more time, though. (Gosh darn! 😉 Thanks for all of the great ideas and info!
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Rob & Ann, Yes, the Spanish Pyrenees of Catalonia is a great area to fit into a holiday if you want to visit Barcelona and Andorra. It is actually easy to be in France, Spain, and Andorra all in a single day, although I’d advise taking it much more slowly! Hope you get a chance to return to Spain and spend some time in this area. Best, Jessica
Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields Post author
I once spent a week with hubby and the boys in a vacation house in the Spanish Pyrenees. It is a great place to visit and not as crowded as so many European destinations.
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Lyn, Glad to hear you’ve had a great vacation in the Spanish Pyrenees. Yes, that is exactly one of the great reasons to come here is that it is not crowded and very easy to enjoy nature there. Things are also quite spread out which I think helps spread out visitors across the region rather than everyone visiting the same spot or two. Best, Jessica
Ruth Post author
Such a beautiful area! Love the old buildings, bridges and volcanoes. How long was your trip? You were able to see a lot. And, agree with what you said about Barcelona. It is a wonderful city but so crowded! That fact would push me to concentrate on the Costa Brava or the Pyrenees (and stop by France too).
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Ruth, It really is a beautiful area. Between Laurence and I, I think we’ve been to the Spanish Pyrenees 3 or 4 times (Laurence has been there more often than me). This last visit in January we were there for 10 days (where the majority of the photos in the post come from) – about half the time doing skiing and winter related stuff and half the time exploring museums, cities, hiking, driving, etc. But we’ve been there in Spring and Summer as well as winter – always something to do but nothing you have to do. Great place to head after Barcelona (we spent a few days in Barcelona beforehand) and easy to add on Costa Brava, the French Pyrenees, or Andorra into the trip as well. Jessica
Paula McInerneu Post author
I hope you are going to publish this in an ebook. What an epic guide to the Spanish Pyrenees. Congratulations
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Paula, Thanks so much and glad you liked our guide to the Spanish Pyrenees! Laurence actually did a short ebook on the skiing resorts and winter activities, but no current plans to turn this into an ebook although I guess it wouldn’t be that difficult to do so. Thanks for the idea! Best, Jessica
Anda Post author
The Pyrenees Region looks unbelievably beautiful. Besides, there seems to be a lot to do there other than just hiking and sightseeing. I’d love to visit the area someday. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Anda, Yes, the Spanish Pyrenees of Catalonia (well probably all regions of Spain…) is quite beautiful and a really nice place to visit. There is plenty to do but not a lot of must-sees so it feels unhurried and you can spend a day exploring a couple villages and do some hiking. We’ve been a few times between us now – a great place to spend a week! Jessica
Lolo Post author
Ok, when I think of Spain, I don’t think of snow! You’ve definitely piqued my interest in this region though! That thermal spa looks amazing!!
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Lolo, Yes, the Spanish Pyrenees has I think over 20 ski resorts (including the 5 in the Girona province of Catalonia which we talk about). It is a very popular ski destination for Spanish people and neighbors (French) but not as well known outside of the area (e.g., we were often the only English speakers). Many people from Barcelona for example own second homes in the area so they can escape for weekends of skiing, hiking, and cycling. A great place for some winter fun and not expensive compared to many other ski destinations we have visited. Best, Jessica
Leigh Post author
Beautiful scenery and food! I’m visiting the Swiss Alps this summer, but will have to consider the Pyrenees for a future trip!
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Leigh, The Swiss Alps are beautiful and they are more majestic than the Pyrenees on average and a beautiful place to visit in winter or otherwise. Advantages of the Pyrenees over the Alps is that we’ve found it much less expensive, crowded, and more family friendly in the Spanish Pyrenees. That said, both are great but different destinations! Enjoy your trip. Best, Jessica
Staci @ The Voyageer Post author
How amazing!! My friend walked part of the Camino de Santiago. You have posted some awesome recommendations and photos here. Thanks for sharing this less-well-known area!
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Staci, Yes, few people walking the Camino de Santiago come here just because the main touristed path (Camino Frances) runs northwest of it, but feeder trails from Olot, Barcelona, and the coast connect to it. There is definitely lots to do in the area and I hope you get the chance to visit this lesser known area of Spain some day! Jessica
Anisa Post author
I need to go back to Barcelona, because we only spent 2 days there. So when we go back, hopefully we can explore more of Catalonia. I’m not much of a skier but would love to do some hiking.
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
Hi Anisa, Yes, Barcelona definitely deserves more than 2 days (we’ve been a few times, and still haven’t seen everything!), and the Pyrenees are perfect for hiking in the Spring/Summer or doing fun winter stuff. Costa Brava is also great for coastal hiking, and in fact some of the long distance paths go from coast to mountains! ~ Jessica