Vic and the Medieval town of Besalu

Start your trip in Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, and jumping-off point for adventures into the surrounding region. Stay the night before in one of the city's many hotels to get an early start, as it's a big day!

You'll start your day by leaving Barcelona, heading north along the highway. It takes an hour to get to Vic, a bustling city with some great attractions that make it a worthy pit stop along your way before striking out further north.
This underground parking area enjoys a perfect location for exploring Vic on foot, within easy walking distance of the city center.

After you've parked your car, make the short stroll into the epicenter of Vic, where you'll find the impressive Plaça Major. This is actually the largest square in all of Catalonia - bigger even than Plaça Espana and Plaça Catalonia in Barcelona. Spend some time admiring the mix of architecture styles, including Gothic, Renaissance, and Catalan Modernism, or perhaps grab a coffee at one of the cafes.

Afterward, it's onto one of the city's most famous attractions: the Roman Temple. This relic of the ancient world was discovered when the castle that once stood here was demolished, revealing the largely-intact temple dating back to the 1st century.
Visitors are free to wander inside, where a small museum details the history of the location. Entrance is free.
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 11:00 – 13:00 & 18:00 – 20:00 Sundays: 18:00 – 20:00 Closed on Mondays

After spending some time admiring the temple and wandering through Vic's pleasant old center, it's time to jump back in the car and continue on toward Besalu further northeast.

From Vic to Olot, there's a drastic change in the landscape. You're now entering La Garrotxa, one of the counties that make up the Girona region. This is a destination known for its ancient dormant volcanoes that circle the town of Olot. Enjoy the scenery from behind the windshield, and pullover for lunch at this small but fantastic bar on the outskirts of town.
Opening Hours: Mondays & Wednesday – Saturday: 08:00 – 23:00 Sundays: 09:00 – 22:00

As you arrive in the town of Besalu, drive through and cross the river. On the other side, a free parking area gives you easy access to the city, letting you cross the famous and beautiful bridge on foot.

But before you do head across, duck into the tourism office. Here, you can arrange to visit the mikveh (Jewish bath) underneath the Synagogue.

The Bridge of Besalú is one of the main attractions of Garrotxa county, a wonderful sight that delivers you into this historic medieval city. First mentioned as spanning El Fluvia river in the 11th century, the bridge has gone through several different iterations, one after being destroyed in a flood in the 13th century and again after being blown up in the Spanish Civil War.

After you've taken your time crossing the bridge and taking plenty of beautiful photos, just on the other side is an old Jewish synagogue. If you organized a guided tour at the tourism office, you should be able to descend into the mikveh below, a remarkably preserved bath where the Jewish residents of the town used to bathe.
Opening Hours: Upon request in the tourism office.

After your guided visit into the mikveh, enjoy a stroll through the rest of town, soaking up the beautiful medieval atmosphere. There's a church, a monastery, and plenty more to discover within a small compact center.

After you've had your fill of Besalú, make your way back to the parking area on the other side of the river to continue on toward your hotel for the evening.

There's not far to drive to reach your hotel in Banyoles, a town on the shores of the second largest lake in Spain. Ca la Flora is a wonderful and charming bed and breakfast, an ideal local stay for a relaxing evening after your long day of exploring.

Best of all, the hotel is only a short walk from the center of Banyoles. This classic Spanish bar and restaurant serves up easy-going tapas in a scenic location; try and grab a table on the outdoor terrace to soak up the lovely evening vibes.
Opening Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 08:00 – midnight Friday – Saturday: 08:00 – 01:00

After dinner, you could perhaps enjoy a leisurely stroll down to the water's edge, of simply head back to the hotel to rest up and get ready for day two of the itinerary. Tomorrow, you'll be heading into Girona to explore even more of Catalonia's wonderful medieval history.