The Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes (and how to get there)

The monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes

The Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes is a Romanesque-style Benedictine monastery which overlooks the Costa Brava, one hundred and fifty kilometres north of Barcelona. Legend has it that the monastery was built by monks who fled from Rome during the seventh century, taking with them the remains of Saint Peter. In reality, the first…

The Martinet Valley, Aiguafreda de Dalt and the Dolmen de Cruïlles (Montseny Natural Park)

Panoramic views at Aiguafreda de Dalt

This easy, ten-kilometre hike in Montseny Natural Park is best undertaken in spring or early summer when there will be water in the Riera de Martinet. You can also walk it at other times of the year, but the pools and waterfalls near the start of the trail will likely be dry. The circular route…

Peratallada: A Pituresque Medieval Village Near The Costa Brava

Plaça de les Voltes, Peratallada

Peratallada is one of the most picturesque and best conserved medieval villages in Catalonia. Unlike most medieval villages and towns, which have grown and expanded over the centuries leaving the original village centre surrounded by newer buildings, Peratallada has retained its original defensive walls and remains largely untouched. Indeed, apart from the three pay and…

Visiting the Gorg de la Plana Waterfalls (Brugent Nature Reserve)

Gorg de La Plana waterfalls

Ninety kilometres north of Barcelona, the Espai Protegit del Brugent is a small nature reserve that follows the course of the River Brugent, just south of the La Garrotxa Volcanic Area. There are seven waterfalls and natural swimming pools located along the length of the river, all of which can be visited by following marked…

La Fageda d’en Jordà Beech Forest (La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone)

The Fageda d'en Jordà beech forest

The Fageda d’en Jordà is a beech forest located in the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone, approximately one hundred kilometres northeast of Barcelona. The forest is a popular day trip from Barcelona, especially in mid to late November when the leaves turn golden brown, making the area incredibly photogenic. Whatever time of year you plan to…

Ripoll: What to See and Do

Ripoll

Ripoll is a small town in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountain range, one hundred kilometres from Barcelona. The town is best known for the monastery of Santa Maria de Ripoll, which was founded in the ninth century and is considered one of the most important Romanesque monuments in Spain. Ripoll also makes a good…

Terrassa: What to See and Do

Masia Freixa

Thirty kilometres inland from Barcelona, Terrassa’s attractive, pedestrianised city centre is an interesting and lesser-known day trip or weekend break. Sometimes referred to as the Catalan Manchester, Terrassa played a key role during the Industrial Revolution when it was an important city for textile manufacturing. In its heyday at the beginning of the twentieth century,…

Dalinian Triangle Guide: In the Surreal Footsteps of Salvador Dalí

Dalís Sistine Chapel

Possibly the best known and most instantly recognisable artist of the 20th Century, Salvador Dalí was born in Figueres, 140km north of Barcelona. Famous for his dreamlike surrealist paintings and eccentric public persona, Dalí spent most of his life in Catalonia. Many of his best-known paintings were inspired by the rocky landscapes and coastline between…

Gala-Dalí Castle, Púbol

Gala Dalí castle, Púbol

The Gala-Dalí Castle at Púbol is one of the three vertices of the so-called Dalinian triangle. More sombre and austere than the couple’s home in Portlligat. The castle was Gala’s private refuge and contains a collection of her dresses, personal belongings and works of art which Dalí painted for her. History of the Gala-Dalí Castle…

The Walk From Flaça Train Station to Púbol

The gravel cycle path from Flaça to La Pera, you can see the church tower of La Pera in the distance

Flaça train station is approximately 6km from Púbol, the walk through rolling farmland takes just over an hour. From Flaça to La Pera the route follows a gravel cycle path. From La Pera to Pubol, You walk on the GV-6426 which is a quiet country road with little traffic. If you will be walking in…

The First Building Designed by Antoni Gaudí

Nau Gaudí, Mataró

No matter how brief your stay in Barcelona, the chances are you will visit at least one building designed by Antoni Gaudí. A mixture of modernisme, surrealism and Gothicism combined with innovative engineering, Gaudi’s unique architectural style has shaped many of the city’s most famous landmarks and influenced generations of architects. Although most of Gaudi’s…

Tossa de Mar: History, Sand and Sunshine on the Costa Brava

Tossa de Mar

Situated on the southernmost part of the Costa Brava, the charming seaside resort of Tossa de Mar is a popular day trip from Barcelona. Tossa’s attractions include sandy beaches and a picturesque old town whose narrow streets are lined with restaurants and bars. Not to mention the impressive 12th-century medieval castle or Vila Vella. Once an…

Vic’s Annual Medieval Market

Street performers terrorizing visitors at Vic medieval market

Every year, at the start of December, the town of Vic stages one of the largest and best-known medieval markets in Spain. El Mercat Medieval de Vic lasts four days and, for many Barcelona residents, is an essential part of the run-up to Christmas. Located just 70km from Barcelona, Vic is a regional capital and…