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What to see in Besalú?

22 places selected by the community - landmarks, nature, hidden restaurants and activities.

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Map of places in Besalú, numbered like the cards below
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Besalú is a medieval town in the Catalan Garrotxa that has drifted through the centuries without seeking much attention. Its fortified Romanesque bridge with eleven arches, built in the twelfth century, spans the Fluvià and remains one of the best-preserved structures across the entire Iberian peninsula. The juderia, the Jewish quarter with its ritual baths or mikvé, recalls that the town was a centre of intellectual and commercial importance in the Middle Ages.

Spring and autumn offer ideal light and visitor numbers; summer turns the alleyways into a corridor of organised groups. Allow half a day, or a full day if you combine it with the nearby Garrotxa volcanoes. Besalú is easily reached by car from Girona in forty minutes, as public transport remains impractical. Don't limit yourself to the bridge for photographs: the interior of the town, less photographed, concentrates the place's essential character.

Landmarks & heritage

10 places

  • Jewish Mikveh of Besalú1Wikipedia · CC BY-SA

    Landmark

    Jewish Mikveh of Besalú

    Twelfth-century Jewish ritual bath, one of only three preserved in Europe. Discovered by chance in 1964, this exceptional underground site testifies to Besalú's rich medieval Jewish community.

  • Ruins of Besalú Castle2Wikipedia · CC BY-SA

    Landmark

    Ruins of Besalú Castle

    Vestiges of the comtal castle dominating the village from a rocky outcrop, commanding panoramic views over the Fluvià and medieval rooftops. A little-frequented spot where the atmosphere of the former county capital feels genuinely palpable.

  • Monastery of Sant Pere de Besalú3Wikipedia · CC BY-SA

    Landmark

    Monastery of Sant Pere de Besalú

    Benedictine monastery founded in the tenth century, its carved Romanesque façade a masterpiece of Catalan art. The church preserves finely worked historiated capitals, often overlooked by hurried tour groups.

  • Church of Sant Vicenç de Besalú4Wikipedia · CC BY-SA

    Landmark

    Church of Sant Vicenç de Besalú

    Twelfth-century Romanesque church of elegant proportions, featuring a sculpted portal and a sober, luminous interior. Less visited than Sant Pere, it nonetheless merits a stop for its architectural details.

  • Casa Cornellà5Wikipedia · CC BY-SA

    Landmark

    Casa Cornellà

    Fourteenth-century Gothic palace on the main square, with a fine façade of twin windows characteristic of Catalan civil Gothic. Now housing the tourist office, the exterior architecture alone rewards a visit.

  • 6

    Landmark

    Landmark

    Bridge Street and Medieval Wall

    Preserved stretch of medieval fortification running along the Bridge Street, complete with original watchtowers and arrow slits. Beyond the crowds, this cobbled lane retains an utterly intact medieval atmosphere.

  • 7

    Landmark

    Landmark

    Church of Santa Maria de Lligordà

    Small 11th-century Romanesque church in a hamlet 4 km from Besalú, surrounded by a rural cemetery and hundred-year-old oaks. A textbook example of pre-Garrotxa rural religious architecture, entirely unspoilt.

  • 8

    Landmark

    Landmark

    Antiga Cúria Reial

    Former medieval royal court, a remarkable Romanesque civic building with full round arches. A rare testimony to twelfth-century administrative architecture, often overlooked amongst the other structures on the square.

  • 9

    Landmark

    Landmark

    Plaça de la Llibertat

    Living heart of the medieval village, framed by Romanesque arcades and ochre-toned façades. Locals gather here in the morning for coffee, far removed from the tourist bustle concentrated on the bridge.

  • 10

    Landmark

    Landmark

    Romanesque Bridge of Besalú

    Fortified medieval bridge of the twelfth century spanning the Fluvià, distinguished by its asymmetrical arches and central toll tower. One of Catalonia's best-preserved Romanesque bridges, especially magnificent at sunrise before crowds arrive.

Nature & parks

3 places

  • 11

    Nature

    Nature

    Camí de Ronda de Besalú

    Medieval rampart walk following the village's ancient fortifications, offering changing views across the Garrotxa countryside and distant volcanoes. Accessible and lightly trodden, perfect for an hour's leisurely stroll.

  • 12

    Nature

    Nature

    Fluvià Plain towards Esponellà

    Typical alluvial plain landscape of lower Garrotxa, with maize fields, traditional farmhouses and poplars lining the river. A bicycle ride from Besalú (8 km) leads to the charming village of Esponellà.

  • 13

    Nature

    Nature

    Fluvià Gorges downstream of Besalú

    Stretch of wild river below the village, accessible on foot from the bridge. In summer, locals swim in natural limestone pools carved by the water, far from the crowds.

Viewpoints

2 places

  • 14

    Viewpoint

    Viewpoint

    Banks of the Fluvià beneath the Pont Vell

    Grassy riverbank directly beneath the Roman bridge, accessed by a discreet stairway from the road. Locals picnic here in the shade, with the medieval arches reflected magically in the water below.

  • 15

    Viewpoint

    Viewpoint

    Viewpoint over the Fluvià

    Natural vantage point overlooking the Fluvià gorges, reached by a path behind Sant Pere church. Offers the finest perspective on the Roman bridge and ramparts, especially magical in the golden afternoon light.

Activities

5 places

  • 16

    Activity

    Activity

    Traditional Ceramics Workshop

    Catalan pottery studio run by a local craftsman in a medieval house, offering initiation courses in traditional garrotxine technique. A discreet address passed along by word of mouth among local residents.

  • 17

    Activity

    Activity

    Route of the Volcanoes of Garrotxa from Besalú

    Ideal starting point for reaching the Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa, 15 km away, with its volcanic cones and beech forests. The road towards Olot passes through landscapes of fossilised lava unique on the Iberian peninsula.

  • 18

    Activity

    Activity

    Kayaking on the Fluvià from Besalú

    Kayak or canoe descent of the Fluvià downstream from Besalú, arranged by local outfitters in the region. The finest way to view the Roman bridge from the water and discover riverbanks inaccessible on foot.

  • 19

    Activity

    Activity

    Medieval Market of Besalú

    Annual medieval fair that transforms the village into a living 12th-century tableau, complete with craftspeople, jugglers and period cuisine. One of Catalonia's most authentic markets, held each year in March.

  • 20

    Activity

    Activity

    Guided Visit to the Mikva and Jewish Quarter

    Guided tour of the medieval Jewish quarter and underground ritual bath, organised by the tourist office with knowledgeable local guides. The only way to access the interior of the mikva—advance booking essential.

More to discover

2 places

  • 21

    Place

    Place

    Hostal dels Ossos - Former Medieval Hospice

    Medieval guesthouse now converted, its 13th-century structure still legible in the walls and barrel-vaulted cellars. A place steeped in history where you can enjoy a drink in authentically preserved spaces.

  • 22

    Place

    Place

    Mas Carboners - Farm Shop

    Traditional farmstead on Besalú's doorstep selling vegetables, sheep's cheese and artisanal cured meats direct from the land. Locals do their weekend shopping here—the address tourists never hear about.

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