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🇪🇸 Spain · Places to discover

What to see in Besalú ?

24 places curated by Hozy - landmarks, nature, hidden restaurants and activities.

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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)

Plaça de la LlibertatWikipedia (ca) - CC BY-SA

Plaça de la Llibertat

Landmark

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.
Jewish Mikveh of BesalúWikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SA

Jewish Mikveh of Besalú

Landmark

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 CastleWikipedia (ca) - CC BY-SA

Ruins of Besalú Castle

Landmark

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 BesalúWikipedia (ca) - CC BY-SA

Monastery of Sant Pere de Besalú

Landmark

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 BesalúWikipedia (ca) - CC BY-SA

Church of Sant Vicenç de Besalú

Landmark

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 CornellàWikipedia (ca) - CC BY-SA

Casa Cornellà

Landmark

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.
Bridge Street and Medieval WallWikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SA

Bridge Street and Medieval Wall

Landmark

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.
Romanesque Bridge of BesalúWikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SA

Romanesque Bridge of Besalú

Landmark

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.

Church of Santa Maria de Lligordà

Landmark

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.

Antiga Cúria Reial

Landmark

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.

Nature & parks (4)

Camí de Ronda de BesalúWikipedia (en) - CC BY-SA

Camí de Ronda de Besalú

Nature

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.

Hermitage of Sant Miquel de Ollers

Nature

Small isolated Romanesque chapel in the fields 2 km north of Besalú, reached by an earth track. A place of absolute silence offering clear views of the Pyrenees on fine days.

Fluvià Plain towards Esponellà

Nature

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.

Fluvià Gorges downstream of Besalú

Nature

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 (3)

Viewpoint at Sant Ferriol Heights BridgeWikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SA

Viewpoint at Sant Ferriol Heights Bridge

Viewpoint

Sweeping vista over Besalú and its bridge from the Sant Ferriol road, 3 km north. The most spectacular vantage point for photographing the village—the one postcards never quite capture.
Banks of the Fluvià beneath the Pont VellWikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SA

Banks of the Fluvià beneath the Pont Vell

Viewpoint

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.

Viewpoint over the Fluvià

Viewpoint

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)

Medieval Market of BesalúWikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SA

Medieval Market of Besalú

Activity

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.

Traditional Ceramics Workshop

Activity

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.

Route of the Volcanoes of Garrotxa from Besalú

Activity

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.

Kayaking on the Fluvià from Besalú

Activity

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.

Guided Visit to the Mikva and Jewish Quarter

Activity

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)

Mas Carboners - Farm ShopWikipedia (en) - CC BY-SA

Mas Carboners - Farm Shop

Place

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.

Hostal dels Ossos - Former Medieval Hospice

Place

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.
What to see in Besalú - Spain? 24 places · Hozy