From Barcelona: Medieval Villages Day Tour

Highlights

• Tour the charming medieval villages of Besalú, Rupit and Tavertet
• Enjoy free time to explore Rupit and visit medieval sites
• Take in stunning views of the countryside from the Cingles de Tavertet sandstone cliffs
• See the beautiful Castellfollit de la Roca village located at the edge of a basalt cliff
• Go off the beaten track and discover lesser-known destinations

Description

Discover the medieval villages of Catalonia on a guided small group tour around the area. Visit Besalú, Rupit, and Travertet, with a mix of free time to explore and storytelling from your guide.
Meet your guide in central Barcelona in the morning before setting off for a drive through the heart of the Catalan countryside to the ancient town of Besalú. When you arrive, take a guided walk through this beautifully preserved village from the Middle Ages.

Admire the town's arcaded streets, visit a restored mikveh (an old Jewish bath from the 12th century), and see the remains of a medieval synagogue.

Continue by minivan to the village of Rupit. En route, you’ll pass Castellfollit de la Roca, one of the smallest towns in Catalonia with just 1,000 inhabitants living in just 3,280 square feet of space, located on the edge of a basalt precipice.

When you arrive in Rupit, enjoy 2 hours of free time to explore this beautiful village at your leisure. Wander along the cobblestone streets lined with 16th-century country houses, stop by the hanging wooden bridge, and visit the Baroque-era Church of Sant Miquel.
Purchase lunch at a local restaurant and see the remains of the Castle of Rupit perched on a rocky peak.

Next, enjoy a scenic drive to the top of the Cingles de Tavertet sandstone cliffs. Pass a megalithic tomb (a field of funerary urns) and then the Iberian Wall before reaching the village of Tavertet.
With your guide, tour this charming village, which has been declared a National Property of Cultural Interest due to its 48 preserved houses from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Learn about the village as you admire the houses and the 11th-century Romanesque Church of Sant Cristòfol. Enjoy a short break for coffee at a local café at your own expense or walk to the viewpoint to admire stunning views over the Panta de Sau Lake.

Then, relax on the drive back to Barcelona and take in views of El Magatalls, a beautiful lush forest, and El Montseny, a UNESCO Man and Biosphere-listed natural park.