Day trip

From Barcelona: Medieval Villages Day Tour

Activity provider: Explore Catalunya
Day trip

From Barcelona: Medieval Villages Day Tour

Activity provider: Explore Catalunya
Likely to sell out

From US$ 102.31 per person

Likely to sell out

Discover three of Catalonia´s best medieval villages on a guided tour. Travel back in time as you visit Besalú, the hidden jewel of Rupit and, finally, the clifftop village of Tavertet.

About this activity

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Duration 10 hours
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Live tour guide
English

Experience

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
Full 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.

Includes
  • Local guide
  • Transportation
  • Gratuities (optional)
  • Food and drinks (unless specified)
  • Hotel pick-up and drop off

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Participants

Date

Meeting point

The Explore Catalunya office, directly across from the Palau de la Musica, off Via Laietena

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Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.8 /5

based on 169 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.9/5
  • Transportation
    4.8/5
  • Value for money
    4.7/5
  • Safety
    4.7/5

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Star rating:

Great day trip to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city and get to know Catalunya. The villages and landscapes are all absolutely worth seeing and different from each other. Organization was great and everything was on time. The mix of a short walk with the guide and then 1-2 hours of free time helps you to get information on the one hand and to design your stay individually at the same time. Absolute recommendation from me!

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December 10, 2022

A very pretty getaway off the beaten track in a more secret Catalonia that not all tourists have the chance to discover. Our guide, Carlos, strives to make the tour interactive and takes great care of the group. The excursion is a little expensive, but it is the price of originality and it is worth it. The starting point is very easy to reach, just outside the Urquinaona metro. A word of advice: don't waste 2 hours eating hot meals in Rupit; a sandwich will suffice and you will have more time to stroll on the heights of the village which offer magnificent views.

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November 15, 2022

The tour of the medieval villages was just great. We had great fun and were able to take beautiful photos. Absolutely suitable for all hobby photographers. There was enough free time and opportunities to eat/drink something. Our guide was very knowledgeable, friendly and knowledgeable. He could tell a lot about the 3 villages.

November 7, 2022

Product ID: 55978