Weekend escapes Archives - The Onsider

With the arrival of Easter, we want to recommend you some of the most beautiful towns in Catalonia, which, to this day, are still frozen in medieval times, still preserving their cobbled streets, their arches, the stone balconies or towers . All of them are towns full of charming corners that take us back several centuries

MONTBLANC

Montblanc is a town located in the province of Tarragona, whose origins date back to the year 1080 and which, today, preserves the largest walled enclosure in Catalonia and a walk through its streets will take you back to the Middle Ages.

You can visit its stately towers, gates, sharp walls and a Romanesque bridge that make Montblanc an epic town with a 100% medieval atmosphere, as well as visit the monasteries of Poblet, Vallbona de les Monges and Santes Creus.

The Tourist Office conducts guided tours to discover the medieval history of this town. We highlight the Montblanc Medieval Week (coinciding with Sant Jordi, at the end of April). There is a cavalry school, exhibitions of medieval trades and a fabulous representation of the legend of Sant Jordi, among other activities. In addition, there are curious museums, such as the Nativity Scene Museum, the Wine Museum or the Rock Art Interpretation Center.

BESALÚ

If you want to discover the architectural heritage of Girona (just 30km from Girona), we recommend visiting the famous town of Besalú. The monumental importance of this is fundamentally given by its great value as a whole, by its unity, which determines it as one of the most important and unique samples of the medieval ensembles of Catalonia.

The historical origin of Besalú is a fortress that already existed in the 10th century, and today you will find corners that will remind you of the typical medieval town in which, in addition, there was a Jewish quarter.

Without any doubt, you should visit the medieval bridge of Besalú, as it is the most emblematic monument of the site with almost 150 meters in length. It was built in the 12th century. In addition, we recommend visiting the Jewish baths, the church of the monastery of San Pedro de Besalú and San Julián, a former pilgrim hospital, the Cornellá house, the church of San Vicente and the Gothic room of the Royal Curia Palace.

The beauty of its streets have turned Besalú into a film set. It hosted the filming of the third season of the HBO series Westworld, in addition to being chosen as a location for Game of Thrones or the movie Perfume.

PERATALLADA

Peratallada is one of the towns on the Girona coast that has a special charm, since all its corners are beautiful and authentic. It was declared a Historic-Artistic Site for being one of the most important and best-preserved medieval architecture center in Catalonia.

Among the most important elements, the fortress castle stands out, formed by the fortified nucleus and the keep, as well as the palace and the walls. The castle dates from the 11th and 12th centuries, although it has undergone subsequent reforms. The walls are from the 12th and 13th centuries. The great moat that surrounds the town, dug into the living rock, is surprising, since Peratallada sits on stoneware rock.

The two main squares of the town are Les Voltes, a beautiful arcaded square, and Castell, in front of the castle and the palace. Both are surrounded by narrow streets and stone houses that are very well preserved and decorated with flowers.

Outside the walled enclosure, we recommend a visit to the Romanesque-style parish church of San Esteban, which contains a Gothic tomb from 1348 inside.

As an interesting fact, there is a curious ice cream shop, Gelat Artesà de Peratallada, where they make totally artisan ice cream and it is famous for its quality and for the originality of its flavors, such as Roquefort or L’Escala anchovies.

CAMPODRON

Camprodon is located in Girona and the Pyrenean landscape of this town has great appeal for hikers and is ideal for skiing in winter. The town still preserves old castles and fortifications as part of its heritage.

It has its origin in the monastery of San Pere and in an old market granted in 1118 by Ramón Berenguer III known as the Great, and who was a nobleman of the time.

One of the greatest charms in Camprodon is its old town and its streets, many of them still with traces of the old stones, present both in the houses and on the ground. Even so, it is also interesting to visit El Puente Nuevo de Camprodon, which is undoubtedly the best-known architectural element in the entire town. Built in the 12th century, it is 66 meters long. Another very interesting place to visit is the Monastery of San Pedro (10th century) and the Church of Santa María.

The town of Camprodon stands out for its specialties in pork sausages, such as bull, sausage, ham, etc. Likewise, their cookies and marzipans are known. The biscuits manufactured by the Birba company are the best known outside the municipality.

TALAMANCA

Talamanca is a charming and very beautiful town to visit from Barcelona (60km away).

Although remains of Iberian deposits have been found, the first news of their existence dates from the year 960 when Salla, the founder of the monastery of San Benito de Bages, made a donation of land at the end of the Castle of Talamanca. Between 878 and 897, peasants from the north settled near castles and churches and repopulated the area. At that time the Castle of Talamanca and the Church of Santa María de Talamanca were founded, which gave rise to the current town of Talamanca.

This town is characterized above all by being a destination for tourism on weekends and holidays. It is a small town, but you can visit the ruins of the castle and the church of Santa María, as well as the vineyards and the natural park of Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac.

TAVERTET

Tavertet is a small town of just over 150 inhabitants but with a notable prehistoric activity, since vestiges of the Neolithic era, the megalithic tomb, the field of funeral urns and the Iberian wall were found. The Tavertet cliff offers a breathtaking panorama, which can be seen from the town’s viewpoint and represents one of the most emblematic and beautiful images of the territory.

The main architectural attraction to see in Tavertet is the Church of Sant Cristófol de Tavertet, which is part of the Romanesque routes of Osona. The original building dates from the 11th century and the current bell tower was built during the first renovations in the 12th and 13th centuries.

Another great attraction of this town are its 50 houses and the stone walkways built between the 17th and 19th centuries, which have made the urban nucleus declared an Asset of Cultural Interest by the Generalitat of Catalonia.

Tavaret has El Mirador del Pla del Castell, which is a mandatory stop, since it offers us spectacular views of Las Guilleries, Montseny and the Sau reservoir.

If you are planning a visit nearby Barcelona this winter, you will love our selection of two of the most beautiful places to spend a weekend: Andorra and Val d’Aran, located 3-4 hours by car from our luxury residences.

On this post we will recommend you what to do and what to see during the snowing season mostly, on these amazing destinations.

ANDORRA

Andorra (officially, the Principality of Andorra) is a small state nestled in the Pyrenees mountains. With less than 500 square kilometers, Andorra is one of the smallest countries in the world, but it does not lack tourist attractions. Its charming villas are scattered throughout the Andorran valleys, which during winter are covered with snow and skiers. Its capital, Andorra la Vieja is also a popular shopping destination due to the country’s low tax level, and there are several spas to enjoy and relax.

Below, we propose different places where you can enjoy Andorra.

CHURCHES

Andorra is the country with the highest concentration of Romanesque churches per square meter. Fifty of these are in excellent condition and some of them with remnants of original paintings. Sant Joan de Caselles has one of his most precious jewels of the 11th-12th centuries.

SNOW

Andorra is known for its mountainous landscape and its great ski offer, which lasts from the beginning of December until the month of April. Its excellent location in the middle of the Pyrenees and its excellent weather conditions place the Andorran stations among the most valued by winter sports lovers. Grandvalira and Vallnord are the busiest ski resorts. They also have a wide range of possibilities for all those who do not wish to ski; such as mushing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling routes, etc.

NATURE

The magnificent glacial circus of Pessons is the largest in Andorra located in the Pyrenees. A mixture of magnificent landscapes and spectacular lakes of crystal clear water in the high mountains. During the summer hiking trails in this area are common.

SPA & RELAX

At 1.100 meters of altitude, is the famous Caldea spa, which is a mandatory stop. It is an authentic oasis of relaxation, with an extensive menu of massages and hydrothermal treatments. It has hot tubs, lagoons and baths that make it the largest thermal center in southern Europe.

It is also common for many 4 and 5 star hotels in Andorra to have their own hot spring space.

NATURLANDIA PARK

Naturlandia Park is located in the Rabassa forest, in Sant Julià de Lòria, and is the first animal park in Andorra. It welcomes native species of the Pyrenees and also an interactive children’s space with farm animals, where the little ones can participate. In addition, there is a large area dedicated to observing animals in their natural habitat.

SHOPPING

We cannot forget that Andorra is the shopping paradise and in Andorra la Vella you will find all kinds of small and large shops for all tastes. Andorra is considered a good place where prices are much more affordable than in other countries. What is most recommended to buy is technology.

The shopping centers are grouped in the two main streets of Andorra la Vella, Avenida Meritxell and Avenida Carlemany. Illa Carlemany and the Pyrenees of Andorra are the two best-known and most visited luxury shopping centers in Andorra.

VALL D’ARAN

This region of the Central Pyrenees is the last of the Pyrenees of Catalonia before entering the Aragonese Pyrenees. Located in the northwest corner of Catalonia, along the border with Aragon and France. The Val d’Aran belongs to the province of Lleida in Catalonia and its capital is Vielha e Mitjaran, also known as Viella or Vielha. They have a very differentiated language, Aranés, which is a variant of Occitan, the Romance language of Europe, which has been spoken since the 11th century.

Next, our selection of towns and attractions to see.

BOSSOST

This town retains all the beauty of its old town and its incredible Romanesque Church of the Assumption of Mary of the 12th century.

BAUSEN

Small fairytale town, Magical Pyrenees recommends visiting along with the Carlac Forest.

LES

Last town before entering France. Famous for its hot springs and its Caviar Nacarii fish farm.

SALARDÚ

Because Salardú was the entrance to the valley through the Port de la Bonaigua, the city was fortified in medieval times to protect itself. The old castle was located in the place where the church is currently, but you can still see some remains of the fortification.
Salardú offers a lot of services, has a library, shops, sports center, outdoor and heated pool, a golf course and is very close to the ski slopes of Baqueira Beret.

PARQUE NACIONAL DE AIGÜESTORTES I ESTANY DE SANT MAURICI

It is one of the 15 National Parks of Spain. It is located in the central area of the Pyrenees of Catalonia, in the province of Lleida, and covers four regions: Alta Ribagorza, Pallars Sobirà, Pallars Jussà and Val d’Aran.
Its landscape is an excellent representation of the Catalan high mountain ecosystem. The best known lake of all is that of Sant Maurici, which gives its name to the park. It is more than 1,000 meters long and one of its main attractions are the two peaks that stand out on its banks called Els Encantats.

SORT

It is the capital of Pallars Sobirà (Lleida), the region of Catalonia with the most protected territory, distributed between the National Park d’Aigüestortes, and the Natural Park of l’Alt Pirineu, the largest in Catalonia.
The range of nature and adventure activities is very wide. You can enjoy adventures for all ages, from rafting to excursions, also multi-adventure circuits, mountain biking trails, horseback riding, bungee jumping, quad biking, hydrospeed, canyoning, kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, bungee jumping, mountaineering, etc.

BAQUEIRA

The winter season of Baqueira, declared a National Tourist Interest Center, is possibly the best in all of Spain. It has more than 150 km of skiable mountains that exceed 2,500 m at some point. But in Baqueira it is not all skiing, in winter apart from practicing this sport you can go hiking and snowshoeing, since from the Pla de Beret, the second important nucleus of the station, it is possible to make several routes. From the station you can admire mountain peaks that exceed 3,000 meters high, such as Maladeta and Aneto.