Tour Around Catalunya, Near Barcelona

Escape the tourist mobs, and retreat to Catalonia’s gorgeous countryside.

Medieval Villages & Sanctuaries

Catalunya has everything from breathtaking coastlines to majestic mountain ranges, and of course Spain’s most cosmopolitan city. Many who travel to this region are in and out of Barcelona in a few days, en route to other European cities. However, those who allow for extra time to explore the region’s interior are in for an unexpected treat: enchanting medieval ‘pueblos’, resplendent snow-capped sierras, gushing streams and falls, dramatic cliffs and valleys, lush green pastures and thick oak forests.

Put yourself in the hands of our expert mountain guide for a day, and reach magical hamlets and enjoy spectacular vistas from cliff-top abbeys that, for centuries, were accessible only by monks. You’ll understand why, long ago, the extremely devout chose these spots for getting away to contemplate life and feel close to God. The sites remain fairly isolated and tourist-free, even today. Ride from place to place in a comfortable private car or minivan, while admiring the pristine wilderness of Catalunya and learning the history along the way. Traipse through thousand-year-old chapels and over Romanesque bridges, and be prepared to ask your guide anything about the surrounding flora and fauna as well; there’s nothing this guy doesn’t know! After a morning full of walking, driving, and village-hopping, enjoy a large, traditional meal in a rustic mountain lodge that no tourist would find on his or her own.

This is an adventure you can do at four different times throughout the year and enjoy an entirely unique experience on each occasion: Pure views and sunny skies during the summer months; blossoming flowers and pleasant temperatures in the spring (be sure to bring something waterproof!); for much of winter, an eerie fog that adds an air of mystery to the old stone walls and cliff-top panoramas; and our personal favorite, fall, when you’ll literally be swept away by the phenomenal contrast of colors, from bright yellows and deep ochers, to rich reds and browns, with evergreens speckled throughout.

As we want to ensure that you see as much as possible in one day, this is a full-day excursion, in which half of your time will be spent in the car. And, you’ll likely leave pretty early in the morning.

In order to get the most out of this experience and visit what we consider to be the most special places, we highly recommend a very full day of visiting multiple sanctuaries and ‘pueblos’ – some a couple of hours from Barcelona – which will inevitably include various hours of travel time. However, we are happy to modify the itinerary to include fewer or more nearby stops.

This experience depends greatly on you and your interests.

Please let us know what you’re looking for…

We highly recommend you read our General Touring Guidelines before booking. We want you know exactly what to expect. Please feel free to propose your own personal twist on any existing route or guideline!

As with all of our day trips and excursions, there are several different ways to enjoy this experience – please let us know what you’re looking for, and we can certainly find a way to accommodate your requests.