Costa Brava Medieval villages

The most beautiful villages on the Costa Brava

The Costa Brava is rightly famed for its unspoiled coastal towns and villages but just a short distance inland from the coast there’s many Medieval villages waiting to be discovered. In this blog post we explore some of the most beautiful Costa Brava Medieval villages.

Costa Brava Medieval villages
The Medieval village of Beget (photo credit: www.femturisme.cat)

Medieval villages in the Baix Emporda

The Baix Emporda region of Girona is where some of the best beaches on the Costa Brava are to be found. The beaches of Begur and Palafrugell include Sa Riera, Sa Tuna, Aiguablava, Tamariu and Llafranc among others. Just a few kilometres inland from this stretch of coastline we find the well preserved villages of:

Peratallada, Pals, Monells and Palau Sator

These four villages are all located within the Baix Emporda “Golden Triangle”. Peratallada is the largest of the four and certainly one of the prettiest. With many cobbled streets to explore this village also has a good selection of restaurants open for lunches and dinners.

Costa Brava Medieval villages
The Medieval village of Peratallada (photo credit visitperatallada.cat)

Like Pereatallada Pals also has a labyrinth of small streets and alleyways to explore and restaurants where to dine. Monells and Palau Sator are a little smaller but by no means less pretty and are equally worth a visit.

These well preserved Medieval villages on the Costa Brava are not far from each other and can be visited in one day. The architecture, the history and the narrow cobbled streets offer the traveler a glimpse of Medieval times gone by.

Medieval villages of La Garrotxa

La Garrotxa is a County a little further inland from the Costa Brava famed mainly for its extinct volcanoes. La Garrotxa also boasts beautiful Beech forests and of course Medieval villages. Perhaps the most well-known village in this region is Besalu. Famed for its photogenic 12th Century Romanic bridge the village was an important Medieval seat of power.

Costa Brava Medieval villages
Besalu bridge (photo credit Vado Buch)

Also within the County of La Garrotxa is the Medieval village of Santa Pau. Santa Pau is located in the middle of the volcanic region and the beautiful Fageda Beech forest. Thanks to its fertile soil Santa Pau is famed for growing “mongetes” beans which are a staple in Catalan gastronomy.

Beget is a small village located further to the North in the neighboring County of Ripoles. This beautiful village is dominated by the Romanic San Cristóbal church and has a permanent population of only around 20 people.

Other Costa Brava Medieval villages

Further afield from the Costa Brava and worth a day-trip are the Medieval villages of Rupit and Tavertet. Tavertet sits on top of an escarpment enjoying breathtaking views of the Panta de Sau reservoir. The two villages are only 12 kilometres apart and a wonderful walk through forested countryside.

For more information about the Medieval villages of Girona and the Costa Brava take a look at the official Costa Brava website.

Medieval village of Besalu

Where is Besalu?

The medieval village of Besalu is located in the province of La Garrotxa, inland from Girona and the Costa Brava. The nearest beach is Sant Marti d’Empuries at 45 minutes. Cadaques and Begur are both one hour by car from Besalu.

Medieval village of Besalu
Where is Besalu?

The history of the medieval village of Besalu

In medieval times Besalu was an important capitol with far reaching powers. From around 1300 the importance of the town slowly diminished. Many important buildings still remain including the church of St Pere which was consecrated in the year 1003.

Today the 12th century Romanesque bridge is perhaps the most prominent focal point of the village. Spanning the river Fluvia, the bridge was constructed on top natural rock formations and as a consequence the bridge is angled rather than straight.

The first mention of the bridge is in a document dating 1075. The bridge has been repaired and modified over the centuries most recently during the Spanish Civil war when fascist troops of General Franco blew up two sections of the bridge. It was repaired again in 1965.

Curiously the population 1000 years ago was roughly the same as what it is today (around 2500 people).

Medieval village of Besalu
The medieval bridge of Besalu – photo credit https://www.instagram.com/voldecoloms/

What to do in Besalu

Even though Besalu is a small compact village there’s still plenty of things to see and do. The village is a worthwhile day trip from Barcelona or the Costa Brava. Besalu has two Squares; Placa Major (main Square) in the heart of the village and the nearby Placa St Pere. Placa St Pere is actually the bigger Square of the two and is where the church of St Pere is located.

The village has many connections to it’s Jewish past heritage including the 12th century purification baths or Miqvé. One of only three Miqvés in Europe it can be visited with a guide from the Besalu Tourist office.

On one side of Placa St Pere one finds Circus Land – a museum showcasing the history of Circuses throughout the ages.

Besalu was also one of the filming locations for the second series of the popular HBO show Westworld.

Both Squares have a good selection of bars and restaurants serving lunch and dinner meals.

Medieval bridge of Besalu
The medieval bridge of Besalu

Getting to Besalu

The village is located on the C66 coming from Girona and the N260 coming from the direction of Figueres. The nearest beaches are St Pere Pescador and Sant Marti d’Empuries which are both around 45 minutes by car. Cadaques is one hour by car as is Begur.

Barcelona Besalu bus timetable

Besalu is also connected by bus to Barcelona, Girona and Figueres. The Barcelona Besalu bus timetable can be found on the Teisa website.

Besalu villa rentals

At Charming Villas Catalonia we have a wide selection of villas and farmhouses for all tastes. Please browse our portfolio of luxury Costa Brava villas and farmhouses for rent close to Besalu.

We have visited all of the properties on our website on multiple occasions. Our aim is to offer un-biased opinions on each property and help our clients choose the best property for their needs.

Locally based we offer a free Costa Brava concierge service to all our clients and can help arrange extra services and activities. We can give suggestions of day-trips and put together bespoke days out including some of our off the beaten track favorites.

Costa Brava Hot Air Balloon

Soaring over extinct volcanoes

Everyone should go up in a hot air balloon at least once in their lifetime. Let us at Charming Villas Catalonia help you plan your Costa Brava hot air balloon trip.

The Catalan Pyrenees
The snow capped Pyrenees

If you are looking for unique activities while in the Costa Brava there can be few better than taking a Hot Air Balloon ride. There’s various balloon companies to choose from in the Girona province. For us, flying over the extinct volcanic region Garrotxa sounded exciting. The interesting mix of volcanoes, oak forest and medieval villages plus the stunning snow capped Pyrenees in the distance was a winner for us.

Extinct volcanoes
The extinct volcanoes Croscat and Santa Margarita in the Garrotxa region.

Costa Brava hot air balloon companies

We flew with Vol de Coloms who have great modern installations between Olot and Santa Pau. Another local company who fly over the Emporda region, closer to the Costa Brava are Globus Emporda.

It is early morning and there’s a sweet feeling of anticipation as the balloons are being prepared. Adrenaline starts to surge once you are asked to get into the basket. You lift silently up into the clouds and are quickly welcomed by some spectacular bird’s eye views of the surrounding landscape.

Mas de la Roureda
Mas de La Roureda, one of Charming Villas properties

Typically a flight lasts for 1.5 hours and although the wind can never be guaranteed, a common landing zone is around the picturesque medieval village of Besalu. Whilst airborne everybody is offered a glass of Cava and a type of local biscuit. With so many interesting things to look at this was an experience never to forget.

Upon returning to the installations close to Santa Pau everyone is treated to a typical Catalan breakfast of Pa amb tomaquet, cheeses, cured meats and wine. If you only take one Hot Air Balloon ride in your life make it over the Garrotxa region with Vol de Coloms.

Planning a hot air balloon excursion

At Charming Villas Catalonia we are based locally and offer a free concierge service to all our clients. We know the area very well and take great pleasure in sharing our favorite places with our clients. Apart from hot air balloon trips we can help plan a whole host of other local activities. We can help plan day trip itineraries and give you suggestions of some off the beaten track restaurants. Lunch on a pier with fishermen? No problem, we can arrange that!

Luxury vacation homes Girona

Browse our selection of upmarket and hand picked vacation homes on the Costa Brava and Girona. Let us help you with the villa selection process – we know all our homes intimately.

Pont de Llierca

The Romanic bridge, Pont de Llierca

The “Pont de Llierca” is a beautiful three meter wide Romanic bridge which spans the river Llierca. The date of construction is unknown but the earliest mention is in the 14th century where Sheppard’s were charged a fee to cross with their livestock.

Pont de Llierca
The 14th century bridge crossing the river Llierca

The bridge is located just off the GIV-5231 between Montagut and Saderness in the region of La Garrotxa.

Pont de Llierca
Taken from the underside of the bridge

The Llierca has some deep pools which are often used by locals and holiday makers for swimming during the summer months.

Charming Villas Catalonia

At Charming villas Catalonia we offer our clients a varied selection of high standard Barcelona vacation rentals. From Barcelona beachfront apartments to large farmhouses close to Barcelona.

Locally based we offer a free concierge service to all of our clients. Our goal is to make sure that our clients make the most out of their time while in Catalonia. We can help plan fun day-trips to the Costa Brava and all kinds of activities and extra services. From tables at the number one restaurant in Spain, El Celler de Can Roca to dining on a pier with fishermen. Let us know how we can help plan the perfect vacation and we will do the rest.