Banyoles

Eighteen kilometres away form Girona, in the vicinity of the Volcanic Zone of La Garrotxa Nature Reserve, we find the town of Banyoles. Between Sierra Rocacorba and the Fluvià and Terri rivers, this town enjoys an incomparable natural setting.

Surrounded by green hills, on the shore of Banyoles lake, the city centre was arranged around two points: Vila Vella, where we find the church of Santa María del Turers (14th century) and the Neoclassical monastery of Sant Esteve; and Vila Nova, whose most interesting site is its arcaded square, where we find numerous ancient buildings. The historic heritage of this town also includes Pia Almoina, a medieval, 14th-century construction, and Llotja del Tint, from the 15th century. Also, the traveller should not miss the Regional Archaeological Museum, which exhibits, among other things, a Neanderthal jawbone. The lake is also a great choice to visit. At different points along its six-kilometre-long perimeter we can hire small vessels to go rowing, fishing, or canoeing.