Location: Banyoles
Top Things to do in Banyoles
Top 10 Things to do in Banyoles, Spain
Banyoles (Catalan pronunciation: [bəˈɲɔɫəs]) is a city of 17,309 inhabitants (2006) located in the province of Girona in northeastern Catalonia, Spain.
Restaurants in Banyoles
1. Estany de Banyoles
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 166 reviews
Reviewed By Rozi516 - Dublin, Ireland
Banyoles is a beautiful lake near Girona, and only around 1,5 hour drive from Barcelona. It takes 1,5 - 2 hours walk to go around the lake and see the natural diversity of Estany Banyoles. There is a public beach near the Parc Draga, and a cycle path. The walk around the lake is very enjoyable, with stunning views. The path goes through the forest, so I felt very close to the nature. I was just watching the little ducks, the water lilies and the crystal clear water with the Mountains in the background. Breathtaking scenery. I went to the tourist office near the lake, and asked a map before the walk. They were very helpful and they provided information on the local and regional tourist attractions.
2. Bosc de Can Ginebreda
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By kasejason - Chicago, Illinois
Our visit to Can Ginebreda was one of the highlights of our trip to Spain. To visit all of the sculptures requires a bit of hiking and a good deal of uphill movement. There are several paths that lead in a general uphill direction and end at a nice viewpoint overlooking the forested areas and Mountains in the distance.
Many of the sculptures are quite bizarre and often somewhat inappropriate. This greatly adds to the fun as you never know what lies around the next corner. If you are at all offended by artwork featuring various parts of human reproductive anatomy, you might want to stay away from this area.
You will need to have three euros per person to enter the grounds. You insert the coins into a machine and then pass through a gate to enter the park. The machine only takes one euro coins. There is no bathroom within the park itself, but there is a restaurant near the entrance that has facilities.
You should be advised that there is a fair amount of rusty metal in the park. While it is quite easy to avoid this metal altogether, if you intend to explore the pieces more closely you might encounter some issues and you will want to make sure that you have had a recent tetanus shot. I would not recommend this attraction for children, both because of the content material and because of the ease of injury on some of the pieces.
To get to this park, head west on GI 524 from the town of Banyoles and look for a sign on the left for Can Ginebreda. If you take your time, you should be able to see everything in under three hours.
3. Bridge of Besalu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Ancient bridge (11th century) with towers..
Reviewed By Tantiko - Singapore, Singapore
This is a lovely little medieval village where the highlight is the postcard worthy bridge across the river. If you have the time, it is possible to take pictures of the bridge from all four sides with a bit of walking. There are quite a few restaurants and cafes especially around the main square but you can also buy a take away lunch and walk down to the riverside where there is a bench or two and enjoy a lovely view of the bridge. The rest of the village can be covered easily on foot and the central church is worth a visit inside but there are plenty of photo opportunities around so allow yourself an hour or two to roam around.
4. Haribo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By mactheknife2014 - High Wycombe, United Kingdom
guest what They have a very big selection of every kind of Haribo possible. small bags to big boxes . at about 1 Euro for a standard bag, great value. They also have some toys, bags, and other branded accessories too for the hardcore fan
5. Paratge De les Estunes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By Derek R - Swindon, United Kingdom
A free forest to explore where fairies are hidden in the natural volcanic cracks in the rocks. These cracks in the rocks create safe tunnels to explore with fairy dust sparkling from the rock surface. Adults and children will find the adventure below ground level fun & adventurous. If you explore around there are also safe rocks to climb, giving the children (and fun adults) a real adventure.
Free parking, just look out for the fairy signs on your left soon after leaving Banyoles.
Once in Banyoles you should contact the lake and take the road to Santa Pau, Olot and Mieres. After passing the turning of the road Pujarnol, follow 250 meters (towards Mieres) to the left to find a parking sign that indicates Estunes.
6. Castle Besalu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132 reviews
Reviewed By burr6013 - Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Besalú is one of Catalonia’s best preserved medieval villages. Around the 9th century, Besalú was the capital of the County of Besalú which, at various times, extended as far north as Corbières in present-day France. Besalú has narrow, cobblestone streets and old stone buildings. Its fortified bridge, which dates back to the 11th century and spans the Fluvià river, is perhaps Besalu's most important monument. Placa Llibertat in Besalu's centre is a beautiful, medieval square surrounded by buildings. The tourist office is here - housed in the 13th century Casa de la Vila. Leave the square on Calle Tallaferro and admire the village’s stunning buildings including the ruins of Col·legiata de Santa Maria, a primitive chapel. Sant Vicenç church and Monastery Sant Pere (consecrated in 1003) are also both worth a visit. Both are Romanesque churches. Back near the bridge is a Jewish bathhouse, a mikvah, which dates back to 1264. It is one of only three surviving Mikvah's in Europe. Also worth a visit are the Cúria Real, a gothic room of the Royal Cúria, and Sant Julià de Besalú, an ancient hospital built for the poor in the 12th and 13th century by the Monastery. Besalú lost its independence in favour of the County of Barcelona in 1111. It was designated a site of historical and artistic importance in 1966.
7. Placa Major
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
8. Iglesia de Santa Maria
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By aleksandrk782 - Vilnius, Lithuania
I pass this church at least 10 times on the days I do full Ironman around Banyoles. I even come after finishing a Marathon. It feels me with energy needed after the long day.
However church inside is not as authentic as it is on the outside. Electric “candles” isn’t something you would expect from a centuries old church. And it creates some strange feeling so I try to stay outside.
9. Micromundi- Museum of Miniatures and Microminiatures
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 195 reviews
Reviewed By Bernard P - Southampton, United Kingdom
Matthew Verses 19-24 state that it is easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle than a rich man to enter heaven. Well, rich people fear no longer, for there is one exhibit here in this amazing museum that depicts 13 tiny camels and three tiny wise men in the eye of a needle! What an interesting collection of miniature and micro-miniature exhibits in the lovely town of Besalu. Well worth a visit.
10. El Tren Pinxo de Banyoles
Overall Ratings
4 based on 16 reviews
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