Banyoles Lake guide: what to see, do and photograph

Make the most of your trip to Banyoles Lake with this guide and discover what to do, see and photograph!

Banyoles is a small city less than 30′ away from Girona by car, which makes it a perfect one-day or half-day trip. It is not the most beautiful city in the area, but it has something unique that is well worth the trip: its lake. This area is not famous for its lakes, in fact, it is one of the only lakes in the province (excluding some in the Pyrenees and the wetlands).

Banyoles lake has a vibrant life, and there are plenty of activities to do, from renting a boat to taking beautiful photos or hiking around it. This is my Banyoles lake guide!

How to get to Banyoles

Banyoles is the capital of the Pla de l’Estany county, one of the smallest of Catalonia, and it is located at 25km (15 miles) North from Girona, the capital of the province, and one of the most beautiful cities of Catalonia. Thus, most visitors stay in Girona and use it as the base to visit nearby places like Banyoles.

Getting to Banyoles from Girona is very easy, and unlike other locations, there is no need to take a road with tolls. It is important to note that there is more than one entry to the city. However, all of them will leave you by the lake, and given that it is highly likely that you will walk around the lake, it does not really matter which one you take or where you park. Google Maps does a very good job.

Already in Banyoles? Then it is time to have fun!

The lake: activities

No Banyoles Lake guide is complete without a long list of activities to do. Here I listed the top ones, although there are plenty of other things to do by the lake. Visit Banyoles Tourism Office, they will gladly help you! Besides, it might be one of the most original Tourism Offices you have ever seen, I promise!

Hiking

Something that almost everyone that visits Banyoles does is a hike. There is a very well-indicated circuit around the lake. The whole circuit is about 6km, and it takes less than 1h30′ to complete it. No need to rush it, make sure to stop to explore the characteristic fisherman huts, footbridges, look for wildlife (birds, mostly), and enjoy the views.

If a 90′ hike is not enough for you, consider hiking up to the Puig Clarà to get a beautiful view of the area and the lake. This hike starts in Porqueres, a small village by the lake, and there are plenty of Wikiloc trails and signs in the area, so it is easy to get there. Besides, it can be combined with the hike around the lake, as shown on this track. Don’t hesitate to ask locals hiking for directions, although don’t expect them to speak English.

Banyoles lives around the lake. If you visit on a Saturday or Sunday morning the variety of people that are walking, running, or cycling around the lake shows the connection between the city and the water. It is common to see people rowing on the lake, or even swimming. Fun fact! The rowing competitions of the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games were celebrated in Banyoles!

Swimming

During summertime, it is possible to swim on the lake, but only at specifically designed locations. The banyoles lake is not a crystal-clear water lake, as its bottom is very silty. This, make sure to only swim at the areas designed for it. Some of them are fee-based, but my favorite one is the free one, where it is possible to swim and admire the sunset from the water. Click here for the exact spot!

If you are into competitive swimming, there are plenty of competitions throughout the year, being the most famous one the popular crossing of the lake, which I have completed on multiple occasions. It is a very special day for the city, and some Olympic swimmers like Mireia Belmonte have been part of it!

Renting a boat

One of the usual photos of Banyoles is the lake with its small white and blue rowing boats. Renting one is an activity made for tourists (national and international). However, it is a beautiful way to discover the lake. Rent one of the rowing boats and discover another point of view of the area. Price varies depending on the season. If renting a boat is not your cup of tea, there are plenty of other things to do around the lake.

La Draga

Add a cultural and historical note to your visit to Banyoles by visiting the Neolithic Settlement of la Draga. This is one of the first lake-side neolithic settlements discovered in Europe. Being in such a humid place has been very beneficial for the conservation of all kinds of tools and objects. Besides being a scientific digging it is also an open-air museum. Huts, fields, and other daily life scenes are open to visitors. Find more on its official website here.

Just next to the neolithic Settlement there is the Park de la Draga, a huge park ideal for a picnic or for children to run and have fun.

Photography

As a photographer, Banyoles offers many opportunities, with a beautiful merge between nature, landscape, and wildlife photography. Early in the morning, it is possible to find many animals around the lake, mostly birds. Moreover, sunrises and sunsets by the lake are unique and always lead to breathtaking images. Here are some of my favorite photography spots, moments, and compositions of Banyoles Lake.

Sunrise by the lake

Sunrises are better enjoyed from the inhabited end of the lake with a wilder component. Look for a windless day, and aim for the reflection on the water. Use the footbridges as a foreground element.

Wildlife

I am not a very good wildlife photographer, but merged with all the other photos I have taken of the area, some animals have sneaked in. If you are a wildlife lover, early by the morning there are plenty of birds and other animals ready to be photographed!

Sunset by the lake

Sunsets, on the other hand, can be admired either from the bathing area or by any of the floating huts/fisherman houses, which are a perfect main element for any photo.

Boats

Instead of renting a boat why not photographing it? The little white and blue boats are a perfect subject for any sunset photo. Moreover, it is very interesting to play with them with a long exposure on slightly windy days!

Athletes

Full of activity, it is very common to find competitions or athletes training by or in the lake. Cyclists, rowers, swimmers, runners… plenty of possbilities to capture one of the essential elements of Banyoles Lake, sports.

Reflections & fisherman huts

On any windless day, reflections appear everywhere on the Lake. Aim for the fisherman huts, all around the lake, which is one of the most characteristic elements of Banyoles. My favourite ones are la pesquera de Marimon, and la pesquera la Carpa d’Or.

Banyoles has plenty of things to offer, and it never fails to amuse me whenever I visit it. Hope you liked my Banyoles Lake guide. Alone, with friends, family,… If you have the chance don’t doubt and pay a visit to this beautiful city! Got any questions or doubts? Leave them in the comments or drop me a message on my Instagram (@aniolvisuals). For any other inquiries, send me an email at hello@aniolvisuals.com.