What to do and see in Besalú: a complete travel guide [photography spots]

From its medieval bridge to its old town narrow streets, discover what to see in Besalú and its photography spots

Besalú is one of the most beautiful and authentic medieval towns of Catalonia. Famous for its impressive medieval bridge, Besalú has plenty of things to see and do. Its vibe is something unique, only found in a couple of other villages of the area, like Castellfollit de la Roca. The village has evolved without losing its special touch, and after crossing the medieval bridge, it feels like going back in time. Narrow cobblestone streets, cute houses, and beautiful historical buildings. Moreover, it is a perfect place for photographers. Don’t miss Besalú!

Where is Besalú located?

Besalú is located in Garrotxa county, famous for its volcanic formations and its mountains. Its size and location make it perfect for a calm one-day trip from Girona, as it is located less than 40km from the most populated city (and capital) of the province. Barcelona is also at an acceptable driving distance (140km), although it is recommended to either stay in Girona or even find a place in the same village or nearby, for example in Olot.

Note that Besalú is a quite common touristic destination, especially during the summer months. Thus, it is advisable to plan your visit with some time and avoid the crowds, present mostly from 11 am until 6 pm.

The best way to reach Besalú is by car. Renting one is a good idea if you want to explore the northern Catalonia area. Both the mountainous zones (Pyrenees) and the coastal area (Costa Brava), are ideal for a road trip. Parking won’t be a problem, as there are a couple of free parking sites just at the entrance of the village. Moreover, despite the existence of public transport, moving between villages or cities can be tedious. Other options to get to Besalú are to bike or to get a taxi, a pretty expensive option.

What to see and do in Besalú?

Besalú’s fame has increased during the past years. With the boom of social media, its instagrammable bridge and streets have caught the eye of many, and today is one of the common touristic destinations of the area. Besides that, Besalú has also been featured in some worldwide known TV Series like Westworld (HBO). All of this has created the perfect conditions for an increase in the number of visitors intrigued to discover some of the secrets of the medieval town. These are the most relevant things to do and see in Besalú:

Besalú Bridge (El Pont de Besalú)

This is without any doubt the most iconic element of Besalú. This romanesque (medieval) bridge whose origins date back to the 11th century is the first thing that most people see when they arrive at Besalú. Due to floodings, the bridge has been reconstructed many times. Today’s structure has 8 arches (7 of them visible), and an imponent tower.

Besalú’s bridge was one of the access points to the old town and part of its walls. To date, the city keeps this medieval vibe, and it is common to see medieval fairs or thematic shops with swords and other medieval elements for children.

Instead of just crossing the bridge, if you come from the parking area, take the stairs at the left-hand side and go down to the riverside for a different view of both the castle and the old town. On busy days this might be a good way to avoid crowds. A few years ago there was a small footbridge that made possible a circular route, and depending on the water level it is still possible to use it.

Bridge viewpoints

If reaching the riverside is not enough for you, or if you are looking for a different view of the bridge, Besalú has two possible viewpoints in the old town area. The first one (here) offers a classical view of the bridge, tower, and arches. The other one (here) is situated at a greater height and has a different sight, with a more parallel view. Both viewpoints are easily accessible and just by getting lost in the old town can be found.

Jewish Bathhouse & Jewish Quarter

As one of the most well-preserved medieval towns of Catalonia, Besalú has some historical places worth visiting. One of them is the Jewish Bathhouse, also known as Mikveh. After crossing the bridge and the gates of the city, the sinuous streets of the Jewish Quarter hide one of the four mikvehs of its kind in Europe. Until 2014 it was considered the only medieval Jewish bathhouse of Spain when one was discovered in the nearby city of Girona. The inside of the building is remarkable, with very recognizable baths. Interestingly, the mikvah was built under the old synagogue of Besalú. It is only accessible with a local guide from the Tourism office.

Besides the Jewish bathhouse, Besalú’s Jewish quarter is worth a visit, as together with Girona’s, is very well preserved and one of the most important ones in Spain. Get lost on its streets, and find La plaça de la Llibertat (Liberty Square). It was there where HBO recorded some scenes for the third season of Westworld.

Sant Pere de Besalú

This monastery is one of the must-visit spots in Besalú. Together with the Mikvah, it is part of the historical heritage of the town. Built during the 10th century, it is a peculiar building. Its architectural style, romanesque, differs from other cathedrals, like Girona’s, as it has not a lot of details or decoration. To visit the monastery it is necessary to book a visit from the tourism office. The square where the monastery is located has some other interest points, such as the next item of this list.

Circusland

Besalú has also a museum to visit, Circusland. Defined by its creators as a nonprofit private institution in charge of creating, conserving, researching, disseminating, and exhibiting a permanent collection of cultural assets related to the circus arts, it is worth visiting, especially for circus lovers, or those with children.

Don’t expect an enormous museum or live exhibitions, but a comprehensive story of the circus, its origins, and how it changed throughout the years. Everything is presented in a dynamic and easy-to-understand way. Moreover, it contains the world’s largest miniature circus.

Old Town and churches

The best way to visit Besalú is to get lost on its streets. There are lots of beautiful spots, churches, houses,… at every corner. It is not a large old town, but there are plenty of details hidden in plain sight. For example, you might notice that all around the old town there are different sculptures of chairs. As part of a street sculpture initiative, local artists created various sculptures, now integrated into the old town. Look for them!

What to photograph in Besalú?

Besalú is not only ideal for a day with the family, but also for a photography route. These are some top Besalú photography locations:

• The bridge: no matter from when or how the Besalú bridge is the main photographic element of the city and its most iconic building.
• Old town: the old town of Besalú is full of secrets and details, look for them.
• Viewpoints: as mentioned previously, the two viewpoints offer a perfect image of the bridge, but also of the city.
• Riverside: get to the riverside and instead of focusing on the bridge, capture the old town standing over the river bend. Aim for perfect reflections!
• Churches: from the Sant Pere de Besalú monastery to other less well-known churches, capture the religious side of Besalú!

These are some examples of photography spots to see and capture in Besalú.

Besalú is a perfect half or one-day trip from Girona. Discover a different city, its medieval heritage, and get some beautiful photos in this beautiful town. Have lunch at one of its traditional restaurants and get lost in its Jewish Quarter. Have you ever visited Besalú?

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