Independent travel in Catalonia
by Contributing Author
Catalonia is one of the seventeen autonomous regions of Spain. It borders the Mediterranean on one side and the Pyrenees on the other. There are also many museums in Catalonia: artists Salvador Dali, Joan Miro and architect Antonio Gaudi lived here. There are so many cultural gems in this region that it is often difficult to find the right itinerary from the tour companies, but organizing a self-guided trip can be a great idea for you and your family or a group of friends. Today we will give you basic tips on the directions and organization of such a trip.
Decide on a travel itinerary
Cities are not the same. Girona has beautiful colorful houses and cinematic views: they filmed Game of Thrones there. Tiny Besalu and Castellfollit de la Roca are located in the La Garrocha volcanic zone. There are many medieval buildings and green hills. In blue and white Cadaqués, where creative bohemia used to relax, you feel like an artist yourself. In Figueres, you can visit the unusual theater-museum of Salvador Dali.
Take care of the logistics – choose bus hire Barcelona
Traveling in the north of Spain is most comfortable if you rent a bus in Barcelona: the serpentines of Catalonia are fascinating and at the same time require a high concentration of attention on the road. Those who hire a bus in Barcelona can be sure that they will get to the most worthwhile corners of Catalonia, and not just to the pop destinations. Therefore, when you think over your travel logistics in accordance with the route already planned, make sure to choose the best bus rental in Barcelona, for example, choose BCS bus service.
Girona
Girona is a real gem of Catalonia, located 65 km from France and 100 km from Barcelona. The ancient city, founded by the Romans, is shrouded in legends, myths, and is inhabited by fairy-tale characters, sometimes quite original. The city walls seem to be saturated with this medieval spirit. A trip to Girona is more like a journey into the past, which will give you a lot of impressions.
Besalu
The main attraction and hallmark of Besalu is an ancient stone bridge, in the middle of which there are powerful gates with a massive iron grate. This bridge across the Fluvia River was built in the 12th century. The gate was installed later, in the 15th century. By the way, it was this bridge that in the early 2000s became the location for filming one of the episodes of the film “Perfumer. The Story of a Murder” based on the novel by Patrick Suskind.
Castellfollit de la Roca
The city is one huge observation deck, from where, from a height of 50 meters above sea level, magnificent panoramic views of the nearby valleys of the Toronel and Fluvia rivers open up. Castelfollit de la Roca can be explored in half an hour on foot. But due to the fact that it is located high in the mountains, in solitude and away from the noisy bustle of civilization, here you can fully enjoy the atmosphere of tranquility and the measured rhythm of life.
Cadaqués
Cadaques is one of the most romantic and colorful towns on the Costa Brava, famous not only for the summer residence of Salvador Dali, but also for many fish restaurants. White houses with tiled roofs and blue shutters on the windows fascinate with their beauty. Narrow stone-paved streets lead to the embankment, which offers stunning views of the small bay.
Figueres
Figueres is a small atmospheric city that became famous thanks to the legendary painter Salvador Dali, who was born here and subsequently made a significant contribution to the development of the city. Dali built a theater museum in Figueres, which is now one of the most visited in Spain. In addition to the museum, you should see the fantastic castle of San Ferran, visit the unique Toy Museum of Catalonia, the unsurpassed Gothic church of Sant Pere and just stroll through the old streets of the historic city center.
