Girona: Volcano Area, Besalú, and Banyoles Lake Tour

The day’s most unusual stop is a medieval hermitage inside the crater of a long-dormant volcano. From Girona, this eight-hour trip pairs that hike with medieval Besalú, a village perched above a basalt cliff, and a walk beside Catalonia’s largest lake.

I like the mix of history and outdoor time: Besalú brings the region’s medieval Jewish past into view, while La Garrotxa’s volcanic scenery gives the day a very different rhythm. I also like the small group, capped at six, and the chance to hear guides such as Pau and Eduardo explain the places along the way.

The main consideration is the hike. One visitor found the climb a little tough, so bring comfortable shoes and be ready for an active hour. Lunch is not included in the $162 price, and the schedule leaves time to buy it in Santa Pau.

The day’s highlights at a glance

• A hermitage in a volcano crater: The La Garrotxa hike lasts about an hour and is the most distinctive part of the day.
• Besalú’s medieval and Jewish past: A 75-minute guided stop introduces the town and its place in Girona Province’s Jewish history.
• A basalt cliff at Castellfollit: You get a 30-minute guided photo stop at this striking village, built atop a basalt formation.
• Santa Pau between volcanic stops: Explore the small medieval village, including its castle and church, and set aside your own money for lunch.
• Banyoles Lake to end the outing: Finish with a 30-minute lakeside visit and walk, with the option to sail mentioned as part of the experience.
• A genuinely small group: With no more than six people and a Spanish- or English-speaking guide, this is a more personal way to reach several stops outside Girona.

Leaving Girona for medieval Besalú

Meet the guide at Plaça Sant Feliu, beside The River Caffe, then settle into the van for the roughly 35-minute drive to Besalú. The group is limited to six, which helps keep the outing conversational and makes it easier to ask questions as you go. The exact vehicle details are not specified, but the day uses van transfers between stops.

Besalú gets the first and longest visit, about 75 minutes. Its medieval streets and Jewish heritage make it more than a quick photo stop. The town was home to the second most important Jewish community in the Middle Ages in Girona Province, and your guide explains that history as you explore.

That guided context is valuable here. Medieval buildings can blur together if you are simply moving from one old street to the next; a local account gives you a clearer sense of the community that once lived here and the town’s place in the region. The time also includes a chance for a local snack, though food is not included in the tour price.

Besalú is a good opening act because it sets up the day’s central contrast: people shaping a place over centuries, then volcanic forces shaping the ground beneath it. If you like history, give the guide your attention rather than treating the stop as a short walk before the countryside.

Castellfollit’s village on a basalt cliff

A roughly 15-minute drive brings you to Castellfollit de la Roca for a 30-minute guided visit and photo stop. The village sits atop a basalt cliff, a dramatic piece of volcanic geology that also gives the town its distinctive position.

This stop is brief by design. You have time to take in the cliff and hear an explanation, not to spend hours wandering the village. If photography is important to you, be ready to make the most of the short pause rather than expecting a long independent visit.

The basalt also makes a useful bridge between the medieval architecture at Besalú and the volcanic terrain ahead. You are not just ticking off another old town: you are seeing how the geology of La Garrotxa is part of the area’s identity.

Hiking into La Garrotxa’s volcanic country

After about 35 minutes in the van, the tour reaches La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park. The region has more than 40 volcanoes, none active for thousands of years, and the planned hike lasts about an hour. Its special feature is a medieval hermitage in the middle of a crater.

This is the day’s biggest change of pace. You leave the villages behind and walk through a natural area shaped by ancient eruptions. One visitor singled out the climb up the volcano and into the crater as a favorite part of the trip. Another found the ascent somewhat difficult, a helpful reminder that this is not just a stroll between van stops.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring a sun hat, as advised. The tour is not recommended for people with limited mobility and is unsuitable for wheelchair users. The exact trail surface and elevation gain are not provided, so if you have concerns about walking, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the hike will be easy.

The outing is a good fit if you want to see more than Girona’s urban sights and have the energy for a modest outdoor challenge. The one-hour hike gives you time to experience the volcanic setting without turning the entire day into a trek. Still, it is worth thinking honestly about your comfort on an uphill walk before choosing this trip.

Santa Pau for lunch and a medieval pause

The drive from the park to Santa Pau takes about 35 minutes. The schedule allots 1.5 hours for lunch, followed by a separate 40-minute guided visit. Santa Pau is a small village surrounded by volcanoes, with a large castle and a church among its notable features.

Lunch is at your own expense. At $162 per person, that matters when you compare this tour with an option that includes a meal. The time is long enough to sit down and recharge, and one visitor described the meal as good value and traditional. But the restaurant and menu are not guaranteed, so plan to pay for food separately.

I like the placement of this break. After the hike, a proper pause is more useful than another short photo stop, and Santa Pau gives you both a meal window and a chance to explore. The guided visit also means the village is not simply a place to eat before heading back to the van.

The trade-off is that lunch takes a substantial portion of the schedule. If you would rather spend every available minute walking, this may feel slow. If you value a relaxed meal and a little time to take in a small village, it is a sensible reset before the final stop.

Banyoles Lake to close the day

The final drive to Banyoles takes about 35 minutes. The lake visit lasts around 30 minutes, with time for a walk along the shore. Banyoles is the largest lake in Catalonia, and its calm setting makes a gentler finish after the village visits and volcanic hike.

Sailing is also mentioned as an option during the lake stop, but the tour details do not say that a boat trip is included. Treat the scheduled visit as a short lakeside walk, and check directly with the operator if sailing is important to your plans.

The 30-minute window is enough for a pause and a look at the water, not an extended lakeside outing. That makes the lake a fitting final chapter rather than the main reason to book. You return to Girona after about 25 minutes in the van, completing a full day outside the city.

What the $162 price gets you

At $162 per person, you are paying for an eight-hour guided outing with transport between several sites, bottled water and a small group of no more than six. The value lies in the range: Besalú, Castellfollit de la Roca, the volcanic park, Santa Pau and Banyoles Lake would take more planning to connect independently in one day.

The group size is a real advantage if you prefer a guide who can speak to the group rather than deliver a set speech to a crowd. Guides Pau and Eduardo have been praised for enthusiasm, patience and cultural insight. Those qualities matter on a day with several different stops, where a good guide can help connect local history, village life and geology.

The price does not include food. Budget separately for the Besalú snack and lunch in Santa Pau, and remember that the tour’s mention of sailing does not confirm that a boat outing is part of the fare. If you value guided transport and several varied stops more than an included meal, the price may make sense. If you prefer independent travel or want a longer hike and extended time in each village, the tightly timed group format may feel less appealing.

The tour has a 4.9 rating from 35 reviews, a strong signal of satisfaction, though that is still a modest sample. More useful for deciding is the consistent emphasis on the guides and the volcano hike. The transport has also been described as clean, comfortable and safe, but those details can vary by departure.

Is this Girona day trip a good fit?

Book this tour if you want a full day that combines medieval history, volcanic nature and a lakeside walk without having to organize the route yourself. It suits curious visitors who like a guide, want to get beyond Girona and are comfortable with an hour of hiking. The maximum group size of six should appeal if you prefer a more personal outing.

Think twice if walking uphill is difficult for you, if you need wheelchair access, or if you want lunch and activities included in the ticket. It is also not the best match if your priority is spending a long time at one location: the day covers several places, and stops are deliberately limited.

For the best chance of enjoying it, wear comfortable shoes, bring a sun hat and set aside money for food. If the crater hike sounds like a highlight rather than a hurdle, this is a strong way to see a varied slice of Catalonia in one day.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts eight hours, including van transfers and visits to Besalú, Castellfollit de la Roca, La Garrotxa, Santa Pau and Banyoles Lake.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet the guide at Plaça Sant Feliu, beside The River Caffe. The itinerary lists Carrer dels Calderers, 19 as the starting and return location.

Which languages are available?

The live guide speaks Spanish or English.

How large is the group?

The group is limited to six participants.

Is lunch included in the $162 price?

No. Food is not included, so plan to pay separately for lunch and any snacks.

How much walking is involved?

The itinerary includes about an hour of hiking in La Garrotxa and a 30-minute walk at Banyoles Lake, as well as visits in the villages. The exact trail surface and elevation gain are not specified.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

No. It is not recommended for people with limited mobility and is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and a sun hat. Bottled water is included.