Medieval villages near Barcelona
Routes09/09/2026
Barcelona has enough plans to fill any trip, but simply getting a little way out of the city is enough to discover another Catalonia: stone villages, small arcaded squares, Romanesque churches, castles, and streets that seem to have kept the passage of the centuries intact.
If you have a free day during your stay, visiting one of the medieval villages near Barcelona is a magnificent way to combine history, nature, and local gastronomy.
We have selected seven charming destinations for a different kind of getaway. Some are just over an hour from Barcelona; others require a bit more driving, but they all have one thing in common: they are worth exploring at a leisurely pace.
Mura: stone, nature, and calm
In the heart of the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park, Mura is one of those small villages where you feel like putting your phone away and just starting to walk.
Its narrow cobbled streets, passageways, stone houses, and small squares preserve an especially pleasant medieval atmosphere. One of its main monuments is the Romanesque church of Sant Martí, whose origins date back to the 11th and 12th centuries.
Mura is also an excellent starting point for discovering the natural environment. That is why it is an especially recommended getaway if you want to combine heritage, a short walk, and a good meal of Catalan cuisine.
Talamanca: a small balcony over the Bages
Not far from Mura we find Talamanca, another small medieval center surrounded by nature. Its silhouette is dominated by the castle, documented since the 10th century and closely linked to the history of this area of Catalonia.
The old town invites you to walk among stone houses and quiet corners, while beautiful views over the Bages landscape open up from different parts of the village.
Due to their proximity, Mura and Talamanca can be easily combined in the same excursion, making it a perfect plan for those looking for a quiet day away from the pace of Barcelona.
Cardona: a castle, a medieval town, and a mountain of salt
Cardona plays in another league. Its impressive castle dominates the town from the top of a hill and recalls the enormous strategic and economic importance that the town had for centuries.
The Castle of Cardona began to be built in the 9th century and was the residence of the lords of Cardona between the 11th and 15th centuries. Inside the enclosure is the collegiate church of Sant Vicenç, considered one of the great jewels of the early Catalan Romanesque.
But Cardona holds another surprise underground: its famous mountain of salt, whose exploitation was directly related to the wealth and power of the town.
Add a walk through the historic center, its squares and arcaded streets, and you will have one of the most complete cultural excursions from Barcelona on this route.
Rupit: the stone village of Collsacabra
Rupit is probably one of the best-known names on this list, but it retains plenty of reasons to visit.
Its famous hanging bridge over the stream gives access to a set of cobbled streets, stone facades, and houses from the 16th and 17th centuries that seem to be part of a movie set. The remains of its castle also recall the medieval origins of the town.
If you like to walk, you can extend the excursion with a route to the Salt de Sallent, one of the great waterfalls in Catalonia.
Rupit already appeared in our selection of one-day excursions from Barcelona, and it remains one of our favorite destinations to combine history and nature.
Tavertet: history on the edge of the cliffs
A short distance from Rupit, Tavertet offers a completely different landscape. The small nucleus of traditional houses is located on the spectacular cliffs of Collsacabra, with privileged views towards the valley and the Sau reservoir.
Its church of Sant Cristòfol and its old stone houses form a very charming ensemble, but here nature has almost as much prominence as the heritage.
Rupit and Tavertet form a magnificent combination for a full-day excursion, especially in spring and autumn, when the landscape invites you even more to walk.
Bagà: medieval history at the foot of the Cadí
Located in the Berguedà region and at the gates of the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park, Bagà was one of the most important towns in this area during the Middle Ages.
Its heart is the Galceran de Pinós arcaded square, around which the old town extends. The medieval past is also present in the old palace of the Pinós family and in the history of the Cathars, closely linked to this area of the Pyrenees.
Bagà is an especially interesting option for those who want to combine a cultural visit with mountains, hiking, and traditional gastronomy.
Besalú: one of the great medieval postcards of Catalonia
We move a little further away from Barcelona to end in a place that deserves the exception. Besalú, already in the province of Girona, possesses one of the most recognizable medieval ensembles in Catalonia.
Its spectacular bridge over the Fluvià river is the perfect gateway to a historic center of stone streets, small squares, and buildings that explain centuries of history.
Besalú also preserves an important legacy of its medieval Jewish community, including a mikveh or ritual bath, one of the most unique elements of its heritage.
If you have a car and the whole day, it is one of those getaways from Barcelona that fully justifies a few more kilometers.
Which medieval village to choose?
It depends on the type of getaway you have in mind. For a quiet and nearby day, combine Mura and Talamanca. If you are looking for heritage and history, Cardona is probably the most complete option. To unite village and nature, bet on Rupit and Tavertet. And if you don't mind driving a bit more, Bagà or Besalú are magnificent full-day excursions.
Most of these routes are much more comfortable by car. If you prefer to use public transport, you can also consult our selection of one-day train getaways from Barcelona.
Barcelona, the starting point
One of the advantages of spending several days in Barcelona is being able to combine the city with small getaways and discover landscapes, villages, and traditions that show another side of Catalonia.
From Sensation Apartments you can dedicate the day to exploring one of these villages and return in the afternoon to Barcelona to rest with all the comfort and freedom of your own apartment.
If you are preparing your next stay, you can book your apartment in Barcelona directly on our official website and make the city the starting point to discover much more.
