Beautiful Villages near Vic: 8 Getaways between Cliffs and Volcanoes

The fog rises up the Osona valley and stays tangled in the beech forests and the rocks. Twenty or forty minutes from Vic, the silence thickens and stone villages appear where the road ends.

Anyone looking for beautiful villages near Vic will find streets polished by damp, farmhouses on the edge of the cingles (cliffs) and hamlets surrounded by chestnut trees and firs. I promise that a pair of boots and a couple of unhurried hours are enough to come back with a clear head.

This guide gathers eight stops in four areas: Collsacabra, Montseny, Garrotxa and the Girona Pyrenees. For each one you get the distance, driving time, what not to miss and a tip. At the end there is a suggested route by area.

1 Rupit

It is one of the most unusual medieval gems in Catalonia, in the Collsacabra district. Cobbled streets climb between stone houses of the 16th and 17th centuries. To reach the historic centre you cross a wooden suspension bridge, which is part of the charm. It is best to arrive early: the village is small and fills up by mid-morning at weekends. You can walk all of it in an hour and a half, and with the walk to the waterfall it takes up the day.

• Distance from Vic: 30 km, about 35 minutes along the C-153.
• What not to miss: crossing the suspension bridge, walking the streets of the old town and climbing up to the chapel of Santa Magdalena.
• Tip: if you like walking, take the path to the Salt de Sallent, one of the highest waterfalls in Catalonia.

2 Tavertet

Tavertet feels like the end of the world. It stands on the edge of sheer cliffs that drop onto the Sau reservoir. Its houses, dating from between the 17th and 19th centuries, keep the traditional Catalan architecture. The road there is already worth it: it climbs through forest and lets you see the reservoir far below.

• Distance from Vic: about 30 km, around 40 minutes on a road with views.
• What not to miss: the viewpoint over the cliffs, the Romanesque church of Sant Cristòfol and a short walk around the surroundings.
• Tip: it is a place of silence. Arrive first thing or at the end of the afternoon, and do not cross private property.

3 Espinelves

Espinelves lies inside the Montseny Natural Park and is ringed by fir forests. The stone houses blend into the landscape, and the air is damp with shade. It is pleasant to walk at any time of year. If you go in autumn, the ground is covered with leaves and the smell of wet forest accompanies the whole walk. It is a good plan for those who prefer shade to panoramas.

• Distance from Vic: 21 km, about 20 minutes along the C-25.
• What not to miss: the church of Sant Vicenç, of Romanesque origin, and the trails that leave from the village.
• Local flavour: the Fira de l’Avet (Fir Tree Fair) is held in December. The rest of the year the village is quiet.

4 Viladrau

Viladrau is a village of springs and legends, linked to bandits such as Serrallonga. Chestnut groves and streams surround it. Its Modernista summer villas give the old town a stately air. Wandering aimlessly among them and the springs is the simplest plan, and the mountain is a step away if you want to hike.

• Distance from Vic: about 25 km, 25 minutes by car.
• Essentials: the Plaza Mayor, the springs trail and the hikes towards the Matagalls.
• Tip: buy chestnuts in season and try the mountain cooking of the local restaurants.

5 Santa Pau

Santa Pau is in the heart of the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park. It keeps one of the most complete medieval enclosures in the area, with an arcaded square of irregular arches and a medieval castle. The surroundings are volcanic in origin, which shows in the dark soil of the fields and in the woods around.

• Distance from Vic: 54 km, about 45 minutes after the Bracons tunnel.
• Essentials: the arcaded square, the castle and the nearby Fageda d’en Jordà forest.
• Local flavour: order the fesols de Santa Pau, a small, creamy bean grown in volcanic soil.

6 Castellfollit de la Roca

Few villages make such an impact at first sight. Its houses sit on a basalt crag more than 50 metres high and a kilometre long, formed by two lava flows. From the access road you can make out the silhouette, but the village is best appreciated on foot, with time to lean over the edge with caution.

• Distance from Vic: about 58 km, 45 minutes along the C-37.
• Essentials: the church of Sant Salvador, on the edge of the crag, and the views over the Fluvià.
• Tip: to see the whole crag, look from below, near the river, before going up to the village.

7 Besalú

Besalú needs a longer journey, but it is a must-stop for lovers of history. You enter by a fortified Romanesque bridge over the Fluvià, like someone crossing a gateway into the Middle Ages. It is probably the most complete visit in the area: bridge, Jewish quarter, monastery and arcaded streets fit into a long morning.

• Distance from Vic: about 70 km, around 50 minutes.
• Essentials: the bridge, the mikveh (Jewish ritual bath) and the monastery of Sant Pere.
• Plan: get lost without a map in the Jewish quarter and discover courtyards and workshops.

8 Camprodon

Heading towards the Pyrenees, Camprodon is a mountain village where two rivers meet. Its Pont Nou, from the 12th century and with a pointed arch over the Ter, is one of the best-known images of northern Catalonia. Around it there are good terraces, and the walk beside the river helps you rest after the road.

• Distance from Vic: about 60 km, 50 minutes.
• Essentials: the Pont Nou, the monastery of Sant Pere and Sant Roc street.
• Local flavour: Birba biscuits and the cured meats of the area, to take home.

Mobility tip: the most practical option is your own car, to link several destinations in a day. Many roads, such as those to Rupit or Tavertet, have mountain bends. Drive calmly and leave yourself time to spare.

The destination on TikTok

If you want to see how these corners look live and through the experiences of other travellers, take a look at this video:

How to plan your route through the beautiful villages near Vic

The best idea is to group outings by area. For a full weekend, devote one day to Collsacabra: a walk through Rupit and sunset on the cliffs of Tavertet.

If you prefer forest, Montseny lets you see Espinelves and Viladrau in the same morning, and have lunch in either one. And if you are interested in stone and volcanoes, cross the Bracons tunnel and explore the Garrotxa: Santa Pau, Castellfollit de la Roca and Besalú fit into one long day.

Camprodon is a separate stop, because of the distance. Spring and autumn are the best months, with the forest green or golden. Bring comfortable footwear and water.

Which of these stone and mountain villages will you start your route with?