Cadaqués
One of the most beautiful spots on the Mediterranean, Cadaqués is tucked into a wide bay, protected by mountains and to a certain extent cut off from the outside world. Traditionally a fishing village, with the largest natural harbour in Catalonia, it has been popular with artists since the mid-20th century, attracted by the quality of the light. Pablo Picasso spent time there, but the village is most associated with Salvador Dalí, whose house overlooks a cove in Port Lligat just outside the village, and is open to the public – though you need to book ahead. The village is a labyrinth of winding lanes lined with white houses, dominated by the 17th-century Gothic church of Santa María. The many galleries mean that there is a lively cultural scene, particularly in summer.
Besalú
One of the best-preserved medieval villages in Spain, Besalú’s landmark feature is its spectacular Romanesque fortified bridge, which was built in the 11th century and has seven arches spanning the river Fluviá. As you approach, the village looks like a film set, and it has indeed appeared in many movies, most recently Perfume, the adaptation of Patrick Süskind’s bestselling novel. Strategically located between Girona, Figueres and Olot, it was originally a military enclave. Its lanes are flanked by Romanesque and Gothic buildings, and there is a picturesque porticoed main square. The Jewish quarter is one of the most important in the country, and contains the only Miqve, or Jewish baths, in Spain.
Pals
Set on a hill near the coast in the Baix Empordà region, Pals is famous for the rice that grows in the surrounding plains. Although the village looks authentically medieval, it was actually meticulously rebuilt after being virtually destroyed during the Spanish civil war. The walled village is a dense mesh of palatial houses in golden stone, dominated by the Romanesque Les Hores tower, which is all that is left of the castle. The church of Sant Pere was originally Romanesque, but was substantially restored and altered in the15th-century. Pals beach, a couple of miles away, is a fabulous long stretch of golden sand.
Peratallada
The architecture and street pattern seem unchanged since medieval times in Peratallada, a walled village made up of narrow winding lanes with many elegant stone mansions with flower-filled balconies. With its pottery and antiques shops, as well as numerous tapas bars, it is lively at weekends and in summer, when there are also open-air concerts. Around the porticoed main square there are several restaurants serving local cuisine, such as goose with turnips, or pork with artichokes.
Camprodón
Situated in the Ripollés Valley, Camprodón is surrounded by a stunning landscape and is busy all year round as a base for hikers and as a weekend haunt for people from Barcelona. The Pont Nou bridge over the river Ter, which has a single arch and dates back to the 14th century, is the village’s best known landmark. The composer Isaac Albéniz was born there in 1860, and there is a museum devoted to his life and work in the centre of the village. The lively main street is flanked by cake shops and delicatessens specialising in the local charcuterie.
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