CloseThroughout the geography of Catalonia, we find small villages that captivate us, where it seems that time has not passed thanks to its cobbled streets and old towns that retain the architecture and essence. The Catalan Tourism Board has compiled them in the link below so that you don’t miss a single one.
These small villages are very characteristic, as they have no more than 2,500 inhabitants (or 1,500 in their historic centre), conserve their original architecture with the decorative elements and designs typical of the period, and preserve the natural environment surrounding them. In addition, they all have a Cultural Asset of National Interest that makes them unique, and a good tourist infrastructure that allows them to welcome tourists who visit them with services of high quality.
Rupit is a great example of a Charming Village, as it is also one of the municipalities awarded as “Best Tourism Villages” of 2022 by the UNWTO. This award recognizes rural destinations that promote sustainable tourism, in which the community, the environment and tourists are committed to preserving and promoting the values and products of the community. It also holds the Biosphere Destination and Quality Night Sky certificates from the Catalan Government.
It is a charismatic village with the characteristic small streets made of stones of medieval times, a wooden suspension bridge that crosses the river and spectacular natural surroundings. Find few metres away the highest waterfall in Catalonia, named Salt de Sallent, with a drop of more than 100 metres. It is an ideal place for long walks while you discover all its corners and enjoy the silence of nature, following one of the routes they offer. If you prefer to explore the area on two wheels, we recommend you to visit the following website, where you will find the map of two mountain bike circuits that pass through the village https://www.rupitpruit.cat/turisme/que-fer/rutes-en-bicicleta-btt/?lang=ca.
Another charming village in the province of Lleida is Taüll, also located in the Catalan Pyrenees. The reason is that includes two Romanesque churches which have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO: Santa Maria and Sant Climent de Taüll. These two churches are part of the Vall de Boí Romanesque Ensemble built between the 11th and 12th centuries. It is also very close to Aigüestortes National Park and Sant Maurici Lake, which offer active tourism and nature activities all year round.
To discover these villages and the region’s main attractions, a route called the Grand Tour of Catalonia covers the entire region by vehicle and can be organized to suit each traveller’s priorities. It is designed based on a sustainable tourism model, promoting a balanced distribution throughout the territory and throughout the year.
