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Voykit pocket guide · Spain
Besalú
Half a day is enough: walk the Romanesque bridge, see the Jewish bath and the Sant Pere church, then move on to Olot or Figueres.
Besalú is a compact medieval town in the Girona Pyrenees region, 25 km west of Figueres. Its main draw is the 12th‑century Romanesque bridge over the Fluvià river. The old town is car‑free and walkable in 2–3 hours. Most travellers stop for a morning or afternoon on the way between the Costa Brava and the Pyrenees.
- Country
- Spain
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (heat and crowds), Dec–Feb (cold, some closures)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR, €). Cards and contactless work almost everywhere, including tapas bars and taxis in the cities.
- Daily spend
- Budget €40–60 excl. bed · Mid €60–100 excl. bed · High €100+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- EU and EEA plans roam at home prices; UK and other plans may charge — check before you land.
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Fire and ambulance 112 · Guardia Civil 062
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin plugs; UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Bar or café: Leave small change or nothing.; Restaurant: Round up or 5–10% for good service; service is not usually added.; Taxi: Round up to the next euro.; Hotel porter: €1–2 a bag.; Guide on a free walking tour: €10–15 a person is the expected payment.
- Water
- Tap water is safe across the mainland; it tastes of chlorine in some coastal areas. Ask for 'agua del grifo' in restaurants — by law since 2025 they must offer it free (check local application).
- Toilets
- Few public toilets; use bars and cafés (buy a coffee). Stations and shopping centres have free or cheap toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (cafè amb llet) | €1.50–2.50 |
| Glass of wine (copa) | €2.50–4.50 |
| Lunch menu (menú del dia) | €12–18 |
| Dinner for two (mid‑range) | €40–60 |
| Parking (public car park, per day) | €8–12 |
| Bus to Figueres (one way) | €5–8 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- GRO · Girona–Costa Brava
- About 30 km (19 mi); bus to Girona then change to a bus to Besalú, or rent a car.About 19 mi (30 km); bus to Girona then change to a bus to Besalú, or rent a car.
- BCN · Barcelona–El Prat
- About 140 km (87 mi); car or bus via Girona.About 87 mi (140 km); car or bus via Girona.
Typical fares
- Girona Airport → Besalú (taxi)
- about €50–70, 30 min (check)
- Barcelona → Besalú (car)
- about 1 h 40 min, tolls about €12
- Parking (public car park, per day)
- €8–12 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The old town is pedestrian‑only. Park outside the walls (signposted car parks) and walk. Cobblestone streets can be slippery when wet.
See and do
Known for
- Romanesque bridge (12th century)
- Jewish bath (mikveh)
- Church of Sant Pere
- Medieval stone streets
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Olot | Car via C-66, about 20 min | About 25 min |
| Castellfollit de la Roca | Car via C-66, about 15 min | About 20 min |
| Figueres | Car via N-260, about 25 min | About 30 min |
| Puigcerdà | Car via N-260, about 1 h | About 1 h 10 min |
Sleep
- Old town (within the walls)
- Atmospheric but limited parking; most hotels are small stone houses.
- Along the N-260 / C-66 approach
- Easier parking, 5–10 min walk to the bridge.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | HolaOH-lah |
| Thank you | GràciesGRAH‑see‑əs |
| Please | Si us plausee oos plow |
| How much is it? | Quant costa?kwant KOS‑tə |
| Where is the bridge? | On és el pont?on ES əl pont |
| The bill, please | El compte, si us plauəl KOM‑tə see oos plow |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Two kisses on the cheek (right then left) between friends and when introduced socially; handshake in business; avoid: Being stiff — Spaniards stand close and touch arms
- Meal times: Late lunch and dinner; long sobremesa (chat after eating); avoid: Rushing to leave or asking for the bill with the last bite
- Noise: Join in the lively conversation; avoid: Reading loud voices as anger
- Siesta hours: Keep noise down in residential buildings 15:00–17:00 and after 23:00; avoid: Phone calls to people at lunch time
- Dress: Smart casual in cities; locals rarely wear shorts in Madrid in town; avoid: Swimwear or bare torsos away from the beach
- Regional pride: Ask about local dishes and festivals; avoid: Assuming Catalan or Basque are dialects of Spanish
Scams and watch-outs
- The bridge is pedestrian‑only and can be crowded at midday.
- Parking fills up on weekends and in summer; arrive before 11:00.
- Many restaurants close on Monday (check).
Very safe. Watch for uneven cobblestones and narrow streets with no pavement. Pickpocket risk is low but keep an eye on bags at the bridge viewpoint.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Besalú yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Romanesque bridge (12th century)
- Jewish bath (mikveh)
- Church of Sant Pere
- Medieval stone streets
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Besalú, revision 5069716 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5069716
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/besalu). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.