Lake Banyoles is the largest natural lake in Catalonia and the main reason to visit the capital of the Pla de l’Estany. Things to do in Banyoles are easy to sum up: walk around the lake, take the boat or the little Pinxo train, have lunch on a terrace by the water and wander through an old town with far more history than you might expect.
From Can Micos it is about 40 minutes by car, so it makes a perfect day trip for a group: you can take it slowly, it suits every age and it mixes nature, museums and good food. In this guide we cover what to see in Banyoles, where you can swim, what is nearby and how to plan the day.
| From Can Micos | About 40 km, around 35–40 minutes by car |
| Lake loop | About 7 km, flat, under 1 h 30 min on foot |
| Boat trip | About 40 minutes, from the jetty on Passeig Darder |
| Swimming | In summer, in 3 authorised areas; Caseta de Fusta is free |
| Best for | Day trip, families with children, cycling |
Lake Banyoles: what makes it special
Lake Banyoles is neither a reservoir nor a mountain lake: it is a tectonic and karstic lake fed by underground springs. The water travels underground from the Garrotxa and wells up through the lake bed at around 600 litres per second. That is why it is constantly renewed, and in some places the bottom drops suddenly into funnels more than 60 metres deep.
Thirteen small ponds surround it, and along the shore you will see the pesqueres, the little fishing houses that local families built from the mid-19th century to swim, fish and keep their boats. They are the most photographed sight in Banyoles. In 1992 the lake hosted the rowing events of the Barcelona Olympic Games, and since 2002 it has been protected as a wetland of international importance (Ramsar).
- 2,080 m long
- Up to 62 m deep
- About 107 ha in area
- 1992: Olympic rowing
Things to do in Banyoles: 9 ideas
One day is enough for the essentials. If you are going slowly or with children, pick three or four and save the rest for another visit.
Walk around the lake
- 7 km
- Flat
- On foot or by bike
The must-do. The path circles the whole lake under the trees, with viewpoints, springs such as the Font del Ferro and the Font de la Filosa, and the water always in sight. Most people walk it clockwise from the tourist office.
The pesqueres and the boat
- 40 min by boat
- All ages
From the tourist boat you see the fishing houses and the shoreline from the water. You can also hire rowing boats and go at your own pace.
Terraces and swimming
- Summer
- Authorised areas
Having a drink by the water is part of the plan. And in summer, bring your swimsuit: below we explain where you can swim.
The old town and Plaça Major
- Stroll
- Market
A large arcaded square that hosts the market several days a week, surrounded by streets with buildings such as Can Lavall and the old Llotja del Tint, where fabrics were dyed.
Monastery of Sant Esteve
- History
- Where the town began
The monastery around which Banyoles grew. It keeps its Gothic doorway, its bell tower and a cloister with wide arches that is well worth a visit.
Santa Maria dels Turers
- Gothic
- Old quarter
A Gothic church in the oldest part of town, known for its stained glass. A quick stop between the lake and the centre.
Museu Darder
- Lake visitor centre
- With kids
The natural history museum of Banyoles also works as the lake’s interpretation centre. Seeing it before your walk helps you understand what you are looking at.
Archaeology museum and La Draga
- Prehistory
- With kids
The archaeology museum is in the Pia Almoina. By the lake, the La Draga Neolithic Park recreates the huts of a village from about 7,000 years ago, and you can go inside them on guided visits.
The Pinxo train
- Great with kids
- Lake and old town
A Banyoles icon: a classic little tourist train, the kind you find all over Catalonia, named after the old train that linked Girona and Banyoles from 1928 to 1956 – it even has its own song. It leaves from Passeig Darder, opposite the tourist office, goes round the lake past Porqueres and into the old town. Children love it.
Where to swim in Lake Banyoles
Swimming in the lake is one of the great summer plans in Banyoles, but you cannot do it just anywhere: it is only allowed in three areas, all on the east shore, and only during the summer season. Swimming elsewhere is forbidden, both for safety and to protect the lake’s ecosystem.
Free. The only public, free bathing area on the lake, with a lifeguard, grass shaded by trees, a ladder into the water and accessible entry with amphibious wheelchairs. Shallow at the entrance: the best choice with children. Easy to reach from the La Draga car park.
For lunch with children, Can Pericus is very close: a charcuterie running since 1899 with a gastrobar, homemade burgers and a set lunch menu.
Paid. The swimming club facilities on the lakeshore sell day tickets to non-members. More services, and quieter on busy days.
Our favourite. The old baths of Banyoles, now a bar with a terrace over the water where you can also swim. There is no entry fee, you only pay for what you order, and it is a quiet place to swim and have a drink by the lake.
If you like swimming, every September the Travessia de l’Estany is held, a popular 2,115-metre swim from one end of the lake to the other, with thousands of participants.
What to see near Banyoles
The Pla de l’Estany is small and everything is a few minutes from the lake. If you have half an afternoon to spare, these are the stops most worth adding.
Les Estunes
- Geology
- Short walk
A wood on travertine rock with cracks so deep you can walk inside them. Legend says the goges, the water nymphs, had their palace here.
Estany d’Espolla
- Seasonal lake
- After heavy rain
A lake that appears and disappears: it only fills when the underground rivers that also feed Lake Banyoles rise. If you catch it full, it is quite a sight.
Romanesque: Porqueres and Mata
- 12th century
- By the lake
On the west shore stands Santa Maria de Porqueres, a 12th-century Romanesque church, and close by the small church of Sant Andreu de Mata.
Can Ginebreda forest
- Open-air art
- Adults only
A wood in Porqueres full of sculptures by Xicu Cabanyes, many of them erotic. Quirky and humorous, but best visited without children.
Festivals and events in Banyoles
If you can choose your dates, late summer and autumn are the best times: good weather, fewer people than in July and August, and the most special events of the year on the lake.
| When | Event | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| September | Travessia de l’Estany | Popular 2,115 m swim from one end of the lake to the other |
| Late September | Aloja, Fantastic Medieval Fair | Medieval market, combat shows, children’s workshops and theatrical boat trips on the lake |
| October | Festa Major de Sant Martirià | The town’s main festival: sardana dancing, cobla band contests and concerts |
A day in Banyoles from Can Micos
This is how we would plan the trip with a group, so you are back at the house in time for the afternoon.
- 9.30Leave Can Micos, about 40 minutes by car
- 10.30Walk or cycle around the lake, stopping at the pesqueres
- 12.30Boat or Pinxo train, or a visit to the Museu Darder
- 14.00Lunch by the lake or at Can Pericus
- 16.30Old town, then back to the house for the pool or the barbecue
Can Micos: your base for exploring Girona
Can Micos is an 18th-century Catalan farmhouse in Riudarenes, in La Selva, rented in full to groups of 16 to 25 people. From here, Banyoles, Girona, the Montseny and the Costa Brava are all less than an hour away, so every day you can choose a different outing and come back to a house that is yours alone.
Back at the house you have the pool (April to October), a 4,000 m² fenced garden and a covered barbecue area big enough for the whole group. We, Carmen and Dani, have been hosting groups for 26 years and are happy to recommend routes and places to eat.
- 9 bedrooms: 8 with private bathroom
- Pool 9×4 m (April–October)
- Covered barbecue area of 115 m²
- Fenced garden of 4,000 m²
- Living room with fireplace
- Dining room for up to 30
- Bike storage for the group
- Pets welcome
Rated 4.8 out of 5 on Google, with more than 220 reviews from groups who have stayed.
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim in Lake Banyoles?
Yes, in summer and only in three authorised areas on the east shore: Caseta de Fusta, which is free and has a lifeguard; the Club Natació Banyoles, which charges a fee; and Els Banys Vells, a bar with a terrace where you can also swim. Swimming anywhere else is forbidden.
How long does it take to walk around the lake?
The path around the lake is about 7 km long and flat, and takes under an hour and a half on foot. By bike it is even quicker, and it is suitable for children.
How deep is Lake Banyoles?
Most of it is about 15 metres deep, but some funnels in the southern part reach around 62 metres. It is about 2 km long and is the largest natural lake in Catalonia.
How far is Banyoles from Can Micos?
Banyoles is about 40 km from Can Micos, around 35–40 minutes by car, passing close to Girona.
What can you do in Banyoles with children?
Walk or cycle around the lake, ride the Pinxo train, take the boat, visit the La Draga Neolithic Park with its rebuilt prehistoric huts and, in summer, swim at Caseta de Fusta, with Can Pericus nearby for lunch. Leave the Can Ginebreda forest for another day: it is not for children.
Fancy discovering Banyoles?
Tell us your dates and group size and we will help you plan the trip: rooms, meals and the best outings from the house.
Check availability Message us on WhatsAppSources: Enciclopèdia Catalana (lake data), Wikipedia (Ramsar and Olympic rowing), Surt de Casa (Estunes, Espolla and Porqueres) and Turisme Banyoles.