Enjoy the Pyrenees of Catalonia and discover one (or some!) of its most charming villages. 1. Arties, at the foot of Montardo peak In the Val d'Aran, right where the Valarties river meets the Garonne, is the Arties municipality. Surrounded by large natural spaces, it offers spectacular views of the north face of Montardo, one of the most emblematic mountains for hikers. The town is located 7 km from Baqueira Beret and also 7 km from Vielha. One of the outstanding activities is the Bahns d'Arties fun thermal complex, where you can enjoy a relaxing day with the sulphurous waters that come out at 39 ºC. It is also interesting to discover its architectural heritage. Visit the Romanesque church of Santa Maria, dating from the 12th century, and the Gothic church of Sant Joan, from the 13th century, where you'll also find a museum with permanent and temporary exhibitions to immerse yourself in Aranese culture. Take advantage of the town's wide range of restaurants to complement your visit by tasting the typical cuisine of the Val d'Aran. 2. Taüll, the Romanesque with capitals If one image characterises the town of Taüll, it is that of its Romanesque churches between snowy peaks. It is a very small town, but of great architectural value. Declared World Heritage by UNESCO, the town's churches, Santa Maria and Sant Climent de Taüll, are part of the Vall de Boí Romanesque Complex. Do you want some ideas for visiting Taüll? Inside the church of Sant Climent you can see what the apse looked like, thanks to a video mapping projection on the remains of the original frescoes, which are preserved in the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya. You can also enjoy the surroundings from the Santeta viewpoints - where you can see the whole valley - and the Cuirilles viewpoints - where you can appreciate Taüll protected by the immensity of the mountains. If you have more time, you can take a trip to Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, ski at the Boí Taüll resort or relax at the Caldes de Boí spa. 3. Montclar, a rural gem in Berguedà You will find this small pre-Pyrenean village on top of a hill. Montclar was rebuilt during the 1960s by a group of hikers and still maintains its rural authenticity. The grace is found in the layout of its old town: about twenty houses from the 17th and 18th centuries surround the square where the parish church and a stately house called the Castle are located. One of the best plans to get to know the area, cycle the route that connects Montclar with the churches of Santa Creu and Sant Quintí. It passes through forests and agricultural fields and is of moderate difficulty. A more relaxed way to enjoy Montclar is sleeping in one of its rural houses and tasting the cuisine of Bergueda. You cannot leave without tasting the black beans or the potatoes fried with black sausage. 4. High mountain landscapes in Castellar de n'Hug If you go into the Cadi-Moixeró Natural Park, you can reach places as special as Castellar de n'Hug. The town is located at an altitude of 1,450 metres and its steep alleys form a real labyrinth. It houses a set of local Romanesque churches, the Shepherd's Museum and also a curious tradition: the making of the popular giant croissants by the village's bakers. If you enjoy being in nature, the Fonts del Llobregat are a mandatory stop. There, the river rises between waterfalls and flows into the Barcelona coast. Another suggestion is to do the 9 km trail that crosses the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park to the Montgrony sanctuary, where you will enjoy spectacular panoramic views. It is located within the municipality of Gombrèn, famous for the legend of Count Arnau. There you will find his home, the castle of Mataplana, and if you are lucky you will be able to see it, because legend has it that he was condemned to ride eternally surrounded by fire. 5. The architectural heritage of Beget Beget is a small medieval town located in Vall de Camprodon. The first thing you will see about this town of only 20 inhabitants is the four-story Lombard bell tower that juts out. It belongs to the Romanesque church of Sant Cristòfol, which is open to the public. Inside, the Majestat de Beget, a 12th-century polychrome wood carving almost two metres high, is preserved, as well as baroque and Gothic altarpieces. An afternoon of storytelling in Beget begins walking along the stone streets, crossing the two bridges and observing the houses with their characteristic wooden balconies. These houses and nature recall the traditional image of nativity scenes. Take the opportunity to taste the mountain gastronomy and spend the night in the various accommodations in the area. Nearby is the Molló Parc – the animal park in semi-freedom–, if you travel with family, and the Vallter 2000 station, if you want to ski. 6. Among volcano craters in Santa Pau Santa Pau, in the Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa, is completely surrounded by green and to visit it is to take a trip to medieval times. Enter its historic center, presided over by the 13th century castle, and walk through the alleys to the Plaça Major, the Santa Maria church and the Portal del Mar, a viewpoint over the Ser valley. The offer of accommodation is wide: you have hotels, campsites, holiday apartments, farmhouses... Being among forests and craters is priceless. And you can't leave without trying Santa Pau beans, a gastronomic classic that, combined with sausage, bacon or mushrooms, has made more than one person cry with emotion. You can take advantage of the morning to walk the path that leads through the Fageda d'en Jordà, the Santa Margarida volcano and the Croscat volcano, three emblematic places in the area, affordable to do with the family. But it is also a good idea to choose to discover more unknown corners with the help of a local guide.