Stones with soul. Art with a capital A

Montserrat isn't the only ancient monastery you can find close to Barcelona. Sant Cugat is also a pure work of art. As are Seu d'Ègara or the modernist structures of Terassa. Visit them all in a tour including an evening meal in a medieval palace.

The Monastery of Sant Cugat: an architectural puzzle
The ancient monastery of Sant Cugat d'Octavià, declared Cultural Heritage of National Interest, was the county of Barcelona's most important abbey. Along with a Museu de Sant Cugat guide, discover the architectural transformations it experienced as from its creation in the 12th century until the end of the Benedictine community in 1835, and how these changes have given it an extraordinary contrast in styles.

La Seu d'Ègara, like no other in Europe
Nearby, the city of Terrassa harbours the only three-church historical monument in Europe. La Seu d'Ègara, a Romanesque structure, hides a priceless treasure within its walls: various relics from much more ancient eras (the 5th-8th centuries), including early Christian art and architecture from the Middle Ages. Take a guided tour through the grounds to see the two Gothic altars and you'll understand why it's a candidate for World Heritage Site status.

Modernist route of Terrassa
Take full advantage of your stay by discovering the modernist heritage instigated by the bourgeoisie in the early 20th century. In a three-hour guided tour provided free of charge by the tourism office, you'll uncover structures as unique as the Masia Freixa, the magnum opus of Lluís Muncunill. Also, don't miss out on the Teatre Principal de Enric Catà or Antoni Pascual and Melcior Vinyals' Mercat de la Independència.

The Peninsula's oldest Roman baths
Forget all your worries at the Hotel Balneari Termes Victòria, in Caldes de Montbui, which has the privilege of being Catalonia's first spa village and playing host to the best preserved Roman baths on the Iberian Peninsula. Relax with traditional spa treatments or some of the more innovative techniques on offer at this sanctuary of well-being, a mere 25 km from Barcelona.

Medieval dinner in a palace
There's nothing better than finishing off with a medieval dinner in one of Barcelona's most exceptional and unknown private palaces: the Palau Requesens. On Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, this palace by the ancient city wall becomes a gateway into medieval Barcelona with a visit to the grounds, a menu inspired by 14th and 15th century Catalan cuisine; as well as a show with sword-fighting, Arabian dances and juggling.