We love lakes. And after coming back from Montana we missed them so badly. So we had no choice: we started to heal the “saudade” by exploring the beautiful lakes we have nearer than you might think. Beautiful spots that we described in our post Lakes near Barcelona waiting for you to explore, and among them: Banyoles lake. This lake is pretty special among the other lakes for one reason: it is the one that reminds us to the Flathead lake which was pretty close to Missoula, in Montana.
If you are thinking of a one day trip from Barcelona which doesn’t take too much time on the road, a day trip to Banyoles lake might be a great idea ;-)
A day trip to Banyoles lake: What to do?
Hiking, swimming, kayaking… or just laying on the grass. The lake of Banyoles offers activities for all tastes ;-)
A walk around the lake
We recommend you to start with this nice hike around the lake. There is this circular path around the lake which is a nice hike to enjoy nature and vegetation along the lake. Also, you can rent a bike and explore this path while riding your bike.
Rent a kayak
If you love water sports like kayaking, you can rent a kayak and row while enjoying beautiful views from the Banyoles lake.
Swimming
Lake of Banyoles is kind of a natural swimming pool for those who love swimming. You will soon notice some athletes crossing the lake equipped with its swimming hats and goggles. You will easily identify which are the swimming areas where you can bathe in the water.
Just take a dip in the water
There is a special spot in the lake which is like a swimming pool, marked through a yellow line for those who want to take a dip in the water.
Where to eat in Banyoles lake?
Picnic followed by an epic “siesta”
Bringing your own food from home and having a picnic in the lake is a great idea. You can enjoy a special meal surrounded by peace and nature. And after that, if you have already experienced what “siesta” means, a “siesta” under the shade of the trees might be another great idea ;-)
Lunch in a restaurant near the lake
If you prefer to have lunch in a restaurant by the Banyoles lake, you will find diverse options. From our experience, it might not be the best food but the views from there to the lake are worth it.
How to get to Banyoles lake?
The best way to get to Banyoles lake is by car. It will take around 1.30h-2h to get there, which is ideal for making it a one day trip from Barcelona.
But you have also some other options to arrive by public transport:
– By bus: The bus company TEISA offers direct rides from Barcelona, Girona, Figueres and Olot.
– By train: you can get from Barcelona to Girona-Costa Brava by Renfe Adif, and from that train station take a bus to Banyoles.
Have you visited this place yet? If not, don’t forget to include this day trip to Banyoles lake on your “places to visit near Barcelona” list :-)