Free walking tours in Olot and what to see

Must-sees

Olot is the capital of the Garrotxa and is surrounded by the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park. There are volcanoes in the city itself, such as Montsacopa, climbed by a short path to the Sant Francesc chapel and wide views. In the Parc Nou is the Volcano Museum, a good starting point for understanding the landscape. The centre has modernista buildings, such as the Casa Solà-Morales.

Outside the city, the best-known routes lead to the Croscat volcano, with its visible lava cross-section, the Santa Margarida crater, with a chapel inside it, and the Fageda d'en Jordà beech wood, which grows on a lava flow. Nearby are Castellfollit de la Roca, built on a basalt cliff, and Besalú, with its fortified medieval bridge and old Jewish quarter.

Free tours and guided visits

Free walking tours are infrequent in Olot, although walks around the centre and its architecture are sometimes organised. The norm here is guided excursions around the volcanic zone. There are walking routes over the volcanoes and through the Fageda d'en Jordà, bike rides along the Carrilet greenway and dawn hot-air balloon flights over the craters. The day trip combining Castellfollit de la Roca and Besalú is also very popular.

How long to spend

Allow two days for Olot and the volcanic zone. On the first, climb Montsacopa, visit the Volcano Museum and stroll around the centre. On the second, do the route linking Croscat, Santa Margarida and the Fageda d'en Jordà, which takes up almost the whole day. With a third day you can visit Besalú and Castellfollit de la Roca, or cycle a stretch of the greenway.

Where to stay

The best base is central Olot, near the Passeig d'en Blay and the shopping streets. You have restaurants and services on foot and can head out quickly to the natural park. If you want nature and silence, the rural houses and masies in the surroundings, especially around Santa Pau, put you very close to the volcanoes. To get around the district, a car is almost essential.