Vic: Day Trips and Tours from Barcelona

Vic is the capital of Osona and an ancient urban center in this region, with a rich historical and architectural heritage and culinary culture.

Voted as one of the seven wonders of Catalonia in 2007, it is also famous for sausages, and well-known wine and cheese brands in Spain.

Join a day trip to Vic from Barcelona to escape the city hustle and bustle and get a taste of the Catalan countryside.

Check out what you need to know about Vic, one of the most captivating day trips from Barcelona.

How to get to Vic from Barcelona?

The town lies 70 kilometers north of Barcelona and is easily accessible by car and public transportation.

The drive by car from Barcelona to Vic takes about 1 hour on the C-17. To reach Vic by bus, you can hop on the Avenue Meridiana - Garcilaso service, which takes about 1 hour. By train, you can get off at Estación Vic on the Barcelona - Arc De Triomf service, which takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

If you would like to avoid the hassle of driving out yourself or negotiating the transit system, you can visit Vic on a guided tour: There are several guided day tours to Vic departing from Barcelona, allowing greater flexibility.

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Vic from Barcelona?

You’ll be picked up at your hotel before heading for Besalú, one of the most striking towns in the Girona province. See the impressive Romanesque bridge at the town entrance and the churches of San Pedro, Santa Maria and San Vicente in the historic center. Also visit the old Saint Julia Pilgrims' Hospital and old Jewish baths.

Next stop is at the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park for a hiking trip in its forests. Continue to Rupit, a medieval town that contains well preserved centuries-old stone houses, and where you'll have lunch.

Finish the tour in the medieval village of Vic. Explore its historic center through the Plaza Mayor, Vic’s main square and surrounded by historic buildings from various eras. These include the city hall and the Comella Palace, Casa Beuló and Casa Tolosa. Also stop at the Palau dels Montcada, located around a Roman temple, and with some north walls still preserved. From here you’ll be returned to your hotel in Barcelona.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Vic?

Besalú, Rupit and Vic excursion

Explore the medieval heart of Catalonia on this fascinating 10-hour excursion with round-trip transportation from Barcelona. Visit the beautiful old villages of Besalú, Rupit and Vic and experience its fascinating historical and architectural heritage.

You'll be picked up by minibus at your hotel before heading north to the medieval village of Besalú. It is one of the most beautiful villages in the Girona province, with the impressive Romanesque bridge at the town entrance. In the historic center you’ll find the churches of San Pedro, Santa Maria and San Vicente. Also admire the old Saint Julia Pilgrims' Hospital and the ancient Jewish miqvé (baths).

From here, stop at the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park for a hiking trip to see its lush beech and oak forests. Next, you’ll visit Rupit, a medieval town that contains well-preserved stone houses from more than 400 years ago. Here you'll have an hour free to enjoy lunch.

The last medieval village of your tour is Vic. Discover its historic center wandering through the Plaza Mayor, Vic’s main old square where most of the social and cultural life takes place. It’s surrounded by beautiful buildings from various eras, including the city hall (late 14th century) and the Comella Palace, (19th century). Also look for the impressive Casa Beuló and Casa Tolosa.

You’ll also stop at the oldest building in Vic, the restored Roman temple from the 2nd century, next to the ruins of Palau dels Montcada. The latter was located around the Roman temple, and demolished in 1882 when the temple was discovered. Some of the north walls have been preserved, indicating a building with three floors and rebuilt at the end of the 11th century. From Vic, you’ll be returned to your hotel in Barcelona.

Besalú, Rupit and Vic private tour from Barcelona

On this 10-12 hour private tour from Barcelona you can discover the charm of some of the medieval villages and the natural beauty of Catalonia. See the impressive architecture of Besalú, Rupit and Vic, and scenic beauty of La Garrotxa, Cingles de Tavertet, Sau reservoir and Montseny Mountains.

The tour starts in Besalú with its fine architectural legacy, including the famous 11th-century bridge, the churches of Sant Pere, Santa María and Sant Vicenç, as well as the medieval Jewish baths. Next on the itinerary is the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, known for its dense forests of beech and oaks, volcanoes and lava flows. Also see the medieval town of Santa Pau, in the center of the park.

Afterwards, stop in Rupit village, characterized by its old stone houses from the 16th and 17th centuries, where your group will enjoy lunch. From here, the tour continues to the nature area of Cingles de Tavertet above the Sau Valley. You will find scenic forests inhabited by raptors and enjoy lovely views of Sau Reservoir and the Montseny Mountains.

The tour finishes in Vic, where you’ll admire the historic main square surrounded by beautiful buildings. These include the city hall, Comella Palace, Casa Beuló and Casa Tolosa. From Vic, you’ll be transported back to your accommodation in Barcelona.

How much does a tour to Vic from Barcelona cost?

Most private and guided tours to Vic last 10 hours and cost around €190 to €250 per person. The Besalú, Rupit and Vic excursion from Barcelona and the Besalú, Rupit and Vic private tour both cost €250 per person.

For a hot air balloon flight over Vic (1 hour duration), expect to pay about €100 to €170 per person.

What will you see and do on a Vic day trip from Barcelona?

Rupit

Rupit is well known as a tourist town because of its medieval appearance, old stone houses and natural rock streets. You will find interesting walks and sightseeing opportunities around Rupit village and the nearby cliffs. The castle of Fàbregues, founded by the Viscount of Osona, and the Romanesque Church of Sant Joan de Fàbregues have been recorded from the year 968.

During the 12th century, the town gradually developed around the castle of Rupit. The old part of the village is situated on a narrow ridge above the river, with some streets climbing up the hill. A hanging bridge dating from 1945 (and now a tourist attraction) provides access to the village center.

Olot

Olot is the capital of Garrotxa and is known for its natural landscape, with four volcanoes spread around the city’s center. The town boasts an excellent example of Renaissance architecture with the Claustres del Carme. The latter was constructed during the 16th century and has been declared a Cultural Good of National Interest.

It currently houses the headquarters of the School of Art and Superior of Design of Olot. Garrotxa’s cultural heritage is mostly represented by the 19th-century Olot School and Modernisme artistic movements. Visitors to Olot can follow the Ruta del Modernisme walking route to show the Modernisme movement’s effect on the city.

When is the best time to visit Vic?

The best time to visit Vic is during May, September and October when the region’s weather is good and the average temperatures are pleasant. The warmest time of the year in Vic is generally early August. Winters can be very cold, even with snow.

Travel tips

• Explore the large market on Placa Major in Vic on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
• Vic shops close at 1 PM and re-open at 5 PM.
• Vic is known for its traditional Catalan cuisine, so make sure to try coca (a type of flatbread) and botifarra (sausage).