It's not all beaches on the Costa Brava

With its 38 volcanoes, the Garrotxa Volcanoes Natural Park is a must-see on the Costa Brava. There are around 30 trails through this volcanic park. But don't panic, the last eruption was at least 11,000 years ago!

To reach the most popular volcano for tourists, Santa Margarida, take the road from Olot to Santa Pau. You will come to a parking area where a number of footpaths begin. From here, you can head towards the Croscat volcano, the largest in the region. One of the most surprising volcanoes is Montsacopa, located in the heart of Olot town centre!

Finally, a visit to the Fageda d'en Jordà, a beech wood growing on the lava flows of the Croscat volcano, is a must! If you're already exhausted, you can take the tour in a horse-drawn carriage!

For information and maps of the natural park, go to the Garrotxa Volcanoes Natural Park House, on the road from Olot to Santa Pau, km 7, daily, 10am-4pm.

Near Girona, two typical Catalan villages are well worth a visit: Pals and Peratallada. Just a few kilometres from the beaches, these medieval villages take you back in time to Catalan history in the Middle Ages. Some of the buildings, such as Peratallada Castle, appear to be intact. Built in 1065, its architecture is a blend of Baroque, Gothic and Romanesque styles.

The walled town of Pals is equally impressive. Its construction is estimated to date from the 9th century, but some researchers believe that the town was inhabited before that. Walking through the narrow streets of the historic town centre, you can admire arches, stone walls, small bridges and Romanesque towers such as La Torre de las Horas. Just 3 km away, unlikely as it may seem, you'll find the beach at Pals, one of the largest on the Costa Brava.

And yes, there are lakes around the Costa Brava too! In the province of Girona, Lake Banyoles is idyllic! With its bucolic setting and crystal-clear waters, you can combine hiking and swimming for a holiday that's as close to nature as you can get. It's the largest natural lake in Catalonia, so cycling, fishing and even horse-riding in the wilds of Banyoles are all on the agenda. Built in 812, the village of Banyoles is also well worth a visit, with its wealth of history.

Boat trips, kayak hire, horse riding, etc. Find all the activities and contacts at the Banyoles tourist office.

If you're passing through the region, a visit to Tossa Castle is a must! Impossible to miss, nestling on a hill, this 12th-century castle overlooks the beach. It's an ideal spot to cool off after a stroll through the narrow streets of the walled city. Once on the hill, the first reward will be admiring the view over the beach, then you'll have the luxury of learning more about the remains of the past on a guided tour.

At the time, the castle, made up of 7 towers, protected the town from pirate attacks, but we won't spoil any more - it's up to you to discover the many secrets of this building on site!

Close to La Garrotxa Natural Park, the medieval village of Besalú stands out for its rich historical heritage. One of the village's greatest cultural treasures is to be found in the Jewish quarter, where 200 members of the Jewish community settled between the 9th and 15th centuries. And only 60 years ago, underground Jewish baths called "mikvé" were discovered beneath the ruins of the town's synagogue. Built in the Romanesque style, the vaulted stone room was supplied with water from the river. A similar bath was discovered in Girona in 2014, but the Besalú bath is one of only 4 in Europe!

From 1 July to 15 September, Besalu Tourist Office is offering guided tours of the Jewish Quarter at 11am on Tuesdays in English and Thursdays in French, for just €2.50!

What could be better than a swim after a hike? Located at an altitude of 2138 m, Malniu lake is the perfect spot, but of course it has to be earned! Located in the heart of the Girona Pyrenees, you have to take the Malniu path to get to the lake.

You'll then follow a 3.4 km stretch of rocky river through a forest. An idyllic setting in the heart of the Cerdagne nature region.

The Malniu refuge is around 50 minutes' walk away. There are plenty of walks to take you to waterfalls and hot springs in this region, which straddles the border between France and Spain.

It's advisable to book your night in advance on the refuge de Malniu website to make sure you have enough room.