Discover Olot: Volcanic Landscapes and Culture

If you’d like to combine nature trails, volcanic landscapes and culture, Olot offers a range of options for your stay. Around Montsacopa, a volcanic crater and expansive views meet designated natural areas; museums and historic buildings offer a different focus. Local produce and events also shape the city’s character.

Volcanic Landscapes and Walking Trails

Montsacopa is one of the 26 nature reserves in the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park. At its summit is a circular crater, with 360-degree panoramic views stretching across Olot and Alt Empordà. A walk leading through the volcano’s clay quarries is suggested for the ascent. Check local conditions before setting off. La Moixina offers another connection with nature: the area is protected as a nature reserve and includes wetlands.

Parc Nou lies in the heart of Olot. A signposted walking route lets visitors discover typical and notable trees, shrubs and plants of Alt Empordà. The Via Verda follows the former railway line that connected Olot and Girona. It therefore combines a green route with the history of the former rail connection; conditions on the trails may change.

Museums and Buildings

At the Museu dels Sants, original, touchable objects illustrate the process of making religious statues. There are also four permanent activities that visitors can interact with freely. The Garrotxa Museum displays works by the Olot School of landscape painting, including La Carga by Ramon Casas. Its collection of applied arts, arranged chronologically, spans from the late 18th century to the present day.

The city’s architectural history is also evident in various places. The current building of the Basilica of Sant Esteve dates from 1763 and was designed by Blai de Trincheria. The Museum of the Parish Treasury in the basilica houses El Greco’s original painting Christ Embracing the Cross. The cloister of the Carmen Monastery is a cultural heritage site of national interest and is one of the few surviving Renaissance cloisters in Catalonia. Casa Solà-Morales, designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, stands on Passeig de Miquel Blay.

Casa Museu Can Trincheria shows how a wealthy family in Olot lived in the first half of the 18th century. Among its distinctive collection pieces is a large nativity scene inspired by Italy. Guided tours with qualified guides and self-guided tours are also available in Olot; dates for individual tours may change.

Events and Local Produce

The Festes del Tura is Olot’s main city festival and takes place around 8 September. The specific programme dates may vary, so check them if you’re planning your stay around the festival. Fira Orígens is an agri-food event in Olot held on the penultimate weekend in November. It offers an opportunity to discover Catalan products from the region.

Plaça Mercat is also worth a visit for local produce. The market is run by the Associació de Placers d’Olot; 40 percent of its vendors are direct producers. It sells local products through short supply chains. Creative workshops for children aged 3 to 8 explore topics related to crafts, nature and popular culture in Olot and La Garrotxa.

Getting There and Planning Your Stay

TEISA operates bus services to Olot from Barcelona, Figueres, Ripoll and Vic. Check the latest timetable before travelling. Bikes are allowed on some TEISA services between Girona and Olot; check the applicable conditions in advance as well.

When looking for a hotel in Olot, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: volcanic landscapes and walking trails, museum visits, local produce or a particular festival. If you’d like to plan your stay around the Festes del Tura or Fira Orígens, check the specific event dates. This lets you align your travel dates with the things that interest you most in Olot.

Discover more destinations: Vilademuls, Fortià, Besalú, Osor, Cornellà Del Terri, Porqueres, El Port De La Selva, Borrassà

For the main travel overview: Girona.