Ripoll Overview

About two hours by train from Barcelona, Ripoll (pop. over 10,800) marks the beginning of Pyrenean escape, where carefully preserved, thousand-year-old monasteries nestle among chic ski resorts. Ripoll is a guardian of Spain’s Romanesque architectural legacy; the elaborately carved portal of the Monestir de Santa María is one of Spain’s most famous doorways. Set in a charming green valley framed by two rivers, this serene town present picturesque views of snow-capped mountains and serves as a suitable starting point for alpine excursions. Ripoll holds onto its local feel with townfolk gathering in the afternoons to chat and relax in the main square. Be sure to book ahead during summer weekends, when catalaneses flock in to escape the heat.

• Transportation

Buses: The bus stop is across a small park to the left as you exit the train station. Teisa, (☎ 972 26 01 96; www.teisa-bus.com), sends buses to Barcelona (1hr. 35 min.; M-F ­7am, Su Oct. 1-Mar. 31 ...more

• Practical Information

Pharmacy: Pl. St. Eudald 2, (☎ open daily ­9am-­10pm), Internet: Several locutorios (telephone centers) have internet access: one on Pg. el Regull 2, on the right side of the Pont l’Arquer where ...more

• Accommodations And Food

For more information on accommodations in the entire Ripolles valley, visit www.elripolles.com. As for food, many bars around Pl. Ajuntament serve everyday Catalan fare, such as fried cod and various boccatas ...more

• Sights 

Most visitors to Ripoll come to see the intricate 12th-century portal of the Monasterio de Santa María. Founded in AD 880 by Count Guifré el Pelós (Wilfred the Hairy), the Santa María monastery was ...more

• Daytrips From Ripoll

In friendly Camprodon (pop. 2500), narrow streets meander around a 12th-century monastery, Monestir de Sant Pere, and the picturesque Pont Nou, a bridge constructed in the Romanesque style. There is a ...more