The Top 10 Things to See and Do in Vic, Spain
Located north of Barcelona in the direction of the Pyrenees mountains, Vic is an important Catalan town with a long history and a rich local culture. There are a number of historic monuments to be admired in the town, not least its impressive main square and town hall, but Vic is also renowned for its gastronomy, with the local cured meats considered some of the best in Catalonia.
The Plaça Major
The Plaça Majos is Vic’s main square and the hub of much of the town’s activity. The square is bordered by vaulted arcades that give access to the numerous shops, cafés and restaurants that are located on the square. There are some rather notable buildings to be admired here, including the 14th-century gothic town hall building, the 14th-century Casa Cormella and the Casa Costa, a 20th-century modernist building.
Sant Pere Cathedral
Building, Cathedral
Sant Pere Cathedral
This cathedral was erected in the 11th century and the original romanesque crypt and bell tower from this time are still visible today. Other elements, baroque in style, were added in the 14th and 15th centuries, while much of the rest of the building was renovated in the 18th and 19th centuries and is neoclassical in style. This blending of styles makes the cathedral particularly interesting to visit.
Episcopal Museum
Museum
Ride in a Hot-Air Balloon
One of the most memorable ways to discover the town of Vic is to take to the air for a spectacular balloon ride. The town is surrounded by the mountains of the Montseny natural park, and a balloon ride offers the chance to admire the Catalan countryside at the same time as Vic’s most famous landmarks.
The Monastery of Sant Pere Casseres
Monastery
Sample Local Embutidos
Vic is famous across Catalonia for its traditional cured meats known as embutidos, including such things as fuet (a dried pork sausage flavoured with pepper and sometimes aniseed), botifarra (a raw pork sausage cooked and served as a main course) and bull negre (a cured sausage made with pork meat and pork blood, like a black pudding). There are many shops selling these cured meats across Vic and these are widely considered some of the best in the region.
Eat at a Local Restaurant
A visit to Vic wouldn’t be complete without the chance to sample the local fare, rich in locally cultivated produce such as Sant Pau beans and cured meats from around Vic. The restaurant Boira is a favourite among locals, as is the Celler d’en Miquel, both of which offer traditional dishes such canelons, escudella i carn d’olla (a soup with pasta and meatballs) and fideua (noodle) dishes.
The Roman Temple of Vic
The Roman Temple of Vic
This remarkable Roman temple was all but forgotten until the 18th century, when the Castle of els Montcada that stood there before was demolished. It was then that workers noticed the remains of this 2nd-century temple, with a number of columns and Corinthian capitals in remarkably good condition. The portico was reconstructed following the discovery, using the original elements that were unearthed and based on historic reconstructions of how the temple would have looked.
The Medieval Market
Once a year in December, the town of Vic leaps back in time and transforms into a veritable Medieval market town. Here you’ll be able to purchase traditional handicraft gifts and local produce such as cured meats, pulses, jams and liquors, as well as enjoy displays of traditional dance and even reenactments of the town’s history.
The Queralt Bridge
Bridge, Cathedral
The Queralt Bridge
Not as impressive, perhaps, as the Sant Pere Cathedral or the Roman Temple, the Queralt bridge is nonetheless worth a visit for those with an interest in local history. An 11th-century romanesque bridge, it was for a long time the only access to the town and stands on what was historically the road to Barcelona and one of the old Roman-era routes. The bridge was damaged in the 15th century and again during the Spanish Civil War, but it retains its original form and many features.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.