Granollers offers several distinct ways to enjoy a stay: medieval urban history, river habitats and routes through municipal natural areas. To plan your visit, it helps to first decide whether you would like to focus on culture, a particular route or activities along the Congost. Each route and place has its own focus.
History and Craftsmanship
L’Adoberia dels Ginebreda is an archaeological site and historical interpretation centre about medieval Granollers. You can see a preserved section of the city wall, remains of two defensive towers and the only tannery preserved in Granollers. The site illustrates both the city’s former fortifications and a craft that left its mark on Granollers’s built environment.
A closer look at the tannery leads to its lower section, the “ribera”. It contains a well and a hearth, as well as pits and basins used for soaking, bleaching and tanning leather. La Porxada offers a different cultural highlight: it is listed as a Site of National Cultural Interest (Bien Cultural de Interés Nacional).
The “Granollers Bombardeado” route also explores the city’s history. It includes a visit to one of the air-raid shelters built in 1938. As visiting arrangements may change, check in advance if you plan to visit the shelter.
River Environments and Routes Through the Surrounding Area
The Mira el Congost route follows the river through Granollers, from the Riera del Carbonell to Can Cabanyes. It focuses on the biodiversity of river habitats. The Volta al terme de Granollers takes a different approach: it connects the Serra de Ponent, the Can Cabanyes forest, the Serra de Llevant and the city centre via municipal natural areas.
La ruta de l’aigua passes through the rural area of Palou and includes the Can Cabanyes natural area. The route to Puig de les Forques and Torre Pinós, meanwhile, centres on two specific destinations: the views from Puig de les Forques and a visit to Torre Pinós. The routes therefore differ mainly in whether their focus is river habitats, several natural areas, rural Palou, or a viewpoint and a tower.
The del Pedró rest area is a viewpoint overlooking Granollers, the valleys of the Congost, Mogent and Besòs, the Vallès plain and the surrounding mountains. Along the Congost, the riverside promenade offers other options: it is suitable for walking, observing flora and fauna, running, cycling and other sports. When planning your stay, you can take these different focuses into account rather than trying to fit everything into a single itinerary.
Cultural Attractions and Practical Planning
For an introduction to the historic centre, there is a free audio-guided route that explores part of the city’s history and heritage. It takes 45 minutes and is 1.2 kilometres long. Route details may be updated, so check them before your visit. App availability may also change.
The Museu de Ciències Naturals de Granollers complements the historical themes with permanent exhibitions about nature. One exhibit presents an unlit cave with information about bats. Another permanent exhibition focuses on invertebrates from marine and terrestrial habitats. The museum thus highlights both a single habitat and an animal group from two different habitats.
The Fira d’artesans del Vallès is a small fair featuring local artisans and producers. It takes place on one Saturday each month on Carrer Anselm Clavé, except in August and September. As the recurring date may be subject to official updates, check the date before planning your visit around it.
Granollers has an extensive network of urban and interurban bus routes. Check timetables for your travel dates, as routes and operators may change. When looking for hotels in Granollers, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: historic sites and the museum, routes along the Congost or trails through natural areas. Then check the location and the amenities that matter for your plans at the specific accommodation.
Discover more destinations: Gironella, Guardiola De Berguedà , L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, La Beguda Alta, Mosqueroles, Castellbell I El Vilar, Viladellops, Pallejá.
For the main travel overview: Barcelona.
