Llanars combines clearly datable Romanesque heritage with an open, sunny landscape in the Alta Vall de Ter. The Ter flows through the town amid rural Pyrenean surroundings; meadows, fields and numerous streams shape the setting. Different options are available for planning your trip: Sant Esteve de Llanars as a cultural destination, routes on foot or by mountain bike, and seasonal festivals with gastronomic themes.
Romanesque Heritage and Festival Dates
The Romanesque church of Sant Esteve de Llanars dates from the 12th century. On 10 November 1168, Guillem de Peratallada, Bishop of Girona, consecrated the church. Inside is an original polychrome wooden altar frontal dedicated to Saint Stephen, dating from the second half of the 12th century. It is the only altar frontal in the Ripollès comarca preserved in situ—in its original location. Alongside the church building, it is a distinctive work of medieval wood art dating from the same period.
The festivals offer different dates to consider when choosing when to travel. The Festa Major de Llanars takes place every year on the fourth weekend in September. Running from Friday to Tuesday, it includes activities for all age groups. The Festa Petita – Sant Esteve is held every year on 26 December; a concert and dance evening take place at the Sala de Festes de Llanars. This means that a multi-day September programme is complemented by an event on 26 December, featuring a concert and dance evening.
The gastronomic calendar also brings seasonal highlights: around Carnival, there is the Temporada gastronòmica de la Matança i la Quaresma, followed after summer by the Temporada gastronòmica de la Trumfa. The programme for the 2026 edition of the Fira de Pagès i Fira Forestal includes demonstrations of hand milking, sheep shearing, wood splitting, scythe peening and sausage making.
River Landscapes, Forests and Routes
The landscape includes open meadows and fields as well as wooded areas: FeitĂşs lies amid deciduous forests. Vegetation varies with altitude; black pines and firs predominate in the area. The Ter flows through Llanars amid rural Pyrenean surroundings and numerous streams. The Riera de FeitĂşs is a tributary of the Ter in Llanars. These named landscape features offer different nature themes for your stay, from open valley terrain to forests and waterways.
Llanars offers numerous routes for walking or mountain biking (BTT). An Itinerà nnia trail leads towards La Roca and the Font de la Verge del Raïm. From the town centre, the spring can be reached via Carrer de la Cerdanya in about 15 minutes. The route descriptions provide different reference points: a direction along the Itinerà nnia trail and an approximate travel time from the town centre. On the way to the spring is the Central Hidroelèctrica de Bassols, built in 1904.
The Pont d'Espinalba is easy to reach at the exit from Llanars towards the hamlet of Espinalba. The single-arch bridge is about 10 metres long and 4.45 metres wide. The Oratori de Sant Isidre also offers its own distinctive landscape feature: it stands at an elevated point between two streams, offering one of the most photographed views in the municipality.
Plan Your Stay Around Your Travel Dates and Interests
For a trip with a different focus, the church, routes and landscape each offer their own attractions. You can first decide whether you would prefer your stay to centre on a specific event date or on culture and nature. If you are planning around a specific date, check the current programme and accommodation availability before booking.
Discover more destinations: Selva, Sant Mori, Isòvol, Beget, Campelles, CelrĂ , Bellcaire D'empordĂ , UllĂ
For the broader travel overview: Girona.
