Spain
The arcaded plaça major is the heart of Banyoles with good cafés and restuarants around it. It is quite shady in the summer with trees standing in the middle of the square.
It's also a good starting point for walks exploring the old town walls, St Stephens monastery and the narrow twisty labyrinth which is old Banyoles.
The plaça major is a 25 min walk from the Estany but the regular buses from Girona drops you off nearer to the square at just a 10 min walk away - just ask for the Passeig Indústria stop outside the Teisa ticket office. The square is well signposted from there.
Google map: tinyurl.com/yen76bk
The Santa María church in the hamlet of Porqueres is a 12th century Romanesque jewel with a solid brick ceiling and nave. The four arched entrance is inspired by the Moors.
Porqueres is 3km west of Banyoles facing the town across the Estany. It only takes 25 mins to walk to Porqueres from the tourist office on Passeig Darder - just follow the signs to Porqueres and eglesia de Santa María.
Google map: tinyurl.com/yekma2d
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