Coves de Serinyà

Coves de Serinyà is an archaeological park in the town of Serinyà, in the Pla de l'Estany region of Catalonia, about 5 kilometers north of Banyoles, right beside the C-66 road toward Besalú and Olot. It ranks among the most significant Paleolithic sites in Catalonia, with evidence of human presence stretching back more than 200,000 years, and the caves have long been a focus of archaeological research.

What is there to see in the park?

The park occupies a slope built up from travertine (calcareous tufa), a soft limestone-like rock in which nature carved out several rock shelters and caves. These natural hollows once gave Stone Age humans shelter from the weather and from predators. A visit takes you into three of the caves open to the public, and past the reception building, which houses a conference room and an audiovisual area.

Inside the reception building is a permanent exhibition on the daily life of Upper Paleolithic hunter-gatherers. Reconstructions and replicas of the archaeological finds help visualize how the groups that once lived in this landscape actually spent their days. The park opened to the public on 26 July 1997.

How do you get to Coves de Serinyà?

The park sits directly on the C-66, the road linking Banyoles with Besalú and Olot, which makes it an easy stop by car from anywhere in the Girona area. The drive from Banyoles takes only a few minutes, passing through the rural landscape typical of Pla de l'Estany. It works well combined with a visit to Lake Banyoles or the medieval town of Besalú, both nearby.

When should you go, and how does a visit work?

The caves can only be visited as part of a guided tour — there is no self-guided access. During the summer months the park is often open daily, roughly from 10:00 to 19:00, while outside the high season it usually runs on a reduced schedule, mainly weekends and shorter hours. In spring (April–May), guided tours run on Sundays at set times, and in July and August departures become more frequent, with guides leading groups several times a day. Because the schedule shifts with the season, it is worth checking current hours before setting off.

Plan for at least an hour on-site — the guided walk through the caves and the exhibition takes roughly that long, and in summer, when the park draws more visitors, it helps to arrive a little ahead of your tour time.

Who is this park suited for?

Coves de Serinyà appeals both to families with children and to anyone with an interest in archaeology and prehistory. The guided tours are accessible without any prior specialist knowledge, and the audiovisual exhibition gives a useful introduction to the Stone Age before visitors step into the caves themselves. Because the ground inside the caves is natural and uneven, comfortable, sturdy footwear is a good idea.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the caves on your own, without a guide? No — entry to the caves is only possible as part of a guided tour.

How many caves can you see during a visit? Three caves within the park are open to visitors.

How far is the park from Banyoles? It's about 5 kilometers north of Banyoles, on the C-66 road toward Besalú and Olot.

Is the park suitable for children? Yes, the exhibition and guided tours are family-friendly, and the Stone Age life reconstructions tend to hold younger visitors' attention well.