6 cooler places to escape the heat in Barcelona and Catalonia

The intense summer in Spain has already begun even though it’s only June, and people are beginning to look at where to escape the sweltering temperatures - both inland and in the capital of Barcelona itself.

You can of course go to a local beach or swimming pool, but these alternative destinations offer another way to keep fresh when the mercury rises.

Vall de Boí

The Vall de Boí is located high up in the Pyrenees, close to the borders with Andorra and France. It’s also home to the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park (see photo above). Because of its high altitude, but set in a valley filled with lots of lakes and rivers, it manages to stay relatively cool during the height of summer. Summer temperatures range between 15C and 25C – very comfortable when compared with the city or the costas. Explore the area by seeking out its Romanesque churches, which have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Puigcerdà

Puigcerdà is the largest town in area of Cerdanya, sitting right along the border with France in the Pyrenees and on the eastern side of Andorra. It stands at 1,200 metres above sea level offering plenty of mountain breezes and a summer temperature ranging between 19C to 24C. The town is also centred around a large cooling lake. For somewhere more remote, there are several charming nearby villages such as Alp and Castellar de n'Hug.

Setcases

Setcases is a small mountain village in the Ripollès region, just below the well-known Estació Vallter 2000 ski resort. During the summer months it offers a refreshing climate, with an average temperature between 12C and 22C. This means it's comfortable enough for hiking or cycling through the mountainous landscapes. The village itself is picturesque, filled with quaint stone houses.

Places to keep cool in Barcelona

Not only are these places where you can escape the heat in the city, but where you can escape the crowds too. There’s no point heading somewhere slightly cooler if it’s only going to be packed with people. Finding a cooler spot is all about finding somewhere high up and green with plenty of shade.

Head up to the Collserola Natural Park

The Collserola stretches around the hills right above the city - a huge natural park that spans over 8,000 hectares. Carpeted by forest in parts and crisscrossed with hiking paths, it offers plenty of shade, as well as cool breezes that float over the top of the city. You don't have any of the heat of the buildings or the traffic up here. While it still may be too hot for proper hiking, there are spots you can enjoy for picnics and admiring the views.

Relax in the many gardens on Montjuïc

Montjuïc is the large hill that rises to the southwest of the city. It's here where Barcelona hosted the 1998 Olympic Games and today is covered in verdant gardens, as well as the vestiges of stadiums and arenas. With so many gardens up here, you're sure to find one that's not too busy. Each garden has it's own unique feel - but most importantly - they mostly stay cool thanks to the numerous trees, shrubs, fountains and ponds.

Hide in the shade of the Labyrinth Park

Another spot to the north of the city is the Parc del Laberint d'Horta. Not often visited by tourists because it's so out of the way, it's a haven in summer to try and beat the heat. Once the grounds of an estate belonging to the Marquis of Llupià and is based on both Italian, French and English designs. It's filled with sculpted hedges, flower gardens, fountains ponds - and of course the huge labyrinth itself. There's a lot of shade and numerous benches to relax on.