5 Areas with Country Houses in Osona: Your Charming Retreat Near Barcelona

Just over an hour from Barcelona, Osona awaits you: green valleys, dizzying cliffs, beech forests, centuries-old farmhouses, and villages that smell of freshly baked bread.

If you’re looking for country houses in Osona to disconnect without sacrificing comfort, here’s the definitive guide: which areas to choose, what to do, real prices, how to book, and how to enjoy sustainable rural tourism in Osona. Ideal for couples, families, and groups who want an authentic getaway with a touch of charm in country houses in Osona.

What is a country house and why choose Osona?

A country house is a traditional dwelling that has been renovated for accommodation, usually in natural surroundings or historic villages. Osona has many stone farmhouses with exposed wooden beams, fireplaces, porches with views, and their own vegetable gardens. Here you can wake up to silence, enjoy a breakfast of local products (fuet de Vic sausage, country bread, mountain honey), and go for walks among forests, rivers, and viewpoints.

Why Osona? Because it offers a wide variety of landscapes within a short distance: Collsacabra and its cliffs with Rupit and Tavertet; the Sau and Guilleries-Savassona reservoirs; Montseny (Viladrau, Seva) as a Biosphere Reserve; and the north of the region, Bisaura and Vidrà, with beech forests, pools, and the Bellmunt sanctuary. In addition, the capital, Vic, offers markets, heritage, and cultural life.

How do country houses differ from other types of accommodation?

• Real authenticity: Traditional architecture, handcrafted furniture, and local details.
• Direct contact: Hosts who recommend routes, restaurants, and activities based on your preferences.
• Meaningful location: Immersion in villages and nature, far from the crowds.
• Increasing sustainability: Solar panels, water and waste management, locally sourced products.

Where to look: 5 key areas with country houses in Osona

1) Collsacabra – Rupit i Pruit y Tavertet

Picture-perfect cliffs, flower-filled balconies, and the route to Salt de Sallent. Viewpoints with breathtaking sunsets over Sau. Perfect for photos, gentle hiking, and houses with views.

2) Guilleries-Savassona – Pantano de Sau

Mediterranean forest and sandstone. Kayaking at sunset, walks along the cliffs of Tavertet, and a visit to Sant Pere de Casserres. Ideal in spring and summer.

3) Montseny – Viladrau y Seva

Beech forests, chestnut trees, and springs. Trails for all levels in an area designated as a Biosphere Reserve. Autumn colors and mushrooms.

4) Bisaura y Vidrà – Bellmunt

Lush forests, gorges, and waterfalls. Total tranquility and family-friendly trails. Optional climb to the Bellmunt Sanctuary with 360° views.

5) Entorno Vic – Manlleu – Roda de Ter

A convenient base for combining culture, markets, and nature. Good connections and services, without losing the rural essence.

How to choose your ideal country house

• Couples: Prioritize privacy, private terrace or garden, fireplace, bathtub/jacuzzi, and views.
• Families: Fenced garden, play area, crib/high chair, fully equipped kitchen, and spacious rooms.
• Groups: Several suites, large lounge, barbecue/txoko, parking, and outdoor areas.
• Rural teleworking: Confirmation of stable fiber/4G connection and comfortable desk.

Quick checklist

• Location: Town with amenities or surrounded by nature?
• Amenities: Fireplace, swimming pool, Wi-Fi, pet-friendly.
• Cancellation and cleaning policy.
• Recent reviews about cleanliness, quietness, and service.
• Sustainable commitment (energy, water, waste, local products).

What to do: Top rural tourism plans in Osona

• Hiking and mountain biking: Network of marked trails in Collsacabra, Montseny, Bisaura, and Savassona.
• Water routes: Sallent Waterfall (Rupit), Vidrà Gorges, meanders of the Ter River in Roda–Manlleu.
• Kayaking and paddleboarding in Sau: Submerged bell tower and sandstone walls as a backdrop.
• Culture and heritage: Vic Old Town, Sant Pere de Casserres Monastery, scattered Romanesque architecture.
• Markets and events: Mercat de Música Viva (September) and Mercat Medieval (December) in Vic.
• Local cuisine: IGP cured meats, shepherd’s cheeses, honeys, craft beers, and seasonal cuisine.

Suggested itinerary: 48 hours in country houses in Osona

Day 1 – Collsacabra & Sau

• Tomorrow in Rupit i Pruit: stroll through cobbled streets, suspension bridge, and route to Salt de Sallent (signposted viewpoint).
• Meals featuring local produce (mushrooms in autumn, Vic sausages all year round).
• Afternoon in Tavertet: trails and viewpoints, with sunset over the Sau Reservoir.
• Night in one of the charming country houses in Osona with a fireplace and a homemade or locally sourced dinner.

Day 2 – Vidrà, Bisaura & Bellmunt

• Route of gorgues in Vidrà (easy sections for families). Picnic with cheese and country bread.
• Optional climb to the Bellmunt Sanctuary.
• In the afternoon, visit Sant Pere de Casserres following the royal road alongside the Ter River.
• Return to your country house for a barbecue, tasting of local products, or relaxation with a blanket and fireplace.

7 essential routes (levels and times)

1. Salt de Sallent (circular) – 8 km · 2–3 hours · Easy–moderate. Forest, farmhouses, and great viewpoint.
2. Cingles de Tavertet – 10–12 km · 3–4 hours · Moderate. Panoramic views of Collsacabra and Sau.
3. Bellmunt from Vidrà – 9 km · 3 hours · Moderate. Summit with 360° views.
4. Meanders of the Ter (Roda–Manlleu) – 5–7 km · 1–2 hours · Easy. Ideal with children.
5. Fageda del Montseny (Viladrau) – 6–8 km · 2–3 hours · Easy. Photogenic beech forests in autumn.
6. Sant Pere de Casserres – 10 km · 3 h · Easy–moderate. Monastery on the Ter River.
7. Gorgues de Vidrà – 6–7 km · 2 hours · Easy. Pools and waterfalls (spring/summer).

Tips: Hiking boots, reusable water bottle, headlamp if you’ll be hiking at sunset, and respect the trail markers (GR/PR). No off-trail hiking in cingles areas.

Local food guide (what to try and where to find it)

• IGP Llonganissa de Vic and fuet; platters with country bread and olive oil.
• Shepherd’s cheese, honey, jams, and craft beers.
• Seasonal cuisine: Mushrooms (Sept–Nov), calçots (winter), stews, and soups.
• Perfect plan: Country breakfast at your country house, vermouth in the town square, lunch at a farmhouse restaurant, and a light dinner by the fireplace.

Types of charming country houses in Osona

• Traditional Masía with fireplace: Perfect for fall and winter.
• House overlooking hills or valley: Memorable sunrises and absolute silence.
• Accommodation with garden and barbecue: Families and groups with children.
• Eco-friendly house: Solar panels, vegetable garden, compost, natural amenities, and certified firewood.

Climate and best time to visit

• Spring: Lush greenery, abundant waterfalls, mild temperatures.
• Summer: Swimming in pools, kayaking in Sau, village life, and terraces.
• Fall: Golden forests in Montseny and Collsacabra; mushroom season.
• Winter: Photogenic fog in the valleys, more affordable rates during the week, and fireplaces burning brightly.

Photography tips (top spots)

• Sunrise at the Tavertet viewpoints.
• Golden hour over the Sau Reservoir.
• Nighttime in Bellmunt (clear skies; bring a headlamp and coat).
• Larga exposición en gorgues de Vidrà (trípode ligero).

Access, mobility, and local regulations

• Without a car: R3 train to Vic/Manlleu/Torelló + taxi or local bus.
• Parking: Regulated areas in Rupit and some viewpoints; please respect signage.
• Fire and barbecues: In summer there are restrictions due to fire risk; use designated areas.
• Pets: Many country houses in Osona are pet-friendly; keep pets on a leash in livestock areas and always pick up after them.

Affordable plans for the whole family

• Historic Vic (squares and markets) with flat routes and benches to rest on.
• Viewpoints with vehicle access in Tavertet (check the accessibility of each point).
• Signposted picnic areas near Ter and in Guilleries-Savassona.

Approximate prices and seasons

Approximate ranges per night for 2–4 people (may vary depending on the house, season, and services).

How to book (and avoid wasting hours comparing)

1. Define the area + target (couple, family, group) and budget.
2. Use the platform’s maps to measure distances to routes/plans that interest you.
3. Read 10–15 recent reviews (look for mentions of cleanliness, rest, and service).
4. Write to the host: check-in, crib, firewood, barbecue, pet-friendly, remote working, recommendations.
5. If it works for you, block out dates (weekends fly by).
6. Review cancellation policy and small fees (cleaning, extra firewood, pets).

Real sustainability (and how to support it)

• Choose homes with solar energy, waste management, and responsible water use.
• Shop at local producers: Cheese, cold cuts, honey, beer, bakery items.
• Walk or ride your bike when you can; carpool for trips.
• Respect trails and wildlife; leave no trace.Respeta sendas y fauna; no dejes rastro.
• Ask about nature experiences with an educational focus (vegetable gardens, beehives, forests).

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)