A medieval Spanish city has been described as a top destination for travellers who want to combine sport with sightseeing. Girona, about 20 minutes from Banyoles, offers cyclists and runners quiet roads, varied terrain and a supportive local community, according to a guide written by an Irish triathlete for Condé Nast Traveller.
The city is home to many professional cyclists, runners and triathletes, who are drawn by the quality of the roads and the range of routes. Cyclists can tackle the Rocacorba climb – 12km at an average gradient of 6.5 per cent – or the more social Els Àngels ascent. Runners can use the Carrilet greenway, a traffic-free path along a former railway line, or riverside routes along the Onyar and Ter.
For swimming, the guide recommends Lake Banyoles, described as Europe's finest swimming lake and the venue for this year's European Middle Distance Triathlon Championships. The race in July included a 1.9km swim, an 85km bike leg and a 14km run, which was shortened from a half-marathon because of the heatwave.
Beyond training, the city offers a medieval old town with a Gothic cathedral, a Jewish Quarter and city walls with views to the Pyrenees. Several cafés and restaurants cater to athletes, including La Comuna, Brovola and Idle Hands.