There are 57 nature reserves within Halmstad Municipality, with different types of flora and fauna. You'll find vast marshes, deciduous woods, steep mountain slopes, rushing waterfalls and a bird sanctuary. Lace up your hiking boots or pump up your bike tires and discover a Halmstad that surprises. If you prefer to explore by water, gently gliding in a canoe is a delightful experience. Distances are short, so you can feel like a true adventurer one minute and be back in your hammock the next. Galgberget, or 'Gallows Hill', just a stone's throw from the city centre, is peaceful despite its name hinting at the site's history. Walking paths, bridleways and fitness trails share space in the beech and mixed woods. With views over Laholms Bay and Halmstad's city centre, it's a perfect spot to rest on one of the benches. Several hiking trails wind through Haverdal's coastal forest reserve. If you listen closely, you might almost hear the gnarled pines lamenting the drifting sands and harsh sea winds. Further north, the nickname of Skipås Nature Reserve, “God’s Green Meadows”, speaks for itself. Venture deeper inland into the heart of the countryside, where meadows and lush mushroom-filled forests offer a bounty of outdoor activities. In Simlångsdalen, tranquil lake waters beckon for leisurely canoeing excursions.

Crowning Girona’s skyline, the Cathedral of Santa Maria commands attention from the top of a majestic 86-step staircase. Its soaring Baroque façade, added in the 17th century, belies a far older history: foundations date to the 5th century, with a Romanesque church and 12th-century cloister still preserved within. The cathedral’s most notable feature is the 23-metre-wide Gothic nave (widest in the world!) completed in the 14th century and illuminated by vast stained-glass windows. Inside, the Museum of the Cathedral safeguards extraordinary treasures, including the 11th-century Tapestry of Creation, a vivid Romanesque depiction of divine order, and a gem-studded 14th-century silver altarpiece. The cloister captivates with carved capitals portraying biblical tales and mythical beasts. For context, use the included audio guide to unravel layers of history, from Roman forums to medieval masterpieces.

The Basilica of St Felix is one of Girona’s oldest churches, a site of continuous worship since the early Christian period. Its architecture is a palimpsest of styles: a Romanesque core, a majestic Gothic nave, and a Baroque façade topped by a distinctive truncated bell tower. The interior safeguards priceless treasures, including eight rare Roman and early Christian sarcophagi and the ornate 14th-century Gothic tomb of Sant Narcís, the city's patron saint. Though never the cathedral, its historical and artistic importance is profound. It remains an active parish church, offering a quieter but deeply atmospheric counterpoint to the larger cathedral nearby.

In the southwest corner of the Mellah, and past the Habarim Synagogue, Ibn Danan is an intimate synagogue with a fascinating atmosphere and a traditional ritual bath in the basement. Head here for getting an authentic feeling of religious experience.