Next week I shall be visiting friends in Rosas, before hiring a car and driving around Catalunya. I only have 4 days spare after visiting friends, so where should I go?
I've been to Barcelona and Girona but I really would like to visit some smaller towns/villages away from the crowds.
I like: stunning scenery, water, short hikes (up to 2-3 hours), castles, ecology, very old buildings/structures. I have a map and the Serra de Cadi/Manresa/Ripoll area looks good? My budget is quite healthy (for once in my life!)
Any recommendations before I book the accommodation would be gratefully received.


Why don't you try Pedraforca or anywhere in the Catalan Pyrenees?
Tarragona is also quite nice

Just looked at Pedraforca massiff photos, it looks really impressive!
Any other ideas anyone?
Aiguamolls nature reserve on the Bahia de Roses. Worth a visit. Also Empuries (Ampurias) Greek and Roman ruins and a cute little hotel on a cove. Lots of little seaside towns, shouldn't be too crowded yet.

The road to Cadaqués has 150 curves, but it is quite beautiful and so is Cadaqués itself. Park the car (that may not be all that easy) and ask the locals how you can walk to the lighthouse at the right side of the bay. Stunning scenery, but don't do it when you have fear of heights. It takes me about an hour and a half to get there, but maybe you walk faster.