Go back to your childhood with this magical route

This magical mystery tour, as the Beatles would say, begins in Santa Cristina d’Aro, where we will find a very special house. , also known as The Magic House, is not only a museum dedicated to illusionism, it also pays tribute to the art of make-believe. In this ancient farmhouse surrounded by nature, you will uncover amazing robots, old posters, optical illusions and secrets that only magicians know.

Its creator, Mag Xevi, has put together one of the most impressive collections in Europe. As soon as you enter, you’ll feel as though you’re stepping through a mirror. Among the prizes awarded to Xevi, the FISM (International Federation of Magic Societies) is especially notable, as an international recognition of his work with magic.

We continue on to Girona, where the streets of the Barri Vell  (the old neighbourhood) breathe history and fantasy. In this city, made of stone and mystery, live famous creatures that must be kissed if you want to be an authentic Girona local, just like with the Lioness’ backside; and others that hide surprising stories, such as the witch who turned into a gargoyle that can be found in the Cathedral or the famous Tarlà, which hangs in Carrer de l’Argenteria, between two balconies, and which was responsible for distracting the frightened neighbours when the Plague struck the city.

Girona’s legends are part of its soul, and discovering them through guided tours or with a wonderful story book under your arm is a fun and magical way to get to know the city.  Here, every corner hides a story and every stone has its own voice.

Still in Girona, another world awaits us behind a screen. The Museum of Cinema invites us on a journey through the history of shadows, magic lanterns and the first projectors, right up to the seventh art as we know it today. It is a fascinating, interactive and evocative space where you can play, learn and discover the inventions and shows that left your great-great-grandparents speechless. You’ll see what the first cinema projections and moving images were like, that have allowed viewers to dream throughout the ages.

The next stop takes us to Figueres, to visit a museum that is a treasure for anyone, whether you’re 7 or 70 years old. The Toy Museum of Catalonia has more than 4,000 pieces, from dolls, horses and jigsaws, to construction sets and small theatres. There are toys that belonged to Salvador Dalí and Quim Monzó, and others that could have come from your own home. It’s a place where time stands still and your heart will be filled with tenderness.

We continue our route towards Besalú, one of the most beautiful medieval villages that hosts a unique project: Circusland, the first European museum dedicated exclusively to the circus. A surprising space where you can discover the history, the art and the trade of this nomadic and colourful world. Dressing rooms, models, posters, instruments and even a stage for live shows. If you ever dreamed of being a trapeze artist or a flea tamer, this is the place for you.

And to finish (or to start again), we stop off in Torroella de Montgrí, where every year the International Magic Festival (FIMAG) is held, an event full of illusionists, impossible tricks and shared laughter. The streets, the theatres and the squares become scenes of the implausible, and for a few days, reality takes a step back to make way for magic.

Travelling does not always mean going far. Sometimes it means going back to that place where everything was possible. We invite you to look at the territory through a child’s eyes; to share special moments and to believe, if only for a moment, that magic exists.