Lake Banyoles (or Estany de Banyoles) is a natural lake located in the comarca “Pla de l’Estany”, Province of Girona, in northeastern Catalonia, Spain. It is named after the nearby town of Banyoles, to which it belongs entirely. On the western shore it borders with the town of Porqueres. The lake is approximately 2,100 m by 750 m with an average depth of 15 m that in several points gets down to 46.4 metres. It is located in a natural tectonic depression.

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Presently Lake Banyoles is the largest natural lake in Catalonia.

The lake is a popular destination for swimming, rowing, and fishing. It is also home to a variety of birds, including ducks, geese, and herons. The lake is surrounded by a number of hiking and biking trails, making it a great place to enjoy the outdoors.

The lake became famous as the rowing location for the Barcelona Olympics 1992 and the World Rowing Championships in 2004. It is also a popular training location for many foreign rowers, particularly English rowers. It was also the site for the 1991 Junior World Rowing Championships.

In addition to its sporting history, Lake Banyoles is also home to a number of archaeological sites. The most important of these is the Neolithic settlement of La Draga, which dates back to the 6th millennium BC. The settlement is located on a small peninsula on the eastern shore of the lake and has been well-preserved due to the fact that it was submerged for most of its history.

La Draga is one of the most important Neolithic sites in Europe and has yielded a wealth of information about the lives of early farmers. The site has been excavated since 1990 and has produced a large number of artifacts, including pottery, tools, and jewelry. The excavations have also revealed the remains of several houses and other structures.

La Draga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is open to the public. Visitors can learn about the site’s history at the museum on the site or take a guided tour of the ruins.