Discover the beauty of the picturesque towns of Andorra

by Daguisa Hotels

03/11/2023 0 Comments

True treasures are hidden among the mountains of the Principality of Andorra: the most charming towns in the country. Traditional architecture and customs of the past are seen in every step taken in the town. A trip that will transport you to a world of charm and tradition. Any time of the year is ideal to visit them, so do not hesitate to come and discover the years of history hidden among their buildings. Once upon a time…

INDEX

1. Fairytale places
2. Canillo
3. Pal
4. Ordino
5. La Fontaneda
6. Sispony
7. Llorts 8. Auvinyà
9. The Curtain
10. Les Bons 11. Your base of operations

1. Storybook places

Known for its stunning mountain landscapes, rich culture and outdoor activities, both summer and winter, the Principality of Andorra is much more than that. The country is home to a series of picturesque towns with which you can travel to the past and discover towns with a unique charm that is reflected in every centimeter of its streets. Because Andorra is much more than shopping and skiing!

Tiny towns where stone and slate are common elements, dozens of small Romanesque churches and places that have borne fruit in a great cultural heritage. Furthermore, these are visits that can be carried out at any time of the year, whether in summer or winter, which become excursions that will complement our trip and make the experience we live in Andorra greater and more enriching.

Today we will talk to you about a series of towns, but they are only a sample of these, and the best recommendation is to let yourself get lost and discover all the fairy-tale enclaves that the country offers you.

2. Canillo

On this occasion I am not going to refer to the first parish by general protocol order, but rather I am going to focus on its nucleus, where the town of most cultural interest is located. A labyrinth of cobbled streets that house the town's best kept secrets. Without a doubt, it is worth walking through its little streets and falling in love with the views of the river: Canillo will make you feel like you are in a fairy tale.

With its impressive Romanesque church of Sant Joan de Caselles, nestled in a mountain landscape and one of the most important in the Principality, it is known for preserving unique Romanesque objects and for being the only one with a Lombard-style bell tower. Nor can we leave behind the Sant Serni church, whose most of the current building is from the Baroque era, it still preserves vestiges of the old Romanesque construction.

Finally, there are a couple of places (more modern, of course) that you cannot miss: the first is the Roc del Quer Viewpoint, with spectacular views, and the second is the Tibetan Bridge, the longest in Europe of its kind. style.

3. Pal

I am aware that I am not going to discover anything new, but I cannot talk about the picturesque and charming towns of Andorra and not mention Pal. We could say that you cannot visit the country without visiting one of the jewels of the Principality and an example of Pyrenean architecture with its houses made of stone and wood, crowned by slate roofs.

Pal perfectly combines tradition with natural beauty. Its church of Sant Climent de Pal, from the 12th century, is an example of Romanesque architecture, one of the most representative churches of Romanesque art of the Andorran towns and the only one with a three-story bell tower and a double mullioned window on the last one. height.

Located at more than 1,500 meters above sea level and surrounded by nature, it is one of the few that has managed to preserve the profile of a traditional mountain village. Walking its streets is being transported to another era and experiencing first-hand the testimony of years gone by.

4. Ordino

We could say that Ordino is the cultural capital of Andorra, being home to numerous museums. But it is also much more, since the town combines both a relaxing atmosphere and traditional Andorran architecture. Walking through its cobblestone streets with colorful decorated balconies allows us to immerse ourselves in its history and delve into its traditions.

Discover the Romanesque church of Sant Corneli i Sant Cebrià, which inside houses a Romanesque carving of the Mother of God, made of polychrome wood from the end of the 11th century, being one of the smallest images of the Virgin. But don't leave without visiting the Areny-Plandolit House and the Rossell House, which will reveal the way of life in the area since the 15th century.

5. La Fontaneda

Fontaneda has a special charm. It is one of the smallest towns in the country, isolated between vineyards and forests. A bucolic town with unpaved streets, with just under 150 inhabitants, which becomes an ideal corner from which to photograph nature. During your visit, take the opportunity to visit Sant Miquel de Fontaneda, a church with a unique construction attached to the mountain that still preserves in its interior some of the remains of paintings by the Master of Anyós.

On the other hand, yes If you are a lover of active tourism, Fontaneda will surely sound familiar to you, since this is one of the towns most frequented by cyclists and hikers, as it is located on the route to Coll de la Gallina, one of the most technical and demanding mountain passes that It offers incredible views.

6. Sispony

Culture, Romanesque art and culture, Sispony is one of the most picturesque towns in Andorra, where you can breathe a perfect harmony between the past and present. Streets and stone houses, with wooden and wrought iron windows, in Sispony the Casa Rull stands out, which represents the home of a wealthy peasant family. When you visit it you will be able to learn how one of the richest families in the parish of La Massana lived.

7. Llorts

Like other towns on the list, Llorts is a tiny Andorran town that amazes all visitors. Located on the road that leads to the Tristaina lakes, it is a town with a lot of personality that, due to its location close to the old iron mines, serves as a perfect testimony to the area's metallurgical past. In fact, you can visit the only mine that is still intact.

But not everything is iron in Llorts, as we will fall in love with its stone houses, wrought iron balconies, the Els Cóms fountain, and the church of Sant Serni de Llorts. Declared an asset of cultural interest, inside it is preserved a baroque altarpiece dedicated to the titular Saint and a Saint Christ.

8. Auvinyà

Auvinyà is, without a doubt, an idyllic place. But, the curious thing is that it is a beautiful recreation of a medieval town in the 21st century, using materials and elements from the country in its buildings, giving each house built its own style. Furthermore, it is a town without a motor; That is, you will walk without haste and as calmly as you want. To round off the visit, at the top of the valley is the church of Sant Romà d'Auvinyà, from the 10th century, from where you can contemplate spectacular panoramic views.

9. The Cortinada

An authentic postcard town, full of charm in every centimeter. Do not hesitate to visit the Cal Pal sociocultural space, dating from the 14th century, unique because it has been able to adapt to the passage of time, adopting characteristic features of each era. Continue the visit through La Cortinada and reach another of the town's jewels, the Romanesque church of Sant Martí de La Cortinada, a temple that will undoubtedly captivate you. It is a construction that, despite the modifications made, still allows us to recognize the work of the Master of the Cortinada.

10. Les Bons

Les Bons stands out for its medieval historical complex, where we can find two important examples of the architecture of the time. On the one hand, the castle also called Torre de los Moros, a spectacular four-story defense tower. The other is the church of Sant Romà, from the 12th century, with extraordinary reproductions of Romanesque paintings. It is also the only one with a Lombard-style semicircular apse in all of Andorra.

Both buildings are strategically located on a splendid rocky outcropping, from which you can control the entrance to the valley. The location of both allows you to better understand the medieval history of the town. Without a doubt, visiting Les Bons is like traveling back in time.

11. Your base of operations

These are just some of the picturesque towns that Andorra has to offer. Each of them has its own charm and appeal, and all of them will give you a unique experience in this beautiful country of the Pyrenees. Whether you're looking for mountain adventure, tranquility in nature or a dose of culture and history, the towns of Andorra have something for every type of traveler.

from where we can make our visits to these beautiful towns. In this regard, at Daguisa Hotels we have what you need. Our establishments have facilities to meet your requirements, and all the staff will offer you exquisite treatment so that your experience is perfect. That is why I invite you to visit the Fènix Hotel 4*, in the commercial area of Escaldes-Engordany, and the Font d’Argent Canillo Hotel 4*, in the town of the same name. From both establishments you will be able to know and discover the jewels of the Pyrenees that the Principality of Andorra hides. I hope you enjoy your stay in the country Andorra and discover the magic of these special places!