Andorra has many small villages, filled with restaurants, shopping malls, tourist attractions and beautiful nature and surroundings. Visiting the Andorra and its towns brings a feeling of peace and tranquillity, because of the secluded locations locations that will make your stay in andorra special.
If you are interested in the most beautiful mountain villages of Andorra, scroll below. In this blog, we will provide you with information about this list of cities and villages in Andorra:
List of Villages:
- Ordino
- Canillo
- Soldeu
- El Tarter
- Bixessarri
- Pal
- Les Bons
- Fontenada
- Llorts
- Santa Coloma
- Meritxell
- Anyós
- Sispony
- Auvinyà
- Sornàs
- La Cortinada
1. Ordino
Location: Ordino
Parish: Ordino (most northern parish)
Height: 1,298 m
Having a population of only 4,585 inhabitants, Ordino is a pretty but little village in Andorra, located in the north of the country. In the village, there are cute stone buildings that are typically Andorran, and in the summer, they have a roof of pink leaves from the blossoms while having a drink in the sun on a terrace.
The village is known as the cultural capital of Andorra and is approximately 25 minutes away by car. The locals like to spend their weekends here. Ordino has museums which make it an interesting place for travellers, and a must-see is the house of Areny-Plandolit and the House of Rossell, which shows life in the region from the fifteenth century until now. There is also a post museum which is a building with cultural aspects in a Pyrenean typical style, with balconies covered in flowers.
2. Canillo
Location: Canillo
Parish: Canillo
Height: 1,526 m
Canillo, with an elevation of 1,526 m, is a mountainous village in the northwest of Andorra and it is the capital of the largest parish in the country. It is also an opening to the Grandvalira ski area, together with El Tarter and Soldeu. Because it is high above sea level, it is one of the coldest places in Andorra and it is covered in a blanket of snow the most times of the year. Top attractions in Canillo are the Sanctuary of Meritxell and the Church of Sant Joan de Caselles, which are both important Romanesque churches. Canillo offers plenty of shops, hotels, restaurants, and some tourist attractions, which makes it a good place to stay with family or friends. Because of these reasons, when staying in Canillo, you will not be bored.
3. Soldeu
Location: Soldeu
Parish: Canillo
Height: 2,000 m
Soldeu, with a high altitude that almost reaches 2,000 metres and its population of 1,109, offers a unique natural character in the parish of Canillo. It has an impressive landscape that you cannot miss during your holidays in Andorra´s towns. Because of the high altitudes, the most important ski tourism area in the country is located here, which is the Grandvalira ski resort.
In the summer months, Soldeu is home to sport-lovers, such as cycling and golf. There is a bike park, and if you like golf, then a must-visit is the Golf track of Soldeu, the highest course in Europe. Furthermore, for night-life fans, Soldeu is one of the liveliest towns in Andorra, since it features some of the most outstanding venues in the country.
In Soldeu, there is a great range of hotels to stay in, even at the foot of the slopes. For all these reasons, staying in Soldeu will bring you a memorable experience when visiting.
4. El Tarter
Location: El Tarter
Parish: Canillo
Height: 1,710 m
El Tarter is a small village (population of 1,678) at 1,710 meters altitude, approximately 1.5km from Soldeu in the direction of Spain. It offers a laid back holiday experience than the neighbouring areas of Soldeu, with a handful of restaurants and bars. El Tarter is a popular spot for families because of the diverse selection of self-catering restaurants, and there are also good quality hotels with easy access to the slopes. Furthermore, for single travellers or those on a budget, there are some great hostels in town.
A couple popular spots in El Tarter are Dylan’s which is a modern restaurant, cocktail bar and chill out bar, as well as L’Abarset Restaurant which serves up traditional mountain dishes and is a very popular après ski venue which also hosts live music and events. Parking in El Tarter can be difficult because of the narrowness of the streets, but there is a car park in the town center by the old church, as well as a car park in the valley bottom.
When staying in El Tarter, it offers all the basics needed for a relaxing snowboard or ski holiday and is within easy reach of Soldeu if you want to venture out during your stay.
5. Bixessarri
Location: Bixessarri
Parish: Saint Julià de Lòria
Height: 1,230 m
Bixessarri can be found in the southwest of Andorra. The most picturesque in the whole country is the bubbling mountain stream which runs right through the middle of the small town. There aren’t many attractions in the village, apart from the Iglesia San Esteve de Bixessarri church, but the reason to visit is the beauty of the village itself.
6. Pal
Location: Pal
Parish: La Massana
Height: 1,467 m
The same as Canillo, Pal is only 25-minutes away from the capital of Andorra. Pal has a romantic sphere, because of the beautiful nature and strong buildings. Pal is located in La Massana parish in Andorra, which is on the west side of the country. It is surrounded by high cliffs and pine forests and it is home to the Pal-Arinsal ski resort, which is part of the Vallnord ski area.
A must visit is the Sant Slimane de Pal church, which dates back to the 11th century, making it one of the oldest Roman buildings in the country. Furthermore, you can find the Interpretation Centre of Roman arts in Pal, which represents Roman art through the time in Andorra through audiovisuals and exhibitions. You can visit the place and go there by yourself, or you can opt for a guided tour. The duration of the tour is 45 minutes, and you can choose multiple languages. Pal´s beautiful nature and surroundings make it the perfect place for your stay.
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7. Les Bons
Location: Les Bons
Parish: Encamp
Height: 1,617 m
Les Bons is a village in the parish of Encamp in Andorra. It is known as the museum village in Andorra, and Les Bons is just 15 minutes away from the capital of the country. Les Bons still has its charm from the important periods that originate from the Iberian Peninsula. In Les Bons, there is a great Arab bath ¨Reina Mora¨as well as the old medieval wall with its ancient castle. When wanting to go back in time, Les Bons is a great village.
8. Fontaneda
Location: Fontaneda
Parish: Sant Julià de Lòria
Height: 1,390 m
Fontaneda in Sant Julià de Lòria is a city located in the south-west of Andorra la Vella, the country’s capital town. There are several Unesco world heritage sites nearby. The closest heritage site in Andorra is Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley in a distance of 7 mi (or 12 km), North-East. Due to its mountainous location (at 1307 m above sea level) Fontaneda suffers from isolation, which affects its depopulation. Its communications, through the Gallina pass, are surrounded by forests and vineyards. It is an area much frequented by hikers and cyclists.
9. Llorts
Location: Llorts
Parish: Ordino
Height: 1,413 m
Llorts belonging to the parish of Ordino. It is located between Arans and Ansalonga. In 2015, it had 162 inhabitants.
In Llorts and the whole of Andorra, iron was the most important economic activity in the country from the beginning of the 17th century until the end of the 19th century. At the Llorts Mine, you can learn about the process of evolution and transformation of iron, from the prospecting and extraction of the mineral to the preparation and forcing process. You can enter the tunnels of the mine, which is a 30 metres long route of history and culture. This visit is made only between the months of June and October.
10. Santa Coloma
Location: Santa Coloma
Parish: Andorra la Vella
Height: 1,134 m
Santa Coloma d’Andorra, also known as Santa Coloma, is an Andorran town in the parish of Andorra la Vella, located near the Gran Valira river and 2 km away from the capital, Andorra la Vella. Santa Coloma consisted of 3,040 habitants in 2012 and is known for its famous church in the centre of the town. This church is one of the oldest churches of Andorra, which makes it very unique.
11. Meritxell
Location: Meritxell
Parish: Canillo
Height: 1,710 m
The enchanting village of Meritxell in Andorra is the home of the most known sanctuary in Andorra that was built in the 70s. Firstly, it was a sanctuary with ancient architecture created by Ricardo Bofill, but now it is a modern building. The name Meritxell is a name referring to the Lady of Meritxell, who is a patron saint of Andorra.
12. Anyós
Location: Anyós
Parish: La Massana
Height: 1,299 m
Anyós is located in the parish of La Massana and it is 1 km from the town of La Massana. Anyós is situated close by El Cortalet and close to Sispony. There are several Unesco World Heritage Sites nearby the village, such as the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley in a distance of 7 kilometers southeast. When being in Anyós, you can also visit La Massana, Ordino, Andorra La Vella, Les Escaldes, and Encamp.
In Anyós, a unique church can be found. The church was built in the 12th century on a small plateau, and the temple and its Romanesque structure are still preserved well. Thanks to its strategic location, you can enjoy panoramic views of the valleys of Escales-Engordany, Sispony, Ordino, and La Massana.
13. Sispony
Location: Sispony
Parish: La Massana
Height: 1,360 m
Sispony, together with Anyós are two of the seven quarters of La Massana. Sispony has diverse interesting things to visit, such as architectural art and native gourmet products. In Sispony, the Casa Rull Museum is located, which is one of the most important houses from the Andorra of yesteryear. In the museum, you can get an insight into the life of wealthy farmers who owned much of the land, in a period where agriculture and livestock were the basis Andorran economy. A visit to the museum is complemented by an audiovisual guide which, together with the interpretive signs during your visit, will take you back in time to a period in which heirs, heiresses, and knights lived in the house.
14. Auvinyà
Location: Auvinyà
Parish: Sant Julià de Lòria
Height: 1,200 m
This is one of the most curious places you can visit with your dog in Andorra, more specifically in Sant Julià de Lòria.
A privately owned village dating back to the 9th century, with about 238 inhabitants.
The village of Auvinya is a surprising place that leaves no one indifferent. You will find medieval towers, posters explaining the history of Andorra, Romanesque bridges, furniture purchased from antique dealers.
15. Sornàs
Location: Sornas
Parish: Ordino
Height: 1,538 m
Sornàs is a village in Andorra, located in the parish of Ordino. Sornás is the first village along the 14 km of the main road 3, which connects Ordino with the Vallnord Ordino-Arcalís ski resort. The village, which due to its size and location looks more like an exclusive urbanisation, had, in 2017, a population of 255 inhabitants, according to data from the Statistics Department of the Principality of Andorra.
The work “T’abraça”, which rests in the middle of the first roundabout when leaving Ordino, marks the detour to the village of Sornàs. The sculpture represents the union and friendship between people and, as one would expect in Andorra, is made with materials typical of the area (rock and wrought iron), mimicking better with the environment.
16. La Cortinada
Location: La Cortinada
Parish: Ordino
Height: 1,335 m
La Cortinada is located between the villages of Arans and Ansalonga in the parish of Ordino.
In the centre of the village is a 12th-century Romanesque church Sant Martí de la Cortinada; the 17th and 18th century extensions include wrought iron railings made from iron that was forged in Andorra.
Where to stay during your village trips in Andorra?
Now that you are up to date with the most beautiful mountain villages in Andorra, you must be wondering about a place to stay. Staying in the villages of Andorra will never be boring, such as in El Tarter or Canillo.
From the Kokono Team, we hope to see you soon and be part of your stay in Andorra!
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