Andorra: 4-Star Boutique Charm

Weekend plan!

Please note that from now on, this accommodation will only be available for weekend stays. It’s the perfect choice to switch off for a few days, enjoy a change of scenery and make the most of a Friday-to-Sunday getaway.

Ski Plaza Hotel & Wellness: your charming mountain escape in Canillo

Located in the heart of Canillo, Ski Plaza Hotel & Wellness combines the cosy charm of a traditional alpine lodge with the comfort of a modern mountain hotel. Its warm, family-friendly atmosphere makes it an excellent choice for both ski holidays and relaxing breaks in the Pyrenees.

One of the hotel’s greatest advantages is its location. Just a short walk from the gondola, it offers direct access to Grandvalira, one of the largest ski areas in the Pyrenees. From here, reaching the slopes is effortless while still enjoying the peaceful setting of a picturesque mountain village.

After a day on the snow or discovering Andorra, the hotel’s wellness area is the perfect place to unwind, featuring an indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, hammam and massage services. A gym and inviting common areas also provide ideal spaces to relax and recharge.

Guests particularly appreciate the welcoming atmosphere, the attentive staff and the generous breakfast, as well as the hotel’s convenient proximity to the ski lifts and its excellent family-friendly facilities.

For comfort, mountain charm and seamless access to the slopes, Ski Plaza Hotel & Wellness is the ideal base for your Andorra adventure.

Canillo: A Living Mountain, Thrills, and the Crown Jewel of the Green Pyrenees

From May to October, the mountain takes on a completely different look: snow gives way to alpine meadows, crystal-clear glacial lakes, and some of Europe’s most breathtaking outdoor attractions.

Here are the best ways to enjoy the area when the weather is nice, straight to the point:

• The Tibetan Bridge: Its 603-meter span, suspended over the Riu de la Vall gorge, offers one of the most spectacular high-wire walks on the continent.

• Roc del Quer Viewpoint: A cantilevered platform with a transparent glass floor that juts 20 metres out into the air, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of all the valleys.

• Hiking in the Incles Valley:

  • The Juclar Lakes Trail: Leads to Andorra’s largest natural lake, located at an altitude of over 2,200 metres.

  • Estany de las Cabs: A more accessible hike through pine forests and crystal-clear streams, ideal for families.

  • Mon(t) Magic: Grandvalira’s summer adventure park, featuring the longest zip line in the Pyrenees (550 metres) and the Màgic Gliss alpine slide.

  • Culture and Romanesque Heritage: Visit the church of Sant Joan de Caselles or the modern Meritxell Sanctuary, surrounded by flower-filled gardens.

Andorra is a destination for every season. Tucked high in the Pyrenees between Spain and France, it's a skier's paradise in winter, and once the snow melts it swaps the slopes for green valleys, glacial lakes and quiet stone villages.

It's a great fit for active couples and families who want the mountains by day and good food, shopping and comfortable hotels by night, whether you come for the snow or for the summer trails.

Make sure you visit:

Start in the north, in the parish of Ordino, where the road climbs up to Ordino-Arcalís. From there, a well-marked trail leads to the Tristaina lakes, three glacial lakes ringed by peaks; the first is roughly 45 minutes' walk away. If you'd rather keep the effort to a minimum, the Tristaina Solar Viewpoint, at 2,701 metres, gives you one of the most spectacular panoramas in the country.

On another day, head to Canillo and the Incles Valley, a wide, gentle valley that's perfect for an easy stroll. If your legs are up for more, carry on towards Lake Juclà, the largest in Andorra. Back in town, spend an afternoon wandering around Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany, where Romanesque churches sit side by side with shop-lined streets.

Family-friendly activities:

In winter, it's all about skiing. Grandvalira is one of the largest ski areas in the Pyrenees, while Pal Arinsal, with its gentle runs and ski schools, is a favourite with families and beginners. Not everyone skis? Guided snowshoe walks and dog-sledding in Grau Roig are just as memorable.

In summer, the same mountains turn into a playground of walking trails and e-bike routes, and Grandvalira's summer lifts take you up high without a long climb. Whatever the season, children love the Roc del Quer walkway in Canillo, which juts out over the valley, and the thermal lagoons of Caldea are the perfect way to end the day.

Local delicacies you have to try:

Mountain cooking here is hearty and honest, and it tastes best in a traditional borda, an old stone barn turned into a restaurant. Order trinxat, a Pyrenean classic of cabbage, potato and crispy bacon, followed by meat grilled over embers and a board of local cured sausages and cheeses.

For a traditional meal, Borda Estevet is a long-standing favourite for its trinxat and its meats served on slate. If you fancy something more special, Ibaya, in Soldeu, holds Andorra's only Repsol Guide Sun as well as a Michelin star.

Make the most of your visit:

Andorra is small, so it's easy to mix mountain days with short trips deeper into its valleys or across the border. These are some of our favourites:

• Sorteny Natural Park (around 30 minutes from Andorra la Vella): gentle trails through flower-filled meadows.
• Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley (trailhead around 15 minutes from Escaldes): a UNESCO World Heritage valley for keen hikers.
• La Seu d'Urgell (around 30 minutes): a historic Catalan town with a Romanesque cathedral.
• Puigcerdà (around 1 hour 15 minutes): a lakeside town in the heart of the Cerdanya.