The Pyrenees is a vast mountain range that splits the two countries of France and Spain, and runs right through the middle of tiny Andorra. One of the most picturesque regions in Europe, it’s dotted with many charming towns and villages. Here’s our pick of 15 of the prettiest towns and villages in the Pyrenees.
Andorra may be better known for its luxury shopping and its ski resorts than its quaint villages, but it’s home to quite a few. One of the most charming is Ordino, filled with stone houses with slates roofs and surrounded by jagged mountain ridges. In summer, it’s often decorated with many colourful flowers too.
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port sits on the French side of the border and is the famous starting point of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route across the top of Spain to the city of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. It’s characterised by steep quaint cobbled streets, stone arches and a pretty mountain river running through the middle.
Lanuza lies in Spain’s region of Aragon and sits right on the edge of the vast Lanuza reservoir, surrounded by soaring mountain peaks. Filled with charming stone chalets, cottages and one small church, it’s those surrounding views that really make this place special.
Smart modern buildings with matching slate roofs make up the small town of Panticosa, which sits in a deep valley on the edge of the stunning Búbal reservoir. As well as cute churches, hotels and restaurants, the town also has a ski station.
The town of Puigcerda sits in the north of Catalonia, just two kilometres (1.2 miles) from the French border. Dotted with brightly coloured buildings, it’s a treat for the eyes and the camera lens – particularly with the views of the snow-capped peaks of the Pyrenees in the distance.
Saint-Savin lies in the high Pyrenees, approximately 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) south of the charming city of Lourdes. It made our list because of its riverside location, elegant pastel-coloured houses decorated with French shutters, and its impressive abbey.
For such a small French village, Cauterets has many grand and beautiful buildings. Hemmed in by misty mountains, carpeted in fragrant pines, it has an old-fashioned train station, an impressive Belle Époque-style casino, elegant hotels, and even a ski resort.
Also found in the high Pyrenees, to the south-east of Lourdes, is Arreau. Here, the old stone houses cling to the sides of a babbling mountain stream. In summer, it’s surrounded by wide open spaces of lush undulating meadows, while in winter, its backdrop features snow-white ridges.
Ayet en Bethmale sits in France, right in the centre of the Ariège Pyrenees Regional Nature Park and close to the border with Spain and the Catalonia region. Tucked in between bottle-green valleys and surrounded by imposing peaks, it’s quite a sight to behold.
Besalú lies in Catalonia, in the low foothills of the Pyrenees, and is one of the region’s most spectacular-looking towns. This old medieval village, set next to a river, is accessible via an impressive bridge and a castle-like entranceway. Once inside the maze of steep cobbled streets, its charms are only further revealed.
The last town in Catalonia before you reach the French border, Portbou is unique because it sits both in the foothills of the Pyrenees and along the Mediterranean coast. The houses here slope down the mountainsides towards the pretty promenade and its sweeping crescent beach.
Located right on the border between Catalonia and Aragon, Barruera sits in the La Vall de Boí. Surrounded by mighty snowy peaks, it’s filled with old stone buildings dating back to the Medieval times. One of its most impressive sights is the Romanesque Sant Feliu church.
Situated on the Catalan side of the Pyrenees, close to the Cadi Moixero Natural Park, Casteller de N’hug stands at 1,400 metres (46 feet) above sea level. Characterised by old stone houses, the village is also the source of the Llobregat River, which flows all the way to Barcelona, before pouring out into the sea. The village also holds a well-known sheepdog contest and has a small museum where you can learn more about Pyrenean culture.
The village of Querforadat lies in the Alt Urgell area of the Catalan Pyrenees. The name of the village literally means rock pierced, and the views from the pretty little town are just that.
Situated in the province of Huesca, just below the Pyrenees National Park and very close to the border with France, sits the idyllic little village of Benasque. Built alongside a cool mountain stream and framed by craggy mountain peaks, it’s ideal for adventure sports such as hiking and whitewater rafting.
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