A bench to not miss any detail of the views.
Nature overflows the four sides of Andorra, East small country in the Pyrenees, the largest of all European microstates. Its 40,000 hotel beds in a country of just over 77,000 inhabitants demonstrate the importance of tourism and services in this territory. Finding accommodation and activities to fit any budget is easy. There are hundreds of different plans.
A HIGH NATURE
Three areas of Andorra are home to protected Natural Parks. On the one hand, the Vall del Madriu-Perafita-Claror, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape in 2004 and, on the other, the Natural Parks of the Sorteny Valley and of the Valleys of Comapedrosa . In all of them you can enjoy marked trails, picnic areas and high mountain lakes which are habitat for wild horses and other mammals.
Walking route through the Madriu Valley, Perafita, in Andorra.
AMUSEMENT PARK SURROUNDED BY TREES
The large parks in the ski resorts offer many activities of climbing, zip lines, huge inflatables, slides for the most adventurous children and even attractions that add virtual reality to the experience of sliding on a sled. Mount Magic in Canillo and Natureland in Sant Juliá de Loria are the main ones, although there are similar areas in the Pal ski resort and other points of the Andorran geography.
THE IRON TRADITION STILL LIVES
Until three iron mines they were operational in Andorra until the end of the 19th century. Although all of them are closed today, visiting them has become a highly recommended tourist attraction for families. the little one Llorts Mine in Ordino, which can be accessed on a guided tour, is the starting point for a circular and practically flat route of about eight kilometers . The itinerary, which can also be done on horseback, is marked by thematic sculptures.
One of the attractions of Naturlandia, in Sant Julià de Lòria.
VIEWPOINTS FOR FAMILIES WITHOUT VERTIGO
In many points of the Andorran road network, viewpoints are marked from which to see valleys and mountains. They point to places from which the view is a true green postcard in summer and covered with snow in winter. However, among all of them, two of the viewpoints are especially recommended: Roc del Quer , located between Canillo and Ordino. A platform that holds 12 meters of walkway suspended in the air at about **500 meters of vertical drop. **
Part of the walkway that you walk on is clear glass. While its visitors try to calm the feeling of adrenaline or vertigo, on the ledge of this walkway a statue of the artist Miguel Ángel González sits impassively, with its legs dangling into the void.
The Roc de Quer viewpoint is suspended 500 meters above sea level.
The Tristaina Lookout it is, on the contrary, a walkable circular structure 25 meters in diameter located on top of Peak of Peyreguils. A gondola lift and a chair lift reduce the ascent route to this 360º panoramic viewpoint.
FUN FOR THE LITTLE ONES
In the Tourist Offices they have the good habit of informing of the unevenness that is saved in all kinds of routes and trails. It is a key fact in such a vertical country. Not all family plans in Andorra are suitable for children of all ages and an apparently short route in distance can be difficult for the little ones. Most of the aforementioned theme parks require a certain height to be able to enjoy the attractions, so it is advisable to consult these requirements before accessing.
In Andorra they are very aware of these limitations and for families with small children they have designed some themed itineraries in different points of the Andorran geography highly recommended. Little adventures on natural resource-based circular trails, such as mushrooms, or mythological beings such as the Tamarros or the Menairons. Conceived as clue games, with final rewards and nods to children's curiosity, they take place in beautiful wooded environments in which to enjoy with the family.
The Juberri Gardens are a magical world for the little ones.
WHERE TO EAT (WITH CHILDREN)
The advice is always to look authentic sites, such as the restaurants located in old cattle shelters, known as borders. Most of them are in the middle of nature, far from urban centers, given their function of guarding the cattle displaced to high mountain meadows. In many of these robust constructions, mountain cuisine, hearty stews, spicy sausages and alpine specialties are served, such as the raclette, the fondues or the tartiflettes.
Highly recommended is the Borda de les Pubilles, in the village of Aixirivall, on the way to Naturland and the Juberri Gardens . In a construction that respects the 18th century original and whose menu includes dishes from traditional Catalan cuisine such as gratin cannelloni and sausages. Cheese-loving families will surely choose between their fondues and raclettes.
Under the aforementioned viewpoint of Roc del Quer, is the Pi edge, located in such an idyllic place that one can only recommend it. A esplanade in height, at 1,890 meters, from which you can see the Montaup Valley, surrounded by mountains. It is possible to eat in the restaurant or snack on your fabulous terrace that is frequently the scene of recordings and advertisements.
Beyond the huts, the gastronomic offer is very wide and varied. As so often, the surprise is given by small premises, run by hospitable and friendly people. It is necessary to deviate a little from the most commercial streets or the most touristic towns to find them: Ernesto's Creperie (Carrer Major, 11), in Encamp; either The Pizza Scene (Avda. Dr. Mitjavila, 19), in Andorra la Vella, are examples of this type of highly recommended option.