La Seu d’Urgell, the capital of the Alt Urgell region, is a unique enclave that’s great for discovering the most special corners of the Catalan Pyrenees. This charming municipality is a beautiful rural area with no shortage of places to see. Located at 690 metres above sea level, the town is surrounded by the confluence of the rivers Valira and Segre, giving it an even more welcoming character.
Discover the charm of this mountain village and enjoy all that this destination full of greenery and nature has to offer.
Things to see in La Seu d’Urgell
Cathedral of Santa Maria
The Cathedral of Santa Maria is the most iconic building in the city, and also the only Romanesque cathedral that remains in Catalonia. This church is also the seat of the bishopric and is considered to be the great work of Bishop Saint Otto.
In addition to the cathedral, within the complex you can find a cloister that connects to the church of San Miguel and the Diocesan Museum of Urgel. These two spaces are included in the same ticket and worth a visit whilst at the cathedral.
Calle Mayor
This street was once an old defensive moat from the 16th century which has since been filled in. It is the main street of the old town. Also, in this street you will find several stately homes that are worth stopping to look at. You will find Cal Tarragona, Cal Calçot, Cal Patalín, Cal Don Llorens and Cal mossèn Andreu. Walking along the main street you will also discover other points of interest where you can stop along the way, such as the Portal vell d’Andorra, or the old street of Canonges.
Castell de Ciutat
Offering a beautiful panoramic view of this town, and strategically located on top of a hill overlooking the upper valley of the Segre, is Castell de Ciutat. Castell de Ciutat is an important historical-tourist complex made up of the old castle, the fortress and a 4-star hotel located at the foot of the hill, associated with Relais & Châteaux. This is a place you should definitely see on your trip to La Seu d’Urgell.
Segre Park
Another mandatory stop to connect with nature and find a bit of greenery is the Segre River Park. Located just a short distance from the centre of La Seu d’Urgell, the Segre Olympic Park was built in 1992 for the Barcelona Olympic Games and has since become an ideal place for water sports such as rafting, canoeing and hydrospeed. It is an 800-metre channel where white waters give you that adrenaline rush you’re looking for, but you’ll also find calm waters for a relaxing boat ride.
Valira Park
The Valira Park is located on the left bank of the river Valira as it passes through the town. In this park, the cloister designed by the architect Lluís Racionero from Urgell stands out. It tries to replicate the cloister of the cathedral of La Seu d’Urgell.
The Tower of Solsona
Another spot you shouldn’t miss in on your trip is the Tower of Solsona. This is a defence tower that is strategically isolated from the Castell Ciutat castle, to prevent the artillery from surrounding it and destroying it. The views from here are impressive and make a beautiful image that you cannot not miss.
Alt Pirineu Natural Park
Located between Pallars Sobirà and Alt Urgell, the Alt Pirineu Natural Park is the largest in Catalonia and is home to a wide variety of protected species. It has an extensive network of trails perfect for walking and discovering the park’s great natural wealth.
The Parc Natural de l’Alt Pirineu has a great variety of landscapes, ranging from Mediterranean forests to lush alpine flora. It is without a doubt a very characteristic natural space in the area and a must-see in La Seu d’Urgell if you want to discover its authentic, mountainous nature.
Things to see in and around La Seu d’Urgell
Route of the Grand Tour of Catalonia: Lleida – La Seu d’Urgell
This route stretches from the hill that crowns the capital of Segrià to Alt Urgell. It includes major places of interest and delves into the history of the counties of Pallars and Alta Ribagorça. Pass through places such as the Vall de Boí, the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park and the Vall d’Aran. A trip through the province of Lleida up to La Seu d’Urgell will give you the chance to taste the region’s most delicious local dishes, as well as providing beautiful landscapes.
Route of the Grand Tour of Catalonia: La Seu d’Urgell – Figueres
This section includes the most special places from La Seu d’Urgell to Figueres. Along the way you will find some of the most spectacular landscapes; from La Cerdanya to La Garrotxa, following the Pedraforca massifs and ending in the Empordà. You will discover incredible natural spaces dominated by the most intense green and picturesque villages that complete the route.
Local cuisine
The local cuisine, like that of the entire Alt Urgell region, is known for its traditional flavours based on vegetables, cereals and forest fruits, all of which are very present in the local dishes, along with game and fish.
However, the town’s star product is cheese, with a large variety on offer. You can find cow’s, sheep’s and goat’s cheeses. In addition, every October in La Seu d’Urgell there is the Pyrenees Artisan Cheese Fair during the Sant Ermengol Festival, one of the oldest in Catalonia. It’s definitely worth experiencing during your trip.
How to organise what to see in La Seu d’Urgell?
If you are a traveller who likes to get organised before leaving home and you are not sure how to plan your trip, Passporter has several options. Download the app and discover all its advantages!
You’ll find a wide variety of ideas and inspiration on what to see and do in La Seu d’Urgell. You can also use this post as a reference and combine it with the ideas suggested by the app. Create your perfect travel itinerary with Passporter!
If you have any queries about how to use the app, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently Asked Questions for a trip to La Seu D’urgell
La Seu d’Urgell can be reached by car or bus.
To get around this municipality you hardly need any transport, you can reach all the points of interest on foot. However, if you want to explore the surrounding area and get to know the rural environment surrounding it, having your own car is the best option.
La Seu d’Urgell has a wide range of bars and restaurants. Here is a selection of some of the best restaurants that also serve local food. Take a look at our list and choose your favourites.
– Cal Pauet
– EL MENJADOR
– Arbeletxe
– Parador de La Seu d’Urgell
– Cal Pintor
– Restaurant la Borda
– La Masia d’ en Valenti
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