Things to see and do in La Cerdanya?

La Cerdanya is a region of Catalonia located in the Pyrenees. It offers a wide range of attractions and activities to enjoy all year round surrounded by incredible landscapes. It is the perfect place for sports lovers as there you can do hiking, cycling, mountain biking and many other activities. There are a lot of things to do in La Cerdanya! You’ll love the national parks and beautiful charming villages like Puigcerdà or Llivía there.

At Passporter we want you to make the most of your vacations in this incredible region, so we have prepared this post where we share what to do in the region and the little details and travel tips that make the difference. We have also prepared a list with recommendations for accommodation and restaurants where to try the local cuisine, and a section where we discuss the best way to get there and get around. Are you ready for the journey? Then let’s get started.

Things to do in la Cerdanya

1. Llivía, the most charming village in the region

The village of Llivía is unique because, although it is Spanish territory, it is fully surrounded by French territory. There you can visit the old town center, the church, and the archaeological remains that prove the passage of the Roman Empire through the village. We also recommend a visit to the Municipal Museum, where you can see a 15th-century pharmacy, the oldest apothecary in Europe.

2. Puigcerdà, a city to visit in La Cerdanya

Puigcerdà is the capital of the region of La Cerdanya and a nice place to spend a morning strolling through its cobbled streets, visiting bars and stores, or enjoying the nightlife. The city has a charming old town that is worth exploring. There you can admire the traditional architecture on the facades of its stone houses and slate roofs. And you can’t miss the Santa María Square, where you’ll find the gothic church of Santa María.

We also recommend you visit the Cerdà Museum, which offers an interesting insight into the history and culture of the Cerdanya region, and the Parc Schierbeck, ideal for relaxing and enjoying nature.

3. Vall de la Llosa

The Llosa Valley is a magical place where you can disconnect completely because it is not urbanized at all, it is all nature in its pure form. The best way to visit the valley is to do the route that starts in Cal Jan de la Llosa and that will take you along a path through a black pine forest to a large glacial amphitheater. In total there are 13km that run through this beautiful valley, a real spectacle in La Cerdanya.

4. Skiing in La Cerdanya

In the mountainous region of Cerdanya there are several ski resorts where you can enjoy the snow surrounded by incredible landscapes. Here you have a list with all the options where to do so.

• Aransa ski resort: it has 32km of skiable terrain and is known for its Nordic skiing routes and snowshoeing trails.
• Ski resort Lles de Cerdanya: it is famous for its evocative landscapes full of black pines and fir trees.
• Guils Fontanera ski resort: has 45km of skiable terrain and incredible views.
• La Molina ski resort: it is the best prepared resort and offers the best services due to its recent renovation.
• Masella ski resort: its north orientation makes it the ski resort that closes the latest.

5. Estanys de la Pera

Another must-do route in La Cerdanya is that of Estanys de la Pera, a circular route of only 5km that will take you to the glacial lakes of La Pera at an altitude of more than 2700 meters. It is an ideal excursion to do with the family. Despite having a little slope, it is very short and simple.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Things to do around La Cerdanya

1. Garrotxa, another region to see in Catalonia

La Garrotxa is another region of Catalonia located just 2 hours away from La Cerdanya and characterized by its incredible volcanic landscapes. Some of the must-sees are the Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa Natural Park, with more than 40 volcanoes, Besalú, a beautiful medieval village, and Olot, the capital of the region. We also recommend a visit to Fageda d’en Jordà, an impressive beech forest to stroll through.

If you want to know more about La Garrotxa, visit this post where we tell you everything you need to know: What to see and do in La Garrotxa.

2. Girona

If you travel to Cerdanya by public transport, you will most likely pass through Girona at some point. And if it is not the case, we recommend you to find the time to visit this pleasant city that hides so much history. There you can not miss the Jewish quarter, the promenade of the wall and the cathedral of Girona. We also invite you to visit the Girona Art Museum, located in the old Episcopal Palace. It houses a collection of art ranging from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century.

In this post we will tell you more about Girona: What to see and do in Girona?

What to see in 1 day in La Cerdanya?

La Cerdanya is a destination that suits all types of travel. However, because it is not very accessible, we recommend to spend at least 3 days there. As we have seen in this post, there is a lot to do in La Cerdanya. And if you are a nature lover, you can not miss all the excursions and activities offered by the region.

There is no fixed itinerary to follow, this will depend on your taste. What we do advise you to do is to get a car so you can move freely around the region. And if you go there in winter, do not forget the chains for the car.

Where and what to eat in Cerdanya

The gastronomy of the Cerdanya region is famous for the combination of traditional flavors of Catalan dishes with some influence by the mountain cuisine. Some of the most typical dishes are the trucha a la ceretana (trout), the Trinxat (cabbage, potatoes and bacon) or the escudella i carn d’olla (meat stew with vegetables and legumes). Here are some suggestions of restaurants where you can try these dishes and many more.

• Picot Negre: is a cozy local food restaurant where you can taste the typical dishes of the region. The price ranges between 18€ and 40€.
• Cal Jet: This restaurant offers the most traditional dishes of local and Catalan cuisine from a modern perspective. The dishes are unbeatable and you can eat very well for less than 40€.
• Ca l’Eudald: here you can taste the best quality ingredients of the region. We are talking about snails, mushrooms and seasonal vegetables. You can’t miss it.

Where to stay in La Cerdanya

In La Cerdanya you will find a wide variety of accommodations such as campings, hostels or charming rural hotels. Many of these options are in the urban centers of the region, but some are also in the surrounding area, which can be more interesting if you go hiking. If you are looking for a more economical area we recommend Alta Cerdanya, where you can also stay if you are going skiing in winter.

Here’s a selection of some of our favorite accommodations in the area:

• Xalet Refugi Pere Carné: is a nice hostel in the middle of the countryside, 3 km from the ski resort of La Molina and 7 km from Masella. It is the perfect place to stay if you are hiking, canyoning, climbing or cycling in the area. The hostel has a restaurant and also offers family rooms. The price per night starts at 85€ and breakfast is included.
• Petit Hotel de Riu: is a pleasant rural hotel with restaurant located in Riu de Cerdanya. The price per night is around 90€ and breakfast is included in the price.
• Apartaments La Taverna dels Noguers: Beautiful perfectly equipped apartments located in a unique natural enclave. In the complex there is a restaurant and a garden with a swimming pool. The price per night is about 90€.

How to get to La Cerdanya

The Cerdanya region is located in Catalonia, northeastern Spain. There are several ways to get to La Cerdanya, and once there we recommend you to rent a car to move freely and not rely on public transport. Here are some options how to get to Cerdanya:

• Airplane: the closest airport to Cerdanya is Girona-Costa Brava Airport. From there, you can go by bus or rent a car to reach the region, which is approximately 2 hours away by road.
• By train: by train you can get to Puigcerdà station, the main town in Cerdanya, but you will have to change trains. There are regional and suburban trains connecting Puigcerdà with Barcelona and other destinations in Catalonia.
• Bus: in the region there are buses that communicate the main urban centers, however, the tourist areas in the natural parks are not so well communicated.
• Car: is the best option to reach and move around the area. It takes 7 hours to get there From Madrid and 2 hours from Barcelona.

What should I consider before traveling to Cerdanya?

• The best time to travel to La Cerdanya is between July and August
• If you go skiing, we recommend you to go between December and March.
• To move around Cerdanya it is best to take a private vehicle.
• Please note that stores close early and are not open on Sundays.
• Catalonia is a very touristy region, so booking in advance is recommended.
• Catalan is spoken in the region, but you will be perfectly understood in Spanish.
• Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
• As it is a mountainous area, traveling takes time.
• If you go in winter remember the chains for the car.

How to prepare what to do on your trip to La Cerdanya

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we list in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers things to do in La Cerdanya.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to La Cerdanya