La Massana is one of the seven Andorran parishes of the Pyrenees mountains. Some of the finest mountains fall within this parish. Pic de Medacorba and Coma Pedrosa, Roca Entravessada offer travellers some exciting things to do in La Massana. The parish is bustling with outdoor activities, serene lakes, Baroque structures, historical relics, Romanesque architecture, and national parks that offer the perfect release from the humdrum life. The mountain peaks at La Massana offer panoramic views, while the higher altitude peaks drench you in the pleasant Alpine climate. The host of transportation and accommodation options available make your vacation at La Massana family-friendly and convenient.
Top 10 Things To Do In La Massana For An Unforgettable Stay
Live La Massana in the most unadulterated and ingenious way by doing these ten quintessential La Massana things.
1. Stay In The Village Of L’Aldosa
Photo: MARIA ROSA FERRE / Wikimedia Commons
One of the calm and soothing things to do in La Massana is planning a retreat in L’Aldosa, which is situated at an elevation of 1300 metres. Staying in the lap of the Pyrenees mountains offers the most tranquil experience. You can partake in different outdoor activities, such as hiking, trekking, and skiing, during the winter season. Anyos-L’Aldosa Trail is a mesmerising hiking trail that offers sweeping views of the mountains. The Residència Aldosa’s dining area offers the best Andorran cuisines to savour. Also, getting around the village is quite easy with the bulk of public transport and their ease of accessibility.
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: Col de Beixalis, Sant Ermengol de l’Aldosa
2. Explore The Old Quarter Of La Massana
Photo: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Old Quarter of La Massana is in the western border parish and has 12-century Romanesque architecture preserved through the ages. The only way in which the quarter can be explored is by walking. While strolling, some notable features to come across are the Baroque architecture of the Church of Sant Iscle and Santa Victoria and Camí Ral hiking trail. The cobblestone roads lead to Plaça de les Fontetes, a prominent square for cultural and public events. Guided tours are also available for a more in-depth understanding and knowledge of the historical and cultural significance of the area. The local restaurants and cafes serve fresh and lip-smacking dishes.
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: Ski Slopes, Grandvalira
3. Visit The Rossell Forge
Photo: Андрей Романенко / Wikimedia Commons
One of the informative things to do in La Massa is visit the industrial area of Rossell Forge. The site was Andorra’s most active industrial hub and was constructed between 1842 and 1846. Today, the site has been renovated as the Iron Interpretation Centre offering audiovisuals and multimedia shows for an informative overview of the iron production site. Engineer Jules François designed the structure and layout of the forge, which has been visited and appreciated by tourists time and again. The blend of traditional and modern architecture is fascinating. The surrounding area has stretches of untainted nature– perfect for photography. Guided tours are available in a range of languages, such as French, English, Catalan, and Spanish.
Timings: 10 AM – 2 PM, 3 PM – 6 PM
Nearby Attractions: Pyrenees Mountains, Caldea, Andorra’s National Museum
4. Drive A Bike At Port De Cabus
Photo: Rhododendrites / Wikimedia Commons
Port de Cabus is a scenic mountain pass in the Pyrenees and is ideal for cyclists and bikers. The climb has an average gradient of 6.2%. At an elevation of 2,302 metres, it lies strategically at the border between Andorra and Spain. While the Andorran side offers cycling routes, the Spanish side is more rugged and suitable for thrilling bike rides. Mountain bikes or gravel bikes are better suited along the Spanish border. Throughout the ride, the view of the Pyrenees is magnificent. At the summit lies the statue of “The Storm in a Teacup” by Dennis Oppenheim. For biking, early morning and late afternoon in the summer months, from June to September, are most suited.
Timings: 7 AM – 8 AM
Nearby Attractions: Refugi del Pla de l’Estany, Coma Pedrosa
5. Walk From Andorra La Vella
Photo: Txllxt TxllxT / Wikimedia Commons
Andorra la Vella is the capital of Andorra that still shelters sites and monuments of immense historical importance. The scenic trails warrant a stroll in the region. Tourists have access to trails and hiking routes in ranges of difficulty. The trails are dotted with places of historical, cultural, and natural beauty, such as Casa de la Vall museum, Sant Esteve Church, and Roc de Senders viewpoint. Explore the local markets after visiting the Romanesque architecture. The place serves delicious Andorran food that is a must-try: Andorran cannelloni, Escudella, and Chicory Salad. A short drive from this place offers a retreat into some of the astounding picnic spots.
Timings: 9 AM – 9 PM
Nearby Attractions: Gran Valira River, Mirador Roc Del Quer viewpoint, Engolasters Lake
6. Skiing At Pal Arinsal
Photo: che / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Pal and Arinsal are part of the Vallnord Pal-Arinsal ski premises. A ski resort, Pal Arinsal, is brimming with a plethora of exciting things to do in La Massana Valley throughout the year. Before skiing, you may enrol at the ski school that offers guided tutorials on skiing and snowboarding. The resort also hosts the Ski Mountaineering World Cup, which attracts talents from across the world. It is a different degree of fun skiing at 63 kilometres of slopes with varying difficulty levels. Skiing with family and friends is the most fun and convenient activity as many facilities are available at the resort, such as amenities to relax and non-skiing activities.
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
Nearby Attractions: Mirador Roc de la Sabina, Sant Andreu d’Arinsal
7. Visit Sant Antoni De La Grella Bridge
Photo: Ramirez HUN / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Sant Antoni de la Grella Bridge, or Sispony Bridge was built in stone during medieval times. The bridge has cobbled paving and a beautifully carved arch. It serves as the connecting link between the parish of Ordino and Andorra la Vella. Tourists have the opportunity of a lifetime to photograph this architectural marvel set against picturesque landscapes. A short walk from the bridge will lead to marvellous hiking trails. The river bank is a gorgeous picnic spot to relax and munch at after a tiring haul. There are many shops nearby for authentic Andorra souvenirs and handcrafted items.
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: Sant Antoni de la Grella Church
8. Explore Sispony And Iglesia De Sant Joan Church
Photo: A.-K. D / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Sispony Village is tucked away at the heart of quaint Andorra and at an altitude of 1,360 metres. It offers an immersive cultural experience that at once takes you back in time. The village has preserved traditional Andorran houses. One of the interesting things to do in La Massana is visit the Iglesia de Sant Joan de Sispony located here. It dates back to the 17th century and is a heritage property registered under the Cultural Heritage of Andorra. See the artefacts like the restored carving of St. John. Visit Casa Rull Museum while here. Try the delicacies of El Pastador for a perfect end to a trip to Sispony.
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: Ordino, Canillo
9. Do Snowshoeing Tours In Comapedrosa Valley National Park
Photo: Super Russell 457 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Andorra is replete with impressive snowshoeing routes. Comapedrosa Valley National Park is a slice of heaven in Andorra and an indispensable part when considering some exciting things to do in La Massana. The park, with its scenic landscape, offers an incredible backdrop for snowshoeing. The snowshoeing trail begins at Arinsal before leading to the Comapedrosa refuge. One scenic route is the ascent to Coma Pedrosa which offers appealing views all along the way. For all sorts of winter gear, try the amazing assortment available at the shops that line up near the park. If you are planning for an all-nighter, try the plush accommodation options, such as Refugi del Comapedrosa.
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: Pal-Arinsal, Vallnord
10. Museum Hopping At Museo Del Comic
Photo: Ferran Cornellà / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Things to do in La Massana are always incomplete without a mandatory art appreciation session at Joan Pieras Museum. The museum hosts art exhibitions by renowned artists Antonio Bernal and Ana Miralles. For comic lovers, the place is a paradise. From browsing over a thousand comic books and stumbling across rare, vintage editions to participating in themed workshops, you can have it all here. Fun with the interactive art exhibits is enhanced during annual festivals that are dedicated to graphic novels. During this time, visitors share an intimate space with authors and film screenings. Besides art events, the museum has a stunning collection of permanent art exhibits for visitors to engage with.
Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM
Nearby Attractions: Vallnord Bike Park, Tabola Club
Andorra is renowned across the world for skiing, hiking, and other things to do in La Massana. Beyond the touristy stuff, a whole lot of inventiveness awaits at La Massana. The many off-beat tracks at this parish provide an alternative view of a typical Andorran vacation. Be it museum visiting, church hopping, shopping local arts and crafts, or bike riding, the novelty of this place never fails to stun. Plan your dream trip with TripXL and taste a slice of Andorran hospitality.
Cover Photo: Андрей Романенко / Wikimedia Commons