Free walking tours in Baqueira and what to see

Must-sees

Baqueira-Beret is in the Val d’Aran, in the Lleida Pyrenees, and is one of the largest ski resorts in Spain, with more than 160 kilometres of slopes. It is divided into several areas, Baqueira, Beret and Bonaigua, with terrain for all levels. Baqueira 1500 has the hotels, shops and main lifts. On the Pla de Beret rise the Garona, which ends in the Atlantic, and the Noguera Pallaresa, which flows towards the Mediterranean.

Away from the slopes, the Val d’Aran has a personality of its own, with its own language, Aranese, and villages of stone and slate. Salardú, Arties, Tredòs and Bagergue keep Romanesque churches such as Sant Andreu in Salardú and Santa Maria in Arties. Vielha, the capital, has more services and the Val d’Aran Museum. To eat, olla aranesa, a hearty stew, is the typical dish. In summer the area fills with hikers and mountain routes.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no city-style free walking tours in Baqueira, so the options focus on guided activities. In winter, as well as ski schools, there are snowshoe walks, dog-sled rides on the Pla de Beret and trips to the sanctuary of Montgarri, isolated in the snow. Guided visits to the valley’s Romanesque churches are also organised. In summer, guided mountain hikes and the trip to Aigüestortes National Park, on the other side of the Bonaigua pass, are worthwhile.

How long to spend

For skiing, the usual is a week or a long weekend of four or five days, enough time to get to know the three areas of the resort. Keep at least half a day, or a day of bad weather, to explore the valley villages and Vielha. If you go in summer, three or four days let you combine hiking, Romanesque villages and a day in Aigüestortes.

Where to stay

If skiing is your priority, stay in Baqueira 1500, next to the lifts, although it is the most expensive option. Salardú, Tredòs and Arties are a few minutes away by car or bus, have more charm and slightly lower prices. Vielha, about fifteen kilometres away, has the most hotels, restaurants and shops, and is a good option if you want to move around the whole valley. In high season, especially at Christmas and Easter, book well ahead.