Here’s my ultimate list of the most beautiful small towns in the Spanish Pyrenees that you simply can´t miss.

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Top Beautiful Small Towns in the Spanish Pyrenees

Visiting the Spanish Pyrenees

Nestled where Spain meets France, the Pyrenees mountains house some of Spain’s most enchanting small towns (and the whole of Europe). The Pyrenees offer its visitors a wide range of ecosystems, from lush valleys and forests to breathtaking peaks and glacial lakes. Beyond nature, this mountain range captivates travelers with charming villages, ancient monasteries, and secret museums.

The frequent blog readers will already know that The Spanish Pyrenees are on the list of my all-time favorite destinations, so you can check out lots of trips & itineraries under the hashtag Pyrenees. This secret Spanish region is full of dramatic landscapes, national parks, ancient traditions, and untouched natural beauty. Let’s uncover the charm of some of the most beautiful small towns in the Spanish Pyrenees. In this article, I will highlight my personal favorites, and at the end, you can also check out the map with all the locations.

Where to stay in the Pyrenees

Charming local villages are perfect for enjoying a serene mountain getaway all year round. During my first visit to the Pyrenees, we stayed at Barceló Monasterio de Boltaña. It´s one of the best hotels with SPA in the Pyrenees, with spacious rooms and quite decent prices (considering the quality of the services). While exploring the Pyrenees of Catalonia we stayed at the budget-friendly Apartamentos Chuandervera in the small town of Laspaules.

Also, you can find a few cute boutique hotels in Ainsa, one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Spain, like Alojamientos Ainsa Sanchez and Los Siete Reyes. I also love these hotels – Hotel Boutique Mediodía & Apartments, Casa Lascorz, and Casa de San Martín.

Must-see villages in the Pyrenees

Ainsa

Ainsa was the Pyrenees small town I got to visit on my first trip to the region. As one of the most unique medieval towns in Spain, Ainsa is already well-established on the tourist track. The town’s medieval old quarter transports visitors back in time. Ainsa is conveniently set on one of the main roads and is considered a gateway to the Ordesa y Monte Perdido, one of the most iconic national parks in Spain. This town is additionally known for its famous Michelin-star restaurant, Restaurante Callizo (which many friends have suggested to me, but I still haven´t tested it on my foodie adventures across Spain).

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Ainsa is one of the most well-known small towns in the Spanish Pyrenees
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Sunset in Ainsa is on my list of the most beautiful sunsets around the world

Besalu

Besalu is often called one of the most charming medieval villages in the whole of Spain and is considered one of the must-stops in the Catalonia region. Last time I got to visit Besalu during our Costa Brava Road Trip and was so impressed by its ancient bridge. Besalu´s iconic 12th-century Romanesque bridge over the Fluvia River is one of the best-preserved in the whole of Europe. This small town gets a fair share of visitors, but its narrow cobblestone streets and sophisticated stone buildings never go out of style.

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Besalu is one of the most popular small towns in the Spanish Pyrenees

Torla-Ordesa

Torla-Ordesa is a tiny gem located right by one of the most iconic national parks in Spain, Ordesa y Monte Perdido. This small town was an absolute discovery on my last Pyrenees road trip.This Pyrenees village is surrounded by dramatic cliffs, lush forests, and pristine rivers. So, it is an epic place to stay in the mountains for all the outdoor enthusiasts. Especially, since the bus to the Ordesa y Monte Perdido Natural Park leaves from here (the park is closed to private vehicles).

The village of Torla-Ordesa is such a charming blend of stone houses, narrow streets, and a traditional Spanish lifestyle. This small town is a must-see for anyone seeking adventure and serenity in the heart of the Pyrenees.

Torla Ordesa Spain Pyrenees
Torla-Ordesa Is one of the most charming small towns in the Spanish Pyrenees

Taull

Taull is a quaint village of the Pyrenees set in the famous Vall de Boi area, known worldwide for its Romanesque architecture. This small town is home to the iconic Church of Sant Climent de Taull, a UNESCO World Heritage site. I fell in love with this place during my adventurous weekend in the Pyrenees of Catalonia. The light show inside the church felt magical.

Surrounded by unmatched mountain landscapes, Taull offers an unforgettable escape to the nearest Aiguestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park (although the mini-bus to the park leaves from the nearest small town of Boi).

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The iconic Church of Sant Climent de Taull, a UNESCO World Heritage site
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Inside the iconic Church of Sant Climent de Taull
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Another Romanesque Church in the village of Boi

Sallent de Gallego

Sallent de Gallego is my favorite discovery ( visited on a recent family trip to the Pyrenees of Aragon). Since we were on the road with the senior in-laws, hiking was not an option. So, we focused on visiting new small towns and accidentally stopped for lunch in Sallent de Gallego. This charming village has unexpectedly turned into one of my personal favorites in the Spanish Pyrenees.

Set close to the French border, Sallent de Gallego hosts the annual Pirineos Sur Festival, attracting music lovers from around the world. However, I was also surprised by a large number of great restaurants and picture-perfect streets. On my next trip to the Pyrenees, I will definitely stay in Sallent de Gallego longer.

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The streets of Sallent de Gallego
where to eat in the Pyrenees restaurants
Dining with views – read more about the best foods in the Pyrenees of Spain

Lanuza

Lanuza is another secret village that has recently become quite trendy in Spain after a few famous travel editions called it “the town from Frozen”. Apparently, the landscape reminded many Disney fans of the place where Anna and Elsa lived. One way or another, Lanuza is known for an extremely picturesque setting. Unfortunately, we did not get a chance to stroll its medieval streets since our last trip to the Pyrenees in July overlapped with the Pirineos Sur Festival. So, to our complete disappointment, Lanuza was closed to private vehicles. Nevertheless, I hope to return to Lanuza on my next visit to the Pyrenees with kids.

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Lanuza is one of the most picture-perfect small towns in the Spanish Pyrenees
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Otherworldly beautiful landscapes near Lanuza

Read more about the Pyrenees:

  • Top Adventurous Things to Do in the Pyrenees (read it)
  • Exploring The Pre-Pyrenees of Spain: A weekend in Sierra de Guara (read it)
  • Cogost de Montrebei: The Most Adventurous Hike in Spain (read it)
  • Epic 7 Days in the Pyrenees of Spain (read it)
  • 10-Day Pyrenees Itinerary: An Ultimate Road Trip from Madrid (read it)
  • Hiking Trails in The Pyrenees You Can Not Miss (read it)
  • Top Beautiful Places to Visit in the Spanish Pyrenees (read it)
  • Exploring the Pyrenees of Catalonia (read it)
  • 5 Epic Reasons to Visit the Pyrenees with Kids (read it)
  • Top Romantic Things to do in Andorra (read it)
  • The Spanish Pyrenees Road Trip 4-Day Itinerary (read it)
  • Skiing in Spain: Our Baqueira Beret Family Getaway (read it)
  • Top Things to Do in Andorra (read it)
  • Best Foods in the Pyrenees of Spain (read it)
  • 3 days in the Pyrenees of Aragon with Seniors & Kids (read it)

Complete map of the beautiful small towns in the Spanish Pyrenees

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