Andorran valley with forests and snowy Pyrenean peaks

Andorra · Grandvalira · Pal Arinsal · Ordino Arcalís

Where to stay in Andorra for skiing: chalets and apartments

Which part of Andorra to stay in for Grandvalira, Pal Arinsal or Ordino Arcalís: Soldeu, Pas de la Casa, Canillo, La Massana and more.

Photo: Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Where to stay in Andorra by budget

The scores you will see come from guests who booked and stayed there. We take you to a search that is already sorted and filtered by a minimum rating, so you compare with real data.

Tight budget

Encamp or Canillo

an apartment by the gondola

Lower prices with direct access to Grandvalira.

Best balance
Mid-range

La Massana or Arinsal

a family apartment

Quiet, close to Pal Arinsal and good value.

Treat yourself

Soldeu or El Tarter

a ski-in apartment or chalet

Ski from the door in the heart of Grandvalira.

  • Reviews from guests who actually stayed
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Why Andorra for skiing

Andorra packs one of the largest ski areas in the Pyrenees, Grandvalira, into a very small country, alongside two smaller and quieter resorts, Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís.

When choosing where to stay, decide first which resort you will ski most: crossing the country by car at rush hour can take longer than the map suggests. Grandvalira has several entry points — Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig, Soldeu, El Tarter, Canillo and Encamp — and each has a different feel.

Choosing by type of trip

  • Ski-focused trip: an apartment in Soldeu or El Tarter.
  • Friends looking for nightlife: Pas de la Casa.
  • Family that wants to leave the car parked: Grau Roig, or an apartment by the Canillo gondola.
  • Tighter budget: Encamp or Canillo, with gondola access.
  • Quieter stay: La Massana, Arinsal or Ordino, for Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís.

When to go

Jan❄
Feb❄
Mar❄
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec❄
  • Good time to save
  • Peak season: pricier and busier
  • ❄ Usual snow season
  • A guide only: varies each year.

The season usually opens in late November or early December and runs into April, helped by the resorts' altitude. January and March are good bets for snow and slightly smaller crowds. Christmas, February half-term weeks and Easter are the busiest periods, with accommodation and car parks filling up. In summer Andorra becomes a hiking and mountain-biking destination.

Getting there

  • Andorra has no airport with regular commercial flights inside the country. Most visitors fly into Barcelona or Toulouse, each about three hours away by road.
  • Direct coaches run from Barcelona airport and city centre, and from Toulouse. They are the easiest option if you would rather not drive in snow.
  • Andorra is not in the European Union: bring your passport or national ID card, and check the duty-free limits before shopping.
  • Snow chains or winter tyres are required in snowy conditions, especially over the Port d'Envalira towards Pas de la Casa.

Which area to choose

Soldeu and El Tarter

Best for: skiers who want to walk out of the door and onto the lifts

The heart of Grandvalira on the Andorran side, with lifts leaving from the village, ski schools and a lively après-ski scene. One of the most popular areas, so book early.

Pas de la Casa and Grau Roig

Best for: young groups and anyone prioritising high-altitude snow

Pas de la Casa sits right on the French border at high altitude, with plenty of nightlife and shops. Grau Roig is small and secluded, quiet and very convenient for families who want to stay put.

Canillo and Encamp

Best for: better value with gondola access

Valley towns with gondolas up to Grandvalira. Prices are usually lower than in Soldeu, and they are closer to Andorra la Vella for shopping or the spa.

La Massana, Arinsal and Ordino

Best for: families and a more relaxed atmosphere

  • ≈ 5 min by car to Arinsal (Pal Arinsal)
  • ≈ 12 min by car to Andorra la Vella

The base for Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís, smaller resorts once marketed together as Vallnord. Quieter villages with lots of apartments.

Approximate times without traffic or snow, calculated with OpenStreetMap routing.

Where to stay

Chalets and mountain houses

Less common than apartments in Andorra, especially in Soldeu. You will find more choice in the villages around Canillo and in the parish of Ordino.

Mountain apartments

The most common type of stay. Look for one near a lift or a ski-bus stop so you don't need the car.

Rural houses and bordas

Bordas are old stone mountain barns, some now converted into places to stay. There are only a few, so they go early.

FAQ

Where to stay in Andorra on a tight budget?

In Encamp or Canillo: an apartment by the gondola. Lower prices with direct access to Grandvalira.

Where to stay in Andorra on a mid-range budget?

In La Massana or Arinsal: a family apartment. Quiet, close to Pal Arinsal and good value.

Where to stay in Andorra for a treat?

In Soldeu or El Tarter: a ski-in apartment or chalet. Ski from the door in the heart of Grandvalira.

Which part of Andorra is best for skiing?

For Grandvalira, Soldeu and El Tarter if you want ski-in access, or Canillo and Encamp for better value with a gondola. For Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís, stay in La Massana, Arinsal or Ordino.

What happened to Vallnord?

Vallnord was the shared brand for Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís. They now operate under their own names, though many people still search for "Vallnord". Check each resort's website for which passes cover which area.

Can I get to Andorra without a car?

Yes. Coaches run from Barcelona and Toulouse, and within Andorra there are public and ski buses. Choose a place near a lift or a bus stop.

Do I need a passport for Andorra?

Andorra is outside the EU, so there is a border check. EU citizens usually enter with a national ID card; other travellers should check the requirements for their nationality.