Tristaina lakes
Three glacial lakes above Arcalís
A short, steep climb from the end of the road to three lakes under the French border ridge.
Ordino ArcalísHikingLakes
Ordino & La Massana, Andorra
Ideal: 2 daysBest: Jun–SepPrice: Moderate
In 60 seconds
Ordino & La Massana in 60 seconds
North of the capital the valley narrows and Andorra slows down. Ordino is the most handsome of its villages, built of dark stone around the Casa d'Areny-Plandolit, the mansion of an ironmaking family that is now a museum of how Andorra's grandees lived. Further up, La Cortinada's Romanesque church of Sant Martí keeps medieval wall paintings, and the road ends at Ordino Arcalís, ski slopes in winter and the start of the climb to the Tristaina lakes in summer. The Sorteny valley is a nature park famous for its alpine flowers. La Massana, on the other branch of the valley, looks up to the slopes of Pal and Arinsal. Two days of walking from a village base.
VillagesSkiing
Best for
- Mountains
- Hiking
- Nature
- Hidden gems
Known for
- Tristaina lakes
- Sorteny valley
- Sant Martí de la Cortinada
- Ordino Arcalís
Skip if
You want lively evenings — the villages are quiet once the walkers come down.
Your match
Choose a few travel interests and we will show how well Ordino & La Massana fits them. Choose interests
See
Must experience
The things that would make the trip incomplete without them.
Sorteny Valley Nature Park
Meadows famous for alpine flowers
Best in June and July, when the meadows are in flower.
El SerratFlowersNature
Sant Martí de la Cortinada
Romanesque church with wall paintings
A rough stone church with medieval murals inside.
La CortinadaChurchRomanesque
Casa d'Areny-Plandolit
An ironmaster family's mansion
Guided visits through the rooms of Andorra's most powerful old family.
OrdinoMuseum
Orientation
Neighbourhoods
How the city is actually divided, and what each part is for.
Ordino
Stone village and parish centre
The prettiest base in Andorra.
La Massana
Village below the Pal and Arinsal slopes
A ski base in winter, a hiking base in summer.
Stay
Where to stay
Areas rather than hotels — pick the right one and the rest follows.
Ordino
ModerateVillage hotels
Walks from the door and a quiet night.
Quiet
La Massana
ModerateHotels by the lifts
For winter, close to Vallnord's slopes.
Skiing
Practical
Know before you go
- Getting in
- Buses from Andorra la Vella to Ordino, La Massana and, in season, to Arcalís.
- Hiking season
- Late June to September; snow lingers on the high paths into June.
- Winter
- Ordino Arcalís and Pal-Arinsal make up the Vallnord ski areas.
- Taste locally
- Trinxat, mountain cheeses and charcuterie in the village restaurants.
Plan this trip — useful links
Context
History in 5 minutes
Enough to make what you are looking at legible.
- 12th century
The church of Sant Martí de la Cortinada is built.
- 19th century
The Areny-Plandolit family grows rich on Ordino's iron forges.
Further out
Nearby escapes
Worth a day if you have one to spare.
Andorra la Vella & Escaldes
The capital and Caldea
Andorra la Vella & Escaldes has its own guide.
20 min by busSpa
Canillo, Soldeu & Grandvalira
Over the Coll d'Ordino pass
Canillo, Soldeu & Grandvalira has its own guide.
25 min by carMountains