6 Places To Visit In Vielha And Its Surroundings

Located in the heart of the Arán Valley, Vielha is a small but beautiful town. Perfect starting point to discover the beauty of the entire valley.
6 places to visit in Vielha and its surroundings

Vielha is a small city, capital of the Arán Valley, in Lleida.  Its great attraction is the lush and exuberant nature that surrounds it and gives it a unique charm. Would you like to come with us to know this fabulous town? Well, let’s see what there is to visit in Vielha .

1. Aran Valley

Aran Valley
Aran Valley – Alberto Zamorano

If there is something beautiful to see in this area, it is the valley that surrounds this beautiful town. Vielha is located in a very central point, so it is the perfect base of operations to discover all the beauty of the Aran Valley, with its peaks and forests.

This area is the closest to France and is characterized by its lush forests. In addition, it is here where the largest population of brown bears in the country is concentrated. You can explore the valley on foot or by bicycle following the countless trails that are in it.  

2. Saut Deth Pish

Sauth deth Pish in Vielha
Sauth deth Pish – iloiola / Flickr.com

This is a waterfall of about 35 meters of unevenness that you can easily access, since about 100 meters before there is a parking lot for cars. This is one of the best places to visit in Vielha, a wonder of nature.

The jump is actually made up of two waterfalls, the largest of which is about 20 meters. From here some routes start that will take you to perfect points to contemplate the valley and, especially, the  Aneto, the highest peak in the Pyrenees.

3. Ròca de Sèrra viewpoint

Speaking of places to contemplate the wonderful environment of Vielha, here you will find various viewpoints: the Ribera deth Salient, the Vielha lake and the Ròca de Sèrra, from which you will have a spectacular panoramic view. Stop and enjoy the moment without schedules or clocks.

4. Church of Sant Miquèu de Vielha

Church of Sant Miquèu in Vielha
Church of Sant Miquèu -Alberto Zamorano

From natural to artistic heritage. The most appreciated carving in the valley is in this church. We refer to the Christ of Mijarán, an unfinished figure, but with good reason. Experts believe that it is actually a fragment of a scene of the descent of the Cross from the 12th century, made by a teacher from the Erill Workshop, located in the neighboring Boí valley.

The figure has been the protagonist of several trips, since its origin is located in the Santa María de Mijarán church, which was destroyed during the Civil War. In 1940, this Christ appeared without knowing when or how in Switzerland, at which point he was taken to the church of Sant Miquèu.

Focusing on the church, it highlights its octagonal bell tower and, especially, the Gothic and Baroque paintings that decorate the interior.

5. Casau

Church of San Andrèu in Vielha
Church of San Andrèu – Ainhoa ​​/commons.wikimedia.org

The Arán Valley is made up of 33 villages, all of them beautiful, but some with special charm, like this one in Casau. Walk through its narrow streets and let yourself be delighted with its beautiful views of the valley and the town of Vielha. Brown and gray houses dotted with the intense green of the mountains, mixed with streams, form a wonderful image.

Here we must talk about the church of Sant Andrèu, characterized by its mixture of styles. Its gate is Gothic, while its bell tower is from the 18th century; on the other hand, its baptismal font is Romanesque, and its sculptures, from the 17th century. You cannot visit the inside, but its exterior gives a lot of play. One of the best places to visit in Vielha!

6. Museum of the Arán Valley

In this museum you will learn all the history of the Aran Valley, as well as its culture and traditions. A very interesting place to spend a very pleasant historical day.

These are some of the attractions of the town of Vielha. But we must not forget that the Arán Valley is one of the most incredible places in Spain to practice winter sports and that here is one of the most famous ski resorts on the Iberian Peninsula.

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