Catalonia It is a tourist destination that stands out precisely for its great potential in being able to offer a wide variety of projects. Getting to know a cosmopolitan capital like Barcelona but also other dream cities like Tarragona, Girona or Reus, discovering architectural modernism and the works of Salvador Dalí or Antoni Gaudí or soaking up local popular culture are some of the its attractions.
However, without a doubt, many remain with their landscapes and natural environments as the first reasons to visit the region. The sea is one of its great protagonists and Catalonia has areas with small fairytale coves but also others with large beaches. Additionally, the community has a vast Pyrenean zone who in no way envy the great forests and mountains of Europe.
And Catalonia has about 220 kilometers of Pyrenean mountain range. The Catalan Pyrenees begin near Cap de Creus and extend to the other end, Aran Valleywhere the mountains continue through Huesca. It is precisely in the valley that one of the most special Catalan towns is hidden, known by many as “Spanish Switzerland”.
An area with a novel weight
It is about Old (or Vielha in Aranese, the local language which remains strong despite the passage of years). The Val d’Aran is distinguished by its orography and the number of peaks over 2,000 meters, but also by its cultural and gastronomic richness and the presence of around twenty small dream villages in which the novel has left its mark . And Viella, the capital, is the most important city in the region and the commercial center of the entire valley.
The center of Viella has Garonne River as protagonist and stands out for its bridges which see the water descending at high speed but also for the streets and high mountain buildings made of stone and slate roofs. In such a gray landscape, the planters with red geraniums stand out. The town has all types of businesses but its location stands out for its large number of stores specializing in high mountain and snow sports.
In addition to this, Viella also stands out for its small establishments with a more native essence. The city has a very interesting offer in gastronomic but also artisanal products. Good items for this are decorative items made of wood or slate (which also serve as the basis for many local jewelers), but also clothing and accessories and household items (like blankets or rugs) made of sheep’s wool and goat from the region or. leather.
As if that were not enough, those who wish to visit Viella have the chance to enjoy it up close. natural enclaves unique like the Aigüestortes National Park and Sant Maurici Lake or the Baqueira Beret train station. Even closer, you just have to look up and see the green Val d’Aran with its towns with Romanesque churches to realize that Viella is like an authentic Swiss town.
