By the pyreneestravel.com team · Updated 11 October 2026 · Planning
Choose a base by what you want to do, and remember that crossing between valleys can take a long time on mountain roads. Two bases for a week usually works well.
For first-timers: Hautes-Pyrénées
Cauterets or Luz-Saint-Sauveur put Gavarnie, the Pont d'Espagne and the Pic du Midi within an hour. Lourdes has the most hotels.
For hiking
- Torla for Ordesa.
- Benasque for the highest peaks.
- Espot or Boí for Aigüestortes.
- Luchon for lakes and spas.
For skiing
- Soldeu or El Tarter in Andorra.
- Baqueira, Arties or Vielha in the Val d'Aran.
- Saint-Lary or La Mongie in France.
For culture and food
Jaca for tapas and history, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port for Basque life, and Collioure for art and the sea.
For sunshine
The Cerdanya plateau around Puigcerdà and Font-Romeu.
Ready to book? See our hotel picks.
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Header photo: Photo: Flo641, CC BY-SA 3.0
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