Discover Meritxell

The village brings together different historical perspectives and practical opportunities to continue exploring on foot.

Sanctuary, Churches and Cultural Heritage

The historic complex of Meritxell consists of the old Santuario de Meritxell and the new Basílica Santuario de Meritxell. Both are listed as cultural assets of interest. The new basilica was inaugurated in 1976 and designed by Ricard Bofill. The old church, of Romanesque origin, was restored in 1994 and transformed into a place of collective memory for the Andorran people. The complex thus brings together the old church’s Romanesque origins and the design of the new basilica as distinct chapters in the history of the place.

The Ruta Mariana also places Meritxell in a broader context: it connects five Marian shrines in Spain, France, and Andorra. These include El Pilar, Torreciudad, Lourdes, Montserrat, and Meritxell. For those interested in religious cultural routes, it provides another point of reference for planning a trip, alongside a visit to the sanctuary.

Nature Trail and Hiking Routes

A freely accessible nature trail leads from the sanctuary to the oratories of Meritxell and the village of Prats. Separate from this is the 3.79-kilometre hiking route from Canillo to the Santuari de Meritxell, rated easy. It offers another way to reach the sanctuary on foot. Published route details may change with trail conditions; check them before setting out.

Visits to the sanctuary are adapted to the needs of people with reduced mobility. Check the current access arrangements with the sanctuary before your visit. You can then take this information into account in your planning without confusing it with details about the hiking routes.

More Destinations in the Wider Canillo Destination

The wider Canillo destination includes other destinations and landscapes beyond Meritxell. The Pont Tibetà de Canillo is located in the Vall del Riu at an altitude of more than 1,875 metres. The bridge is one metre wide and reaches up to 158 metres above the ground. In Canillo’s old town, the 27-metre-high Romanesque bell tower of Sant Serni defines the skyline; it was modified in the 17th century.

The natural environment of Coma de Ransol can also be described through its specific features. Black pines and junipers grow there; the herb layer includes heather, abarset, and bilberries. Bàlec grows in sunny spots. Alpine flowers include gentian, Pyrenean lily, yarrow, and yellow bedstraw. The area is home to wild boar, roe deer, chamois, stone martens, hares, and marmots, among others; sightings are not guaranteed.

Two ecotourism routes in the Canillo parish are led by qualified professionals: one runs through the Incles Valley, the other through the Ransol Valley, also known as Coma de Ransol. In the Incles Valley, the Camí de l'Obaga is 2.6 kilometres long one way. Together with the 3.79-kilometre route from Canillo to the sanctuary, these provide different walking options; the route to the sanctuary is also rated easy.

The Family Park in the Canillo sector offers summer mini golf for children aged three and up, as well as a free outdoor play area for children aged four to eleven. As these activities are seasonal, check the current summer opening arrangements in advance. There are also options for other interests: Canillo’s Motorcycle Museum displays 150 motorcycle models from well-known brands across 700 square metres and illustrates the development of the motorcycle from 1896 to 2013.

The cultural offering in the wider destination also includes the former Meritxell sanctuary. It now houses a permanent exhibition on the history and veneration of Meritxell, the patron saint of Andorra; the sanctuary also organises guided tours. In Canillo, a collection of 524 works by Francesc Galobardes has been assigned to the 300-square-metre Espai Galobardes gallery in the cable car building. The works are intended to be preserved and displayed there; the gallery is also intended to host exhibitions by other artists and of other cultural forms from Andorra and abroad.

Discover more destinations: L'aldosa De La Massana, Soldeu, El Tarter, Ransol, Canillo, Grau Roig.

Back to the main travel overview: Canillo.