This calm mountain village in northeast Andorra sits near the French border, with stone houses and local churches. Minutes from Grandvalira ski slopes and mountain trails.
Canillo, the largest parish in Andorra, sits at 1,530 meters above sea level in the Pyrenees. You can ski down gentle slopes at Grandvalira resort, walk across the suspended Roc del Quer viewing platform, or explore the 11th-century Sant Joan de Caselles church with its original Romanesque frescoes. The town's stone buildings and narrow streets lead to modern facilities like the Olympic-sized ice rink and the rebuilt Sanctuary of Meritxell.
Winter Sports in Canillo
The Canillo sector of Grandvalira has 26 slopes with an average grade of 15%. A cable car takes you from the town center to Valle del Forn in 6 minutes. Children and beginners can practice on 7 green runs, while intermediate skiers have 14 blue runs to choose from. The Mon(t) Magic family area includes a 555-meter zip line and the Màgic Gliss toboggan run, reaching speeds of 40 km/h. At the Palau de Gel sports center, you can skate, play hockey, or try karting on the 1,800-square-meter Olympic ice rink. The center opens daily from 10:00 to 22:00.
Religious Architecture
Sant Joan de Caselles church dates to the 11th century. Inside, you'll find a 12th-century stucco Christ figure on a mural painting and a 16th-century Gothic altarpiece. The church opens daily from 10:00 to 17:00. After a 1972 fire destroyed the original building, architect Ricardo Bofill rebuilt the Meritxell Sanctuary with large windows that let natural light illuminate its stone arches. You can visit the sanctuary year-round, with guided tours available in summer.
Mountain Views and Hiking
The Roc del Quer viewing platform extends 20 meters from the cliff face, with 12 meters suspended at 2,000 meters elevation. From here, you can see the Montaup and Valira d'Orient valleys spread below. The GR-11 long-distance trail passes through Canillo, connecting to mountain lakes like Estany de Siscaró. The 7-kilometer Incles Valley trail leads through pine forests to high-mountain meadows, while the 4-kilometer Ransol circuit passes traditional shepherds' huts.
Getting Around Canillo
Drive 20 minutes from Andorra la Vella on the CG-2 road to reach Canillo. Public buses L3 and L4 run every 30-40 minutes on weekdays and every 60-70 minutes on weekends. The cable car station is a 5-minute walk from the town center, and you can reach the Palau de Gel in 10 minutes on foot.
Local Traditions and Festivals
In January, join locals for Sant Antoni celebrations and taste traditional mountain soup (vianda) at the town square. During Carnival, watch the Harlequin Festival where dancers wear costumes decorated with bells. Each December, more than 200 life-size figures create a Christmas nativity scene throughout the town center, with guided evening tours available.
