The Cerdanya and Andorra make one of the most rewarding mountain breaks from Barcelona. From our base near Granollers you reach the Cerdanya through the Cadí tunnel, and the Andorran border less than an hour later. In winter it is a ski trip; in summer, a route of green valleys and walks. Pick-ups are in the afternoon, so on day one you go through the Cadí and sleep in the Cerdanya.
Bear in mind that Andorra is not part of the European Union: there are customs checks on the way in and out, and you need a valid ID card or passport. Before you set off, let us know you will be crossing the border so we can confirm your insurance cover.
Route plan
Route map
Tap a day or a stop to see it on the map, or press "Follow the route" to travel it stage by stage.
Approximate line between stops, not a navigation itinerary. Check road conditions and restrictions for large vehicles before you set off.
What you will see
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 · Pick-up and the Cadí tunnel
Collect the motorhome in the afternoon, between 16:00 and 19:00, and head up the C-16 to the Cadí tunnel, which is tolled. In roughly 1 h 45 you come out into the Cerdanya, a broad plain ringed by mountains. Spend the night at a campsite or authorised area in the valley, for example around Bellver de Cerdanya. If you pick up late or snow is forecast, stop before the tunnel, in the Berguedà, and drive through in the morning daylight.
Day 2 · Bellver, La Seu d'Urgell and Andorra la Vella
Start the day in Bellver de Cerdanya, on a hill above the Segre, with its arcaded square and stone streets. Follow the river to La Seu d'Urgell and visit its Romanesque cathedral before crossing the border. In Andorra, explore the Barri Antic of Andorra la Vella and the shopping streets that run into Escaldes-Engordany, home to the Caldea spa. If you would rather walk, the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, starts very close by. Underground car parks cannot take a motorhome's height, so look for surface parking.
Day 3 · Grandvalira and Vall d'Incles
Drive up the valley to Canillo and Soldeu, two of the gateways to the Grandvalira ski area. In winter it is a day on the slopes; in summer, some lifts open for walkers and cyclists. Between Canillo and Soldeu lies the Vall d'Incles, a peaceful valley of meadows and stone barns, with walks up to high mountain lakes. If you want to cross the Port d'Envalira, at over 2,400 m, the tolled tunnel is the better choice in snow.
Day 4 · Puigcerdà, Llívia and the Cerdanya slopes
Leave Andorra via La Seu d'Urgell and, before customs, check the allowances for what you are carrying. Follow the Segre to Puigcerdà, the capital of the Cerdanya and its practical base: supermarkets and services to restock and, in winter, the gateway to La Molina and Masella, about 20 minutes away, if you fancy a last afternoon on the slopes. Llívia, a few kilometres away, is a Catalan enclave surrounded by France: the road crosses a short stretch of French territory with no border checks. Spend the last night in the Cerdanya or, if snow is forecast, drop down through the Cadí to the Berguedà, and return the motorhome the next morning, between 9:00 and 12:00.
Where to sleep
The Cerdanya has several campsites, some open all year, and authorised motorhome areas in various towns. Andorra has its own rules, different from Spain's, and options outside campsites are scarce; the sensible choice is to stay at a campsite and book ahead in the ski season and in August. Park4Night or Campercontact are useful for recent reviews.
On the Catalan side, you may park wherever any vehicle may, as long as you are not camping (no awning, chairs or levelling ramps, and no emptying of water). Wild camping is not permitted in Catalonia. Some ski resorts have motorhome areas: check their conditions beforehand.
Where to sleep with a motorhome in Catalonia
Practical tips
- Snow chains are an optional extra with Segimon Rental: ask for them if you travel in winter. In snow, they may be compulsory on the passes in Andorra and the Cerdanya.
- The V66 is built for the cold (Truma Combi 4 with EisEx and a heated grey-water tank), but below freezing the heating uses more gas: keep an eye on the bottles.
- Coming back from Andorra, there are customs allowances for tobacco, alcohol and other goods. Check them before you shop.
- Fuel is often cheaper in Andorra, so it is worth filling up before you head home.
- On ski weekends the road to Grandvalira gets busy: arrive early at the resort car parks.
Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need to take a motorhome to Andorra?
A valid ID card or passport for every traveller, plus the vehicle documents. Andorra is not in the EU, so let us know before you leave so we can confirm the insurance.
Where can you sleep in a motorhome in Andorra?
Campsites are the best option, as there are few alternatives and Andorra has its own regulations. In the Cerdanya there are also authorised motorhome areas.
Can you go skiing in Andorra in a motorhome?
Yes. With powerful heating and frost-protected tanks, it makes a good ski base. Carry chains and check road conditions before setting off. More tips in our guide to skiing by motorhome.
How many days does this route take?
The essentials (the Cerdanya and Andorra la Vella) take 2 full days, within a minimum rental of 3 days in low season, which covers much of the ski season. With 4 days you can add Grandvalira or the Vall d'Incles at a relaxed pace; 4 is also the minimum in mid season, such as June or September. At Christmas, Easter, July and August the minimum is 7 days: you could combine it with our Catalan Pyrenees route.
