Believe it or not, sunny Spain is much more than white-sand beaches, vibrant cities and interesting cultural history. It is the second mountainous European country after Switzerland, and a home of the Pyrenees, a beautiful mountain range between Spain and France. The region of the Pyrenees is packed with spectacular mountain scenery and outstanding facilities for outdoor sports such as mountain biking or hiking. Also the cultural heritage of the Pyrenees is interesting, with three different cultures living side by side.
Nature wonders. The Pyrenees are a forested mountain area, the highest peaks of which rise up to 3400 meters (11150 feet) above sea level. Apart from high peaks and fascinating landscapes, this attractive mountain area shared between France and Spain also offers many separate sights such as spectacular high waterfalls, enjoyable hot springs and exciting caves.
Cities nearby. There are no major cities on the slopes of Pyrenees, but some big ones are found at the foot of the Pyrenees; Zaragoza in the middle, Pamplona in the west, and Girona in the east. For those who are interested in cultural history, these cities offer also lots of interesting sites to spice the mountain holiday in Pyrenees with.
Another thing you can enjoy during your holiday in the Pyrenees is culture. Three different, but interesting traditional cultures; Catalan, Aragonese, and Basque live side by side in the area.
The mountain villages on the slopes of the Pyrenees host many spas and sanatoriums, where you can enjoy a relaxing holiday with spectacular views. Also worth mentioning is the interesting history behind the name Pyrenees. Originally this name comes from Greek mythology, where Pyrene (fire) is known as the daughter of Bebryx, who was raped by Heraklos, and fled to the mountains, but got eaten by wild animals. Apart from the dangers provided by mountainous nature, the Pyrenees however are a quite safe destination today.
Pyrenees: The Spanish mountain wonderland with waterfalls and caves
The Pyrenees is a 450 km long mountain chain stretching from Atlantic to Mediterranean Ocean, offering excellent facilities for outdoor sports such as skiing in the Pyrenees. These scenic mountains host several national parks that have plenty of tracks for hiking in the Pyrenees, not to mention possibilities for mountain climbing in the area of the Pyrenees.Nature wonders. The Pyrenees are a forested mountain area, the highest peaks of which rise up to 3400 meters (11150 feet) above sea level. Apart from high peaks and fascinating landscapes, this attractive mountain area shared between France and Spain also offers many separate sights such as spectacular high waterfalls, enjoyable hot springs and exciting caves.
Cities nearby. There are no major cities on the slopes of Pyrenees, but some big ones are found at the foot of the Pyrenees; Zaragoza in the middle, Pamplona in the west, and Girona in the east. For those who are interested in cultural history, these cities offer also lots of interesting sites to spice the mountain holiday in Pyrenees with.
Another thing you can enjoy during your holiday in the Pyrenees is culture. Three different, but interesting traditional cultures; Catalan, Aragonese, and Basque live side by side in the area.
The mountain villages on the slopes of the Pyrenees host many spas and sanatoriums, where you can enjoy a relaxing holiday with spectacular views. Also worth mentioning is the interesting history behind the name Pyrenees. Originally this name comes from Greek mythology, where Pyrene (fire) is known as the daughter of Bebryx, who was raped by Heraklos, and fled to the mountains, but got eaten by wild animals. Apart from the dangers provided by mountainous nature, the Pyrenees however are a quite safe destination today.
Practical information for your trip to Pyrenees
Weather on slopes of the Pyrenees is warm in the summer and cold in the winter.
Photo: Sami Keinänen, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
However, due to the high altitudes, big differences in temperatures are common, so you should be prepared with warm clothing. It rains more in the western Pyrenees than in the east. The mountains are covered with snow from November to March. For summer activities the best time to travel to Pyrenees is between May and October, and for skiing between December and March.
Visitor services. Hotels in the area of the Pyrenees are found from ski resorts, and additional accommodation suitable for active outdoor people is available in the many mountain huts of the area. Restaurants in the area of the Pyrenees offer tasty meals after busy outdoor day.
Getting there and around. Some public transportation such as buses and trains exist, but if you want to explore the rural areas of the Pyrenees, it is best to bring your own vehicle. Car rental in the Pyrenees is best available in big cities like Zaragoza, Pamplona, and Girona, or at Barcelona airport, which has best connections for flights to Pyrenees. car rental in the area of the Pyrenees are also available.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Andorra, Zaragoza
