What to do
What to do in Taüll and the Vall de Boí
Knowing what to do in Taüll means discovering one of the most special corners of Catalonia. Taüll, in the Vall de Boí (Alta Ribagorça, Lleida Pyrenees), brings together within a few kilometres a unique group of Romanesque churches listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the only national park in Catalonia —Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici— and the highest ski resort in the Pyrenees, Boí Taüll.
This guide gathers the best things to see and do in Taüll and the Vall de Boí all year round: Romanesque art, hiking among high-mountain lakes, skiing, thermal spas, mountain cuisine and family plans. And all of it from Hostal Sant Climent, a rural stay in the heart of Taüll, just 50 metres from the Sant Climent church.
Sant Climent de Taüll and the UNESCO Romanesque art
Visiting Sant Climent de Taüll is the must-do of the Vall de Boí. The church, consecrated in 1123, is the jewel of Catalan Romanesque art, with a slender six-storey bell tower that has become the symbol of the valley. In its apse stood the famous Christ Pantocrator, a masterpiece of Romanesque mural painting, today at the MNAC and recreated in its original spot through a spectacular projection (video mapping).
The Pantocrator and the video mapping
The projection over the apse lets you imagine how these temples looked over 900 years ago, full of colour. That is why the ensemble was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. From the inn you can walk there in a couple of minutes.
The nine Romanesque churches of the Vall de Boí
The Romanesque ensemble of the Vall de Boí is made up of nine churches and a hermitage, one of the great treasures of European Romanesque art.
The churches you can visit
Sant Climent and Santa Maria de Taüll; Sant Joan de Boí; Santa Eulàlia d’Erill la Vall; Sant Feliu de Barruera; La Nativitat de Durro; Santa Maria de Cardet; L’Assumpció de Coll; and the hermitage of Sant Quirc de Durro. The Romanesque Centre in Erill la Vall organises the visits.
Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park
The only national park in Catalonia awaits a few kilometres from Taüll: over 200 lakes and tarns, forests, waterfalls and peaks above 3,000 metres.
How to access it from Taüll
The Boí entrance is one of the park’s main gateways. From there, 4x4 taxis take you up to Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici, where routes for every level begin. Private vehicle access is restricted to protect the environment. The Carros de Foc trek draws hikers from all over Europe every summer.
Skiing at Boí Taüll
In winter, what to do in Taüll has a clear answer: skiing at Boí Taüll, the highest resort in the Pyrenees, with slopes above 2,700 m and top-quality snow.
With over 60 runs and a ski school, it is ideal for both beginners and experts and families. From the inn you reach the slopes in about 20 minutes by car.
Hiking and routes in the Vall de Boí
The Vall de Boí is a hiking paradise all year round, with routes for everyone: from family paths by the river to ascents to peaks and tarns.
Classics include the climb to the Estany Negre, the waterfalls and the viewpoints over the valley. In autumn the forests turn golden; in winter, snowshoes open up white landscapes.
Caldes de Boí and the thermal baths
A few minutes away is Caldes de Boí, one of the spas with the most springs in Europe, with thermal waters in the heart of the mountains. The perfect plan to relax your muscles after a day of skiing or hiking.
What to do in Taüll in summer
In summer, Taüll is a cool refuge. It is the ideal season for hiking among lakes, for discovering Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici and for combining Romanesque culture and nature. It is also the season for mountain biking, climbing and the Falles del Pirineu fire festivals, a UNESCO World Heritage tradition.
What to do in Taüll in winter
In winter, the Vall de Boí is covered in snow. The star plan is skiing at Boí Taüll, but there is also snowshoeing, strolls through the snowy village and the thermal baths of Caldes de Boí. After a day in the snow, nothing beats returning to a warm stay with self check-in.
Mountain cuisine
The cuisine of the Vall de Boí is mountain Pyrenees cooking: artisan cured meats, cheeses, grilled meats and homemade desserts. In Taüll you will find restaurants to taste traditional cooking, many just metres from the inn.
Family tourism in the Vall de Boí
The Vall de Boí is a safe, quiet destination, ideal for family travel all year round: accessible walks in Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici, the snow of Boí Taüll and the magic of the Romanesque churches. The rural apartments in Taüll make staying as a family very comfortable.
How to get here and around the Vall de Boí
Taüll is in the Vall de Boí (Lleida). From Barcelona or Lleida, take the N-230 / L-500 to Pont de Suert and Barruera, and from there up to Taüll. The most practical way is to get around by car; to enter Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici you use the official 4x4 taxis from Boí.
Frequently asked questions
What to do in Taüll on a weekend?
An ideal plan is to visit Sant Climent and Santa Maria de Taüll, do a route in Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici and, depending on the season, ski at Boí Taüll or relax at the Caldes de Boí spa.
Where is Taüll?
Taüll is in the Vall de Boí, in the Alta Ribagorça county (Lleida), in the Catalan Pyrenees, next to the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park and the Boí Taüll ski resort.
Which Romanesque churches can be visited in the Vall de Boí?
The Romanesque ensemble of the Vall de Boí includes nine UNESCO World Heritage churches, among them Sant Climent and Santa Maria de Taüll, Sant Joan de Boí or Santa Eulàlia d’Erill la Vall.
Can you ski near Taüll?
Yes. The Boí Taüll resort, the highest in the Pyrenees, is about 20 minutes by car, with over 60 runs for all levels.
What to do in Taüll in summer?
In summer the highlights are hiking in Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici, routes among tarns, mountain biking, visiting the Romanesque churches and the thermal baths of Caldes de Boí.
Is it a good destination for families?
Yes. The area offers nature, easy trails, snow, culture and tranquillity, ideal for all ages all year round, with rural apartments perfect for families.