In this article
In this article
Hi, I'm Manuel Cabarcos, born and raised in Encamp. As a child, I used to go to Les Bons with my family. I always looked forward to climbing to the top of the Moorish Tower. In fact, it can be a great activity to do in Andorra with children. The walk is short, but it is a lovely way to spend some time.
Les Bons is one of Andorra's prettiest villages, a medieval village above Encamp with historic heritage dating back to the 12th century. The historic complex preserves the essence of medieval Andorra: the Romanesque church of Sant Romà, consecrated in 1164, the Moorish Tower, manor houses from the 18th century such as Cal Cotxa, and old dovecotes declared cultural heritage sites.
In this guide, I share a compact itinerary of about one hour, starting at the car park at the entrance to Les Bons and taking in the main highlights: Cal Cotxa, Sant Romà church, the Moorish Tower and the historic dovecotes. It is a perfect walk for discovering Encamp's medieval heritage without spending the whole day. It is ideal if you are planning to visit Andorra in 2–3 days, where I combine it with the Tibetan Bridge in Encamp. If you are spending the day in Encamp, my guide to things to do in Encamp gives you the full picture of the town.
Route map
The Les Bons itinerary is compact and easy to follow. Here are the stops in order, with links to the sections containing more information:
- 1 — Car park: Starting point at the entrance to the village
- 2 — Cal Cotxa: 18th-century manor house
- 3 — Sant Romà: 12th-century Romanesque church
- 4 — Cotxa dovecote: Declared a cultural heritage site
- 5 — Moorish Tower: Defensive tower with panoramic views
- 6 — Queen Moor's Bath: Historic water reservoir
How to get to Les Bons
Les Bons is in the parish of Encamp, about 5 km north of the capital.
Driving and where to park
It is easy to drive from Andorra la Vella in about 15 minutes. There is a car park at the entrance to the village. I recommend it because it is large and you are more likely to find a space. There is a car park in the old quarter, but it is usually full. You also have to take a narrow road through the old quarter.
To enter the car park, follow the route to Les Bons and take the first left. The exit is from Avinguda Miterrand. You can see the exact car park entrance on Google Maps.
By public transport
You can take line L2 (Andorra la Vella–Encamp) or line L4 (El Pas de la Casa–Andorra la Vella), both of which stop in Encamp. From the bus stop by the Encamp parish council, it is about a five-minute walk to the car park at the entrance to Les Bons.
When to visit Les Bons
The Les Bons itinerary is completely free. You can walk around the village and visit all the points of interest without paying.
The full route takes about one hour, depending on how much time you spend at each stop and whether you take photos or simply enjoy the surroundings.
The difficulty is easy to moderate. There is a steady climb from the car park, but it is not technical and requires no special equipment. It is perfectly suitable for families with children who can walk.
The best time to visit Les Bons is from July to November, when Sant Romà church is open and the weather is pleasant. Check the church's updated opening hours here.
You can also visit the village in winter, as it is accessible all year round. The church will probably be closed, though. Even so, the views from the Moorish Tower are still good.
Cal Cotxa
Cal Cotxa locationThe whole village of Les Bons is interesting. Cal Cotxa, however, stands out as an example of a typical 18th-century Andorran house and one of Andorra's old manor houses.
Cal Cotxa faces the sun. Its upper-floor balcony stands out, designed to make the most of the sun and warmth. Iron balconies were symbols of wealth at the time.
Sant Romà de Les Bons
Sant Romà de Les Bons locationSant Romà de Les Bons is a Lombard Romanesque chapel, consecrated in 1164. It has a rectangular floor plan with a semicircular apse, a two-opening bell gable and Lombard-style exterior decoration.
From the porch, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the valley. Inside are the original altar, remains of wall paintings (the original Romanesque paintings are in the National Art Museum of Catalonia; the ones here are reproductions), preserved Gothic paintings, a 16th-century Gothic altarpiece and a 12th-century baptismal font.
Cotxa dovecote
Cotxa dovecote locationTo reach the dovecote, take the small flight of steps opposite the church. Tower dovecotes were typical structures from the 16th to 18th centuries, used to raise pigeons for food and to produce natural fertiliser (pigeon manure).
Not every house had one; tower dovecotes were a symbol of prestige and belonged to wealthy households.
The Colomer de Cotxa is declared a cultural heritage site. It is currently being renovated, as you can see in the first photo.
Moorish Tower
Moorish Tower locationThe Moorish Tower is an old military tower. Its exact date is unknown, although it could date from the late 16th century. In the past, when something was very old and its origins were unknown, people would say it was “from the time of the Moors”—hence its name.
The reddish colour on the interior walls is the result of a fire. You can climb to the top for views of the village, the valley and the old road that climbs towards France. I recommend going up; the views are well worth it. If you enjoy panoramas, take a look at my Andorra viewpoints with panoramic views.
Queen Moor's Bath
Queen Moor's Bath locationBeside the Moorish Tower is a water reservoir carved into the rock, fed by the Les Bons stream and used to supply the old settlement through channels. Continue along the path from the Moorish Tower to reach it. It is right beside the mountain.
A legend says that on full-moon nights, a Moorish queen would bathe there, captivating anyone who saw her. These stories are part of Les Bons' oral tradition.
Tips for your visit
Don't miss the climb up the Moorish Tower for the best views of the valley. If you want to have a picnic, there are ideal spots at the top near the church. Please take your rubbish with you and respect the heritage site.
The old quarter has beautiful buildings. Feel free to wander around even if they are not on the route.
If you are interested in history and heritage, I recommend combining this visit with other historic places in Encamp, such as the National Automobile Museum or Meritxell Sanctuary, which is just a few kilometres away. If you like medieval villages, you can also visit Auvinyà, another charming village in Sant Julià de Lòria.
If you want to see everything you can do in Encamp beyond Les Bons, I recommend my guide to things to do in Encamp, with monuments, museums, hiking routes and facilities.
Other easy hikes in Andorra
If you liked this route and you're after more easy hikes in Andorra, I'd recommend:
- Top 7 easy hikes: The best easy hikes in Andorra: from city walks with views to accessible mountain lakes. A local's guide with the practical details.
- Guide to Andorra's lakes: Andorra's lakes ranked: the prettiest ones, the easy to reach ones and where you can swim.
- Rec del Solà: A flat walk with panoramic views of Andorra la Vella. Perfect with kids or dogs, in summer and in winter alike.
- Tibetan Bridge in Encamp: A short route with a free suspension bridge and the chance to swim in the river in summer.
- Engolasters Lake: A mountain lake you can drive to in Encamp. A flat 30-minute loop through the forest, great for families and open in winter too.
- Tristaina Lakes: Three high-mountain lakes joined by a 4.4 km loop in Ordino Arcalís. In summer you can swim in one of them (cold, but worth it!).
Born and raised in Encamp, Andorra. In my free time I explore my country and share the best activities, trails and hidden spots that most travel guides don't mention.
