What to see in Canfranc Station (Pyrenees, Huesca)

 

Canfranc railway station (Estación de tren de Canfranc - Canfranc-Estación) is a historic building located in the Aragonese Pyrenees (Huesca, Aragón), on the border between Spain and France. It is made up of a complex of buildings that are unique both for their elegant appearance and their history. 

This station played an important role in the first half of the 20th century as a railway station connecting Aragon with France, especially during the Spanish Civil War and World War II. 

The town of Canfranc (and Canfranc-Estación) is located north of Jaca, on the border with France. It is usually visited by car, but can also be visited by train, stopping at the new railway station.

 

Canfranc International Railway Station (historic building) and its surroundings

The main historical building of the railway station was built in 1915-25 and closed in 1945-49, remaining almost abandoned for many years, but being highly popular and remembered for its history and architectural beauty. Around the building you can see the railway tracks, 20th century railway machinery (cranes, etc.), warehouses and goods transfer areas.

The beauty of the site lies not only in the uniqueness of the building in the middle of the mountains, but also in the landscape and nature surrounding the ensemble of buildings and open areas.

Today the main building of the station is restored and transformed into a luxury hotel. The restoration of the area was done between 2017 and 2023. Today the area can be visited, being a well-remembered part of the history of the trains and the recent history of Aragon (see more information here).

The area has a garden-museum (Jardín Ferroviario) in the surrounding area where you can see old train carriages and machinery of the time. There are also walking routes nearby where you can go on nature excursions.

Photos of the historic station (now a hotel):

Gardens, wagons, train tracks and old machinery (Railway Garden / Jardín Ferroviario):

Franco-Aragonese cuisine restaurant car:

Photos of the interior of the hotel:

Walking routes in the surrounding area:

 

Canfranc town, Somport Tunnel and the new railway station

Canfranc (urban centre) is located next to the station. The town is divided into two population nuclei: Canfranc village and Canfranc Station, both very close to each other.

Canfranc is a small town well known, apart from the railway station, for being next to the French border, as well as for the ski resorts in the area and for its nature. It is a small town but very popular with tourists, with hotels, restaurants and shops. 

The new train station, currently open, is located just behind the historic building of the old station. Also, next to the area is the Somport Tunnel. This tunnel connects this area of the Pyrenees with France by road. It is 8.6 km long and the current tunnel was opened in 2003.

New train station:

Signs: Map of Canfranc International Station, Explanada de los Arañones, photos and history of the place.

Photo: Inauguration of the International Station. 18 July 1928.

Other nearby places to visit

Nearby places: Jaca, Villanúa, Sabiñánigo, Huesca.

Ski resorts: The nearest ski stations are Astún and Candanchú.

Hiking in the Pyrenees: Aisa, Estarrún River and Igüer Valley (Huesca)

The Aragonese Pyrenees (in the province of Huesca, Aragon) have hundreds of routes and trails for walking or snowshoeing in winter, for all kinds of walks, excursions, climbing and mountain sports, of all levels of difficulty.

In the area surrounding the city of Jaca, we find the town of Aisa (not to be mistaken with Ainsa, also in the Aragonese Pyrenees), where we can find some of these routes.

The village of Aisa

Aisa is to the north of Jaca, halfway between Jaca and the French border, near Villanúa, Castiello de Jaca and Borau. To get there from Jaca, take the road north out of Jaca (N330 Road), then turn left onto another narrower road. 

The journey from Jaca to Aisa takes approximately 30 minutes by car. It is a small village with a bar and, among its architecture, its church stands out.

Walking routes from Aisa

From Aisa, you can find several places where you can go on nature trails. Many of these routes can be reached by car along various paths. The routes in this area are quite easy, suitable for the whole family at any time of the year.

Signposts, parking area and maps of the zone: 

Ruta del Puerto de Aisa (Aisa mountain pass route), Collado de Rigüelo, Pico Aspe, El Chorrotal, Cerro Peñarruaba, Valle de Igüer, La Cleta parking area, Ibón de Izagra, Collado del Bozo, Río Estarrún, Pozas del Río Estarrún (Estarrún river, Estarrún river pools). SL-HU 105 Route.

Other places to visit in the Aragonese Pyrenees

Near Aisa is the town of Jaca in the south and Canfranc in the north, next to the French border. In the Pyrenees you can enjoy nature activities all year round, both in summer and winter.

In winter, the ski tracks are famous. Formigal and Cerler stand out among them. Panticosa (40km of ski slopes) is a smaller resort, ideal for occasional skiers. Other stations in Aragon are Astún, Candanchú and Valdelinares. 

Skiing in Baqueira Beret (The Pyrenees, Lleida)

 The ski resort of Baqueira Beret is one of the best known in Spain due to the high quality of its snow and the great extension of its ski slopes. It has the advantage that, due to its location, it often has snow in winter, or almost always, and therefore the slopes are open, which is not easy. 

Baqueira is located in the eastern part of The Pyrenees, in the province of Lerida/Lleida (Catalonia), very close to Aragon, Andorra and France. 

Baqueira Beret has more than 160 kilometres of pistes of all levels of difficulty and is especially recommended for medium-high level skiing enthusiasts. In comparison, other major ski resorts in Spain are, for example, Formigal in Huesca (Aragon) with more than 140 km, or Cerler (Aragon) with 80 km, or Sierra Nevada in Granada (Andalusia) with 110 km. 

 

Places to stay, ski passes and other activities

Baqueira can be reached by car without difficulty on the N230 road, which passes close to the border between Aragon and Catalonia. To sleep in, you can book accommodation in hotels, hostels, appartments, etc. There are places both almost at the foot of the slopes and in the nearby villages. Near Baqueira are the towns of Tredós, Arties, Betrén, Vielha (Viella), the latter, highly recommendable to visit as a tourist in a free moment.

The ski passes can be bought at the bottom of the slopes, near the car park, as in any other resort.

In addition, other activities you can do in the mountains, apart from skiing, are excursions on foot or with snowshoes, snowmobile routes, sledging, etc. 

  

Ski piste map

Other ski resorts in the Pyrenees

Other Catalan ski resorts are La Molina, Masella, Boí Taül or Port del Compte.

Other ski resorts you can visit in the Pyrenees are the resorts in Aragon. These include Formigal and Cerler. On the other hand, Panticosa (40km of pistes) is a smaller resort, ideal for beginners or occasional skiers (and which has a connection with Formigal). Other resorts in Aragón are Astún, Candanchú and Valdelinares. On the other hand, in the south of Aragon (Teruel) is Javalambre - Valdelinares.

In the Pyrenees you can also find other ski resorts, for example in France or Andorra. 

In the south of the country, another resort that stands out is Sierra Nevada, in Granada.  Near Madrid, meanwhile, is La Pinilla (15km), which is small but suitable if you live in central Spain and want to ski for a day without travelling far. Others are Valdesquí and Sierra de Bejar.

Jaca Citadel / La Ciudadela de Jaca (The Pyrenees, Huesca)

Located in Huesca province, Jaca is the biggest city of the Aragonese Pyrenees, and also the most touristic one. In Summer Jaca is always full of activity and people who want to camp nearby, make excursions through the valleys and mountains, or simply rest. In winter, Jaca is one of the capital cities of the sky in The Pyrenees.

 

The Jaca Citadel (La ciudadela de Jaca)

The Citadel is the main icon of Jaca. Its pentagram-star shape and its location, in the center of the city has turned it in a clear distinctive of the region of La Jacetania.

Its constructions started in the last years of the 16th century, ordered by Felipe II to defend this strategical city against the French army. Once finished The Citadel the next century, it had never been damaged or attacked (only in 1809 was taken by France after the capitulation of the city because the lack of people to defend Jaca. Nevertheless the fortress was recovered five years later, in 1814).

The complex is formed by a fortification with a trench bordering its exterior walls and a drawbridge at its entrance. Inside its five pointed star walls there is a pentagonal construction, a church and a courtyard.

Currently you can visit exterior area of The Citadel for free (its highly recommended to visit it at night). You also can buy a ticket to have a guided visit of its interior. Inside the citadel there is also a military miniatures museum.

Other remarkable places to visit in Jaca city

– The ice palace (Palacio de hielo): Jaca has two ice pavilions where people can do ice skating in its ice rinks all seasons of the year. Both pavilions are located together. The oldest one opened its gates in 1972; the newest one is an olimpic pabillion which was built in 2007 to improve and replace the older one.

– The pubs and restaurants area (Zona de restaurantes y bares): The restaurants and pubs zone of Jaca is located in the city centre, 4 minutes on foot from The Citadel. Thanks to the citizens and the visitors who come to Jaca to make excursions and enjoy the environment in Summer and ski in Winter, the zone is always full of activity.

– The surroundings of Jaca: Jaca is surrounded by many small towns, campings and mountains. Ideal for excursions!

 

More touristic destinations near Jaca

– Ainsa: With almost 2300 inhabitants, nowadays Ainsa is a touristic village in where many people who enjoy being in nature can visit its old centre and its castle, try the gastronomy of the Pyrenees towns and observe its astonishing landscape.

– The Pyrenees (Los Pirineos): In summer, many people camp in the Pyrenees for discovering its mountains, rivers and lakes, and for practicing sports in this environment. In winter, the Pyrenees ski stations are some of the most frequented places of Spain to ski (with Sierra Nevada at the south of the county).

The Pyrenees can be separated in five zones depending on what region are located: Aragon, Catalonia, Navarra, France and Andorra. The main sky stations of the Aragonese Pyrenees are these ones: Panticosa, Formigal, Candanchú, Cerler, Astún, Javalambre and Valderinares.

Ainsa: A millenary town in the center of the Pyrenees

Ainsa (or L’Aínsa) is an historic town located in the Aragonese Pyrenees (Huesca province). It is placed in the Sobrarbe district, at the joining of the Cinca and Ara rivers, and near to The Ordesa and Monte Perdido Natural Park.

With almost 2300 inhabitants, nowadays Ainsa is a touristic village in where many people who enjoy being in nature can visit its old centre and its castle, try the gastronomy of the Pyrenees towns and observe its astonishing landscape. Also, it’s very common to travel to The Pyrenees (Los Pirineos) to make excursions in Summer, play sports, climb mountains, camp or to ski in Winter.

 

The old town of Ainsa

The old town of Ainsa is located uptown the village. It is all stone made, with a lot of narrow streets and slopes. In this zone you will find the historic monuments of Ainsa (the church, the castle, the main square, many traditional houses…), some view points, restaurants and touristic shops with traditional food and gifts of Sobrarbe.

 

The view points

Ainsa surely has some of the most impressive balconies of the Pyrenees. From them can be seen Cinca River and Ara River, which joins just near the village. Also can be seen the mountains and hills that surround the town, as the famous Peña Montañesa.

 

Santa Maria Church and the Main Square

St. Mary Church (Iglesia de Santa Maria) is a Roman church built between the 11th and 12th centuries. From its tower, the people who ascend it can discover a view of the whole village. Beside the church is located the Main Square, where is the city hall, and from where can be seen the castle.

 

Ainsa’s castle

Located in the historic centre of Ainsa, this castle is dated from the eleventh century. Nowadays from its ruins (the entrance is for free), at the top of Ainsa, you can see the whole area: The town, the Cinca and Ara rivers and the astonishing mountains that surround Ainsa.  It also has an eco-museum (Eco Museo).

 

Ordesa and Monte Perdido Natural Park (Valle de Ordesa)

This natural park is one of the preferred natural parks chosen by the Spaniards to make excursions and enjoy the nature. Its routes through the mountains offers a wide variety of experiences for all ages. Its highest mountain is Monte Perdido (3,350 metres).

In summer, many people camp in the Pyrenees for discovering its mountains, rivers and lakes, and for practicing sports in this environment.

Skiing in the Pyrenees

In winter, the Pyrenees ski stations are some of the most frequented places of Spain to ski (with Sierra Nevada at the south of the county).  The Pyrenees can be separated in five zones depending on what region are located: Aragon, Catalonia, Navarra, France and Andorra.

The main sky stations of the Aragonese Pyrenees are these ones: Panticosa, Formigal, Candanchú, Cerler, Astún, Javalambre and Valderinares.

 

More Places to visit near Ainsa

– Boltaña: This town is placed only 6 km away from Ainsa. It is also an ancient village with a traditional Old Town and a castle in the top of a hill from where can be seen a very beautiful landscape.

– Jaca: This is the biggest city in the Aragonese Pyrenees. In Summer is always plenty of activity and people who want to camp, make excursions on the area or simply rest. In winter, Jaca is one of the capital cities of the ski sport.

– Aragon Region: Check all our post about what to visit in Aragon.