Benasque in Winter: A Wonderland in the Spanish Pyrenees
Updated: 7 days ago
Full of winter wonderland magic, the Spanish village of Benasque is an outdoor enthusiasts' playground in both the summer and winter months. Only miles from the French border, Benasque is located in the northernmost section of the Huesca Province sitting at an altitude of 1,140 m (3,420 feet).
With activities such as skiing, snowshoeing and horseback riding, hikers and adrenaline fiends will all find something here.
With various snow activities and mountain adventures, the town is home base for travelers looking for wintry escapes by day, and apres-ski fireside dinners in the evenings.
A perfect fairytale ski town in the heart of Los Pirineos (Spanish Pyrenees Mountains), the town's moody stone buildings are blanketed in powder soft snow, with the mountain backdrop that has me humming, "silver white winters that melt into spring...".
Go for the gastronomy, the romantic winter landscape, or go for the sports. But whatever you do, GO. Put this on your list for winter escapes in Spain.
Below learn more about a weekend in Benasque, Spain including things to do, where to stay and places to enjoy a nice meal.
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Things to Do in Benasque in Winter
There are a number of Benasque Valley Tours to choose from, mostly which are do-it-yourself. You'll need a car and a solid know-how of driving in the snow.
Ski and Snow Acitivies at Cerler Ski Resort
Skiing (or downhill anything) is not my thing, but I do love a good cable car and a hot (spiked) beverage at a ski lodge. You can ride any of the chairlifts for a fee without skiing, but after a mildly (ok really) traumatic incident as a child on a chairlift I am also not a fan of riding open bench-style lifts. Since there is no cable car at Cerler, I'll be taking a pass on this one.
However, if you are a fan of downhill sports, by all means head to the slopes - it's the reason many people go to Benasque in the first place!
Here's some information to get you up the mountain, including details on the runs, the chairlift options (yes, they have bunny slopes and even ski lessons) and more relevant info for the avid skier.
Cerler Ski Resort is accessible only 10 minutes from Benasque, and through the town of the same name, Cerler. It boasts the title of tallest Aragonese town in the Pyrenees, at around 1,540 meters if I recall correctly.
Visiting Cerler Ski Resort you have two options:
Visit the lower resort runs - the turn off is just before the roundabout (not marked well but you can see the slopes and parking lot)
Visit Ampriu Park about 10 minutes further up at 2,000 meters.
Visiting the higher resort you'll undoubtedly see a change in scenery in minutes of beginning your ascent by car.
For us, the weather was fairly mild so greens and greys quickly turned into snow white peaks and excitement.
Amenities at Cerler Ski Resort
Parking is free and easy, and we got the lay of the land quickly.
There were several dining options including food trucks and a cafe (picture carousel below) and there was also a rental shop.
Rates were higher than we wanted to pay, so we begged for a sled or some snowshoes so our five year old Florida girl could build a snowman and play a bit in the snow.
Success! We found an unused slope area and played for a bit without fee or hassle.
Other times (snowier conditions) you can check out the kids and non-skier activities at Ampriu play park down the hill from the parking lot, or let the kids play on a small playground.
Pro tip: Bring a change of pants, socks and even underwear for the kiddos after snow fun.
Rent Snowshoes from Llanos del Hospital
In addition to snowshoes, you can also rent skis and sleds here for traversing their trails. Heed the warnings about snow coverage on the often treacherous mountain road leading to the hotel. If you have a reservation at the restaurant (for lunch, for example) you get a free parking space included with your visit.
A perfect day would be spent snowshoeing for 1-2 hours, having lunch, then heading back to town for tapas and a big hearty dinner.
Pro Tip: I also understand that you can rent Snowshoes in town at one of the shops, like Barrabes.
Out of curiosity, I went searching on Amazon for Snowshoes (especially like these adorable ones for kids) and found that they are pretty affordable, so if you are able to pack your own (or even an inflatable snow tube or something), you can make your own fun without the stress of finding a rental.
Shopping in Benasque
Although not a ton of shopping is available in town, there are still several grocery stores (which I always enjoy browsing for food souvenirs) and there are multiple outdoor shops selling sporting goods and clothing.
The main artery has grocery stores like Eroski, and in the interior you can find a Carrefour express along with several souvenir shops and an "everything" store at Bazar Pirineo.
Visit Sabores de Pueblo for the best local food souvenirs from jarred jams and sauces, quesos (cheese) and various cured meats. My kind of store!
Walk the Historic Streets and Visit Palacio de los Condes de Ribagorza
This interesting building is actually a fortified palace in Benasque of great historical value. On occasion visitors may enter to view rotating exhibits. It's sort of the luck of the draw if it's open to visit the interiors, but the exterior is still nice. Look for the sentry box on the corner.
See other interesting historic buildings in town at this link.
Visit the Benasque Valley Overlook (Mirador)
Halfway up the road to Cerler (so, about a five minute drive) find this overlook for valley views like these:
Activities and Additional tours near Benasque include:
Waterfall hikes, like at Forau d'Aigualluts
Horseback riding
Las Gorga de Alba and Botanical Trail (Alba Gorges) - a family-friendly hiking area with waterfalls (note - this trail is NOT suitable in Winter)
Spa time at the Gran Hotel Benasque
Walk from Benasque to Anciles
Parque Natural Posets Maladeta (there's a glacier there!)
Check out this great list of things to do in Benasque with kids
For more ideas, visit this link or the Benasque Tourism website.
Along your drive towards Benasque, consider visiting the towns of Ainsa and Alquezar. I've also rounded up some great ideas for day trips if you are venturing further into Aragon from Zaragoza: Unique Day Trips From Zaragoza (Under 2 Hours Drive).
Best Restaurants in Benasque (and nearby Cerler)
Where We Ate
El Rincon de Foc
Our hotel restaurant - cozy interiors, a fireplace, and all day dining. See more below!
Rabason
Basically the best hidden gem in a town like this - a hidden (but easy to find) "hamster cave", as my five year old called it, this is a bar through and through.
Get olives, nuts, homemade vermouth (vermut casera) or local beer.
Enjoy cave like interiors with furs and antlers adorning the walls, and oodles of Insta-worthy corner nooks.
Bombardino
This place was painfully hip and set up more as a lounge and bar than a restaurant with high tops and low, stump style fireside seating.
Plates were inventive and delicious, some hits and some misses.
It was one of the only places open during our early January visit and they were able to squeeze us in.
It's also number one on Tripadvisor if that means anything to you.
La Taberna (Cerler)
Cozy fireside pub perfect for a pre-dinner cocktail and joviality. Get some olives.
Find this bar easily just steps from the Public Parking lot in town.
Restaurante Braseria El Rincon (Cerler)
Picture perfect six table restaurant that you must reserve in advance up in the mountain town of Cerler (10 minutes away).
Order the chuleton made fireside and the incredible house salad.
Drink some local Somontano Wine and get the mouthwatering chocolate coulant dessert for a roundabout wonderful evening.
Planet 81 (Cerler)
As if the slope and ski resort view veranda weren't enough, the indoor seating at Planet 81 is also incredibly charming apres-ski.
We had played in the snow up at Ampriu Park, and came down the hill to the lower Cerler resort access point when we spotted this restaurant. Open a little later than typical Spanish restaurants, they open at 1:30pm.
The menu is decadently designed with unique flavor fusions and lovely starters. We enjoyed croquettes made with calcots, a traditionally Catalan grilled root vegetable (similar to leeks). Topped with romesco sauce, this was incredible.
The salads and pizzas were also divine. A lovely lovely stop after some time in the snow.
Other Suggestions
Top rated La Parilla Restaurant serves up quirky mountain decor and sharp Mediterannean features all at the same time. Expect a really good steak dinner here.
If you are in the mood for tapas and smaller plates, head over to El Veedor de Viandas, a popular place in the town for drinks and montaditos.
If you venture up to Cerler to see the ski slopes, consider dropping into La Borda del Mastín, a high ceiling asador with stone walls and a hot fire for grilling up your meal.
Where to Stay in Benasque
Charmingly decorated with classic ski town decor and stone walls, the vibes are perfect for an affordable ski town getaway.
A January stay here will cost between $109-130 per night, on average (for three people). Breakfast is included, and there are also options for room and board (including breakfast and dinner). Parking is available for free on site.
Our experience was excellent, including the bar service and fireside breakfasts. Each morning breakfast was a 'buffet' of all you can eat or order breakfast foods - made to order a la carte. This was a great value!
Our triple room was adorable with two separated bedrooms and a bathroom with the hottest, most amazing shower I'd had in weeks.
Walking to town was easy and took less than 3 minutes, and parking was plentiful.
One more bonus - the restaurant serves food all day (a rarity in Spain), so you can have a nice meal any time.
I highly recommend this hotel stay for location, comfort and affordability. Review rooms and rates at this link.
Hotel Ciria - $$
Slightly more upscale, rooms are contemporary, but the lobby fire pit is an enchanting place to relax with other guests (and a tall beverage). Breakfast is included in your stay, which is about $160 per night.
Although the interiors are more modern, the exterior stone building sets the tone for a very on-theme stay in extremely cozy surrounds.
Camping Aneto - $
Cozy bungalow cabins are sure to set the mood for a winter scene. Situated a little further north of town, this Benasque camping village is perfect for those who prefer to make their own meals and just enjoy nature. Town is just a short drive away, and you'll have a relaxing and warm haven to call your own.
Should You Stay in Benasque or Cerler?
I'm going to be honest and say we enjoyed dining in Cerler quite a bit. However, there's not much else to do there but ski and eat.
Benasque, just 10 minutes down the mountain in the valley, provides more options for shopping and more places to walk. It is also more temperate in climate due to the lower elevation.
With lots of hotel options, Benasque is undoubtedly the better overnight destination.
Extra Tips for Visiting Benasque in Winter
To visit Benasque in winter, consider a few extra tips:
Consider driving conditions in advance. We lucked out with no ice or snow on the roads, but conditions can worsen unexpectedly. Watch the radar and weather. Bring snow chains if you have them.
Understand the mountain roads - you will pass through several gorges, tunnels, and valley towns. It's a gorgeous drive (especially through Cangosto de Ventamillo), so stay vigilant of the roads while still enjoying the scenery.
Benasque is walkable end to end very easily. The heartbeat of the town starts along the southern edge, walking past Hotel Ciria and a number of shops, a playground, and a few hotels.
Look up. The night sky is stunning from Benasque or Cerler. Enjoy the unfiltered skies!
Goodnight Cerler, Goodnight Benasque.
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