The community began with Soldeu which grew till it ran out of land space. Then, construction began on the other side of the Incles River, in the tiny village of Tarter, as an overflow. El Tarter is virtually only accommodation - much of it time share units.
Soldeu is old quarter still bears signs of the traditional Pyrenean architectonic typology now lost in so many other areas of the valley. Rural inns known as bordas, with century-old beams, large farmhouses with great stone walls and narrow window openings that recall a time when tourism was nothing but an entelechy and the inhabitants of the parish of Canillo made a living in this high part of the valley from working in the fields and tending cattle. The Romanesque church of Sant Bartomeu stands out in this historic complex.
Those who want to care for and pamper their bodies after a good day s skiing can do so without needing to leave Soldeu, in the Sport Wellness Mountain Spa (see the section on spas).
Another alternative is a horse ride. Organised by the Calbó Riding Centre (Tel. +376 870 540), at the entrance to the village. The nearby Vall d'Inclés, one of the best-preserved natural corners of the parish, offers visitors its most unspoilt areas and landscapes.
Further information at the Soldeu Tourist Office, in the Cable car square, Tel. +376 852 492, www.vdc.ad
Soldeu is one of the most highly recommended areas of Grandvalira for young people as it boasts an incredible nightlife. Most of the offer is based around the main street, which joins the main road. Esquí-pub Piolets (Tel. +376 871 787) is at the entrance to the village, in the basement of the Ahotel Piolets Park & Spa; the premises are very large and suitable for big parties (it plans a lot during the winter season) with techno, dance and house music. On Tuesdays, it organises parties which many of the ski instructors and resort staff attend (open from Sunday to Thursday, from 5pm to 3am; Fridays and Saturdays, from 7pm to 4am).
Numerous other night-spots are grouped together in the centre of Soldeu, in the basements of the Himalaia and Piolets & Spa Hotels: the Aspen Bar (Tel. +376 851 974, open daily from 2pm until 2.30am) is an English pub on two floors with plenty of beer and live music on Wednesdays and Fridays; from 7pm to 11pm the second floor becomes a Tex-Mex restaurant. On the same side of the road, Avalanche (Tel. +376 878 515; open from 3.30pm to 3am) has the reputation of being one of the reference spots for young people with its more international atmosphere and live shows from 10.30pm onwards on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Next to it, and also with a very British feel, there is the T-Bar. Iceberg (Tel. +376 806 095) is right opposite, another of Soldeu s classic nightspots, with live music and ski instructor parties every Tuesday; on Fridays, karaoke, and on Wednesdays, from 9pm to midnight, happy hour (two drinks for the price of one). On the street parallel to the main road, in the old part of the village, there are two other establishments that are a must: Fat Albert's (Tel. +376 851 765; open from 3.30pm to 3am) with one of the best atmospheres in Soldeu, always very busy with its live music and the crowds of people that meet there to dance, and the Pussycat (open from 7pm to 4am), on the first floor of the Cort del Popaire restaurant, also in a traditional Andorran country inn, with disco music and a very youthful mood. In the cable car building one finds The Villager, without a doubt the largest English pub in Grandvalira, with an area for drinks and a restaurant.
There are two small but interesting Romanesque-style temples in El Tarter. On the one hand, the Ermita de Sant Pere, in the district of the same name, which despite its Romanesque features was actually built later on, in the 18th century. As you enter the hamlet of Ransol, the Ermita de Sant Jaume comes into view. It was dismantled stone by stone and transferred to this place when its original location was affected by the building of the Plans road. It was used by pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela who entered the peninsula through the Envalira mountain pass.
The Spa of the Hotel Nòrdic is open to the public. Entrance costs 12 and includes access to the heated pool, the steam rooms and the gymnasium. In addition there is a sauna and massage service. There is also a spa area with heated swimming pool in the Hotel Euro Esqui.
Another alternative: a game of bowling. It is in the basement of the Hotel Nòrdic, has two alleys and closes at 1am.
British atmosphere in The Stone Bar, an English pub in the basement of the Alba hotel (Tel. +376 751 115) with live music on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Dylan's (ex-Mosquit), a new local with a Restaurant Internacional, Cocktail-Bar and Cool Disco. Contact and reservations T. +376 852 553.
