This May we're driving from Barcelona to San Sebastian and after some great advice found here, have decided to overnight at Hospederia Roda de Isabena before heading through the Pyrenees into France the next day as we make our way to SS. Ainsa and Graus are mentioned fondly on this board but without much detail. I thought we might check out one or both of these towns before Roda de Isabena - would love your opinion on this (are either of them significantly different from Roda de Isabena, etc.)..or should we see both (Ainsa in particular is not 'on the way'). Also, should this be a lunch/refreshments stop vs. a more in-depth look at some local sites?

(I see Ira has been to at least Isabena however I can't figure out how to send a message directly to pose this question...)

thank you in advance!

I know Ainsa but not really Graus and not Roda. Ainsa has a very pretty old town square, up there too is the FCQ foundation (Bearded Vulture Foundation) which is a very interesting conservation project with visitor centre. More to the point though, Ainsa is the gateway or one of the gateways to the Ordesa National Park which is just stunning. Of course many of these Aragonese Pyrenees towns and villages are physically similar and usually very beautiful but it's the landscapes which are really stars of the show here.

Tom

Apologies for the late reply - much appreciated, Tom!

You're very welcome. If you need more advises on Spain - actually, I am expert in La Rioja, Mallorca, Andalucia, and above all "Picos de Europa" - just ask!

Tom

Hi A,

>... I can't figure out how to send a message directly to pose this question...<

You did right.

We didn't visit either town, only drove through them on our way to Pau.

You might wish to consider taking this route to SS:

Roda --> Graus--> the A138--> Ainsa--> N260--> Sabinanigo--> Sallent de Gallego Or up the N330--> Oloron-saint-marie--> SS

This will give you a very scenic drive and takes 6 hr compared to 4:30 hr on the autoroute.

Enjoy your visit.

The tour of the Cathedral in Roda was quite interesting.

Thank you!

@ ira, I just want to confirm that you are saying we should enter France (and hit Oloron-s.-m. versus Pau) via Sallent d. G. or choose to stay on the Spanish side for this drive(I got confused by the "Or")...

We were entertaining the idea of going via the A-1605, then N-260 briefly to hit the N-230 crossing into France near Fos (so, SE of Sallent de Gallego), then driving on to Pau/surrounds before ending up in San Sebastian. We'd of course prefer the more scenic route - is thsi via Sallent de Gallego in your opinion?

BTW, is Google Maps trustworthy in working this out or do I need to dig up my Michelin map from a few years ago (or buy a new one if I can't find it)?

thank you again!
Ann

Hi A,

> We'd of course prefer the more scenic route - is thsi via Sallent de Gallego in your opinion? <

Yes.

I mentioned going by way of Oloron if you would prefer to stay off the autoroute via Pau.

>BTW, is Google Maps trustworthy in working this out.. <

Yes, especially since you can use the "street view" to drive the road you will be taking.

Enjoy your visit.



BTW, I can highly recommend Zortziko Alameda de Mazarredo 17 for dinner in Bilbao.

Thank you so very much!!