The Val d'Aran, situated to the far north-west of Catalonia (the border between Aragón and France) has an area of 620 km². From here one has direct access to the National Park of Aigüestortes-Estany de Sant Maurici, one of the most extensive natural areas in the Pyrenean mountain range. The official language is Aranese, together with Catalan and Spanish.

By virtue of its situation on the Atlantic side of the Pyrenees, its sharply-defined mountainous geography has made this one of Spain's most emblematic valleys. The Aranese mountains constitute a natural barrier that historically have restricted communication with neighbouring lands, especially with Aragón and Catalonia. The mountain passes that link the valley with the Catalan counties were inaccessible during the winter and difficult during the rest of the year, until the road leading through the Bonaigua pass, constructed in 1924, and the tunnel of Vielha, in 1948, opened up the way for wheeled vehicles and made permanent communication possible. To follow a route along the many paths that this valley offers can be the experience of a lifetime – really never to be forgotten.

Because of its geographical situation, it is a highly-valued area in winter for ski and snow sports due to the quality of the surface. The ski resort of Baqueira Beret, which boasts 104 kilometres of marked runs, is the second largest winter sport resort in Spain, and one of the most famous and popular in the country.

In summer, the Aranese fauna and flora are in themselves a resource of enormous richness and diversity. The vegetation of the valley is adapted to the Atlantic climate, and thus the landscapes are different to those of the Catalan Pyrenees. The woods are of fir, Scotch pine and beech, occupying an area of some 10,000 ha. As for the fauna, the particular characteristics of the valley favour the existence of interesting species such as eagles, kites, partridges, quail and the highly valued capercaillie, which is a bird that is now protected because it is in danger of extinction.

There is no question that this whole combination of such varied and beautiful natural spaces makes this Pyrenean valley the ideal setting for practising many sporting activities: trekking, hiking, mountain biking, canyoning, canoeing, rafting, as well as fishing in the numerous rivers in the region.

In addition, the Val d'Aran has a rich artistic and monumental heritage that is mainly exemplified by the parish churches of the small villages of the area. The numerous Romanesque churches, many of them with the characteristic bell tower that can be seen from afar, represent an important example of the most austere ecclesiastical architecture, built in some cases more than ten centuries ago, and that as time went on, came to include notable elements of the Gothic and Renaissance styles.

Aranese gastronomy is another of the singular and important aspects that one must sample and get to know. It is an excellent example of the nature and techniques of Gascon cuisine; this can be seen, for instance, in dishes such as pâtés, game stews and some desserts such as crespèths, also called pastères or pescajons. Among the local produce and artisanal products, in addition to the woodland berries, mushrooms and river trout, the various categories of pâté and cured meats such as chorizo, langonisa, etc.,  are worthy of mention.

The most traditional dishes are the stew called olla aranesa, the senganheta (made using pigs blood), the truhada, etc. Desserts, in addition to crespèths, include the crema aranesa and the milhas de maíz. During the autumn months , the Val d'Aran holds its Mòstra Gastronomica or culinary fair, where many restaurants in the area prepare dishes that combine their most traditional cuisine with the most contemporary.