Les Escaldes

An urban area with great natural and cultural legacy, Les Escaldes is part of the Escaldes-Engordany parish of Andorra. Near the national capital, Andorra la Vella, Les Escaldes has evolved a unique identity based on its well-known hot springs and vibrant economic scene.

The name “Les Escaldes” is essentially related to the most important feature of the area: its abundance of hot springs. For millennia, the natural thermal waters—which produce very sulfurous and nitrogenous waters with temperatures ranging from a mild 22°C to a searing 66°C—have defined the area. From the Roman era, when they were used for their therapeutic benefits, these springs have been recognized as having healing powers.

Les Escaldes’ historical value goes beyond their natural beauty. The Middle Ages saw the area flourish as a center of textile manufacture. Focused on woven textiles and umbrellas, guilds supported a thriving local economy and embodied the hardworking character of their people. Les Escaldes’ cultural identity was much shaped by the period of economic success, so affecting its legacy.

Among Les Escaldes’ most respected cultural customs is the Santa Anna dance. Capturing the wealth of folklore and communal core of the area, this traditional performance serves as a necessary link to the past. The preservation of these cultural customs emphasizes the need of keeping a link to historical roots among continuous regional development and modernizing.

For Les Escaldes, the 19th century was a turning point since projects to profit from the natural hot springs emerged to build official bathhouses. Still, the local government objected unexpectedly to these ideas. Speculation suggests that this resistance might have started from concerns about the possible visitor migration bringing diseases to Andorra. This sensible approach for development shows the complex link between public health issues that usually affect the development of tourist destinations and economic possibilities.

Though first hesitant, Les Escaldes has fully embraced its thermal legacy in modern times. Modern spa resort Caldea represents the height of this acceptance and has come to be iconic of the area. Providing guests with a luxurious and contemporary way to interact with the natural wonders that have defined Les Escaldes for millennia, Caldea epitomizes the pinnacle of centuries of awareness regarding the therapeutic benefits of hot springs.