How to Plan a Trip to Andorra
Andorra is an off-the-radar destination that’s scattered with sheer, tumbling valleys, Romanesque churches, and rich heritage. Given its location in Europe, this is a seriously underrated tourist destination. Here’s How to Plan a Trip to Andorra.
Nestled right between France and Spain in the Pyrenees Mountains, Andorra is a country strung with a slew of surprises. This country utilises the euro currency, but it’s not a part of the European Union.
This is the 17th smallest country in the world! How’s that for a fact? Andorra receives up to 10 million visitors annually so you can expect fewer crowds than neighbouring hot spots like Barcelona, Madrid and Paris.
Up until I moved to Europe, I would have never been able to place Andorra on a map, but our travels to Andorra blew me away, and I am seriously itching to go back. Pronto!
8-Step Planning Checklist
Before you can take the full plunge, work your way through these eight simple steps. Whether you’re planning for the summer, spring, winter or autumn, planning a trip to Andorra couldn’t be easier! Follow this checklist to begin the adventure of a lifetime!
Step 1: Determine the Destination Country & Cities
Step 2: Decide on the Trip Duration
Step 3: Figure out When is the Best Time to Visit
Step 4: Create a Travel Budget
Step 5: Book Your Accommodation (preferably 3 to 4 months in advance)
Step 6: Research & Organise Transport & Activities
Step 7: Get Your Documents in Order (Visa, Passport & Travel Insurance)
Step 8: Nail the Process with this Packing List
Best Time to Visit Andorra
Andorra is excellent year-round and is crowned with undulating hilltops, serrated cliffs, and nonpareil natural splendour. The best time to visit Andorra is from May to June when the weather warms up and the days get longer.
The spring and summer seasons boast flower-blooming slopes, Mediterranean sunshine and endless opportunities to explore the landscape. If you’re interested in hiking, late spring (March to May) and early autumn (September to November) are ideal.
During the winter months, Andorra becomes abundant in all things winter sports, with slippery slopes and snow-topped terrain. Andorra’s high season is generally from December through to March, when visitors flock to fumble around the snow activities. We travelled during early-mid December, and the timing could not have been perfect, prices were affordable, and there were hardly any tourists.
Language
The official language is Catalan, and Andorra is the only country in the world where Catalan is the sole official language. Déu meu! Spanish, French and English are widely spoken in the main tourist areas. We got by perfectly utilising Spanglish (a strange yet somehow functional fusion of Spanish & English).
Best Things to Do in Andorra
Known for its sprightly ski resorts and wintertime delights, Andorra is also famed as a tax-free haven. With duty-free shopping, you can splurge without doing too much damage to your bank account. That’s right; you can get your hands on alcohol, chocolate, designer fragrances, tobacco, big brands and much more for some dirt-cheap prices. We bought a whopping 1L bottle of Johnnie Walker Whiskey for just €9.99… Need I say more?
La Caldea
The capital city Andorra La Vella is home to Europe’s largest thermal spa complex. Did somebody say self-care? La Caldea is an ideal choice for well-being-seekers from all around the world. And after a big day hitting the hilltops, nothing beats winding down in a spa. Am I right?
The Caldea is a natural spring complex with countless indoor and outdoor pools. Sounds pretty spectacular, right? Just wait. The Caldea is fringed with dazzling light and sound shows that take the whole complex by storm.
Straddling steaming spas, bubbling jacuzzis, relaxing massage booths and steam rooms, there’s even a kids’ spa area for all you big kids out there.
La Caldea boasts a lounge space, a ‘reactivation’ area and various massage and treatment cabins. You can even combine exercise and leisure with a gymnasium to get your blood pumping.
Put the cherry on top with a visit to many world-class restaurants. Soak up the aromas and satisfy all your cravings with delectable Mediterranean cuisine.
What more, you ask?
The Caldea also has a separate Adult Only Section called Inuu. This is your best bet for a more private, intimate atmosphere. Here, you can immerse yourself in the experience, away from the hustle and bustle of the busier areas.
Accentuated with a unique design, combining waters rich in sulphur, minerals, and sodium helps take you to the next level.
If you want to avoid the rush of people, head to the Caldea towards the night’s end. At this time, you’ll get to bask as the city lights up the mountaintops surrounding the complex. If you plan on taking public transport in Andorra, remember that the last buses run until 9 pm. So, if you stay late, you might have to consider catching a taxi home. I foolishly made this mistake, so you don’t have to. Facepalm.
Adventure & Hiking in Andorra
Andorra is an off-the-grid destination that’s dowsed in natural wonder. Replete with a range of pristine hiking trails, this is a top location for spring, summer and autumn trekking activities. Regarding adventure in Andorra, the real show-stopper is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley. Adventure awaits!
If you have plenty of time to explore, check out the following trekking paths:
Via Ferrata of Sant Vicenc d’Enclar
Canillo and Incles Valley
Sorteny Natural Park
Andorra is a winter enthusiast’s haven, with snow-capped peaks and powdery white slopes. Skiing, snowboarding and winter sports are all the rage. Andorra is one of Europe’s best ski destinations, hosting over four major ski resorts. Each is equipped with exceptional snow conditions and high altitudes. Plenty of facilities have snowboard parks, challenging runs and ski schools. These include:
Soldeu el Tarter
Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig
Vallnord Pal-Arinsal
Vallnord Arcalis
Along with hiking and winter sports, more awaits you in Andorra. Popular activities include:
Canyoneering
Rock climbing
Mountain biking
Snowboarding
Canoeing
Churches and Museums in Andorra
Hemmed in by a rich history, Andorra has mustered up enough stories to keep you entertained for days. As a stellar destination for history buffs, you’ll find Romanesque architecture, museums, and over 40 churches. Walking through the labyrinth-like streets, you can get a feel for past times. Some edifices even date back to Medieval times! Notable churches include:
Esglesia de Sant Esteve
Sant Climent de Pal
Church of Sant Miquel d’Engolasters
Church of Sant Antoni de la Grella
Sant Marti de Nagol
Museum lovers, I’ve got you! If you want to dabble in something that’s out of the ordinary, you could check out Andorra’s unusually peculiar museums. Highlights include:
Tobacco Museum
Perfume Museum
National Automobile Museum
Miniature Museum
Hidden Gems in Andorra
Looking to spice things up?
Get your adrenaline pumping and head to the suspended mid-air viewpoint, Roc del Quer. Overlooking the serrated mountain ranges formed over 85 million years ago, this site is steeped deep in splendour. Test your limits and walk up to the small section of the bridge with glass bottom openings. Talk about a thrill!
At Roc del Quer’s tip is a bronze statue called ‘The Ponderer’. Seen to symbolise man’s role as an observer, the perspective is all yours to interpret. This is a killer spot to sit back and, well, observe.
Are you still chasing more distinctively designed architecture? Does Roc del Quer simply not do it for you? Spot the La Noblesse du Temps amongst the hustle and bustle of downtown Andorra La Vella. This is a notorious melting clock sculpture created by Spain’s fSpain’sali.
The Rooftop Bar
That’s right! I found the ultimate rooftop bar in Andorra. Just a short 1-minute walk from La Noblesse du Temps statue, we just so happened to stumble across this bar with some seriously sublime scenery…
Head to Plan-B, go up the elevator to the top level and prepare yourself to be blown away by 360-degree sweeping views. Sunset provides the picture-perfect contrast between the urban city lights, the buzzing streets and the sweeping mountain tops.
This was one of the most unforgettable experiences from my time in Andorra; watching the sunset paint the sky all shades of orange, yellow and pink, with a crisp €5 beer the size of my head. The best part was that Nobody else was in sight.
Where to Eat in Andorra
Andorran cuisine boasts a mouth-watering mix of centuries-old traditions and flavours. Gastronomy is rich in local produce and seasonal products. Prepare your snack hat and unbuckle that belt; it’s time to dish out the best spots to grab a bite in Andorra. Here are some of the most popular dishes to try from Andorra:
Escudella
Trinxat de Montana
Andorran cannelloni
Codony Aioli
Charcuterie
Caracoles a la llauna
If you want to go out rather than stay in, try out these famous restaurants in Andorra:
The Brunch and Specialty Coffee: Zenith Brunch & Coffee
The Vegetarian Hot Spot: Veggie’s World
The Best Mediterranean Cuisine: Kökosnot
The Local’s Pick: Can Manel
The Sweet-Freak’s Haven: Chocolateria Valor
Transport in Andorra
Due to Andorra’s mountainous landscape, it doesn’t have an airport or a railway system. So how do you get there? Teleportation? Not this time, buddy. There are quite a few options. However, the most common route is via bus through Spain or France.
Closest airports: Girona (Spain), Barcelona (Spain)
and Toulouse (France).
It’s important to note that Andorra is not a part of the European Union (E.U.), so think twice and bring your passport (if you’re an E.U. citizen).
We rocked up with just our Spanish Identity Cards and were quickly denied entry onto the bus. Thus delaying our trip by 6.5 hours. Yowza. Nevertheless, at least we made this mistake, so you don’t have to… Come prepared, people!
Bus lines include: ALSA, Andorra Direct Bus and Alsina Graells S.A.
A bus from Barcelona costs around €40.00 - €50.00 return (depending on the season), with a duration of approximately 3–3.5 hours, depending on the traffic and weather conditions and the need-for-speed of your bus driver.
As for transport options in Andorra, it’s best to hire a car or motorbike to properly explore its charming villages and access remote areas such as hiking trails, etc.
Take note that motorbikes are usually not rented out to visitors during the snow season due to it being quite dangerous. The bus system functions quite well. However, it can get pretty congested during peak hours in the heart of Andorra La Vella and other significant areas. Check out some of the best rental rates for cars, motorbikes and scooters below.
Where to Stay in Andorra
Indecisive on accommodation? Andorra’s got it all: glamping, ski resorts, and much more. There are even igloo hotels that are rebuilt with fresh snow every season. How about that? If you plan a trip to Andorra, you’re in the right place. Take the stress out of the planning process and look at these main towns.
Andorra La Vella
Andorra La Vella has some of the country's best accommodations. Along with excellent quality restaurants, bars, shopping centres and museums, something fits everyone’s budget.
This is the ideal place if you want to plan a trip to Andorra for the first time. Andorra La Vella has excellent access to public transport, taxis and major bus terminals.
Canillo
Canillo is situated in the northern-central part of the country and boasts the region’s rich culture and history through its’ Romanesque art and churches.
There’s a great range of hotels and Airbnb, and the town is vast. If you’re seeking a peaceful step away from the hustle and bustle of city life, Canillo is a great choice.
Encamp
Encamp is excellent for those looking to go hard on sports activities like hiking and skiing. With a combination of modern and Romanesque architecture and traditional buildings, Encamp provides ample options for travellers of all budgets. Close by lies Engolasters, Illa and Montmalús.
El Pas de la Casa
El Pas de la Casa boasts natural scenery and is fit for those eager to slap on the ski gear and let her rip. This area is also ideal for hikers in the spring, summer and autumn seasons, thanks to its close location near Lake Abelletes and Pessons Lake. With plenty of petite hotels and Airbnbs, El Pas de la Casa is off the map when compared to the buzzing capital of Andorra La Vella.
Top Hotels in Andorra:
Whether you’re a fan of picturesque mountains, adrenaline-fuelled activities, or off-the-beaten-path adventure, I assure you that these spots will not disappoint.
Be sure to add Andorra as a destination to your Travel Bucket List. This comprehensive guide on How to Plan a Trip to Andorra can kick the hassle out of your next getaway. So, what are you waiting for?
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