Arinsal Travel Guide: Travel and tourist information, things to do and see in Arinsal

Arinsal, situated in the NW corner of the principality Andorra (142 mls S of Toulouse airport in France and 162 mls N of Barcelona airport Spain), is a little village of Catalan slate and gray stone just 5 miles NW of Andorra La Vella. It has seen rapid development in recent years, giving the place a building-site appearance. Stretching for over 1¼ mls along the main road, most of the action is clustered around Hotel Micolau in the centre and at the gondola, from where distances in the property reports are measured.

Population: 70.550
Languages: Catal�n (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese
Currency: euro
Currency code: EUR
Local Times:
Andorra - Andorra La Vella

Country Dialling Code: +376

The tiny nation of Andorra has only 65,000 inhabitants, so there's plenty of real estate for tourists to explore. Andorra is a world famous shopping haven. Expect to pay at least 20% - 30% less than in France or Spain for electronic goods, cameras, cosmetics and alcohol. The long opening hours and sheer amount of shops are very conducive to spending! Probably Andorra's most valuable natural resource, heavy winter snow is very conducive to most winter sports. For about six months of the year, Andorra's well-equipped ski stations have perfect conditions for skiing. The main ski stations are at Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig, Soldeu-Tarter, Arinsal, Pal and Arcalís.

Andorra is situated in the Pyrenees, on the border between France and Spain. Everything there is more or less duty free, including drinks in the bars, so it is an ideal stopping point for your average hitchhiker. Almost hidden on the border between France and Spain, this tiny country is a land of narrow valleys and mountainous landscapes.

This pseudo-country is very patriotic, with Andorran flags everywhere, though it's not like a country at all - it's almost joint French and Spanish territory, governed by France's President and the Bishop of the nearby Spanish town of La Seu d'Urgell. Andorra really is like the filling between a big country sandwich. In terms of roads, it doesn't have very many, with zero miles of motorway. However, what roads it does have are actually well developed and looked after.

The mainstay of the economy is tourism. An estimated 9 million people visit each year, drawn by the winter sports, summer climate and duty-free goods. The banking sector also enjoys a tax-haven status.

Recommended Local Services

Andorra Ski Holidays

Arinsal Travel Guide

Arinsal Suitability Profile