Andorra La Vella Travel Guide: Travel and tourist information, things to do and see in Andorra La Vella

Andorra La Vella, is the capital of the Co-principality of Andorra, and is located high in the E Pyrenees between France and Spain. The principal industry is tourism, although the country also earns foreign income from being a tax-haven.

Nestled in a bowl of mountains, this picturesque miniture city has the essentials for a relaxing break, access to the ski slopes, tax free shopping or all of the above. Most people that visit Andorra are generally there for the Ski season but the country has so much more to offer visitors, including Europe's largest Spa resort called Caldea.

Andorra La Vella is pretty much entirely accessible via foot and the town is distinctly set in two parts. There is the newer section at the N end of the town that is very commerical with lots of shopping options. The other half is the older half, down across the river and to the S and W. This also has quite a number of shops and places to eat and also the more historic part. Either parts of the town offer a variety of accommodation and can be easily covered on foot. Walking from the end of one half to the other will take around 30-45 mins although there is a frequent and reliable bus service that also cover the major ski resorts out of the town.

Suggest a change to the Andorra La Vella Overview section (click to dropdown)

Things to see and do in Andorra La Vella include:

The church of Sant Esteve: dated from the 12th century. It is in the old part of the Andorra la Vella. Open: July to August: daily, 10.00-13.00 & 15.00-19.00. Free-guided tour. The rest of the year only at mass hours.

Church of Sant Andreu: Romanesque church dated from the 12th century. It is in the Sant Andreu St. Open: Mon to Sat. It is obligatory to reserve at phone +376 827 117.

Casa de la Vall: The seat of the Consell General (Andorran Parliament) Dating from the 16th century. With guide service. Open: Mon to Sat 09.30-13.00 & 15.00-19.00. Free-guided tour. Sundays (from May to October) from 10 to 14h.

Bridge of la Margineda: This bridge dates from medieval times but is still in perfect condition. Nearby there is a metallic sculpture made by the Valencian sculptor Andreu Alfaro. It is in Santa Coloma.

Rec del Solà and Rec de l’Obac: paved ways with handrails illuminated in the night. They are 2,5 km long. Starting point: Col·legi Sant Ermengol road and Tarragona avenue, respectively.

The town square: this is a surprisingly peaceful place with a panoramic view of the Valley of Andorra.

You can visit the spa / sauna / swimming complex known as the Caldea. It is located at the top of the town in the large glass spire structure.

Parliament building and old town. The parliament building is a relatively modern building and you can walk around up the hill behind it and go onto the roof where there is a type of mini park. On a nice day, there is a great view out over the valley across and looking South towards Santa Coloma. From here you can head back up the hill slightly to the right and visit the old church of St Esteve. Behind it, is an interesting little area filled with narrow streets which is clearly the original location of the settlement.

Suggest a change to the Andorra La Vella Things to do section (click to dropdown)

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

Andorra La Vella Travel Guide

Andorra La Vella Suitability Profile