What To See And Do In Andorra

If asked, would you be able to find Andorra on a map? For some of us, it might be pretty difficult to do.

Andorra is a tiny principality, not even a part of the EU, located between Spain and France in the Pyrenees mountains. The principality is only 468-square-kilometers, but there is quite a lot packed into this small space.

If you're driving or taking the bus from Barcelona or Girona in the Costa Brava region of Catalunya, Spain, or Toulouse in France, here are some recommended things to see and do in Andorra.

Duty Free Shopping

Andorra is known as a tax haven, and duty-free shopping is found throughout the country. There are large duty-free shopping centers lining the roads into the country, some as soon as you cross the border from Spain or France. Even within the cities themselves, it is often easier to find duty-free shopping for goods produced outside of Andorra than the local products made within Andorra. Note, that while there is no tax charged on the goods, the base price of the item may be a little higher than outside of Andorra, so that may be a consideration when looking for high demand products that may find their way to the shops.

While there may be very limited checks on identification and imports when you enter Andorra, when you drive out of Andorra, you may encounter longer border control and customs checks on the goods you bring back into the EU.

Explore Andorra la Vella

Andorra la Vella is the capital city of the Principality of Andorra, and offers two sides to visitors both a new and an old. Andorra's tax-haven status makes it a home of the banking industry. You'll find a modern financial center within the center of the city, with high-end shopping and luxury goods nearby.

Alongside this modern district is Andorra la Vellas gothic quarter, with buildings dating back to the 11th century. Here you'll find many restaurants, taverns, and boutique shopping experiences. Be sure to check out the Casa de la Vell, the seat of government and courthouse built in 1580, and the Sant Esteve Church built in the 12th century.

Winter Sports

One of the primary reasons travelers visit Andorra is for winter sports. Andorra is well known for its two alpine ski areas, Vallnord and Grandvalira, which have over 300 km of ski slopes between them. The ski resorts of Andorra cater to all levels of skiers and snowboarders, from families and new skiers, to experienced downhill expert skiers and snowboarders. Winter sports activities such as speed riding, heli-skiing, and ski-biking are also available.

Hiking

Outside of the winter ski season, the slopes of Andorras Pyrenees Mountains are open for hiking and trekking. Most of the main hiking routes offer mountain huts where you can spend the night, and continue on for breathtaking vistas of the Pyrenees of Andorra, France, and Spain. Hiking in Andorra can even bring you to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley. The main hiking trail in Andorra actually traverses the entire principality.

Have you ever been to Andorra?

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Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.