The comparison with a fashionable resort is quite appropriate – the ski infrastructure in the country is no worse developed, and the cost of services is an order of magnitude lower. In winter, people go to the principality to play sports, ride snowmobiles and dog sleds, and visit thermal spa complexes.
In summer, tourists visit local attractions, walk in national parks, admire picturesque views, go mountaineering and go shopping. All of Andorra is a duty-free trade zone, so goods here are sold at prices 30-60% lower than the average European prices. Visits to Andorra are often combined with trips to Spain or France – the principality is located between these countries, and you can cross the border without a visa.
The main thing about the country
According to budgetyourtrip.com , one day in Andorra costs a tourist 132 EUR. The amount includes food (35 EUR) and transport (31 EUR), as well as hotel accommodation. A day in a double room in a good hotel costs an average of 110 EUR, although you can find more budget-friendly offers if you book early. When planning your expenses, consider the cost of transfers, excursions and ski equipment rental.
The official language of the country is Catalan. Spanish is no less common in business and everyday communication. The vast majority of the population speaks three languages: Catalan, Spanish and French, which are taught in schools and universities. Tourism industry workers are fluent in English.
Andorra is the sixth smallest country in Europe. The principality covers 468 square kilometers. Most of the territory is occupied by the Pyrenees, the cities are located in narrow valleys between the mountain ranges. The largest river, Gran Valira, flows through the capital of Andorra and then goes to Catalonia. There are many mountain lakes in the Pyrenees, forests cover about 30% of the country.
The climate in the country is subtropical, mountainous. In summer, Andorra is sunny and clear, the air warms up to +23 °C. In August, there are often hot days, when the thermometer rises to +27 °C. Andorran winters are characterized by warm days and cold nights. The average monthly temperature is from +2 to -2 °C. In winter, there are often heavy snowfalls, which makes skiing difficult. It rains in autumn and spring, and in summer it is mostly dry.
In Andorra, the right to freedom of religion is enshrined in the constitution, 80% of the population are Catholics. The state maintains close ties with the Vatican, which grants the country a number of privileges.
Little Andorra cannot boast of an abundance of purely national traditions. The country’s culture is close to Catalan, which is clearly seen in folk art, music and dance. Only the marrachta and contrapas can be called purely Andorran dances.
Andorrans are very similar to the Spanish in temperament. The local population is friendly to tourists, but communication can be complicated by poor English skills of people who are not involved in the tourism industry. If a resident of the principality speaks the language of international communication, you can count on any help from him.
Visa and entry
Andorra is a visa-free country that is not part of the Schengen Agreement. However, to visit it, you need a Schengen visa issued through the consulate of Spain or France. Choose a country depending on your route. Most often, Russians get to Andorra La Vella via Barcelona, so they get a Spanish Schengen. Please note that a multiple-entry visa is required for the trip, since you will have to cross the border twice and go through control at Spanish or French customs. Entry into the country from the territory of the European Union is free, Andorran border guards put a stamp in the passport only at the request of the tourist.
When to go
The country is suitable for holidays at any time of year. The peak of ski resorts is from December to March, and those wishing to see the sights and visit thermal springs come in the summer months. From June to September, Andorra hosts many festivals, holidays and cultural events. On weekends, the resorts are inundated with tourists, as residents of neighboring countries often come here to spend the weekend.
Tourists joke that you should go to Andorra with an empty suitcase, because the shopping here is so good. However, it is worth taking sports equipment with you so as not to buy it on the spot. Skis and snowboards can be rented. In the summer, take clothes and shoes that will be comfortable for sightseeing and visiting national parks. If you like cycling, put light sportswear, sneakers or trainers in your suitcase, and for visiting spa centers, swimwear will come in handy. At any time of year, creams with SPF and sunglasses are required, since the sun is very active in the mountains.
Holidays and non-working days
- January 6 – Epiphany;
- March 14 – Constitution Day;
- June 24 – Day of St. John, patron saint of Andorra;
- September 8 – Day of Our Lady of Meritxell – patroness of Andorra (main national holiday);
- November 1 – All Saints’ Day;
- November 4 – Day of St. Charles Borromeo;
- December 8 – Feast of the Immaculate Conception;
- December 25th is Christmas.
Currency
The country does not have its own currency, but payments are made in euros. Shops, restaurants and hotels accept dollars, but at a lower rate. There are exchange offices in hotels, but it is more profitable to make transactions in bank branches. Cards are accepted everywhere. The exceptions are small shops, souvenir shops and taxis, where cash is preferred.
Prices
In Andorra’s shopping centers, prices for clothing, footwear, perfume, alcohol and cigarettes are 25% lower than the average European price. A tourist will be fed in a café for 15–20 EUR*, a visit to a restaurant of a higher class will cost 50–70 EUR. You will pay 2 EUR for a cup of coffee, 0.8 EUR for a bottle of water. The cost of a 5-day SkiPass for an adult is 170 EUR, ski equipment rental for the same period will cost 80–160 EUR, a snowboard – 100–200 EUR. The cost of drying boots and a storage room is 7 EUR per day.
* all prices are valid for April 2022
How to get there
Andorra does not have its own airport and there are no railways. Tourists enter the country from France and Spain. The closest cities to the border are Barcelona and Toulouse, the distance from these cities to Andorra is approximately the same – about 200 km.
Resorts
Vallnord is a vast ski area, the resort is located five kilometers from the capital. It has everything for active recreation: equipped trails of varying difficulty, a children’s ski park with instructors, schools for beginners, freestyle areas and a slalom track. Throughout the resort there are many equipment rental points, entertainment centers, cafes and restaurants. In the summer, Vallnord has a Mountain Park, where you can rent a quad bike, try horse riding or ride a dog sled.
The Grandvalira ski resort is located in the eastern part of the country. There are more than 200 km of slopes with a wide range of difficulty levels. All slopes are carefully checked for safety, marked and labeled to make it easier for tourists to navigate. A wide network of lifts delivers athletes to the start of the slopes, where a single SkyPass ticket is valid. The Les Bons historical complex and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Meritxell are located nearby.
Attractions
There are not many attractions in Andorra, but the developed tourist infrastructure and picturesque nature more than compensate for this shortcoming. Most of the historical sites are concentrated in the capital of the country, Andorra La Vella. The most visited area is Barri Antique, where old houses and churches have been preserved, and where the parliament building, the Church of Sant Esteve and the State Theater are located.
The list of popular tourist attractions includes:
- the Madriu-Perafito-Claror glacial valley, home to a natural park with alpine meadows, waterfalls, pastures and deep gorges;
- the Ordino region, which includes eight villages that offer an insight into rural life in Andorra. The tour usually includes a visit to the museums of microminiatures, post office and iconography, as well as a visit to the D’Areny Plandolit family estate, which has preserved its 19th-century furnishings;
- Casa de la Vall or “House of the Valleys” is a manor house built of rough stone at the end of the 16th century. The building looks like a small fortress and previously belonged to a wealthy family named Busquets. In the courtyard of the house there is a baptismal font, and next to it there is a dovecote;
- Naturlandia is the country’s largest amusement park, open all year round. In winter, people come here to ride on a sled along the winding Tobotronc track surrounded by mountains. In summer, the Airtrekk attraction, a wooden structure with many rope ladders, takes first place in the popularity ratings.
Entertainment
The resorts offer active tourists a variety of entertainment. In Grandvalira, you can go ice diving, ride snowmobiles, and spend the night in an ice igloo hotel built in the mountains at an altitude of over 2,300 meters above sea level. In the summer, there is a Family Park with attractions for children and adults. In the tourist centers, guests can enjoy karaoke bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.
The Caldea thermal complex is a must-see in Andorra. Here you can relax in lagoons with warm thermal water, swim in a pool with hydromassage, visit all types of saunas and undergo cosmetic procedures. The SPA center has an art gallery of modern art. It is better to plan a visit to the complex for the first half of the day, as it can be crowded in the evening.
Shopping in Andorra can rightfully be called an independent form of entertainment. The shopping centers offer products from leading world brands: fashionable clothes and shoes, sporting goods and electronics, perfumes and accessories. Europeans come here to replenish their stocks of good whiskey, buy tobacco products and update their wardrobe. The prices correspond to the level of tax-free stores.
Kitchen
Andorra’s culinary traditions were influenced by two cuisines: Spanish and French. Seafood, mature and young cheeses, pasta, jamon and other meat delicacies are popular in the country. Main dishes are home-cooked, as in Spain, and the influence of France is felt in the design of desserts. Hotel restaurants offer guests simple, healthy and light food that does not weigh down the stomach but gives energy for sports.
Popular dishes:
- cunillo – rabbit stewed in a thick tomato sauce with added vegetables;
- la parillida – a selection of different types of grilled meat;
- turi – a dish of melted cheese served in a clay pot;
- escalivada – grilled bell peppers, eggplants and tomatoes;
- crepes – pancakes with various fillings.
Souvenirs
Most often, tourists buy sportswear and accessories as gifts for friends. Andorra’s shops sell high-quality and inexpensive gloves, glasses, hats and fasteners that serve their owners for many years.
In addition, the list of most popular purchases includes:
- jewelry;
- sunglasses of famous brands;
- technology and electronics;
- perfume sample sets;
- souvenirs with state symbols;
- dolls in national clothes;
- premium alcohol and cigars;
- cheese and deli meats.
Large sales take place from the end of December to February, and from the end of June to August. Tax free on purchases will not be possible, as goods are sold tax-free.
Transport
Andorra has a well-developed road system. There is a bus service between the capital and the resorts, the break between buses is from 10 minutes to an hour. The ticket price depends on the distance, the cost, as a rule, does not exceed 6 EUR. You can pay the driver. Taxis operate mainly within the city limits, the cost of one km of travel is 1 EUR during the day and 1.2 EUR at night. Car rental prices in Andorra are higher than in neighboring countries. It is more profitable to book a car in Spain in advance and get to the place on your own. In Barcelona, car rental points operate right on the territory of the airports, there are also multi-level parking lots.
Safety
Andorra is one of the safest European countries. Thefts are extremely rare here, although a little over two hundred police officers maintain order. The main dangers await tourists on the ski slopes. Injuries while skiing are not uncommon, so choose slopes designed for your level of training. It is not recommended to stop in places that are poorly visible. You must have a mobile phone with you. The single number for emergency services is 112.
Medicine
Medical services in the country are paid. The cost of a doctor’s consultation is 100 EUR or more. Before traveling, you must take out a special insurance policy that will include medical assistance for injuries sustained during active recreation. The ambulance number is 110 or 118.
Traditions
The country takes religion seriously and tourists are expected to respect national traditions and shrines. The rules of conduct are quite strict – there are no strip bars in Andorra, nudism is not welcomed, adultery is condemned. The law provides for liability for appearing on the street in a state of alcoholic behavior.
Internet
Wi-Fi zones in Andorra are available in hotels, shops, national parks and even on the slopes, where with a SkiPass, internet access is free. The country is not part of the EU, so universal SIM cards from European operators do not work here. Tariffs with mobile internet for tourists are offered by the only local provider – Andorra Telecom, the minimum cost of a prepaid package is 15 EUR.
Interesting facts
- The voltage in the electrical network is 230, socket types C and F are used.
- The country’s roads are in good condition, but in mountainous areas drivers need to be careful and watch out for signs indicating sharp turns. Visibility is often hampered by fog and, in winter, snowfall.
- The standard tip is 10% of the bill, and is usually left in restaurants and taxis. Porters and maids are given 1–2 EUR.
Local laws
In Andorra, it is prohibited to consume alcohol in public places, including on the street.
According to Andorran law, tourist apartments must be registered. It is recommended to stay in official tourist places.