Andorra la Vella - An Underrated Gem of the Pyrenees
- Work To Wonders
- Feb 7
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 11
Upon arriving in Andorra la Vella, you find yourself in Europe's highest capital city, and one of its smallest. It doesn't possess the architectural grandeur of Barcelona but exudes a distinct alpine atmosphere.
Nonetheless, this city has its own charm. You'll find historical churches like Sant Esteve d'Andorra, the impressive Casa de la Vall (Andorra's first parliament), and Salvador Dali's melted clock statue, Noblessa de Temps. The city also offers lovely parks and walking trails with stunning views.
And then there's the shopping. The tax-free shopping. Visitors from Spain and France come here to fill their cars with duty-free items from Andorra's relatively narrow, winding streets, which are packed with a variety of goods.
Andorra may be known for excellent skiing and less impressive football, but it should also be recognised for its breath-taking views, fantastic shopping (if you're a bit savvy), excellent restaurants, and for being the gateway to some remarkable alpine scenery.
The three-hour bus ride from Barcelona is definitely worthwhile.
How to get there
The most well-worn and convenient route is from Barcelona Airport, although most bus routes in Barcelona also stop at bus stations in the centre of the city (Sants, Nord and Diagonal). There are also bus stops that connect with Andorra in Llieda, Reus and Toulouse. There are no train stations or airports in Andorra.
Buses are often full, particularly during the ski season, so we recommend booking in advance.
How we did it
Flights: EasyJet from Glasgow to Barcelona.
Hotel: Acta ArtHotel
Our top tips
When shopping in Andorra, check that the prices you are getting are cheaper than back home - not everything that claims to be better priced actually is.
The city is very compact and easy to get around. Most attractions are within walking distance.
Andorra is a mountainous nation, so temperatures can be 10-15 degrees colder than in Barcelona.
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