Andorra travel guide
Andorra is a small, mountainous principality high in the eastern Pyrenees, between France and Spain. It is best known for skiing and duty-free shopping, but its steep valleys also hold Romanesque churches, glacial lakes and long hiking trails. It suits skiers in winter and walkers in summer.
Places worth the trip
Andorra la Vella and Casa de la Vall
The capital fills the valley floor with shops and cafés. Its old quarter, the Barri Antic, centres on the stone Casa de la Vall, a 16th-century house that served as the seat of the country's parliament for centuries.
Grandvalira
The largest ski area in the Pyrenees, linking slopes above Pas de la Casa, Soldeu and El Tarter, with runs for every level. In summer the lifts serve hikers and mountain bikers.
Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley
A glacial valley with no roads, listed by UNESCO as a cultural landscape. Footpaths pass stone shepherds' huts, terraced fields and old iron-working sites before climbing to high lakes.
Romanesque churches
Small stone churches with tall bell towers are scattered through the valleys. Santa Coloma, with its round tower, and Sant Joan de Caselles near Canillo are two of the best known.
Ordino and the Tristaina lakes
Ordino is a village of stone houses in the quieter northern valley. Further up, a short trail from the Arcalís ski area leads to the three Tristaina lakes beneath the border ridge.
Coma Pedrosa
Andorra's highest peak, at 2,942 metres, sits in a protected natural park in the west. The summit is a long but non-technical summer hike from Arinsal.
Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís
The ski areas of the Vallnord side, generally quieter and more family-friendly than the big linked area on the eastern side of the country.
Interesting facts about Andorra
- Andorra has two heads of state, the co-princes: the Bishop of Urgell in Spain and the President of France.
- Andorra la Vella sits at over 1,000 metres, making it one of the highest capital cities in Europe.
- It is the only country where Catalan is the sole official language.
- There is no airport or railway station in Andorra; visitors arrive by road from France or Spain.
- Andorra is not in the EU but uses the euro under a formal agreement with the European Union.
Best time to visit Andorra
The ski season usually runs from late November or December to April, depending on snow, with peak crowds around Christmas, New Year and February. Summer, from late June to September, is best for hiking, with the high trails clear of snow from about July. Late spring and autumn are quiet, and some mountain facilities close between the ski and walking seasons.
Getting around
Most visitors arrive by coach or car from Barcelona, Toulouse or the nearest regional airports, or by train to L'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorre in France followed by a bus. Inside Andorra, a national bus network connects the capital with the parishes and ski areas. Roads are good but mountain passes, especially the Port d'Envalira, can need winter tyres or chains in snow. Traffic in the main valley can be heavy at weekends.
Practical details
- Capital
- Andorra la Vella
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Languages
- Catalan
- Plug types
- C, F
- Voltage
- 230 V, 50 Hz
- Emergency
- 112; also 110 police, 116 ambulance, 118 fire
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- Not obligatory. Rounding up or leaving a small tip for good service in restaurants is common.
Staying online in Andorra
Mobile coverage is strong in the towns and along the main valley roads, and ski areas generally have good signal. Coverage weakens in remote side valleys and on high hiking routes. Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafés and many public spaces. Because Andorra is not in the EU, EU roam-like-at-home rules do not apply and roaming on an EU plan can be costly. Install an eSIM before you travel and switch it on as you cross the border.
Andorra eSIM plans
1 GB
1GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Andorra, V2
Ilimitados
Unlimited eSIM Data for 1 Day for Andorra, V2
20 GB
Orange 20 GB Data, Unlimited Talk & Text
Ilimitados
Unlimited Plus eSIM Data for 1 Day for Andorra, V2
Useful apps
- Google Maps: Driving and bus routes between the parishes; download offline maps for mountain hikes.
- Yr: Detailed mountain weather forecasts, useful before hiking or skiing.
- Google Translate: Catalan translation for signs and menus, although Spanish and French are widely understood.
Andorra travel FAQs
No. Andorra is outside the EU, so EU roaming allowances do not apply and charges can be high. A travel eSIM is an easy way to have mobile data without depending on your home plan.
Catalan is the official language, and Spanish, French and Portuguese are widely spoken. English is common in ski resorts and tourist businesses.
Regular coaches run from Barcelona and Toulouse and their airports, taking a few hours. There is also a train to the French border area with a connecting bus.
Taxes are lower than in neighbouring countries, which makes shopping popular, but customs limits apply when you return to France or Spain, so check the allowances before you buy.