Andorra, or the Principality of Andorra, is a small nation that borders France and Spain.
At just 181 square miles, it is the 16th smallest country in the world. However, while it may be small, there is still plenty to see and do here.
Known for its ski resorts, nature trails, historic churches and buildings, and low taxes that are ideal for shopping, it adds up to a great trip.
This Andorra travel guide will help you plan your next vacation.
Table of contents
Table of Contents
Fast Facts about Andorra
- Power voltage is 230 V at 50 Hz.
- The official currency is the Euro and 1 Euro is equal to 1.10 USD.
- The best way to get around is by car.
- To enter, you will need a U.S. passport valid for 3 months after your stay. You do not need a visa if your stay is under 90 days.
- The official language is Catalan.
- Andorra Telecom is the main mobile provider and a prepaid SIM card can be purchased through them.
- The sales tax rate is 0%. However, there is a value-added tax (VAT) rate that averages to 4.5% depending on the purchase. For more information, click here: https://andorraguides.com/tax/rates/
Things to See and Do in Andorra
- Casa de la Vell: Come see this parliament building from 1580.Full of history, take a guided tour to explore the grounds and see the Cupboard of the Seven Keys to explore archives dating back to the Charlemagne period, as well as 16th-century wall paintings.
- Vallnord: This popular ski resort—made up of three separate resorts in one—is perfect for anyone who wants to ski and has hills for all types, from beginner to advanced. Other snow activities include snowmobiling, sledding, and snowshoeing, plus laser tag. If you’re coming in the summer, the resort transforms into a bike park, where you can mountain bike through the hills.
- Caldea: Have a spa day here at this spa complex. The largest complex in Europe, enjoy saunas, Jacuzzis, lagoons, Indo-Roman baths, or try the grapefruit pool.
- Església de Sant Esteve church: Come to the Church of Saint Esteve, a Romanesque 12th-century church. Featuring stunning architecture and altarpieces from the Baroque period, the church also has a 12th-century wooden polychromed beam.
- Postal Museum: See this unique museum dedicated to the history of stamps. Take a 30-minute tour to learn the history of the postal service in Andorra, as well as how stamps are made. Included in the museum is a rare collection of 50,000 Andorran stamps.
Budgeting
Accommodation
Budget: You can find prices for budget hotels in the range of 40-70 euros per night. Enjoy private rooms, an outdoor pool, free high-speed Wi-Fi and breakfast, a hotel restaurant, and great locations to nearby shops and attractions.
Mid-Range: For mid-range hotels, expect to pay between 70-150 euros per night. These hotels come with private rooms or suites with flat-screen TVs and minibars, fitness centers, spa services, a hotel restaurant and bar, a pool and hot tub, and room service.
High-End: Upscale hotels can range from 150-320 euros per night. Take in the best with top-of-the-line service, polished private rooms and suites, spas with jacuzzis and massage services, hotel restaurants offering fine dining, ski shuttles, a pool and hot tub, and more.
Check out our favorite booking platforms Booking.com, Tripadvisor and Air B&B for the best deals on accommodation in Andorra
Food
The national dish is Escudella, a stew made from bone broth, veal or beef bones, and chicken, ham, and sausage. A popular dish during the summer is chicory salad with bacon.
Andorra has many restaurants where you can sample the country cuisine, as well as international cuisine options. In total, expect to pay around 40 euros per day for food.
The Best Ways to Get Around Andorra
Getting to Andorra:
Getting to Andorra: Andorra does not have its own airport. However, there are airports in Spain or France you can take that are close by. The La Seu d’Urgell Airport in Spain is just over 6 miles from Andorra.
Flights: You can check for the best flights to Andorra on Skyscanner.
Transportation:
Train: No trains.
Bus: Buses are a cheap way to get around, with a typical fare being 1.30-5.50 euros depending on distance traveled. Buses run from 7 AM to 9 PM daily and travel through most parts of Andorra. You can also look for tourist buses, which cross through major destinations and are priced at 12 euros per ride.
Taxis: Taxis are a good way to get around. Taxis charge 2.5 euros as a starting fee and have meters. During the day, the meter is 1.09 euros per kilometer traveled, and at night and on weekends the meter is 1.30 euros per kilometer.
Rent a car: To rent a car, you need to be at least 21 years old (preferably 25) and have a U.S. driver’s license that is at least one year old. Some rental companies will ask for a refundable deposit of 100 euros. Prices start at 35 euros per day for drivers 25 and over.
You can also compare prices here
When to go To Andorra
- The best time to go depends on what you want to do in Andorra. If you’re coming for the ski resorts, go between December and April, where temperatures are optimal for snow activities (40 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, 25-30 degrees Fahrenheit at night).
- For hiking and summer activities, as well as warmer temperatures (a peak of upper 70 degrees Fahrenheit), the best time to visit is from April to October
Where to Stay in Andorra
Hotel Coma Bella: Stay right next to the shopping district at this inexpensive hotel. Once you’re shopped out, come back to this hotel, which promises a tranquil atmosphere. Amenities include private suites and family rooms, children’s activities, an outdoor pool with lounge areas, a restaurant with special diet options, and a spa and sauna.
Acta Arthotel: Come stay at this great four-star hotel. This hotel is just a quick trip from Parc Central and the Església de Sant Esteve church. When you’re here, enjoy rooms with flat-screen TVs and minibars, a gym, an indoor pool and hot tub, the hotel’s two restaurants, and a spa that features sauna, ice shower, and massage services.
Andorra Park Hotel: Stay at this luxury hotel in the capital of Andorra la Vella and see beautiful mountain and valley views. Rooms come with flat-screen TVS, whirlpool tubs, and minibars. Other things to enjoy at this hotel include the heated indoor pool, room service, a sauna with wellness treatments, free Wi-Fi, two hotel restaurants and a bar, and a gym. If you’re heading to the Vallnord or Grandvalira ski resort, this hotel provides free shuttles.
Check out our favorite booking platforms Booking.com, Tripadvisor and Air B&B for the best deals on accommodation in Andorra.
Search for Andorra Accommodation
What to Pack for Andorra
- Power Adapter: As the voltage is higher than the US, bring a power adapter to charge your electronics.
- Hiking/Snow Boots: Bring some boots (for hiking or snow) to keep your feet comfortable while enjoying the outdoor activities.
- Warm Clothing: Especially during the winter, temperatures are around 30-40 degrees, so be sure to bring some warm clothing.
See our packing tips: packing tips
Andorra Travel Guide: Best Booking Resources
Whenever we travel to we make sure to start with these companies. We have tried a lot of different ones over the years and all of these have consistently proven to be the best when it comes to offering great prices.
We have used every one of these personally and continue to do so.
- Booking.com: This is our go site to when comparing prices for accommodation. It usually has the cheapest prices, especially in Europe and we love their interface. Not to mention you get free cancellation and you are guaranteed the best price.
- Trip Advisor: What we like about Trip Advisor is that we can look at all the reviews and then book our accommodation. TripAdvisor is where we go when we want to compare prices with multiple accommodation providers.
- VRBO: is the main search engine we use when we are looking for a home or apartment rental. It can sometimes be cheaper than hotels and it is the best way to stay in areas that offer a more local feel.
- Hostelworld: With one of the largest databases of hostels in the world, Hostelworld is the go-to site when you are looking for budget accommodation.
- Skyscanner: This is the first place we check for flights. It consistently comes back with the cheapest and best options. It allows us to compare a lot of airlines to get the best price.
- Rome 2 Rio: If you want to see how to get somewhere by plane, train, bus, ferry or car Rome2Rio lays it all out for you as well as related costs.I love how they show it all to you on a Google Map and it works offline.
- Get Your Guide: For all your day trip and city guide needs, we use Get Your Guide. It has the world’s largest collection of things to do with more than 30,000 activities in 7500 destinations.
- World Nomads Insurance: When traveling to Italy you should always have travel insurance. We have found the best bang for your buck is by far World Nomads.
Andorra Travel Guide: Related Articles
To browse all our articles and guides about Andorra click here
