Andorra / Principat d’Andorra – Let’s explore here
What’s it like in Andorra?
Andorra is a very small but stunning, mountainous principality in the Pyrenees mountains, bordered by France to the North and Spain to the South. Smaller than the Isle of Man, it has a population of around 85,000 people. The capital, Andorra la Vella, is the highest in Europe, at 3,356ft (1,023m) above sea level. The highest point is Coma Pedrosa, located in the west of the country, at 9,656ft (2,943m).
The best thing about Andorra is its breathtaking mountain scenery and stunning landscapes, from towering peaks to lush valleys. It’s a paradise for outdoor lovers, with world-class skiing in winter and fantastic hiking and mountain biking trails in the warmer months. The country’s natural beauty is complemented by lovely villages and a really welcoming atmosphere. It’s also known for its tax-free shopping, making it a popular destination for anyone looking for great deals.
It also has the world’s fourth highest rate of car ownership, being one of three countries with more vehicles than people, the others being San Marino and Liechtenstein.
People are very self-assured, friendly and relaxed, particularly in the capital. Perhaps wealth has something to do with that? For us, it seemed slightly other-worldly, almost like a futuristic ski resort. There’s a lot more to see and do than we’d anticipated. As of 2024, there was also an enormous amount of construction underway, particularly in the capital, from 08:00 – 20:00!
A bit about the history of Andorra
Andorra has a unique history influenced by its geographical location and political relationships.
Early History and Origins
The area now known as Andorra has been inhabited since prehistoric times. It was historically part of the Roman Empire and later fell under Visigothic and Frankish rule. According to local legend, Charlemagne granted Andorra independence in the 9th century to help defend against the Moors.
Co-Principality and Medieval Period
In the medieval period, Andorra’s sovereignty was shared between two rulers, the Count of Urgell (from Spain) and the Bishop of Urgell (also from Spain), leading to the establishment of the co-principality system, which remains in place today. This unique arrangement meant that Andorra was governed jointly by a French and a Spanish leader.
Modern Developments
In the 19th and 20th centuries, Andorra remained politically stable and largely independent, despite its small size and the powerful neighbours surrounding it. In 1993, Andorra adopted its first constitution, solidifying its status as a modern parliamentary democracy.
Contemporary Andorra
Today, Andorra is a prosperous, tax-haven nation with a strong tourism industry. The country is governed under the co-principality system, with the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell serving as co-princes. Andorra maintains a policy of neutrality and has close economic ties with both France and Spain.
Andorra road trip
Although it’s only a tiny country, on our road trip through Andorra, we wanted to take in as much as we could, to try an get a proper feel for how its is to live there. Our Andorran road trip was part of a much larger European road trip.
Is it like France?
We entered the country from France, where there was a big queue at a petrol station, due to the price disparity between the two countries. Immediately we were struck by how different the architecture is.
The capital
Driving through the mountains through to the capital provided some amazing views. The capital itself was really vibrant, and full of loads of loads of things to do and see. Staying over for a number of days really gave us the time to meet so many interesting people and see just how chilled everyone is. They all seem so self assured, content and relaxed, whilst everything seemed to be at a slow pace there.
Mountain passes
We drove a number of roads that were definitely mountain passes, although fog spoiled the views somewhat, and eventually made it impossible to see more than 10 ft (3 m) in front of you!
Heading back through France, we drove specifically on to Llívia (an enclave of Spain), and on to Monaco. Mostly we found that there are some really great roads in Andorra, with some outstanding views.
Map of our road trip through Andorra
This is a map of our road trip that we took through Andorra from France and back towards Llívia.
The route took us from El Pas de la Casa – Port d’Envalira – Meritxell – Escaldes-Engordany – Andorra la Vella – Santa Coloma – Sant Julià de Lòria – La Massana – Coll d’Ordino – Port d’Envalira – El Pas de la Casa
Our favourite places in Andorra
These are some of the best places that we explored on our road trip through Andorra. We’ve put them in alphabetical order.
Mountain passes
Coll d’Ordino
The Coll d’Ordino is a scenic mountain pass in the west of central Andorra, which runs from Ordino to Canillo. It sits 6,499 ft (1,981 m) above sea level and has 17 great hairpin bends. The pass is popular for outdoor activities, particularly hiking and cycling, with several well-marked trails leading through lush forests and alpine meadows. In winter, the area is also a gateway for skiing and snowboarding in the nearby Vallnord ski resort.
Port d’Envalira
The Port d’Envalira is the highest paved road in the Pyrenees at 7,900 ft (2,408m) above sea level. It’s located in the east of Andorra, running from El Pas de la Casa to Soldeu, connecting Andorra la Vella with the French border. Known for its dramatic scenery, the pass is a popular route for anyone heading to the Grandvalira ski resort, one of the largest ski areas in the Pyrenees. The area is also a haven for hikers and cyclists, with stunning trails and outdoor activities throughout the year.
Some of our favourite towns in Andorra
Andorra la Vella & Escaldes-Engordany
Andorra la Vella is the capital of Andorra, that sits at 3,356 ft (1,023 m) above sea level, making it the highest capital city in Europe. It’s a small but very modern city and the the metropolitan area houses around 40,000 people.
Known for its beautiful landscapes, the city offers a mix of modern shopping, historical sites, and natural beauty. The old town, with narrow streets and traditional buildings, contrasts with the contemporary architecture in the commercial center. Andorra la Vella is a popular destination for outdoor activities such as skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. Its duty-free shopping makes it an attractive spot for both tourists and locals.
Part of the metropolitan area is Escaldes-Engordany, one of Andorra’s parishes, which seamlessly borders the capital city. it’s renowned for its hot springs, particularly the Caldea spa complex, one of Europe’s largest thermal resorts. The town is surrounded by stunning mountain views, and features a mix of modern architecture and traditional buildings, with charming streets, shops, and restaurants.
Bothe are clearly wealthy places and have lots of shops selling high value branded clothing, and there are many restaurants and cafés. It reminded us a lot of San Marino city, due to the large number of shops that sold guns, knives, tech and leather goods.
El Pas de la Casa
El Pas de la Casa is a small, high-altitude town on the border with France in the east of Andorra. It sits 6,820 ft (2,080 m) above sea level, and is very popular of those wanting to refuel their cars, due to the large price difference between Andorra and France!
It’s a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts, offering easy access to the Grandvalira ski resort, one of Europe’s largest ski areas. The town has a lively atmosphere with numerous shops, restaurants, and duty-free stores. It also serves as a convenient point for travelers crossing between Andorra and France. While known for its winter activities, El Pas de la Casa also attracts hikers and cyclists in the warmer months, making it a year-round destination.
What’s it like to drive in Andorra?
They drive on the right hand side of the road in Andorra. From 1 November to 15 May, you must use winter tyres or carry snow chains in Andorra.
Andorra has the world’s third highest rate of car ownership, being one of three countries with more vehicles than people, the others being Liechtenstein and San Marino. There are around 170 miles of roads in the country although almost 50 miles of them are unpaved. There are no motorways, and road signage is decent, so you should easily find your way around.
However, there are lots of traffic police, and lots of speed-limit changes to how fast you can drive, particularly in built up areas. People tend to stick very rigorously to the speed limits, so maybe the police are particularly ‘effective’ at their job!
Driving in the mountains
We found driving to be very similar to elsewhere in the Pyrenees – lots of hairpin bends, blind corners and beautiful views! Locals obviously know the roads well, but do not push you, sit on your tail or try to overtake you.
We’ve found that when driving on mountain passes, conditions can be difficult depending on the weather, and they’re not always open due to snow. There’s an unwritten rule that says that vehicles traveling down should stop and give right-of-way to ascending vehicles.
We’ve also created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which you might find helpful 🙂
Is it easy to get petrol / diesel in Andorra?
There are many, many petrol stations in Andorra, due to the cost of fuel being significantly lower than in both France and Spain. People travel to Andorra explicitly to buy fuels and the petrol stations close to the borders have long queues.
Do you require an international driving permit in Andorra?
We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.
Can you use your UK driving license when driving through Andorra?
We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.
Do I need a carnet de passages to drive in Andorra?
We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.
What are the speed limits?
The speed limits for cars in Andorra are:
- 30 mph (50 km/h) for urban driving
- 35 mph (60 km/h) outside of built up areas
- 55mph (90 km/h) on dual carriageways
- 55 mph (90 km/h) on motorways
What currency do they use in Andorra?
In Andorra they use the Euro. The use of credit / debit cards is now widespread. Travellers cheques are accepted in the main banks. There are lots of ATMs.
You should make yourself aware of the amount that your bank charges you for using credit and debit cards abroad. Often credit cards are cheaper for purchasing items directly, and for withdrawing cash from ATMs.
What language do they speak in Andorra?
They speak Catalan in Andorra, although many also speak Spanish, Portuguese, French and English.
What time zone is Andorra in?
Remember, when you’re planning your next trip to take a look at what time zone it’s in.
Do I need a visa to visit Andorra?
We’ve created a dedicated, more comprehensive page on visas, which you should find helpful. Check it out!
Is wild camping legal in Andorra?
No, wild camping is illegal in Andorra.
What plug / socket type do they use in Andorra?
In Andorra they use plug / socket type F.
Health issues in Andorra
Is it safe to drink water in Andorra?
Yes, it is safe to drink tap water in Andorra. Bottled water is also readily available across the country.
What vaccinations are required for Andorra?
This NHS website is kept up to date with all relevant information on vaccinations.
Phones in Andorra
What is the country calling code for Andorra?
The country calling code is +376
What are the emergency phone numbers in Andorra?
- The emergency number for police is: 110
- For ambulances, the emergency number is: 116
- The emergency number for fire is: 118
If you’ve got some useful info that you’d like to share, let us know!
And don’t forget to check out all the other pictures!