Andorra Travel Guide

Andorra is a tiny landlocked country in southern Europe between Spain and France. Located in the eastern Pyrenees, with a land area of only 468km2, the Andorran landscape is dominated by around 53 high mountains, 60 lakes and many spectacular deep valleys. Coma Pedrosa is the highest point at 2945m and with another 43 peaks over 2500m, Andorra offers some of the best skiing and hiking destinations in Europe.

The area known as Andorra was established after centuries of struggles between the French and the Spanish for control of the region. It became a co-principality in 1278, and was co-ruled by the French president and the Spanish Bishop of Urgell for more then seven centuries, before becoming an independent state in 1993. Modern Andorra has a democratic government and constitution, although all legislation must still be approved by the Bishop of Urgell and the French president.

Andorra is split into seven small parishes or comuns. The small capital city, Andorra la Vella, claims to be the highest capital in Europe, and is a fascinating but somewhat crowded town located in a deep gorge. World-class ski resorts at Grandvalira and Vall Nord operate from December to April. Summer also offers tourists amazing hiking, horse-riding, golfing, fishing, biking, cycling, kayaking and eco-tourism opportunities. Caldea, just outside the capital, is fast becoming one of Europe’s most visited thermal spa complexes. Visitors to Andorra find that 2 to 3 days is usually sufficient to see all of the major attractions surrounded by dramatic scenery, leaving enough time for great duty-free shopping in Andorra la Vella and neighbouring Escaldes-Engordany.