This list of the best places to see in Andorra will help you prepare your trip to one of the smallest and most charming countries in the world. Located in the Pyrenees, between Spain and France, this small country will make you fall in love with its landscapes of pure nature that occupy 90% of the territory, including lakes, mountains over 2,500 meters and up to three natural parks.
In addition to hiking and winter sports such as skiing, we recommend you take a route through the Romanesque churches, visit a small medieval town, relax in a spa and go shopping in Andorra la Vella, its capital. The most common way to get to Andorra is landing in Barcelona and renting a car or taking a bus, which will take you to the principality in about 3 hours.
1. Romanesque churches
One of the best things to do in Andorra it is a route by car through the most beautiful Romanesque churches. It should be borne in mind that there are more than 40 small churches built between the late 8th and 13th centuries, which have remained in good condition thanks to isolation and the absence of wars in the history of this country. One of the common characteristics of all these churches is the use of slate stone in their construction, the bell towers have a square shape and some preserve medieval wall paintings and wood carvings. Among the churches that you cannot miss are the church of Sant Climent de Pal, Sant Roma in Les Bons, San Marti de La Cortinada, Santa Coloma in Andorra la Vella, Sant Sergi de Nagol, Sant Miquel d’Engolasters and that of Sant Joan de Caselles.
2. Andorra la Vella
Andorra la Vella, located more than 1000 meters high and surrounded by mountains, is the capital and one of the most essential places to see in Andorra. This city has a beautiful historic center full of stone buildings in which the Casa de la Vall stands out, from the end of the 16th century and which was the headquarters of the General Council, one of the oldest parliaments in Europe. Other of the oldest buildings in the center are the Church of San Esteve from the 12th century, Casa Guillermo and Casa Felipo. Other less old interesting places are the Placa del Poble with the sculpture “Homage to the Immigrant” , the sculpture La Noblesse du Tempsfrom Dali, the Paris Bridge and Avenida Meritxell, the most commercial street in the city with a multitude of shops that will take you to the neighboring town of Escaldes-Engordany. If you really like shopping, if you haven’t seen enough stores on this street, you can go to one of its shopping centers such as Pyrenees or Illa Carlemany. To learn more about the history of this city and not miss anything important, you can book this guided tour.
3. Lakes of Tristain
Los Lagos or Estanys de Tristaina, are three high mountain lakes that form one of the most beautiful natural landscapes to visit in Andorra. In addition, this excursion is one of the most popular in Andorra as it is of moderate difficulty, suitable for all hikers, as long as you are well equipped in case the weather changes. To start this circular route of 4.4 kilometers you will have to go to the parking lot of the La Coma Restaurant, located next to the Ordino Arcalis ski resort. During the 3 hours that the route lasts on average, duly marked with yellow lines, you will reach a maximum height of 2,300 meters and you will reach the Mes Amunt lake, circular in shape and surrounded by mountains, among which is the Tristaina peak, of 2,878 meters. Another route with low difficulty is the one that takes place through the Vall d’inches, where the Estanys de Juclar are located, some small high mountain lakes.
4. Towns to see in Andorra
Nestled between the mountains, there are a series of stone villages and slate roofs for which time seems to have stopped. Among the most beautiful towns to see in Andorra are:
- Pal: this photogenic town built on a hillside, is one of the best preserved Romanesque ensembles in which its beautiful church and its stone and wood houses stand out.
- Les Bons: this town has the Torre de los Moros and the church of Sant Roma with precious Romanesque paintings (the originals are in the MNAC in Barcelona), its two great jewels.
- Ordino: it is the cultural capital of Andorra as it has several museums such as the Museu Postal and the Areny-Plandoli house.
- Fontaneda: one of the smallest and most isolated towns, with unpaved streets full of charm that has become another of the places to see in Andorra.
- Llorts: it is a charming town through which the reddish Valira del Norte river passes and is the starting point of the Iron Route, one of the best excursions to do in Andorra.
5. Naturlandia
Naturlandia, located in the municipality of Sant Julia de Loria, is the best amusement park to visit in Andorra . In this park for all ages, you will find a lot of fun outdoor activities surrounded by a privileged environment of more than 800 hectares of forest. The complex is divided into two parts, one located at 1,600 meters where most attractions are concentrated and another at 2,000 meters, which serves as the start of some of its most dizzying activities such as the Tobotronc, the longest alpine slide in the world with more than 5 kilometers long and a drop of 400 meters. If you haven’t released enough adrenaline with the Tobotronc, you can always climb the Airtrekk, a wooden structure over 13 meters high full of obstacles and with a 180-meter zip line.
Our recommended accommodation for Andorra is the Acta Arthotel, located in the heart of Andorra la Vella and with a spa with sauna and Turkish bath. Another good option is the Hotel Metropolis located in Escaldes, 150 meters from the commercial area of Andorra, the Caldea spa and the new spa center, Inuu. It is also well located to access all the ski slopes in the principality.
6. Chaldea
Caldea, located in Escaldes-Engordany, is the most famous thermal water spa to see in Andorra and one of the largest in Europe. This thermal complex attracts attention at first sight due to its 80-meter-high pyramid-shaped tower and its futuristic design. Inside you can enjoy modern facilities and all kinds of baths that will improve your well-being through the curative properties of the waters and the most specialized treatments, in an environment of absolute tranquility. You can book the tickets from this page or a night bath with a show from this other one.
7. Skiing in GrandValira, one of the things to do in Andorra
Another of the best things to do in Andorra is skiing or snowboarding at GrandValira, the largest resort in southern Europe with more than 210 kilometers divided into 138 slopes. In addition to the good quality of the snow during the winter, this station offers all the comforts such as numerous hotels at the foot of the slopes, restaurants, cafeterias, areas for children and other activities for people who do not ski like you are. If you come in summer, part of the slopes are transformed into the highest golf course in Europe, located at more than 2,200 meters above sea level, which is another of the places to see in Andorra. For more information and to make the reservation you must visit their website.
8. Roc del Quer viewpoint
The Roc del Quer de Canillo Viewpoint, is a viewpoint with spectacular panoramic views of the entire natural environment of the Pyrenees, and another of the places to see in Andorra. This old viewpoint, which had two wooden benches located on the edge of the mountain, has been transformed into a walkway with part of the transparent floor 20 meters long, 12 of which are suspended over the Canillo valley. The entrance to the viewpoint has a price of 5 euros and is only closed in winter, when access is blocked by snow. Another option is to buy the combined pass that includes access to the Tibetan Bridge and the bus transfer (the departure is from the town) for 14.50 euros.
Remember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change, we recommend using the Revolut card and the N26 card. They are the ones we use, they are free and they will mean great savings. You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
9. Bridges of Andorra
In addition to churches, the Romanesque also helped civil architecture, leaving several stone bridges that have become, over time, another tourist attraction to visit in Andorra. Among the most beautiful is the Puente de la Margineda, built in the 12th century over the Valira river, which is the oldest and largest with its 33 meters long. Another stone bridge with a single arch that will immediately transport you to the Middle Ages is that of Sant Antoni de la Grella, which formerly allowed the passage from Adorra la Vella to La Massana. Other interesting bridges to see in Andorra are the Pont dels Escalls and the Pont d’Engordany, both located in Escaldes-Engordany.
10. Sanctuary of Meritxell
Visiting the Sanctuary of Meritxell, the most important religious temple in the country, is another of the essential things to do in Andorra. This church, which has the title of Minor Basilica and is part of the Marian Route, suffered a fire in 1972 that burned most of the sanctuary and the old carving of the Virgin of Meritxell. The temple was rebuilt by the architect Ricardo Bofill, mixing different styles in harmony with the environment and also a copy of the carving that is kept inside was made.
