From London to Lisbon, many of Europe’s capital cities are sprawling metropolises, crammed full of stunning architecture and thousands of people.
But one is a little different to the others. Nestled in the Pyrenees mountains lies Andorra la Vella, the capital city of Andorra, which sits between France and Spain.
The stats are remarkable: at 1,023m above sea level it’s Europe’s highest capital — and it’s also one of the smallest. It’s covers an area of just 5 sq miles, which means the city could fit into London roughly 121 times (London covers an area of roughly 607 sq miles).
There is no airport and not a single train station in the entire country, let alone in Andorra la Vella itself, but that doesn’t stop tourists from flocking to the city, famed for it’s duty free shopping and one of the largest spa complexes in Europe.
Lonely Planet said there was a ‘sprinkle of charm’ to be found here, while on Reddit, visitors have given the place mixed reviews.
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Some say Andorra La Vella feels ‘odd’, with the downtown area ‘like a big mall’, however, the scenery has been described as ‘beautiful’, with the city an ideal base to explore hiking and cycling trails in the mountains.
How do you get to Andorra La Vella?
With no airport or railways, you’ll have to get a little creative with your journey, flying into France or Spain, and travelling into Andorra from there.
In France, the nearest train station is Andorre-l’Hospitalet, just seven miles away from the Andorran border. The station is easy to get to from bigger French cities, namely Toulouse. A one-way train from Toulouse takes 2 hours, 20 minutes, and costs £25.20 on Saturday, August 9.
Lleida Pirineus is the closest Spanish train station to Andorra, served by high-speed trains from Madrid and Barcelona. A one-way train from Madrid on the same date takes 2 hours, 18 minutes, and costs £68.72.
You can then get a taxi from these train stations into the city centre.
Taking a coach from Barcelona Sants Coach Station directly to Andorra La Vella is also a popular choice for travellers. A one-way Flixbus coach, also on Saturday August 9, takes three hours and costs just £28.32.
Things to see and do in Andorra La Vella
As such a small city, Andorra Le Vella can be seen in a day, which makes it a great excursion from larger cities in France or Spain.
It is perhaps most famous for its shopping scene. While tax reforms back the 2010s mean it’s not the ‘haven’ it once was, it still has one of the lowest VATs in Europe, and is a hub for huge department stores and duty-free shopping, where you can get luxury goods, like perfumes and liquor, for cheaper prices.
The main street, Avinguda Meritxell, is the start of the so-called Shopping Mile, which is partially pedestrianised, meaning you can easily shop ’til you drop. One visitor said the place was like ‘airport duty-free on steroids’.
The other main attraction in the city is the Caldea spa, the largest thermal spa in southern Europe. It was designed back in 1987, using the hot springs that naturally flow in the region.
There’s indoor saunas, hammams and various types of baths, as well as an outdoor lagoon, where you can relax in the shadow of the stunning mountain views. The basic package for three hours access starts from €30.50.
For those looking to soak in some charming architecture, the city’s Old Town is worth a visit. There’s a pre-Romanesque church that dates back to the 9th century, as well as a Casa de la Vall, a stone mansion built in 1580 for a wealthy family, which also once served as the home for Andorra’s parliament.
Casa de la Vall is currently closed for works, but the General Council area can still be visited for free on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am to 2pm.
Finally, Andorra La Vella is a great spot to base yourself if you’re heading into the mountains for some adventure.
Visit Andorra’s website recommends a whole host of routes, suitable for different ages and skill levels, throughout the entire year.
When to visit Andorra La Vella
The best time to head to Andorra La Vella, of course depends on what you’re after weather-wise.
High up in the mountains, winters in the city are cold, with average highs of just 8C in January and February. Visitors can also expect snow, with an average annual snowfall in the country of 228cm.
Summers are short, but warmer, with temperatures in July and August peaking at 24C.
If you’re a foodie, you might want to visit the capital over Christmastime, and try Andorra’s national dish, Escudella, typically served at this time of year.
The Andorra Tourism Board describes it as ‘a Catalan stew made from seasonal vegetables, meats and local sausages’. The best place to try them is in a traditional ‘borda’, old store houses that have been turned into eateries.
La Borda Estevet is a popular choice in Andorra La Vella, with one reviewer on TripAdvisor saying ‘the restaurant is a smash’ and giving it a ‘ten to everything’. The escudella here is €16.
Alternative Europe
Here at Metro, we love bringing our readers unusual and hidden-gem alternatives to more popular European city breaks.
For those who love Paris, why not try Tromsø, often dubbed ‘Paris of the North’. Don’t be fooled by its extreme location — the largest city in northern Norway is surprisingly refined, with plenty to see beyond the Northern Lights.
If you enjoy holidaying in Portugal, but want to venture beyond Lisbon and Porto, head to Bragga, the lesser-visited ‘Rome of Portugal’, which was once a mainstay of the Roman empire. From ornate architecture to ancient buildings and a thriving culinary scene, the city has everything that Rome does, without the crowds.
And if it’s a historical break you’re after, Europe’s oldest city is in Bulgaria, and dates back to a staggering 6,000 BC.
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