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Southern Europe

AndorraTravel guide

Explore Andorra visa rules

Andorra is a small mountain country in the Pyrenees, between France and Spain. Visitors come for mountain scenery, old villages, shopping, skiing and hiking.

Why go

  1. Mountain views and green valleys.

  2. Historic villages with stone streets and medieval churches.

  3. Ski slopes suitable for beginners.

  4. Shopping in Andorra la Vella, the capital.

Best time to go: Summer has cool weather for hiking. Winter brings snow and winter sports.

Getting there

By air

  • Andorra has no airport. The nearest is La Seu d'Urgell Airport in Spain, 12 km south of Andorra.
  • Larger nearby airports include Perpignan and Toulouse–Blagnac in France, and Barcelona El Prat in Spain.
  • From Toulouse Airport, you can book a coach or taxi to Andorra's resorts through Sea-Lifts.

By land

  • Almost everyone enters by road from France or Spain. The Spanish approach is simpler; the French approach has many sharp bends.
  • Coaches run from several Spanish cities, including Barcelona, Girona, Madrid, Malaga, Lleida and Valencia.
  • Andorra has no railway. Nearby stations in France and Spain offer onward routes by bus or taxi.

Customs

  • Andorra is outside the European Union, so travellers must go through customs controls.
  • Check the Visit Andorra website for limits on goods you can carry without paying duty.
  • Passports are usually not stamped at the border. You can ask the customs officer for a stamp when entering.

Getting around

  • Local buses

    Local buses reach most main villages. The main routes pass through Andorra la Vella. One-way fares range from €1.85 to €6.10, depending on distance. Drivers can give change. Use the Mou-te phone app to plan journeys and buy single tickets or passes. Return tickets cost about 30% less and are sold only by drivers. Pay for them in cash. Buses near the capital can run as often as every 10 minutes during the day. Some rural places have only two or three buses a day. Three night bus routes run at intervals of 60 to 120 minutes.

  • Free minibus

    Línea Verde connects Caldea with Berenador and Camp del Serrat. It takes you closer to the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley. This route does not appear in Mou-te. Use the Ride Pingo app to see the bus's current location.

  • Car

    Drive on the right. Roads can be narrow, winding and busy, so allow plenty of time. Traffic is often slow around towns and borders. Parking can be hard to find. The highest speed limit is 90 km/h, but few stretches allow this speed. Follow posted limits and signs. Check your mirrors at roundabouts, where local drivers may pass slower cars. Fuel usually costs less than in France or Spain. Consider filling up before leaving.

What to see and do

  • Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley

    Andorra's only World Heritage site recognised by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Reach it on foot to see forests, fields, wildlife habitat and shepherds' huts.

  • Santa Coloma d'Andorra

    Its 9th-century church is the country's oldest building.

  • Ordino

    Visit for historic houses, medieval churches and stone streets.

  • Sant Julia de Loria

    This historic village is a good place to explore local culture.

  • Our Lady of Meritxell shrine

    Between Canillo and Encamp, this shrine honours Andorra's patroness. A replica replaces the original statue lost in a 1972 fire.

  • Església de Sant Esteve

    This 11th-century church is a historic highlight in Andorra la Vella.

Food and drink

  • Escudella

    A Catalan peasant soup often considered Andorra's national dish. It sometimes contains large spiced meatballs called pilotas.

  • Trinxat

    A traditional dish of cabbage, potato and bacon or salted pork. Many traditional restaurants serve it.

  • Estrella Damm

    A beer from Barcelona found throughout Andorra.

  • Anis Andorrana

    Described as the national spirit, it is made by Destil·leries Andorra. You can also find its products in supermarkets and liquor shops.

  • Andorran wine

    Pinot noir is the main grape variety, and production is small. The Celler Door in Andorra la Vella offers tastings of some local wines.

  • Alpha Brewery beer

    The country's only brewery makes several beer styles. Look in small gift shops and businesses aimed at visitors, as most shops do not stock it.

Money

Euro (€; currency code EUR). One euro has 100 cents.

  • Carry cash if you want to buy discounted return bus tickets from the driver.
  • Carry a credit or debit card if you plan to use the Envalira tunnel.
  • Perfumes, cigarettes and alcohol are popular shopping purchases. Check customs allowances before taking goods across the border.

Typical costs

  • Local bus: €1.85–€6.10 one way, depending on distance.
  • Línea Verde minibus: free.
  • Envalira tunnel for cars: €5.60 from December to March and €4.80 from April to November.
  • Distillery tours and tastings at Destil·leries Andorra: free.

Language

  • Catalan is the only official language, and street signs are in Catalan.
  • Almost everyone also speaks Spanish.
  • French and Portuguese are widely spoken.
  • English is limited and is mostly spoken in hotels. Basic Spanish helps when using buses, taxis and shops.

Staying safe

  • There is little threat from other people, but mountain safety matters. Do not go too high without knowing what you are doing.
  • Watch for black ice and snow drifts. Andorra can be much colder than places at sea level.
  • The French side of the mountains can have very different weather from Andorra and Spain.
  • After a warm day, falling evening temperatures can cause sudden ice on roads towards France. Stay overnight if needed.

Local customs

Do

  • Recognise Andorra as a separate country.

Don't

  • Do not say Andorra is part of Spain or France, as people may find this offensive.

Staying healthy

  • The main hospital is Meritxell Hospital, pronounced 'merichai'. Its phone number is +376 871 000.
  • Tap water is drinkable, but its minerals and microbes may upset some visitors' stomachs at first.
  • The source recommends bottled water as the safest option.
  • Be aware of altitude sickness when going high into the mountains.

Where to stay

  • Andorra has local luxury hotel chains and independent hotels.
  • Local four-star ratings may not match the standard you expect from four-star hotels elsewhere.
  • The source lists Holiday Inn in Andorra la Vella and Ibis near Escaldes-Engordany as budget international chain options.

Outdoor adventures in Andorra

Andorra’s mountains offer summer hikes, high peaks and winter skiing. Routes range from easy paved walks to difficult mountain ridges, with longer trips such as the five-day Coronallacs trail.

  • Pic de Coma Pedrosa

    HikeArinsal mountainsnear Arinsal

    Hard 4 hours 30 minutes Summer

    Start from Arinsal. Parking is at Torrent Ribal, at 1,580 m. The route passes a mountain hut and lakes before reaching Andorra’s highest mountain.

    • The route is moderate up to the lake, then difficult along the ridge.
    • The summit is 2,942 m high. Do not climb too high without knowing how to stay safe.

  • Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley

    HikeMadriu-Perafita-Claror Valley

    Summer

    Take the Línea Verde bus to get closer, then continue on foot. The valley has no access roads.

    • Wear suitable walking shoes rather than sandals.

  • Pal-Arinsal ski area

    SkiingPal-Arinsalnear La Massana

    Winter

    Take the cable car from the centre of La Massana. The ride to the ski area takes about 10–15 minutes.

  • Coronallacs hiking trail

    Treknear Escaldes-Engordany

    5 days Summer

    Start in Escaldes-Engordany and follow the trail back to the same town.

    • Wear suitable walking shoes rather than sandals.
    • Do not go too high without knowing how to stay safe in the mountains.

  • Ordino skiing and cross-country trails

    SkiingOrdinonear Ordino

    Winter

    Use Ordino as your base for skiing. It has year-round residents and nearby alternatives if you decide skiing is not for you.

  • Pic de Médécourbe

    HikeArinsal mountainsnear Arinsal

    Hard 4 hours 30 minutes Summer

    Start from Arinsal, with parking at Torrent Ribal at 1,580 m. Pass a mountain hut about halfway up and continue towards the summit.

    • The route is moderate up to the hut, then becomes difficult along the ridge.
    • The summit is 2,914 m high. Do not climb too high without knowing how to stay safe.

  • Pic de Sanfons

    HikeArinsal mountainsnear Arinsal

    Hard 4 hours 45 minutes Summer

    Set out from Arinsal. Parking is at Torrent Ribal at 1,580 m. A mountain hut and lake lie along the route.

    • The route is moderate up to the hut, then difficult along the ridge.
    • The summit is 2,888 m high. Do not climb too high without knowing how to stay safe.

  • Montmantell lakes and Pic del Pla de l’Estany

    HikeArinsal mountainsnear Arinsal

    Moderate 4 hours 20 minutes Summer

    Start from Arinsal, using the parking at Torrent Ribal at 1,580 m. The route passes a mountain hut about halfway up and visits the lakes and peak.

    • The peak reaches 2,859 m. Do not climb too high without knowing how to stay safe.
    • Wear suitable walking shoes rather than sandals.

  • Arinsal–Percanela–les Fonts–Pla de l’Estany circuit

    HikeArinsal mountainsnear Arinsal

    Moderate 4 hours 30 minutes Summer

    Start and finish in Arinsal, where parking is at 1,466 m. Walk the circuit in either direction.

    • Wear suitable walking shoes rather than sandals.

  • Camí del coll de les Cases

    HikeArinsal mountainsnear Arinsal

    Moderate 1 hour 40 minutes Summer

    Use the parking at Mas de Ribafeta at 1,466 m. You can continue along the GR11 walking route to Arans, but must arrange transport back to Arinsal.

    • Wear suitable walking shoes rather than sandals.

  • Rec de l’Obac

    HikeAndorra la Vellanear Andorra la Vella

    Easy

    Follow the green marker signs from Bar Nobega to Rotonda de Gall, the roundabout with a large gold rooster.

  • Rec del Solà

    HikeAndorra la Vellanear Andorra la Vella

    Follow the green marker signs between Collegi Sant Ermengol road and Carrer Mestre Xavier Plana.

  • Encamp gondola-accessed hiking trails

    HikeEncampnear Encamp

    Summer

    Take the gondola from Encamp. Get off at the top or at its intermediate station to go hiking.

    • Wear suitable walking shoes rather than sandals.
    • Do not go too high without knowing how to stay safe in the mountains.

  • Soldeu

    SkiingSoldeunear Soldeu

    Winter

    Stay in Soldeu as a ski-resort base.

  • Pas de la Casa

    SkiingPas de la Casanear Pas de la Casa

    Winter

    Stay in Pas de la Casa as a ski-resort base.

People and safety in Andorra

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian90%
  • No religion9%
  • Muslim<1%
  • Hindu<1%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal and protected

  • Same-sex couples can marry.
  • Legal gender change is recognised.
  • Laws protect against discrimination.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 99 of 198 countries can visit Andorra easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required99
  • Visa required99

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Europe44 of 45 countries
  • Americas26 of 35 countries
  • Oceania10 of 14 countries
  • Asia16 of 50 countries
  • Africa3 of 54 countries

Questions

When should I visit Andorra?

Summer offers cool conditions for hiking. Winter is the season for skiing and other snow sports.

How can I reach Andorra without a car?

Take a coach from cities such as Barcelona, Girona or Madrid. You can also travel to a nearby railway station and continue by bus or a taxi booked ahead.

Can I buy local bus tickets without using a phone?

Yes. Drivers sell return tickets for cash, with about a 30% discount, and can give change.

Will people understand English?

English is limited and mostly spoken in hotels. Basic Spanish is useful when speaking to drivers, shop staff and other service workers.

What money does Andorra use?

Andorra uses the euro, shown as €. One euro has 100 cents.

What local food should I try?

Try escudella, a soup sometimes made with large spiced meatballs, or trinxat, made with cabbage, potato and bacon or salted pork.

Can I drink the tap water?

Yes, but it may upset your stomach at first. The source recommends bottled water as the safest option.

Is Andorra suitable for beginner skiers?

Yes. Its gentle slopes make it a popular winter sports destination for beginners.

What historic sights can I visit?

See the 9th-century church in Santa Coloma, the 11th-century Sant Esteve church in the capital, and historic villages such as Ordino.

What should I check before taking shopping home?

Check the duty-free allowances on the Visit Andorra website. Andorra is outside the European Union, and travellers must go through customs controls.

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