Sandwiched between Spain and France, this tiny little country in the midst of the Pyrenees is famous for its superb skiing and shopping (it has more than 2 000 shops!). With jaw-dropping scenery and excellent ski resorts, Andorra is fast making a name for itself as one of the best places to go skiing in winter. Full of forests, lakes, rugged mountains, and covered in exquisite flora and fauna in the warmer months, our top ten tourist attractions list will show you what a magnificent place Andorra is to visit!
10. Tobacco museum
Located in a building erected in the early 20th Century, the Tobacco Museum used to be a tobacco factory in Sant Julia de Loria that operated from 1909 to 1957, when tobacco growing and manufacturing were one of the area’s main sources of finance. The museum tells the story of the Reig family, who were involved in the tobacco industry since 1880, creating hand-made cigarettes and other tobacco products as well as loose tobacco that was sold in Andorra and further afield. Visitors here get to see how tobacco is grown and manufactured as it has been for over a century.
9. Incles valley
Known as one of the most picturesque valleys in Andorra, Valle de Incles is covered with exquisite flowers and plants in the summer making for quite breathtaking scenery. It’s a popular place for hiking and or just enjoying a picnic.
8. Sant Joan de Caselles
flickr/Josep Mª Pascual
Located on the route from Canillo, alongside a road that dates all the way back to the 11th Century, this pretty Romanesque church is well worth exploring. It boasts a wooden roof, rectangular nave and semi-circular apse that is the typical style of Romanesque 12th Century religious structures. Inside you’ll find a magnificent mural that depicts the crucifixion and behind the altar grill is a 16th Century altarpiece worth taking a look as it depicts scenes of the life of St John, the patron saint of the church.
7. Santa Coloma church
flickr/Sergio Morchon
This historic pre-Romanesque church has been documented since the 9th Century, and is the oldest church in Andorra. The Church of Santa Coloma boasts a 12th Century bell that is still intact. Most of its fine 12th Century Romanesque murals were taken to Berlin in the 1930s, but one, called Agnus Dei, the Lamb of God, still exists here in the church.
6. Engolasters lake
flickr/Alessandro Grussu
The oblong-shaped Engolasters Lake located near the country’s capital, Andorra La Vella, is a magnificent shade of deep blue. Set in a valley formed by the rivers draining the catchment, it is an idyllic place, lined with lush meadows and rich pine forests. The lake has a reservoir and this water is used for generating hydroelectric power at the nearby power station in Encamp. Legend has it that the lake was created by a sudden gush of water unleashed by divine powers to chastise a beautiful woman who lived nearby for refusing to give a starving pilgrim a piece of bread. As a result, all the stars in the sky fell into the lake and became prisoners for eternity. A 6.2km long ropeway links the lake area to Encamp.
5. Casa de la Vall
flickr/llondru
Located in the capital city, Casa de la Vall was built in 1580 and has served as the country’s parliament building since 1702. On the ground floor one finds El Tribunal de Corts, the only courtroom in the country, and upstairs is the Sala del Consell, the Parliament Chambers, where you will see L’Armari de les Set Claus, the Cupboard of the Seven Keys, which once was home to the country’s most important documents. Apparently the cupboard could only be opened if all the key-bearing representatives from the seven parishes were present.
4. Soldeu ski resort
flickr/Tania Ho
This lively and cheerful Andorran ski resort is very popular with families and offers excellent value for money holidays. It’s also rated as one of the best ski resorts in Europe for beginner skiers. The village is situated in the Grandvalira region and includes Pas de la Casa next door and four other resort bases in Eastern Andorra. In winter, the slopes are covered in snow, making the resort ideal for skiing. In the summer, Soldeu is also popular for those who enjoy hiking, white water rafting and mountain climbing.
3. Vallnord ski resort- Arinsal
flickr/Paulo Vítor Martins
Considered one of Andorra’s most popular ski resorts, Vallnord offers a diverse range of ski slopes and attracts skiers of all levels, as well as families. The resort of Arinsal is also linked to Vallnord by cable car and, together with Pal, forms one of the largest ski areas in the region. Experienced skiers can also visit the nearby Ordino-Arcalis Valley area and enjoy off-piste skiing. Most visitors stay in Arinsal to enjoy Vallnord’s great skiing opportunities, but some stay in the town of La Massana 20 minutes away. In the summer, the resort is equally popular and visitors enjoy mountain biking, fly fishing and horse riding.
2. Caldea Thermal Spa
flickr/David Oliver
Andorra is famous for its excellent spa’s located in an idyllic setting with clean mountain air. Caldea is the largest spa centre in Southern Europe and offers a variety of treatments and facilities, including spas, both indoor and outdoor high pressure Jacuzzi’s, UVA cabins, massage and body treatments. Of course, other entertainment is also on offer, including cafes, bars and a fine dining restaurant. Caldea is open all year round.
1. Grandvalira ski resort
flickr/Grandvalira Andorra
Grandvalira is the largest ski region in Andorra, comprising 190km of runs linking six different villages, namely Canillo, Encamp, El Tarter, Grau Roig, Pas de la Casa and Soldeu. Grandvalira offers some of the best slopes for intermediate and beginner skiers in the world, as well as more challenging black runs for experienced skiers. It boasts an Adventure Activity Centre that offers a variety of snow-related fun activities, including dog sledding, ski bikes, tubing and snow mobiles. But skiing remains the top attraction here.
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