Andorra is an almost hidden gem of a country that sits perched high up in the clouds, balancing beautifully between the French and Spanish Pyrenees mountains. This tiny country is only 468 km2 wide and is considered one of Europe’s smallest countries, home to only 70,000 people. This co-principality sits at an average elevation of 1,996 metres high and consists of rugged, vast mountains, jaw-dropping valleys and stunning scenery. There is so much to do here, with Andorra being home to some of the best winter and summer sports in Europe and a tax-free shopping haven. 

Andorra is equally popular in summer

Andorra

A country of two contrasts where: on the one hand, you will find sleepy mountain villages overlooking spectacular valleys, and on the other hand, you have the luxury epicentre of Andorra La Vella, which could rival the likes of Dubai. If you like shopping, designer clothes and fancy restaurants, Andorra is for you, but if you also like epic skiing, snowboarding, winter seasons in the mountains, mountain biking trails, cycling and hiking until your legs give way, Andorra is also for you.

With the country being so small, it’s the perfect place to travel to and get around in a campervan and motorhome. You will be stunned by the country’s beautiful landscapes and nature. With its size, Andorra is perfectly made for van life.

People and culture

The Andorran culture is deeply rooted in Catalonian heritage but pulls influences from both Spain and France. The official language is Catalan however French and Spanish are just as widely spoken here, making it relatively easy to travel to if you have some basic knowledge of Spanish and French.

The Andorran people are known for their warm hospitality and vibrant traditions, which can be seen in their love of music, dance, and festivals. They celebrate their customs with enthusiasm and welcome visitors to join in the festivities. Overall, Andorrans are friendly, proud of their heritage, and enjoy a high standard of living in a beautiful natural setting.

Best time to visit

Andorra’s scenic beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities, make it a popular winter and summer destination. In the summer you have amazing hikes around the mountains, and popular dirt bikes and mountain biking trails. The summer stays warm, with a refreshing coolness in the mountains. We are not big into winter sports so we visited Andorra in the middle of summer and had a fantastic time hiking the mountains. In the winter, you have world-class skiing and winter sports. Andorra is world-renowned as a skiing destination and one of Europe’s most popular and affordable.

Andorra really sees a spike in tourism in the winter months as people flock to play on the powder, and for that reason, taking a motorhome and campervan around then can get busy, especially at ski resorts and chalets. However, it is the perfect time to visit if you are looking for a winter, skiing, snow sports extravaganza.

Exploring the surroundings

Tasting the local cuisine

Andorran food is influenced by its neighbouring countries. Many French and Spanish flavours, textures and ingredients come together to create the local cuisine of Andorra. Expect to find hearty, rustic dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients. Popular dishes to look out for are:

• Escudella
  The national dish of Andorra, a hearty stew made with pasta, pulses, vegetables and meats.
• Embotits
  An Andorran-style traditional sausage which can come in various flavours and variations.
• Crema Andorrana
  An Andorran version of the french favourite Crème Brûlee

Additionally, the country’s location in the Pyrenees Mountains means that dairy products, particularly cheeses, are an important part of the cuisine. Make sure to check out Casa Raubert, an artisanal Cheesemaker, in a 16th-century manor house.

Andorra La Vella

Andorra La Vella is the capital and largest city of Andorra. It has a population of around 23,000 people and is Andorra’s political, economic and cultural centre. Being a very built-up and modern city, Andorra La Vella has retained a sense of nature from all corners of the city. The city’s geography sits at the bottom of a valley with towering mountains all around.

Andorra La Vella is bustling, busy and known for its shopping, as it is a tax haven with many duty-free stores. Cafe culture is alive and well here, and so is art and culture, don’t miss out on seeing Salvador Dali’s “Noblesa del Temps” melting clock sculpture.

Refuge in the mountains

Mountain lake

Getting there

Andorra is a road-tripping type of holiday! You can only drive there as it is not connected by rail and the closest airports are in either Spain or France.

Border

Andorra is landlocked, and the only way to get there is by road. There are four main road routes of entry. Three from Spain and one from France, and a few other off-road type routes, but the most popular ones are:

From the southeast of France, in the Pyrenees Mountains, you take the N22 and pass through Duana Franco-Andorrana (Despatx de Control Nacional Juxtaposat de Porta), which leads you into the town of El Pas De La Casa. El Pas De La Casa is in the northeast of Andorra, and this is a great starting point to work through the country and south into Spain.

From the northeast of Spain in the Pyrenees Mountains, you can take the road less travelled. It must be said here that it is highly recommended that you have a 4×4 drive for this road. The Spanish side of this road is unpaved, there are tight hairpin turns, and it is one of Europe’s highest mountain passes, so requires serious driving.  Not to mention it is completely off-limits after bad weather and in the Winter. From Tor in the northeast of Spain follow the Carretera del Port de Cabús East, which will eventually take you to Coll de Cabús on the Andorran side (Western Andorra.) Again I repeat, this is a dangerous road and only suitable for 4×4/ Off-Road vehicles and confident drivers in the right conditions.

Another route from north Spain takes you into the south of Andorra and is a simple road in along the CG-1, which takes you to Duan de Sant Julià de Lòria. Great if you want to explore Andorra from south to north.

The last route to mention is from the Spanish town of Os de Civís head west into Andorra via the CG-6 along the Carrer Sant Julia Mountain Pass, which will lead you into the Andorran village of Bixessarri.

Navigating the roads

Medieval church

Parking

In Andorra, you will find a large number of parking spaces where you can park without any problems. Some areas have paid for parking within blue and green zones located street-side where you can park your vehicle. The paid time usually runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., sometimes the maximum you can stay is 5 hours, and some areas have visible no overnight. Sunday parking is usually free, but remember to double-check all street signs in the area first before getting comfy!

Route and road trips

Motorhome and campervan hire Andorra

Being a country that is easiest accessible via road its not surprising that campervan and motorhome culture is popular here.

There are several companies in Andorra that offer motorhome and campervan rental services:

• Mcrent
• Andorra WeCamper
• Indiecampers

Also check motorhome and campervan Rental companies in neighbouring countries Spain and France, for good deals.

Andorra country code

Wild camping in your motorhome/campervan

Finding the perfect campsite

Snowsports in the winter

Shopping, supplies and amenities

Shopping is big in Andorra. It is a bit of a shopping haven. As it is a duty-free tax zone. Don’t miss out on stopping at Andorra La Vella if you love shopping. You will find all the usual big-name brands as well as luxury brands. You should be able to find what you are looking for quite easily. Take a look at the types of shops on offer here: If you are in need of motorhome supplies, check out Andorra Campers.

The proximity of France and Spain to Andorra means you can find many of the same supermarket chains and names around. Expect to find popular markets like Caprabo, Carrefour and E.Leclerc.

Camping stores

I suggest stocking up on camping equipment before heading into Andorra. In the Regions around the border of Andorra, especially on the French side, you can find quite a few huge Decathalon stores with everything your little camping heart desires. There’s just a bit more of a range there.

Cost of living

For Western Europe, Andorra is one of the more affordable countries being around 30% cheaper than neighbouring France. Some things are incredibly well priced there like the cost of petrol (it is one of the cheapest in Europe for petrol prices! So fill your tank up before you leave) Food and groceries are similarly priced to Spain and all in all, vanlife can be quite affordable there.

Public toilets

Free water taps

Camping in the mountains

Grey and black waste disposal

Lpg pumps

Petrol stations

Cellular networks and wifi

Essential safety tips

The European Emergency Number is 112. Operators speak English and will be able to communicate with you regarding any emergency. The list of Emergency numbers is as follows:

• 116 Medical emergencies
• 112 Emergencies
• 118 Fire brigade

Mountain valleys Andorra

Travelling with pets Andorra

A very pet-friendly place, Andorra is a great place to travel with your pets. Especially if you have an active pooch to enjoy all those wonderful hikes and hill walks! Here are the requirements you will need for your pets to travel to Andorra.

Travel Requirements for pets Andorra:

• Up-to-date vaccinations
• Up-to-date Rabies vaccine (given at least 3 weeks before travel) travel within 12 months.
• Microchipped
• Animal Health Certificate (arrival into France within 10 days of Travel) AND/OR Pet Passport

Outdoor adventure with your buddy

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