The principality of Andorra is a small landlocked state in south-western
Europe, located high in the Pyrenees Mountains, between Spain
and France.
Travel Insurance for Andorra:
Area: Europe *
Know Before You Go:
FCO Country Advice for Andorra
Andorra’s government system was a parliamentary co-principality
under the French state and the Spanish bishops of Urgel until
1993. It was then officially given status as a sovereign state
and parliamentary democracy.
The population is comprised of mostly Spanish, with Andorran,
French and others. Roman Catholic is the dominant religion. Catalan
is the official language, with French Castilian, Spanish and
Portuguese also spoken.
Andorra has become a very popular winter sports destination,
with skiing available for approx six months of the ski season
thanks to heavy snowfall aided by man-made snow canons. One main
mountain area, Vallnord, contains the Pal-Arinsal and Ordino-Arcalis
areas which are known for their excellent skiing and snowboarding
runs. It is also a popular area for mountain biking in summer.
Grandvalira is located in the north part of the state, on the
border with France . It is regarded as a prime winter sports
area of the Pyrenees , with the largest skiing area, good conditions
and a reported high percentage days of sunshine. This area contains
the major ski resorts of Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig, Soldeu and
El Tarter.
The ski resort of Ordino-Orcalis is smaller and especially
good for beginners and intermediate skiers.
The capital and largest city in Andorra is Andorra la Vella,
which is worth a visit with some interesting museums and the
historic Casa de la Vall which was built in the1500s. The city
is very scenic, surrounded by snowy mountain peaks, lying on
the rivers Gran Valira, Valira del Norte and the Valira del Oriente.
Shopping in Andorra is a mecca of bargains with prices being
quite a bit less expensive than in Spain or France for many items.
There is a good variety of shops which have long opening hours.
Andorra is famous for its reasonable prices due to low tax rates
and duty-free shopping.
Located in the Andorran mountains, Caldea is one of the most
spacious health spas in Europe . There are indoor and outdoor
pools, jacuzzi’s, saunas and other facilities, all supplied
by natural hot springs .
Other attractions in Andorra include Santa Coloma Church with
its bell tower built in the 1200s and the medieval Castle of
Saint Vicenc d’Enclar, dated between the 9-12 th centuries,
sitting high on a hill over the village of Santa Coloma. Andorra
also has many religious feasts from July-September for those
visiting during the summer.
Andorra offers some of the best skiing available
on the Pyranees at Ordino-Arcalis, Pal-Arinsal, Pas
de la Casa and Soldeu.
Andorra Weather
The climate is high
mountain type with Mediterranean influences, winter temperatures
are low and in summer they are mild, with large variations taking
place according to altitude and orientation. Andorra enjoys a
high percentage of sunny days and the climate is dry. The average
annual minimum is -2ºC and the average maximum is 24ºC.
Autumn is the season with the highest rainfall; while in winter
there are abundant snowfalls. |
