The small co-principality of Andorra is located in the east of the Pyrenees in a high valley and has borders with France and Spain. It is known above all for its beautiful mountain landscapes and its relatively inexpensive shopping facilities. See Andyeducation for education in Andorra.
| Capital City | Andorra la Vella |
| Size | 468 km² |
| Resident | 77.000 |
| Official Language | Catalan |
| Currency | Euro |
| Time Zone | MEZ + 1 / MEZ + 2 |
| Telephone Area Code | +376 |
Fast facts to know
- Is a co-principality to this day.
- Shopping paradise due to the low VAT of 4.5% on average.
- Considered to be an extremely safe travel destination.
- No duty is levied on consumer goods and gasoline.
- Does not belong to the EU, but has the euro as its currency due to a special status.
- Has no airport.
- Breathtaking nature with numerous nature parks.
- Only 46% of the population have Andorran nationality.
Exciting cities in Andorra
- Andorra la Vella
- La Cortinada
- Encamp
- Pal
History of Andorra
- Demonstrably settled as early as the first ice age.
- Andorra was successively under the influence of the Roman Empire, Visigoths, Moors and Franks.
- Municipalities of Andorra are first mentioned in documents in 839.
- 1278 Pareatges Treaty: division of dominion between the Bishops of Urgell and the Counts of Foix.
- 1419 Creation of the Consell de la Terra, a kind of original parliament and the most important representative body of Andorra.
- Early 18th century: difficult economic and institutional situation due to internal conflicts in Spain.
- French Revolution led to the non-recognition of co-principal status in France.
- In 1806 Napoleon restored the status quo ante.
- 1973: First meeting of the Coprinces of Andorra since 1278 (Bishop of Urgell, Joan Martí Alanís, and the French President, Georges Pompidou).
- Constitution of March 14, 1993 establishes Andorra as a sovereign state with clear separation of legislative, executive and judiciary powers.
- Co-princes remain heads of state, but only have a purely representative function.
- Andorra is a member of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council of Europe and the European Monetary Union, but not the European Union.
Climate & travel weather in Andorra
- temperate climate.
- Spring: mild & rainy, Summer: warm with widespread rainfall, Autumn mild, Winter: cold with snow.
- Mountain climate with a tendency to thunderstorms and increasing rain.
- Recommended travel time:
- Ski holidays: December to March.
- Hiking holiday July to September.
- Avoid: April & May due to high rainfall.
Ideas for trips in Andorra
- Bosc de les Llaus (picturesque lookout tower).
- Sport climbing in the mountains.
- Caldea Recreation and Health Center.
- La Margineda Bridge (impressive medieval bridge).
- Brücke von Sant Antoni de la Grella in La Massana.
- Winter sports center La Rabassa with almost 300 km of ski slopes, very popular also the winter sports centers: Grandvalira, Vallnord, Naturlandia.
- Impressive and ancient appearing churches.
- Encamp Automobile Museum.
- Exciting nightlife in one of the safest areas in the world.
- Casa de la Vall, the smallest parliament in Europe built from quarry stones.
Eating & drinking in Andorra
- The top priority is: Only use local products.
- Perfect combination of traditional mountain cuisine and French and Catalan ideas.
- Lots of pork and bacon dishes.
- Typical dishes:
- Coques (savory flat cakes).
- Tupi (cheese, in a clay jug with garlic and liquor).
- Trinxat (potato and cabbage dish).
- Alley trout (Pilzomelette).
- Coca Masegada (meat pies).
- Rabbit with tomato (Kaninchen mit Tomaten).
- Xai rostit (Grilled Lamb).
- Caragols a la llauna (grilled snails with herbs).
- Pork civet (Eberschweinragout).
- Andorran river trout (Flussforelle Andorranisch).
Particularly scenic
- Ski resorts in the Pyrenees.
- Long-distance hiking trails, mountain panoramas and mountain lakes.
- Vall del Madriu Perafita-Clavor (Frühzeitliches Tal, UNESCO Welterbestätte).
- Valls del Comapedrosa nature reserve with the Pic du Comapedrosa and many waterfalls.
- Tal Sorteny (botanisches Paradies).
- Gletschertal Valley of Madriu.
- Granite Slabs Trail (connects the valleys with Roussillon to the east, Languedoc to the north and Catalonia to the south).
